<h2>SIMPLE REMEDIES.</h2>
<p></p>
<p>The following remedies are for diseases which occur in almost every
family, and have been proved to be useful in a number of instances. As
most old housekeepers have their favorite recipes, it is for the young
and inexperienced these are particularly intended, and may be used with
safety, when a physician is not at hand.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Remarks upon a Deeply Seated Cough.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>It is very important to begin in time with a cold. Consumption is
sometimes prevented by very simple remedies. To put Burgundy pitch
plasters on the breast and back of the neck, often has a good
effect; they should be re-spread frequently, and when one part is
irritated, change them to another place. Put one on your side if you
have a pain there.</p>
<p>Flannel should be put on next the skin by all means, which, with the
above simple remedies, will cure a cold, if begun with in time.</p>
<p>I have frequently known new flannel put on those that usually wore
it,
greatly to benefit a delicate person. The increased irritation of the
new flannel acts on the pores of the skin and promotes circulation.
Hair
soles worn in the shoe, or socks made of flannel, or soft buckskin worn
under the stockings, are very good to keep the feet warm and dry.
Persons predisposed to consumption should have nourishing food, and not
eat too much at a time; they should avoid strong tea or coffee, and
drink milk. Eggs, oysters, fresh fish and fowls, are very good for
them.
Fruit of all kinds is useful.</p>
<p>They should take exercise in the air, particularly riding on
horse-back,
or take a short walk, but not so as to be fatigued; to work moderately
in a garden, when the ground is not too damp, is good exercise for a
delicate person; the smell of fresh earth, and of flowers, is
beneficial
to both body and mind. After taking exercise, a glass of lemonade is
very refreshing, and promotes appetite.</p>
<p>If there should be perspiration at night, change the sheets and
pillow-cases frequently, and the under garments; air the chamber and
bed-clothes every day; if the weather is too damp to raise the windows,
shake up the bed, and leave it unmade half of the day, and put it out
in
the sun occasionally.</p>
<p>By all means avoid strong medicine, or any thing that has a tendency
to
weaken the body.</p>
<p>Sometimes blisters are used with very good effect; also, rubbing the
breast and back with camphor or spirits, or with a piece of dry
flannel.</p>
<p>Taking anodyne drops, particularly laudanum, should be avoided, if
possible; they may still the cough during the night, but it will come
on
with increased violence in the morning; they weaken the stomach,
increase the fever, and sometimes cause delirium.</p>
<p>Everything that tends to excite or irritate the mind, should be kept
from them. It is very important to talk cheerfully to sick persons,
particularly if confined to their chamber, which can be done without
lightness or trifling.</p>
<p>If they see gloomy faces around them, it has a very disheartening
effect; and, if the mind sinks, such is its intimate connection with
the
body, that it is hard to raise it.</p>
<p>I have known persons by judicious management to live for many years,
after it was thought they were in a deep decline, by avoiding weakening
medicines, taking exercise on horse-back and on foot, and never
indulging in a full meal.</p>
<p>Sometimes such persons have very good appetites, and it is a
satisfaction to their friends to see them eat heartily; but they should
eat something frequently, rather than over-load the stomach too much.
When they come in hungry from a ride, to beat up an egg with a
tea-spoonful of wine, and a little sugar and nutmeg put in a tumbler
with some milk, and taken with a cracker or biscuit, or a piece of thin
toast broken up in it, has a very strengthening effect.</p>
<p>Persons are seldom benefitted by a strict diet, but it is sometimes
enforced till they lose their appetite and cannot eat.</p>
<p>If the weather is so that exercise cannot be taken out of doors,
some
method should be devised for taking it in the house. Rubbing furniture
and playing battle-door, are good exercise for a female, but should not
be taken too much at a time.</p>
<p>Men that are confined to the house are sometimes very much at a loss
what to do; if such would purchase a few tools, and appropriate a spare
room as a workshop, it would promote their health. I have known men
that
were but little acquainted with the use of tools, do many useful and
ornamental pieces of work, that were greatly valued by their friends;
and the exertion kept their spirits from sinking, when the weather was
too inclement to take exercise in the open air.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For a Cough.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Take a wine glass of the juice of the green hoarhound, or if that
cannot
be obtained, a strong decoction from the dry herb will answer; mix it
in
half a pint of new milk, sweetened either with sugar or honey; take
this
half an hour before breakfast. It has been known to cure obstinate
coughs, and persons that have taken it for four weeks or more, have
gained strength and flesh, and the pain in the breast was relieved.
Flannel should be worn.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Elecampane and Hoarhound Syrup.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Put a pint of hoarhound in a quart of water, and let it draw by the
fire; put a tea-cupful of dried elecampane root in a pint of water,
cover it close, and let it boil till all the strength is out; strain it
and the hoarhound together, and put them to boil with a pound of sugar;
when it is a rich syrup, pour it in a pitcher to cool, and bottle it.
Take a table-spoonful at a time when the cough is troublesome.
