secret, is said to be infallible where it is
possible for anything to effect a cure:

Take a common eel, remove the skin and intestines, and hang it up
before the fire and let the oil drip into a pan or vessel. When done
dripping, bottle the oil, and of this drop into the ear once a day or
twice a day five or six drops from a warm teaspoon. I have heard
remarkable accounts of the efficacy of this remedy, and doubt not but
it is good. I believe it has never been published but once before. The
secret was obtained with some difficulty from an old negro.

INVERTED TOE-NAIL.

This is a very troublesome and often painful affection. The edges or
sides of the nail are disposed to turn down and grow into the flesh,
giving rise to inflammation, ulceration, and often great pain and
suffering. The best remedy I have ever known in this difficulty is to
scrape with some sharp-pointed instrument, as the point of a penknife,
a sort of groove or gutter in the center of the nail lengthways from
the root to the end. It must be scraped down to near the quick, or as
thin as it can be borne. This renders the nail "weak in the back," so
that it will gradually and ultimately turn up at the sides until the
edges come above and over the flesh. Continue this as fast as the nail
grows out and grows thicker, and you will eventually succeed in
getting the nail in its proper shape and position. It will be proper
to poultice if there is much inflammation, and also apply healing
salve. If ulceration, bathe the part also occasionally with tinctures
aloes, myrrh, and opium, equal parts mixed.--_Gunn's Domestic
Physician._

CHAPTER XI.

THINGS FOR THE SICK ROOM.

Many people are ignorant of what constitutes good, nourishing,
refreshing food and drink for sick people. The following dishes are
all palatable and nourishing, and are very refreshing to an invalid.
Every one should have these recipes for "Things for the sick room":

BARLEY WATER.

Pearl barley, two ounces; boiling water, two quarts. Boil to one
quart, and strain. If desirable, a little lemon juice and sugar may be
added. This may be taken freely in all inflammatory and eruptive
diseases: measles, scarlet fever, small-pox, etc.

RICE WATER.

Rice, two ounces; water, two quarts. Boil one hour and a half, and add
sugar and nutmeg to su