If the exact cause of freckles were known, a remedy for them might be found.  A chemist in Moravia, observing the bleaching effect of mercurial preparations, inferred that the growth of a local parasitical fungus was the cause of the discoloration of the skin, which extended and ripened its spores in the warmer season.  Knowing that sulpho-carbolate of zinc is a deadly enemy to all parasitic vegetation (itself not being otherwise injurious), he applied this salt for the purpose of removing the freckles.  The compound consists of two parts of sulpho-carbolate of zinc, twenty-five parts of distilled glycerine, twenty-five parts of rose-water, and five parts of scented alcohol, and is to be applied twice daily for from half an hour to an hour, then washed off with cold water.  Protection against the sun by veiling and other means is recommended, and in addition, for persons of pale complexion, some mild preparation of iron.

GRAVEL.—­1.  Make a strong tea of the low herb called heart’s ease, and drink freely. 2.  Make of Jacob’s ladder a strong tea, and drink freely. 3.  Make of bean leaves a strong tea, and drink freely.

WASH FOR THE HAIR.—­Castile soap, finely shaved, one teaspoonful; spirits of hartshorn, one drachm; alcohol, five ounces; cologne water and bay rum, in equal quantities enough to make eight ounces.  This should be poured on the head, followed by warm water (soft water); the result will be, on washing, a copious lather and a smarting sensation to the person operated on.  Rub this well into the hair.  Finally, rinse with warm water, and afterwards with cold water.  If the head is very much clogged with dirt, the hair will come out plentifully, but the scalp will become white and perfectly clean.

HAIR RESTORATIVE.—­Take of castor oil, six fluid ounces; alcohol, twenty-six fluid ounces.  Dissolve.  Then add tincture of cantharides (made with strong alcohol), one fluid ounce; essence of jessamine (or other perfume), one and a half fluid ounces.

CURE FOR HEARTBURN.—­Sal volatile combined with camphor is a splendid remedy.

SICK HEADACHE.—­Take a teaspoonful of powdered charcoal in molasses every morning, and wash it down with a little tea, or drink half a glass of raw rum or gin, and drink freely of mayweed tea.

HEADACHE.—­Dr. Silvers, of Ohio, in the Philadelphia Medical and Surgical Reporter, recommends ergot in headache, especially the nervous or sick headache.  He says it will cure a larger proportion of cases than any other remedy.  His theory of its action is that it lessens the quantity of blood in the brain by contracting the muscular fibres of the arterial walls.  He gives ten to twenty drops of the fluid extract, repeated every half hour till relief is obtained, or four or five doses used.  In other forms of disease, where opium alone is contra-indicated, its bad effects are moderated, he says, by combining it with ergot.

HEADACHE DROPS.—­For the cure of nervous, sun, and sick headache, take two quarts of alcohol, three ounces of Castile soap, one ounce camphor, and two ounces ammonia.  Bathe forehead and temples.