In the London _Medical Journal_ of 1806, Dr. Lettsom attacked and exposed a "nervous cordial," stating that it was a deleterious article; "that it had killed its thousands;" and further asserted that Brodum, its proprietor, was a Jewish knave, having been a bootblack in Copenhagen, and a wholesale murderer. Brodum at once brought an action against the proprietor of the _Journal_, laying the damages at twenty-five thousand dollars. Brodum held the advantage, and the _Journal_ proprietor asked for terms of settlement. Brodum's terms were not modest. He, through his attorney, agreed to withdraw the action provided the name of the author was revealed, and that he should whitewash the quack in the next number of the _Journal_, over the same signature! Dr. Lettsom consented to these terms, paid the lawyers' bills and costs, amounting to three hundred and ninety pounds, and wrote the required puff of Brodum and his nostrum. SOOTHING SYRUPS, nervous cordials, etc., owe their soothing properties to opium, or its salt--morphine. From "OPIUM AND THE OPIUM APPETITE," by Alonzo Calkins, M. D., we are informed that an article sold as "Mrs. Winslow's Soothing Syrup," for children teething, contains nearly _one grain of the alkaloid_ (morphine) _to each ounce of the syrup_! Taking one teaspoonful as the dose (that is, one drachm), and there being eight drachms to the ounce, consequently about one eighth of a grain of morphine is given to an infant at a dose! Do you wonder it gives him a _quietus_? Do you wonder that the mortality among children is greatly on the increase? that so many of the darling, helpless little innocents die from dropsy, brain fever, epileptic fits, and the like? FRUIT SYRUPS FOR SODA WATER. Perhaps you take yours "plain." No! Then you may want to know how the pure fruit syrup, which sweetens and flavors the soda, is made. The "soda" itself is a very harmless article. BUTYRIC ETHER is usually taken for a basis. Butyric ether is manufactured from rancid butter, old rotten cheese, or Limburger cheese. The latter is the "loudest," and affords the best flavor to the ether. The cheese is treated with sulphuric acid. Old leather is known to give it a particularly fine flavor. Any old boots and shoes will answer. PINEAPPLE SYRUP is made from butyric and formic ether. The latter is manufactured from soap or glycerine. Sulphuric acid and red ants will do as well. STRAWBERRY is made of twelve parts of butyric ether and one of acetic ether, alcohol, and water. Color with cochineal--a bug of the tick species, from Mexico. Sometimes a little real strawberry is added, but it is not deemed essential. RASPBERRY is made from the same articles. If convenient, the druggist adds a little raspberry jam or syrup. If not, color a little deeper, add some strawberry, and change the label to raspberry. VANILLA SYRUP is made of Tonqua beans, such as boys sell on the street. PEACH is made from bitter almonds. WILD CHERRY the same.