Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-10-29
Homemade Drinks.

FROM the New Iork T1me6.
There are SO many Of these drinks that full
account Of them all would occupy too much
time. They can, however, be arranged in
classes, and the character and effects of each
class briefly mentioned. Arranging them ac-
cording to their effects, there are diaphoretic,
diuretic, tonic, sedative, and aromatic drinks,
or teas. Regarding the first, or diaphoretic, it
may be said that any warm drink, such as lemo-
made or hot gruel if taken in large quantity,
| will excite perspiratiOn if the surface of the
body is kept warm. In the incipient stage of
some diseases this remedy is Of much value
When a cold is coming on it may be arrested or
modified by giving the patient a warm drink
and then wrapping up in bed So other acute
diseases may also be fayOrably affected by
diaphOretic drinks Diuretic drinks also re-
quire to be taken in considerable quantity, but,
unlike diaphOretics, their action is impaired by
keeping the surface unusually warm. The type
of this class of domestic remedies ia parsley
tea. FlaX-seed and embark teas also are fair
representatives of the diuretic class. 1t may
be noticed that the diuretic and diaphoretic
drinks are much the same, and such is the
| fact. Either of those mentioned will act upon
the skin if the surface is kept extra warm.
Whereas. if the skin is kept moderately cool
after using such drinks they will act upon the
kidneys. So closely are the functions of the
skin and kidneys connected that the condition
Of the surface temperature will determine
whether a remedy will act as diaphoretic or
diuretic This fact should be kept in mind
when domestic remedies are used. SO that the
desired effect may be obtained. This class may
be dismissed with the additional remark that
owing to the mucilaginOuS nature Of these teas
they have soothing effect upon the mucous
membranes generally, hence they are useful in
cOngested states, such as occur in the respira-
tory. digestive, and urinary organs when one
has cold.
The tonic drinks or teas generally used in the
household are the bitter infusions and decoc
lions Of herbs and plants. The leaves. roots.
and barks are the portions mostly used. Their
virtue lies in the bitter principle which they con-
tain. The effect of all the vegetable bitters is
to give tone to the stomach and increase the ap-
petite; hence the reputation of camomile tea,
wild cherry bark tea, and the like. These do
nestle remedies, while they are less elegant and
agreeable than the bitter tinctures obtained at
the druggists. are as valuable, and perhaps
more so. A simple butter infusion has the ad-
vantage Of being free from alcohol which the
tinctures contain and therefore, is less likely to
irritate delicate stomach. although quite as
likely to disgust q sensitive patient The belief
has long existed in the minds of the people that
these teas are specially valuable in certain dis
eases, but the fact is they possess no virtue
beyond their power to increase the appetite. In
many cases of debility that is just what is re-
quired.
The aromatic drinks most used in the house
hold are eatnip, anise-seed, peppermint CHINA
mon and cardamom teas. They are all very
much alike in their effect, being useful in cases
of deranged digestion attended with fia:ulence.
In certain forms of indigestion in those who
are debilitated the food taken tends to undergo
fermentation and the generation Of gases. This
often gives rise to great suffering, which some
times yields to q dose Of aromatic tea. Infants
and children are generally supposed to have
collie when they show symptoms of pain. and
are, therefore, dosed with arOmatics by the
would-be doctors Of the household, but they
are not often benefited by such treatment. Old
people and adults of feeble health derive the
most benefit from aromatics. And to such their
use should, as rule, be confined. The effect Of
the arOmatics appears to be local stimulation
which increases the gastro-intestinal muscular
action; hence, when these viscera are distended
by flatus, little aromatic tea may give to these
debilitated organs clip which will arouse their
functional activity and enable them to free
themselves from their irritating contents. The
cOlicky pains Of the digestive organs caused by
sudden exposure to cold are also relieved some
times by aromatic teas.
They Hope to Get Even with MI. Wal.
From the Liverpool Courier
HnlYnnors hoon