Sometimes
flaxseed is a useful addition to this syrup.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Brown Mixture for a Cough.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Take of paregoric, liquorice and gum arabic, each an ounce, from
fifty
to one hundred drops of antimonial wine and two gills of hot water; mix
them well together, and when cold, bottle, and cork it tight; take two
tea-spoonsful at a time; if it should nauseate, give a smaller
quantity. If this produce profuse perspiration avoid going in the air
unless well wrapped up. This has been useful in the latter stages of
the whooping cough.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Ginger Tea. <i>With Remarks on its Use, &c.</i></h3>
<p></p>
<p>Strong ginger tea, sweetened and taken hot on going to bed, is very
good. Where persons have been exposed to the air, and think they have
taken fresh cold, keep the feet warm by taking a hot brick to bed, and
do not increase the cold the next day. If it is not deeply seated,
taking this a few nights will give relief. A piece of ginger root, kept
about the person to chew, is good for a tickling in the throat, which
many persons are subject to, when sitting in close heated apartments,
in
lecture rooms, or places of worship.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Lemon Mixture for a Cough.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Put two fresh eggs in a jar; cover them with the juice of six large
lemons; let it stand until the hard shell of the eggs is eaten off;
then
beat it together; strain it, and add half a pound of rock candy, one
gill of brandy and two table-spoonsful of sweet oil.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Mixture of Lemon Juice and Honey.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Take half a pint of honey and squeeze the juice of four lemons on
it;
mix well together, and add a small portion of sugar; take a
tea-spoonful
every time the cough is troublesome.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Hoarhound Candy.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Put two pounds of sugar in a pint of hoarhound tea, as strong as can
be
made, which may be done by drawing two sets of hoarhound in the same
water, till the strength is out of each; when it is cold, mix in the
sugar and the white of an egg; when it begins to boil, take off the
scum
as it rises, boil it slowly till it becomes thick, so that when you
drop
it on a plate, it will be hard and crisp, and pour it out in plates
that
have been greased with a little sweet butter; when cold, you can break
it up for use, and tie it up in a jar. This is quite as useful as the
candy you buy, and is much cheaper; it is very convenient for persons
that have a cough, to have a little box of this about them to take when
there is a tickling in the throat.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Mustard Bath for the Feet--Soap Stones, &c.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>It gives relief to a bad cold in the early stages, to soak the feet
in
warm water, in which you have put half a tea cup of salt and two table
spoonsful of pulverized mustard, and to drink ginger tea. You may keep
your feet in the bath for half an hour, and then retire with a warm
soap
stone wrapped in a cloth and placed near them. A soap stone, the size
of
a brick will, when thoroughly heated, keep warm till morning, and is
invaluable for an elderly person or one that suffers with cold feet.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Liverwort Syrup.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Make a quart of strong liverwort tea by extracting two sets of herbs
in
the same water, tie a tea cup of flaxseed in a bag and put with it;
keep
it covered while drawing; when the strength is all out, strain it on a
pound of sugar, and let it boil slowly till it is thick--keeping it
covered to prevent the strength from going off, when cold, bottle it,
and set the bottle in a cool place while using it. Take a
table-spoonful
at a time about six times a day. This has been used for a cough with
great benefit.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For Sore Throat.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Make a gargle of cayenne pepper, honey and spirits, or sage tea,
with
alum and honey, or figs boiled, mashed and strained, and use it once
in two hours. If it is very bad, steam the mouth with a funnel held
over hot vinegar, and put on a hot poultice of hops, boiled in weak
ley and thickened with corn-meal; there should be a little lard spread
over; renew it every time it gets cold. Another very good poultice, is
hot mush strewed with powdered camphor; put it on as hot as can be
borne, and change it when cold. A purgative should be given, either of
senna and salts, castor oil; or rhubarb and soap pills. An emetic is
of great importance, and has caused the throat to break when persons
have been very ill.</p>
<p>Sore throats have been cured when quinsy was apprehended, by using
powdered camphor and lard on flannel. It is a good way, when persons
are
subject to it, to keep an ounce of camphor mixed with lard, in a
wide-mouthed bottle, or jar; and corked tight. The cayenne pepper and
honey gargle should also be kept ready mixed, and used when the first
symptoms appear; or in a violent attack, a plaster of snuff and lard
may
be applied with benefit, keeping it on only a few minutes at a time.
Sometimes a bag of hot ashes sprinkled with vinegar, and applied hot as
can be borne, has cured a sore throat in one night. Persons that have
been afflicted for years with repeated attacks of sore throat and
quinsy, have been cured by bathing the throat, neck and ears with cold
water every morning. The constant use of the shower bath is very
important. Keep the feet warm.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Molasses Posset for a Cold.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Take a pint of the best molasses, a tea-spoonful of powdered ginger,
a
quarter of a pound of fresh butter, and let them simmer together for
half an hour: then stir in the juice of two lemons, or if you have not
these, two table-spoonsful of strong vinegar; cover over the sauce-pan,
and let it stand by the fire five minutes longer. Some of this may be
taken warm or cold.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For Whooping Cough.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Dissolve a scruple of salts of tartar in a gill of water, put in
half a
scruple of pulverized cochineal, sweeten it with loaf sugar, give an
infant a tea-spoonful of this mixture four times a day, and a child
four
years old or upwards, a table-spoonful. In some cases the relief is
instantaneous.</p>
<p></p>
<h4>Another Remedy.</h4>
<p></p>
<p>Half a pint of honey, half a pint of vinegar, two table-spoonsful of
sweet oil stewed together a few minutes; when cold put it in a bottle,
and put in a tea-spoonful of laudanum; shake it well, and give a
table-spoonful when the cough is troublesome, and a dose just before
going to bed. For an infant of six months, a small tea-spoonful is a
dose, and for a child of four years, two tea-spoonsful. Where there is
not much fever, a little port or claret wine, mixed with sugar and
water, and taken with toast broken in it, is beneficial. Children
should
be taken out riding if possible, and should be well wrapped up.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For the Croup.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Put the child in warm water, and keep up the temperature by putting
in
more hot water; keep it in fifteen or twenty minutes, then wipe it dry
and put it in a warm bed, or wrap a blanket round it and hold it on the
lap; give it an emetic, and put powdered garlic and lard to the throat
and soles of the feet; keep up the perspiration, by giving a few drops
of antimonial wine every half hour. The next morning give it a dose of
rhubarb tea or castor oil, and keep it from the air for several days.
This treatment has been very beneficial when a physician was not at
hand; and nothing had been done till his arrival, perhaps the child
would have been too far gone to recover. In cases of croup, to wet a
piece of flannel with, alcohol, and apply it to the throat as hot as it
can be borne, has often a salutary effect, applied frequently. It is
also good to use for a bad cold, &c.</p>
<p>Molasses stewed with a lump of butter, and a table-spoonful of
vinegar,
taken just before you go to bed, and to grease the nose, forehead and
breast with mutton tallow, will sometimes cure a child without any
thing
else. To pound garlic in a rag and squeeze out the juice, mix it with
molasses, and give a tea-spoonful at a time, has given relief when a
child was very ill. Sliced onions, or garlic stewed with sugar and
water, or molasses, is very good to take for a cold. Where children are
subject to the croup, you should always have a pot of water over the
fire, and light-wood near, to heat it as quick as possible. Children
that are subject to these attacks should have their feet kept warm and
dry, and always wear flannel next to the skin.</p>
<p>It is the duty of parents to make use of the most simple remedies,
which
may always be in readiness, and, if applied in time, may prevent the
necessity of giving strong medicines, which injure the constitutions of
young children. The least symptom of the disease should be attended to.
