“Take some of the Mixture on a camelhair brush and introduce it into the eye in wiping the brush between the lids two or three times, twice a day.” Analysis showed the composition of the substance to be: Potassium iodide 5·6 per cent. Glycerine 56·5 ” Starch 6·4 ” Water 31·5 ” The estimated cost of the ingredients, for 162 grains, is one-third of a penny. SOME GERMAN NOSTRUMS. The eye preparations analysed by Dr. Zernik are not very interesting. One called _Okterin_ is a sulphate water, colourless, odourless, acid, and astringent, apparently pumped out of a mine containing ochre. Another sold under the name _Opthalmol_, and described as a natural remedy for all kinds of eye disease is supposed to be made from the glands of a fish. It yielded analytical data which appeared to prove that it was rancid olive oil, with 6 or 7 per cent. of a mineral oil like paraffin. A third wonder-working application, _Augenwol_, said to be made from various plants obtained from many countries proved to be a coloured and perfumed solution of common salt containing a little glycerine and some extractive substances. CHAPTER XVII. REMEDIES FOR PILES. The series of analyses of secret remedies for hæmorrhoids, and the extracts from the advertisements by which these nostrums are commended to the public, make it evident that the prevalence of this complaint, which is always disagreeable and painful, and sometimes incapacitating, provides a happy hunting ground for the nostrum monger. An additional attraction is, perhaps, to be found in the fact that considerable variety is possible in the method of treatment. Local applications, represented by suppositories and ointments, appear to be most in favour, but there is an obvious opportunity for the man who wishes to sell a medicine to be taken internally to declare that local applications “only afford temporary ease, and do not tend to remove the cause. Only internal treatment can cure.” The further possibility of extracting double or threefold payments from sufferers by insisting on the necessity of both local and internal remedies has by no means been neglected; in some cases one preparation only is advertised, and after obtaining this the sufferer learns that something further must be bought if the promised cure is to be effected. In another case, where the remedy is a “threefold treatment, because there are three avenues of approach to the seat of the ailment,” it is advertised to be sent without payment, the money to be paid after a week’s trial if benefit has been received; any one availing himself of this offer necessarily supplies the vendors with his name and address, and will then, it seems, become the recipient of numerous letters, emphasizing the dangers of neglect, and offering “our full-size guinea treatment” on special terms. It has been shown in previous chapters that this method