Page 1 Advertisements Column 6

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 7, Issue 358, 27 August 1863, Page 1

ORIGINAL POETRY. THOUGHTS ON DRUNKENNESS. Dear Liddell, l with pleasure read Your true and pithy song, That it was right “the many ”said, None could say it was wrong. The varied ills to which we’re heirs Augmented are, I ween, By quaffing deep to banish cares, And “ drunk come home at e’en,” The noblest heart that eves- throbb’d Within a manly breast,, Of half its qualities is robbed When Bacchus is a guest. By selfishness he stands unmoved, Views the most piteous scene, Perhaps the wreck of those once loved, When he cornea home at e’en. See yonder haggard worn out wight Dress’d in the parish clothes, Into his very soul a blight Seems eating as he goes ; Go, ask him of his past career* Why wretched now and mean He’ll tell you he drank rum and beer Both morning, noon, and e’en. See where the scaffold’s iron jaws Wait gaping for their prey And view the wretch whose country’s laws His life mast take away ; He, faltering, tells the motley mass His first offence had been “ To tamper with the poison’d glass,” “And drunk come home at e’en.” And oh ! could we but wing our llight To that mysterious world, Where angels from the realms of light Were for rebellion hurl’d, View every disembodied soul .3 (Earth’s myriads may be seen), Ah i millions drain’d the tempting bowl, “ And drunk camcdomc at e’en.” P. Berkins, Corporal 57th regt. August 15, 1863.

Chalk in Burns. —A “retired F.B. C.S.” writes to the editor of the 'l imes, —• is nothing new under the sun, but old things may now and then be advantageously revived, and their revival may occasionally be worthy even of a portion of the coveted space of the Times. ’ I have used a paint composed of chalk, linseed oil, and vinegar in cases of burns and scalds, both in hospital and private .practice, for forty years, aud I believe that no application, can compare with it as regards relief from pain, and curative results. I made my first, acquaintance with the remedy in this wise Among my earliest patients was a poor child dreadfully, and as I thought fatally, burnt over the chest and throat. I applied the usual secundum artem stimulants of that day, and left the child screaming from the torture of their application, giving little hope of its recovery. After a few hours I visited my little patient, and found it in a calm sleep, and covered over as far as the extent of the burn by a queer ! chalky-looking paint. An old woman had applied it, and by so doing had put the orthodox treatment to shame. I submitted the paint to analysis, and it was ; found to consist of the ingredients I have named. Bet anyone lightly burn the finger end and apply this remedy, and lie I will then have some idea of the relief it is capable of giving in cases of more extensive mischief., 1 am not disposed to agree with “ F.C.S.” as regards the modus agendi, rather considering that the principle by which relief follows its use is twofold —first, by "the exclusion of the air which it effects, as do fiour, cotton-wool, and other remedies ; and, secondly, by the coolness which it imparts by reason of its partially effervescent state, for it will be found to effervesce os. being disturbed, even after the first effervescence has subsided, just as with champagne. Be all this as it may, the relief instantly obtained, and the ultimate curative effects of this simple application, are incontrovertible facts, and in every house the ingredients are at hand.. chalk aud linseed or common olive oil, and mix them in such proportions as will produce a compound as thick as thin honey, then add vinegar so as to reduce it to the thickness of tieacle, apply with a soft brush or feather, and renew the application from time to time. Bach renewal brings fresh, relief and a most grateful coolness. If the injury is severe, especially if it involve the chest, give ten drops of laudanum to an adult, and repeat it in an hour, and again a third time. To a child of ten years give in like manner only three drops ; and beware of giving any to an infant. This plan, with an internal stimulant according to age, as brandy or sal-volaaie, tr both, should be at once adopted, and there need be no impatience for the arrival of the often distant doctor ; neither do I advise submission to any change iu the plan as regards the chalk paint when he may arrive, for I am qu.te sure' the College of Surgeons cannot improve it.” At a concei-t in a sin; 1 towu not far ' from London, a few evenings ago, a youth was observed to give vent to bis pleasureable feelings by clapping his hands at the end of one of the pieces. A man who sat near him, and who was taking notes of the proceedings, said, * Hush ? 1 think , you would clap if a donkey was to lea/.’ Yes,’ immediately said the j r outh, * get ’ up and try.’ The complainant was silent.’ A bright youth a few days ago heaiiug i it read out of the Chron e’e, that tlu- Foies were in a state of ii s rre Hon, wanted to jk. iow very badly if ic would affect the liquatox ?