Lobelia is a certain remedy for croup. If the case is light, a few
drops
of the tincture, increasing the dose according to the age of the child,
given at short intervals, will cause it to vomit and prevent danger;
but
if the attack is a severe one, you should give the "third preparation
of
lobelia;" for a child of ten years, ten drops, and so on in proportion;
mix it with sugar and water. Every mother should keep lobelia at hand,
as it has been known to give certain relief in many cases.</p>
<p>A child of twelve months, may take of the tincture ten drops every
fifteen or twenty minutes, till it acts as an emetic, or relieves by
perspiration; one of two or three years may take twenty or thirty
drops.
The third preparation is of much greater strength than the tincture.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Infants' Colic, &c.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Tea made of catnip, and sweetened, given to an infant when it
appears to
be in pain, is often useful. Sweet marjoram tea also relieves pain, and
has a soothing effect on the nerves.</p>
<p>To put the feet in warm water, and put a warm piece of flannel to
the
stomach, is important; but if neither of these relieve the child, put
it
in warm water for about ten minutes, and cover it from the air
carefully; wipe it dry, and keep it warm afterwards. A little weak
ginger tea is good for the colic; as also tea made of dried damask rose
leaves; a tea-spoonful of leaves will make a tea-cupful of tea.</p>
<p>Uneasiness is frequently caused by their stomachs being overloaded
with
food, and care should be taken in this respect.</p>
<p>Having lately met with some remarks in the "Baltimore American,"
with
which I am much pleased, I take the liberty of inserting them.
"Narcotics and anodynes cannot be given with too much caution, the
sensitive and nervous system of an infant should never be acted upon by
these powerful drugs unless in extreme cases, and of these, few mothers
should presume to judge. Two drops of laudanum, says the London Medical
Gazette, have been known to kill an infant; and a single drop, it is
said, stole the life of a new born babe.</p>
<p>"The most experienced medical men never administer medicines of this
class to the very young, without exercising the utmost caution, and
making the most accurate calculations.</p>
<p>"In the present day, the more general diffusion of correct facts in
physiology and pathology has caused a large class of young mothers to
reject the old system of giving narcotic drugs to infants. In carrying
out this salutary reformation like all other reformers, they have a
strong opposition to contend with; old fashioned nurses do much harm in
opposing all nursery reformations, consequently young mothers will have
a hard task to execute.</p>
<p>"Too many have not the steady courage to hold on to the end in mild,
but
firm opposition to all erroneous, but well meant interference. But
there
are others whose pure and unswerving love for their tender off-spring
keeps them firm to their duty; to these the next generation will owe
much. They are the little band of true-hearted reformers, whose good
example will be like leaven, spreading until its influence is felt
throughout the wide circle of maternal responsibility."</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Summer Diseases.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>The food of children in summer, should be light and nourishing; if
of
milk, be careful that it is sweet. If you cannot get it fresh as often
as you want it, boiling will keep it sweet. Sour milk and improper
food sometimes bring on the summer disease, which is easier prevented
than cured.</p>
<p>A little rhubarb tea or tincture, with a small quantity of prepared
chalk, will sometimes check it in its early stages, but the most
effectual medicine that I have tried is called by some apothecaries,
"red mixture," of which I will give a recipe.</p>
<p>Chicken water, slightly salted, is very good; make but a little at a
time, and have it fresh.</p>
<p>Rice gruel, sweetened with loaf-sugar, and a little nutmeg, is
nourishing. To make a drink of slippery-elm, shave the bark fine and
put
it in water; strain it, mix it with milk, and sweeten it. Elderberry
and
blackberry cordials are also good in cases where there is no fever.</p>
<p>The stomach and back should be bathed with spirits, and a little bag
of
pounded spices, wet with spirits, applied to the stomach, may be used
with safety, when not within reach of a physician.</p>
<p>A bark jacket has been used with success in many instances, cut it
out
of fine muslin, to be double, spread it open, and cover one side with
about two ounces of the best Lima bark, and twelve pounded cloves; put
on the other side, sew it up, and quilt it across; put on shoulder
straps and strings of soft ribbon; sprinkle it with spirits twice a
day.</p>
<p>The child should have the benefit of the morning and evening air. If
it
is not convenient to ride it out, walking will answer, in the arms of a
careful nurse, carried on a pillow, with an umbrella to protect its
eyes
from the light.</p>
<p>When a child is taken sick in a city, removing it to the country
often
has a beneficial effect. Milk thickened with arrow root is good diet
for
children. Flour dried in an oven for several hours, and used to thicken
milk or water, is also good, sweetened with loaf-sugar, and is
nutritious. They should eat but a small portion of any thing at a time.</p>
<p>To cut slices of lean fresh beef or mutton, put it in a bowl, and
pour a
pint of boiling water on it, and let it set close to the fire for an
hour, is very good to give children occasionally, with but little salt;
the stomach will sometimes retain this when other things are rejected.
As thirst is an attendant on this disease, much salt should be avoided
in all their food. Every thing about a sick child should be kept clean,
and its clothes well aired before changing them. If it is too ill to
carry out of doors, have it changed from one room to another, and the
apartment it left well aired.</p>
<p>Children who are afflicted with this disease, sometimes crave fruit.
Ripe peaches, fresh from the tree, or ripe apples, baked or roasted
before the fire, may he occasionally administered in small quantities
with perfect safety.</p>
<p>To make toast-water, the bread should be toasted on both sides very
dry,
and boiling water poured on it.</p>
<p>I hope these hints will be useful to persons that cannot procure a
physician, which is often the case in the country.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Mustard Whey.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Boil a pint of milk, and the same of water, with an ounce and a half
of
bruised mustard seed, until the curd separates--when strain the whey.
