Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-11-08


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 according to their effects,
there are diaphoretic. diuretic, tonic. Sc
.aiive and aromatic drinks, or teas. Re-
gardin. the first. or diaphoretic, it may
he SAID that any warm drink, such as
lemonade or hot cruel, 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 rem
edy is Of much value. When a cold Is
coming on it NAV be arrested or modified
BY giving the patient warm drink and
wrapping up in bed. So other acute dis
eases may also be favorably affected by
diaphoretic drinks. Diuretic drinks also
require to be taken in considerable guam
iity, but. unlike diaphoretics. their action
is impaired by keeping the surface un-
usually warm. The type Of this class Of
domestic remedies is parsley tea. Flax
seed and elm-bark teas also are fair repre-
scntatives Of the diuretic class. 1t may
be noticed that the diureiic and diaphor-
etc 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 diaphor-
etc or diuretic. This fact should be kept
in mind when domestic remedies are used.
so that the desired effect may be obtained.
This case may be dismissed with the adj
ditional remark that owing tn the mucIl-
aoinous nature of these teas they have
soothing effect upon the mucous mem
branes generally, hence they are useful in
congested states, such as occur in the
respiratory, digestive, and urinary organs
when one has cold.
The tonic drinks or teas generally used
in the household are the bitter infusiOns
and decoctions of herbs and plants. The
leaves, roots and barks are the portions
mostly used. Their virtue lies in the
bitter principle which they contain. The
effect Of all the vegetable bitters is to
give tone to the stomach and increase the
appetite hence the reputation of camOmile
a,wild cherry bark tea, and the like.
These domestic remedies, while they are
less elegant and agreeable than the bitter
tincture obtained at the druggists are as
valuable, and perhaps more so. A SIM
pie butter infusion has the advantage of
being free from alcohol. which the tine
lures contain and. therefore. is less likely
to irritate delicate stomach, although
quite as likely to disgust sensitive pa
tent. The belief has long existed in the
minds of the people that these teas are
specially valuable i'm certain diseases.
but the fact is they possess no virtue be-
yond their power to increase the appetite
In many cases of debility that is Just what
is required.
The aromatic drinks most used in the
household are catnip, anise-seed, pepper
mint. cinnamon and cardamom teas. They
are all very much alike in their effect. be-
ing useful in cases of deranged digestion
attended with llatulence. In certain forms
of indigestion in those who are debiitated
the food taken tends TO undergo fermenta-
ton and the generation OF gases. This
often gives rise to great suffering, which
sometimes Yields to 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 doc
tors Of the h)usehold, but they are not Of
ten benefited by such treatment. Old peo-
pie 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; when
these viscera are distended by flatus. a
little aromatic tea may give to these DELHI
ita'ed organs a flllip which will arouse
their functional activity and enable them
TO free themselves from their irritating
contents. The colicky pains OF the diges-
tive organs caused by sudden exposure to
cold are also relieved sometimes by aro-
matte teas.-NeW York Times