Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 12, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 16 November 1893 — A Family Laxative. [ARTICLE]

A Family Laxative.

Physicians are not inclined to recommend aelf-medication to the laity. Yet there is one need, says the American Analyst, which they are almost unable to procure. We refer to the “family laxative.” The family phySfctan is able to prescribe for the most complicated and obsure of maladies and is yet often puzzled to know just what to give when asked for a remedy which can be kept in the house for family use as a laxative, that shall be effective, free from danger, and not unpleasant to take. When absent on our summer vacation we were asked by four different parties, representing as many famil'es, what we thought of the “Syrup of Figs.” Not one word did we volunteer on the subject, and we were somewhat surprised to find that there was this small token of the very general use of that preparation. These parties said they derived more benefit from it and found it more pleasant to take than anything of the kind they had ever 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 free from danger. With this assurance they volunteered the information that they should continue to keep it in the house. The therapeutical properties of senna are so well known that comment on this seems unnecessary. It might be well to notice, however, that Bartholowsays it is “a very safe and serviceable cathartic.” and that it is “highly prized as a remedy for constipation.” He also makes the important observation that its use, “is not followed by intestinal torpor and constipation.” . The simple truth of the matter Is, we have altogether too few preparations which we can recommend to our families as effective laxatives. But the California Fig Syrup Company has one of the most desirable combinations for* this purpose with which we are familiar. The Fig Syrup Company gives to the profession the composition of this preparation, therefore, there is no secret about it; the persons who use this laxative speak in the highest terms about it; and we are pleased to notice that a large number of physicians are prescribing it. Viewed from the narrowest and most selfish standpoint the physician will lose nothing by recommending such a preparation as Syrup of Figs to his patients; while viewed from the highest standpoint of doing the best possible by those who place themselves in our ears, we would say the profession can not do better than give their indorsement to such a preparation.