This is a most desirable way of administering mustard; it warms and
invigorates the system, promotes the different secretions, and in the
low state of nervous fevers, will often supply the place of wine. It is
also of use in chronic rheumatism, palsy and dropsy.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Red Mixture.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Take sixteen grains of powdered rhubarb, thirty of soda, fifty of
prepared chalk, and two drops of the oil of spearmint, mixed in a vial
with two ounces of water; keep it corked up and shake it before giving
a
dose. A child of ten months old should take a tea-spoonful every three
or four hours. If there is much pain, two drops of laudanum may be
added
to every other dose. A table-spoonful is a dose for a grown person.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Erysipelas.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>The decoction of sarsaparilla has proved useful in cases of
erysipelas.
Take two ounces of sarsaparilla, one of sassafras, one of burdock root,
and one of liquorice; boil them slowly in three pints of water, keeping
it covered close, until reduced to one-half. Take two table-spoonsful
four times a day.</p>
<p>While taking medicine for the erysipelas, meat and all strong food
should be avoided, and every thing that has a tendency to inflame the
blood. Dusting the parts affected, with rye or buckwheat flour,
sometimes has a cooling effect, and bathing with camphor or spirits
will
allay the irritation.</p>
<p>Nettle rash is very much like erysipelas, and the same treatment is
good
for both. Slippery-elm bark, chipped, and let to stand in cold water
till it becomes thick, is a very cooling drink. It may be filled up the
second time. Barley water is also a suitable drink.</p>
<p>Erysipelas is frequently brought on by violent exercise, and the
perspiration being checked too suddenly. Persons that have once had it,
should avoid extremes of heat and cold, and pay strict attention to
diet--not eating any thing that disagrees with them. All acids,
particularly pickles, are improper.</p>
<p>The stomach should be cleansed by emetics. Small and frequent doses
of
senna and salts, if taken just at going to bed, will not occasion much
sickness, and tend greatly to relieve the system of this unpleasant
disease. Where the case is slight, the rhubarb pills sometimes give
relief. The pores of those that are subject to it are generally open,
and flannel should be worn all the year, to prevent too sudden a check
of perspiration.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Magnesia, Charcoal and Salts.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Form a valuable compound for family use: one ounce of each mixed
together, and put in a wide-mouthed bottle; it is useful for head-ache,
or diseases of the skin. Cases of erysipelas have been cured by its
continued use. Take a tea-spoonful of the mixture, in a little water
two
or three times a day, or on going to bed at night. Persons of sedentary
occupations, that are in the habit of taking pills, will find it to
their relief to use this simple remedy. It has been found beneficial in
cases of tetter and ringworm in the head, using at the same time, as a
wash on the part affected, borax dissolved in strong vinegar.</p>
<p>In cases of erysipelas, the "charcoal mixture" has been used with
great
benefit; it is excellent for purifying the blood. Take it in small
doses
for two or three weeks, then discontinue it, and take it again at
intervals. If this medicine should be found unpleasant, take a
tea-spoonful of jelly, or something of that kind after it. It will
answer quite as well to keep the magnesia, charcoal and salts in
separate bottles, and mix them just as you take the dose, taking about
an even tea-spoonful of each.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For Dropsy.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Put a quarter of a pound of cream of tartar, and a pound of new
nails,
in a stone jug, with half a gallon of water, let it stand three or four
days, occasionally shaking it; take a table spoonful three times a day,
on an empty stomach, and half an hour after each dose, take two
spoonsful of mustard seed or scraped horse-radish. If the swelling
abates, you may take the medicine less frequently, or omit every other
day, but do not leave it off until you are entirely cured. After it has
stood some time, it becomes stronger, when you may put in more water.
This has been highly recommended for the dropsy.</p>
<p></p>
<h4>Another Remedy.</h4>
<p></p>
<p>Take a quart of gin, put into it one handful of the white buds of
the
common pine; shake it frequently, and take half a wine glassful at a
time, twice a day, about an hour before a meal, and occasionally eat a
little brown mustard seed; this should be persevered in, and has been
known to afford great relief, in two obstinate cases.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For Rheumatism</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Persons are liable to have the rheumatism from taking cold in the
winter. Where the pain is most violent, put on plasters of Burgundy
pitch, spread on leather. Persons that are subject to it, should always
keep pitch in the house to use, as it will give relief; a silk
handkerchief tied round the joint, keeps it warm and relieves
stiffness.
