In his novel "Love in the Time of Cholera," Gabriel Garcia Marquez is introducin g the main character, the octegenarian Dr. Juvenal Urbino -- a prominent and ecc entric physician. Dr. Urbino attributes his success in part to his routines, in cluding a daily regimen of chemical palliatives etc. Marquez explains that Dr. Urbino arose each day at the crack of dawn and began taking his secret medicines , including potassium bromide "to raise his spirits." ... Geez, I guess that w ould clear your whites okay! Anybody ever heard of that!? -jeff buckels (albuq uerque)