245. English Mustard imported in bottles is procurable in most of the large bazaars, or is met with as an article of domestic economy in the household of almost every European. If not at hand, however, the common country Mustard seed may be substituted, especially in the formation of poultices. For this purpose, however, they require to be thoroughly ground down into the required consistence with a little water. If previously deprived of their fixed oil by expression, their activity is increased. By long keeping they lose much of their pungency; hence fresh seeds should, when practicable, be employed. 246. With English Mustard at hand you can never be in want of a safe and efficient emetic. A full teaspoonful (piled up) in a tumblerful of warm water, generally produces free vomiting; if it does not, in five or ten minutes it may be repeated, and should this not produce the desired effect, a third dose may be given after a similar interval. Should this fail, then some other emetic may be tried. It is especially indicated in _Drunkenness_, _Narcotic and other Poisoning_, _and in all cases where the stomach is overloaded with hard, indigestible food or intoxicating drinks_, when it is desirable simply to unload the stomach without producing any depressing effect on the system. It is very doubtful whether country Mustard may be safely used as an internal medicine. 247. MUSTARD POULTICES are usually made with the flour of Mustard mixed to the consistence of a poultice with water or vinegar, spread on a piece of stout brown paper or rag, and applied to the skin. A few points require notice: _a._ Cold water should be used in their preparation; it is a mistake to suppose that hot water or vinegar is better suited for this purpose, _b._ If it be desired to make the poultice act more speedily or strongly, this may be done by adding a small portion of bruised Capsicum or the scraped fresh root of the Moringa tree (239). _c._ For persons of delicate skins, as women and children, it is advisable to place a piece of thin muslin between the poultice and the skin; for the sake of cleanliness also this is desirable. _d._ As a general rule it should be removed when it produces redness of the skin, whether it causes much pain or not. _e._ Some skins are very susceptible to its action; in these cases the poultice should be at once removed if it causes great pain. _f._ If allowed to remain in contact with the skin for twenty or thirty minutes it is apt to act as a blister, which is very undesirable, as _the ulcers which result are difficult to heal_. _g._ In cases of fever and acute disease, the morning or early part of the day is preferable to the evening for applying a Mustard poultice.