If the pain is in the back part of the head, put a blister on the neck,
by all means. When persons have a bad spell of rheumatism, they should
always take medicine, and avoid eating meat for a few days. Equal parts
of rhubarb and castile soap, made into pills, with a little water, is a
valuable medicine for rheumatism, and suits aged persons; the pills
should be taken at night on going to bed. They are easily made, and
should always be at hand: it is valuable as a cathartic in almost every
case where mild medicine is necessary. The use of the shower bath is
also beneficial. Flannel should always be worn next the skin, and the
feet kept dry. Bathing with camphor sometimes relieves the pain, but
there is a danger of driving it to a more vital part. Salt and water is
useful to bathe for the rheumatism, when it is of long-standing.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Deafness, Remarks, &c.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>A remarkable case of deafness was cured by the following remedy: (An
aged person, whose hearing had been very good, gradually became so deaf
as not to be able to hear common conversation; after suffering some
months, the patient thought of trying the following remedy:) of honey,
brandy and sweet oil, each a tea-spoonful, warm and mix well together;
sew a soft linen rag to the eye of a strong darning needle; dip this
mop
in the mixture while warm, and put it in the ear; hold it in till cold,
when renew and move it gently about; by so doing, wax that had
accumulated, hardened, and stopped the cavity, was discharged, and the
hearing of the patient restored. Wool should be worn in the ears, and
an
occasional use of the mixture; also flannel round the head at night. A
young person was relieved by the persevering use of the following
remedies: Put a small blister of Spanish flies behind the ears, very
high up on the hard part, so as to be clear of the leaders (or it will
occasion pain); when drawn, dress them in the usual way, and as soon as
healed renew them; repeat this several times, keeping wool in the ears
dipped in sweet oil, and at night put in small pieces of fat bacon that
has been boiled, and tie a handkerchief around to keep them warm. When
the blisters are healed, the hair should be cut short, to enable the
patient to bathe the head in cold water, which should be poured from a
pitcher; begin with it a little warm and gradually get it colder; this
should be persevered in, even in cold weather; wipe the head and tie it
up till dry. I have been induced to make these remedies public, by
seeing several interesting young persons suffering from deafness, with
a
hope that they may be of use.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Remedy for Sick Head-ache.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>A table-spoonful of table salt; dissolved in a pint of water, as
warm as
you can drink it; take at two doses, and drink freely of luke-warm
water, until it causes vomiting; put a hot brick to the feet, and avoid
the air, which will check the perspiration.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>The Oil of Butter. <i>A Remedy for Dysentery, &c.</i></h3>
<p></p>
<p>Put half a pound of fresh butter in a quart of boiling water, to
extract
the salt; let it melt and boil up. If there should be any curds on the
top, take them off, then skim off the clear butter, and keep it covered
by the fire; give from one to two table-spoonsful at a time, three or
four times a day.</p>
<p>This is useful in cases of dysentery, and is also soothing to the
stomach, after violent vomiting for a long time. Sometimes a plaster of
mustard put on the stomach stops vomiting.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For Dysentery and Diarrhoea.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>The following prescription from an eminent physician has proved
valuable: Take of calcined magnesia two drachms, of aromatic spirits of
ammonia two and a half drachms, of water half a pint, mix well
together,
and as a dose for a grown person, give a table-spoonful every half hour
until relieved.</p>
<p>Some country nurses recommend dittany tea, or spice-wood berries
boiled
in new milk. A large poultice on the stomach and bowels, made of new
milk, thickened with light bread, has given relief--keeping it warm.</p>
<p>Be careful to keep the patient's feet warm, and to bathe the back
and
stomach with spirits. Where the dittany and spice-wood cannot be
obtained, other aromatics, as cinnamon and cloves, are good
substitutes.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Remedies for the Dysentery and Cholera Morbus.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Take the roots of the low running blackberry or dewberry; make a
strong
tea; sweeten it, and drink it occasionally. Take a large apple; cut out
the core, and wrap in wet paper; cover it up in hot ashes, and when
cooked, take off the paper and eat it cold.</p>
<p>Take one pint of good hard cider, that is entirely sound, put a
table-spoonful of hot ashes into it, and stir it as soon as it settles;
take a table-spoonful once every hour for a grown person, until relief
is obtained.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Remedy for the Ear-ache.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Mix a few drops of French brandy with sweet oil and a drop of
laudanum,
and pour it in the ear a little warm.</p>
<p>Another valuable remedy is to take a few wood lice, and stew them in
a
little lard, (which should be very pure,) for three or four minutes;
then strain it and pour some in the ear before it gets cool.</p>
<p>This gives almost immediate relief. The heart of a roasted onion put
warm in the ear, and tie around the head a silk handkerchief, has
given relief.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>A Wash for Sore Ears.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Make a tea of the black or candle-alder, wet a soft rag with it, and
lay
it on; it should be applied three times a day, and occasionally wash it
with castile soap and water. The patient should take a mild purgative.
If the ears are very much inflamed, there should be a bread and milk
poultice put on occasionally. Elder ointment is also beneficial.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Weak Eyes.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Make a strong decoction of chamomile flowers, by boiling them in new
milk; with this bathe the eyes several times a day--continue it for
several weeks; to bathe the eyes in cold water before going to rest, is
also good. Pure rye whiskey is very good to bathe weak eyes. Persons
that are afflicted with sore eyes, have often been benefitted by
putting
a small blister behind the ears, very high up on the hard part, so as
to
avoid the leaders. Infants should not be exposed to the light too soon;
it sometimes weakens the sight and seriously injures the eyes. The pith
of sassafras put in water, is good to bathe inflamed eyes; a decoction
of young hyson tea is also used with benefit. Persons afflicted with
weak eyes should avoid a strong light, and should not strain their eyes
with reading or sewing at night. I have known small doses of "charcoal
mixture," relieve the eyes when there was slight inflammation.
Attention
to diet is necessary. Fold a linen handkerchief, dip it in cold water,
and bind it over the eyes at night on retiring, and you will experience
relief. Pain in the eyeballs is also relieved, by gently rubbing the
finger and thumb over the lids towards the nose. This was published
some
years since, and I have known it give relief and strengthen the eyes.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For Worms.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Equal parts of salt and sugar, taken while fasting, are good for
worms;
a tea-spoonful is sufficient for a child two years old; to take half a
