Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 November 1893 — A Family Laxative. [ARTICLE]

A Family Laxative.

Physicians are not inclined to recommend self-medication to the laity. Yet there is bbe’iiced, %ayi thq American Analyst, whioh they are almost unable to supply. We refer to the “family laxative.- The family physician is able to prescribe for the most complicated and ofanun of maladie 1 and yet is often pended to know just what to give whenaakod for a remedy which can be kept In the home for family use as a laxative, that shall be effective, free from danger, and not unpleasant to take. When apßebt on our summer vacation w* #ere awed by four different partieß, representing as mftny families, what we thought of the “Syrup of Figs.” Not one word did; wo volunteer on the subioot, and we wjere somewhat surprised to find that there was this small token of the very general use of that preparation. Those parties said they derived more benofit from it and found it more pleasant to tako than anything of the kind they hail over used. The simple question with them was, is it a dangerous compound? We informed them that its active ingredient was a preparation of senna, and that it was entirely freo from danger. With this assurance they volunteered the information that they should continue to keep it in the house. The tlierapoutica! properties of senna are so well known that comment on this seems unnooeesary. It might be well to no lice, however, that Bartholow says it is “a very safe and eervioeublo cathartic," and that it if “highly prized as a remedy for constipation. He also makes the important observation that its uso "is not followed by intestinal torpor ind constipation.” • The simple trhth of the matter is, wo have altogether too few preparations which we can recommend to our families us effective laxatives. , But tho California Fig Syrup Company has one of the most desirable combinations for this purpose with whioh we are familiar. The Fig feyrup Company gives to tho profession the composition of this preparation, therefore there is no secret about it; the persons who use th is laxutive speak in tho highest terms about it; and we are pleased to notice that a large numbor of physicians are proscribing it. Viowod from the narrowest and most selfish standpoint the physician' will lose nothing oy recommending such a preparation as Syrup of Figs to his patients: while viewed from the highest standpoint of doing tho best possible by those who place themselves in our care, we would say the profession .cannot do better than give their indorsement to such a preparation.

Now University Degrees In Kngland. Two now degrees have beon created and added to tho list by the University of Durham, England, available for those who undertake tno study of medicine. They are Bachelor in Hygiono —to be known by tho symbol, “B. H.," and Doctor in Hygiono —symbolizoihby “D. H.,” and It will lnoludo examination in bactorlology, vital statistics, and sanitary medicine, in addition to some of tho subjects included in the courser which claim the diploma, “D. P. H.” (Departmerit of Public Health), in some of the other universities. On every hand in England we see tokens of the groat sanitary awakening, and so It is in tho natural course of things that in that country a movement is on foot looking to the establishment of a department of publio health with a responsible minister at ite head.™ New York Independent.

Hbb “Colchester" Spading Boot ad. In other column. The French transatlantic cable was worked at a loss last year.