cup of chamomile, rue or wormwood tea, with a little sugar, two hours
before breakfast, is also good. Give a dose of senna after they have
been taking this three days. It is very important to bruise garlic and
rue, to apply to the stomach; put it in a bag, and wet it with spirits
every day. The garlic and rue is said to keep the worms out of the
stomach. Wormseed oil, a few drops at a time, has given relief, but
should be used cautiously. Old cheese grated and given to a child, has
been known to afford relief: it is also beneficial when a child is
seized with sudden illness from having eaten too many cherries.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For Tooth-ache.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Reduce two drachms of alum to a very fine powder, and mix with it
seven
drachms of nitrous spirits of ether; apply it to the tooth. Alum burnt
on a hot shovel, and powdered, is sometimes good; also half a drop of
the oil of cinnamon, on a piece of cotton or lint, where the tooth is
hollow. Cayenne pepper on cotton, and moistened with spirits of
camphor,
has been known to afford relief. A poultice of hops applied to the
cheek, or a piece of raw cotton with red pepper dusted on it, or a
mustard plaster, will relieve a swelling which proceeds from
tooth-ache.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Cure for Cholera Morbus.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Put a table-spoonful of hot ashes in half a pint of good hard cider,
and
give the patient three table-spoonsful of it at a time. This has given
relief in half an hour.</p>
<p>Another cure is to take a soft cork and hum it thoroughly; when it
ceases to blaze, powder the coal very fine on a plate. Mix a
table-spoonful of this powder with a little milk or water, or any thing
agreeable to the palate; repeat the dose till the disorder ceases,
which
it generally does after two or three doses. This has given relief to a
person in the greatest agony with the bilious colic.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For Colic.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Drink strong ginger tea, while hot, and put hot bricks to the
stomach
and feet; if this does not give relief, take a dose of rhubarb or
castor oil. Persons subject to the colic should keep a piece of ginger
about them to chew after eating; wear flannel next the skin, and be
careful to keep the feet dry: they should avoid strong coffee and tea,
and eat nothing that disagrees with them. Dry toast without butter,
and crackers, are good for persons that have the colic. For violent
cases, take two table-spoonsful of brandy, and half a tea-spoonful of
black pepper.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For Bilious Colic and Indigestion.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Pour three quarts of boiling water on a quart of hickory ashes and a
tea-cup of soot; let it stand a day, then filter it, and if the
complaint is bad, take a wine-glassful before and after each meal. This
has been very beneficial to persons with the above complaint.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Warner's Cordial for Gout in the Stomach.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Take one ounce of rhubarb, two drachms of senna, two of fennel seed,
two
of coriander seed, one of saffron, and one of liquorice; stone and cut
half a pound of good raisins, and put all in a quart of good spirits;
let it stand in a warm place for ten days, shaking it every day; then
strain it off and add a pint more spirits to the same ingredients; when
all the strength is extracted, strain it and mix the first and last
together. Take from two to four spoonsful of this cordial in as much
boiling water as will make it as hot as you can take it; if the pain is
not removed in half an hour, repeat the dose, and if your stomach will
not retain it, add ten drops of laudanum.</p>
<p>Dr. Warner remarks, "after twenty years' experience of this medicine
in
myself and others, it is impossible for me to speak of it in terms
higher than it deserves. When the vital parts are affected, persons
subject to the gout should never sleep without it in their chamber."</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Cure for Tetter.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Take one tea-spoonful of powdered Spanish flies, put them in half a
pint
of French brandy; wash the part affected occasionally. This has been
highly recommended to me, as a remedy for tetter on the hands, but I
have never seen it tried.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For Cramp in the Stomach.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Dissolve a tea-spoonful of table salt, in a tea-cup of warm water;
if
this does not stop the vomiting and cramp, repeat the dose; this is
very
useful in stopping the operation of an emetic, when it has continued
too
long. Flannel cloths dipped in hot spirits, and sprinkled with cayenne
pepper, and applied to the stomach, sometimes relieves the pain; a
mustard plaster is also of use.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For Cramp.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>A foot-board to the bedstead is of great service, when you are taken
with the cramp in the night, and by placing the foot against it, will
sometimes give relief. Another remedy is to tie a string round the
limb,
between the body and the pain, about as tight as a physician does to
draw blood; wear a bandage filled with pounded brimstone round the
limb,
to prevent a return of it. Sometimes to hold a roll of brimstone in
each
hand will relieve the cramp, and persons subject to it should keep some
by the bed-side to use in the night.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For Scalds and Burns.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>When persons are badly scalded or burned, to put raw cotton on
immediately, and wet it with spirits, is very good; other remedies are,
linseed oil and lime water; starch and cream; scraped potatoes,
molasses, and eggs beaten up and put on immediately. Almost any thing
will relieve the pain, that excludes the air. Be careful not to break
the skin, as it will be longer in healing.</p>
<p>If a foot is scalded, pour cold water over it and cut the stocking.
You
should be careful to use linen rags about a burn, as cotton rags cause
irritation.</p>
<p>After the place begins to heal up, a salve may be applied, made of
equal
parts of Burgundy pitch, beeswax, sheep's tallow, and sweet oil, melted
together over the fire; renew it twice a day, washing the place each
time with milk and water, and a little castile soap. A wash of weak
sugar of lead water, is also good for burns. A poultice of powdered elm
bark mixed with water, and put on frequently, wetting the sore with
thick cream, is also soothing; be careful that the limb does not
contract, as there is great danger if the sinews are affected. If there
should be fever, a mild cathartic should be given. "Comstock's Pain
Extractor" sometimes gives great relief; you may also apply
immediately,
with benefit, a tea-spoonful of air-slaked lime and a table-spoonful
of
lard; sift the lime and rub them well together. For a burn by vitriol
or
any caustic substance, apply whites of eggs mixed with powdered chalk,
putting it on with a feather. Linen rags dipped in cold water and
changed every few minutes, I have known applied day and night to give
relief to a bad burn on the foot; but avoid putting the foot in water,
although it gives present relief, it is dangerous.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For Ague.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Take half an ounce of coarsely powdered race ginger, infused in
three
gills of boiling water; when cool, strain and sweeten it; and for a
dose give a heaped tea-spoonful of Peruvian bark, in a wine-glassful
of the ginger tea, every two hours during the absence of the fever.
To one ounce of best Peruvian bark, add two ounces of cloves
powdered, and a half an ounce of cream of tartar; mix them well, and
give two tea-spoonsful at a time every two hours: when clear of
fever, begin at four in the morning, and give it until twelve at
noon. Wormwood seed, a heaped tea-spoonful in a cup of water, as a
dose, is also good. A third recipe is to take two ounces of best Lima
bark, twelve heaped tea-spoonsful of magnesia, to be well mixed
together, and divided into twelve doses. Take four doses on each well
day, at intervals of four hours each, this has cured a number who had
suffered with ague a long time.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Chilblains.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Put as much alum in hot water as will make it very strong, put the
feet
in when it is as hot as can be borne, and keep them in till it is cold,
warm it over, and soak them every evening till they are entirely cured,
by beginning in time, it need only be applied two or three times.</p>
<p>When blisters are formed, take one ounce of camphor, one of sheep's
tallow, and one of sweet oil, stew them together gently till it becomes
an ointment, and rub the feet with it.</p>
<p>Take an ounce of glue, and melt it in a pint of hot water over the
fire,
stir it until the glue is dissolved, pour it out and dip the part that
is affected in this dilution until the uneasiness or burning is
allayed,
which is mostly in a few minutes.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Lockjaw.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>If lock-jaw is apprehended from a scratch or wound, bathe the
injured
part frequently with weak ley, or warm pearl ash water, make a poultice
by boiling bitter herbs in weak ley, and thicken it with corn-meal; put
a
little grease in just as you put it on. Bacon skin and the rind of
fresh
pork bound tightly on, are said to be good.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Falls.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>If a child receives a fall, examine every part, and rub your hand on
its
back to tell if any part is injured. There are instances of persons
being cripples for life, from receiving a hurt, that was not known of
at
the time. To rub with camphor and sweet oil, and bathe the child in
warm
water, is soothing.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For the Bite of a Spider.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Moisten a slice of wheat bread with sugar of lead, or pearl-ash
water;
bind it on, and keep wetting it as it becomes dry. If the place swells
very much, take a table-spoonful of sweet oil every hour, till it is
relieved. To drink water with salaeratus dissolved in it has been
useful.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For the Sting of a Bee.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Rub the place with hartshorn or salaeratus water, immediately after
it is
stung, to prevent it from swelling; bruised peach leaves bound on, are
also good, and laudanum, where it is very painful. If it swells very
much, apply a poultice of onions and cream, or ley and bitter herbs.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For Bruises.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>The oil of St. Johnswort applied on lint, is an excellent remedy for
bruises, and if used immediately will prevent the blood from settling
on
the place; when children get their fingers or toes mashed, this is very
good, and soon gives relief; salt butter is also very good. The leaves
of the Jamestown weed, mashed with cream, are good for a stone-bruise.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For Felons.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Make a poultice of quick lime slaked in soft soap, and bind it on
the
finger; renew it every half hour. The leaves of Jamestown weed, bruised
with cream or lard, are also good. Also, roast coarse salt in a piece
of
wet brown paper, or a cabbage leaf, about twenty minutes; when cool,
pound it and mix it with resin soap; bind it on the felon; it is said
to
be a certain cure. The white of egg, with unslaked lime, has been
known
to give immediate relief.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For a Sprained Limb.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Strong vinegar and salt, put on brown paper, will soon cure a slight
sprain, if applied frequently. If very painful, a bath should be made
of
bitter herbs, bran and vinegar, put on as hot as you can bear it. Great
care should be taken not to use the limb too soon after it has been
sprained. Some sprains of several months' standing have been greatly
relieved by taking several electric shocks a day. St. Johnswort oil is
good to rub on a sprained limb.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For a Sprained Ancle.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Of chalk, soft soap, salt, and brandy, take a spoonful each, and add
the
white of an egg; beat the mixture, and spread it on raw cotton, and
apply it at once, when it will generally afford relief; and after
repeatedly changing, it may be left off in twenty-four hours. The ancle
is often weak when recovering, and benefit is derived from pouring cold
water on it from a pitcher held high above you. Tallow and salt, mixed
and spread on a piece of muslin, are good for a sprain.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Cuts or Wounds, &c.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>When cuts bleed very much, tie a handkerchief tight above the wound,
or
place a finger on it until you can get a physician: in the country,
persons should be supplied with a surgical needle and adhesive plaster,
and have lint scraped and linen rags in a convenient place. Balsam
apple
put in a bottle when fresh, and whiskey poured on it, is an excellent
application for fresh cute or bruises. For the stick of a needle or
pin,
try to make it bleed, and hold the finger in strong vinegar and salt,
as
hot as you can bear it, this will prevent a gathering. A mashed finger
should be held in hot water a few minutes. No. 6 is a most valuable
remedy for cuts or wounds; bind a linen rag over the cut, and pour on
the No. 6.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For Tetter, Warts, &c.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Dig up the pocoon root that grows in the woods, wash and slice it,
and
put it in a bottle with strong vinegar; bathe the parts with it several
times a day. Celandine root is also good, used in the same way, and
either of them will remove warts and ringworms.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Poisons, Accidents, &c.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>These are valuable remedies, and should hold a place in the memory
of
every one, if possible.</p>
<p>Mix a spoonful of powdered mustard in a tumbler of warm water, and
drink
it immediately; it acts as an emetic, and has proved effectual where an
ounce of poison had been taken into the stomach. Where the skin is
poisoned, use a wash of smartweed steeped in water, or mix soot and
cream, and apply it frequently; bruised Jamestown weed and cream is
also
good. If you have been exposed to poisonous plants, wash your face and
hands immediately in salt and vinegar, or salt and water. When
"corrosive sublimate," has been swallowed, the whites of two eggs taken
immediately will neutralize the poison, and change the effect to that
of
a dose of calomel.</p>
<p>Persons struck by lightning should be laid on the ground, and pour
water
over them till life is restored. When "oil of vitriol" or "aqua fortis"
have been swallowed in large quantities, sweet oil should he taken, (as
much as can be retained on the stomach.) For "oxalic acid," give
magnesia or chalk and water.</p>
<p>For "tartar emetic," give Peruvian bark and water, (or a strong
decoction of green tea, if you have not the bark.) For "saltpetre,"
give
an emetic of mustard seed with water, and afterwards elm bark mucilage,
and small doses of laudanum. This is also good in cases where arsenic
has been swallowed.</p>
<p>When a child has swallowed a cent, pin or needle, give it the white
of
egg immediately; this forms a coating round the metal, and prevents
injury in most cases; then give moderate doses of medicine, such as
castor oil or salts.</p>
<p>When a fish bone has been swallowed, take the white of an egg, which
will help to carry it down the throat; also cut a hard crust of bread.</p>
<p>Insects taken into the stomach, may generally be destroyed by taking
a
small quantity of vinegar and salt. When insects get into the ears, use
a little salad oil, or melted lard.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Tar Ointment for the "Milk Crust."</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Take a quarter of a pound of lard, and the same of sheep's tallow,
three
table-spoonsful of tar, an even spoonful of sulphur, an ounce of white
turpentine, a lump of beeswax the size of a hickory-nut, the same
quantity of powdered resin and scraped chalk, a tea-cupful of the
inside
bark of elder, a little celandine, southern wood, and English mallows;
bruise the herbs, and put them on to boil, with the lard and tallow,
and
a little water to keep it from burning; when all the strength is out,
strain them, and put the grease back in the pot, with the tar, and add
the other ingredients a little at a time, and stir till all is melted;
then strain it in a jar, and keep it covered for use.</p>
<p>Tar ointment is good for ringworms in the head, which some children
have, and has cured children where the head and face was covered with
what is called the "milk crust."</p>
<p>Before it is applied, the place should be washed with milk and
water,
and a gentle purgative should be administered occasionally. Rhubarb tea
is good for this purpose.</p>
<p>If it is wanted in the winter, when you cannot get all the herbs
green,
dried ones will do; and when made, it will keep good several years.</p>
<p>If there is much hair on the head of a child, it should be cut off
before this is put on.</p>
<p>It is very dangerous to give infants that are affected with the milk
crust, calomel, or any strong medicine. They should he carried out in
the air occasionally, and not kept all the time in a warm nursery;
sometimes a change of food is attended with a good result.</p>
<p>There have been instances of infants dying very suddenly, where
powerful
medicines had been administered.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Hop Ointment.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Take a table-spoonful of the yellow dust of hops, and put it in
three
spoonsful of melted lard, and mix it well; put it away in a cup for
use.
This has proved beneficial in cases of swelling of the breast; when
cold
has been taken, it will sometimes backen gatherings; bathe the place
with a warm hand several times a day, and keep flannel over it. Young
mothers should keep this ready, as it is much better than preparations
of camphor, which are injurious.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Precipitate Ointment, &c.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Take one ounce of Venice turpentine, half an ounce of powdered
precipitate, half a pound of lard, and two table-spoonsful of cold
water; mix the turpentine and precipitate together with a knife; then
add the lard and water, a little at a time, till it is well mixed; then
put it in little boxes. This is useful to dry up a breaking out on the
face or hands; care should be taken while using it, not to take cold.</p>
<p>Camphor dissolved in alcohol, or any white spirits, is very good to
use
on pimples on the face.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Blister Ointment.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Sometimes after a blister has been drawn with cabbage leaves, it
becomes
very sore and inflamed; a salve may be made of the leaves of evergreen,
(a plant which grows in gardens with a thick leaf;) pound the leaves,
and stew them in cream or sweet lard; spread it on a fine linen rag,
and
apply it to the blister after it has been washed with milk and water.</p>
<p>Another salve for blisters is to bruise the leaves of the English
mallows with a little southern wood; stew them in sweet lard until they
are crisp, and strain it; apply it three times a day. This is good to
heal a burn.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Lily Ointment.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Gather the flowers of the sweet white lily, while they are fresh,
and
stew them in sweet lard. This is good for a swelling, or sore.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Elder Ointment for Burns, &c.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>After peeling off the outside bark of the elder, scraps off the
green
bark that is under, and stew it in lard till it is crisp; then strain
it
in a jar, and put it away to heal a blister or burn, or an old sore.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>St. Johnswort Ointment, and its Uses.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Gather the yellow flowers of St. Johnswort while in full bloom; put
them
in a wide-mouthed bottle, and fill it with equal quantities of lard and
sweet oil; tie a skin over it, and hang it in the sun for a month; then
strain it, put it back in the bottle, and cork it up. This is one of
the
most effectual remedies for bruises, or for a mashed foot or hand. It
should always be kept where there is a family of children.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Ointment for Mortification.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Take the berries, leaves and bark of the black alder, and bruise
them
well in a mortar; stew them in lard for an hour, stirring all the time;
then strain it, and add a small piece of beeswax.</p>
<p>A poultice can be made for mortification, of the berries, leaves
and bark of black alder, boiled in sweet cream, and thickened with
wheat bread.</p>
<p>Another good poultice may be made of the inmost bark of sassafras
root,
pounded and boiled in weak ley, and thickened with corn meal. The
patient should drink tea made of the roots of sassafras and burdock.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Bread and Milk, and Flaxseed Poultices.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Boil half a pint of sweet milk, and thicken it with crumbs of bread;
let
it boil till soft. This is the mildest poultice that can be made.</p>
<p>A tea-cup of flaxseed boiled till soft, requires no addition to make
a
good poultice.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Hop Poultice, and its Uses.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Boil a handful of hops in a pint of water till very soft; when
thicken
it with corn meal. This is very good for a sore throat, tooth-ache, or
swelled face.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Onion Poultice.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Slice the onions and boil them in water till very soft; then mash
and
boil them with milk and some crumbs of bread. This will draw a bile or
gathering to a head very soon.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Lily Root Poultice.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Pound the roots of the sweet white lily, and put them on to boil in
rich
milk; when soft, thicken it with crumbs of bread. This is a most
valuable poultice for a gathering, and has given relief in many
instances where the suffering was great.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Cream Poultice.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Put to boil a tea-cup of cream; mix two spoonsful of flour in milk,
and
stir in when it boils.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Ley Poultice.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Tie a spoonful of ashes in a rag, and boil it in a pint of water for
fifteen minutes, with some catnip or life-everlasting; when the herbs
are soft, take out the ashes, and thicken it with corn meal; spread
some
grease over as you apply it.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Adhesive Plaster.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Take three pounds of resin, one-quarter of a pound of beeswax,
one-quarter of a pound of mutton tallow, melt together in an iron pan;
then pour out about one-third into a bucket of water, turn up the edges
until you can take hold with the hands and pull it as you would
shoemakers' wax: grease papers and put the plaster on them for use; you
may then pour out the rest and treat it in the same way.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>A Valuable Salve for Burns and other Sores.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Take of high mallows, heal-all, night shade, and elder bark, a large
handful, and about half the quantity of Jamestown weed; boil them for
several hours; strain off the liquid, and add to it one pound of
beeswax, one pound of mutton tallow, one pound of resin, half a pound
of
lard; boil them slowly for about two hours, and let it cool on the
liquid. This salve will do to apply immediately to a burn or scald, or
after other remedies have been used; it is also good to heal old sores
or gatherings.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Deshler's Salve for Gatherings or Sores.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Take half a pound of sheep's suet, the same of resin and beeswax, a
quarter of a pound of thick turpentine, and half a pint of linseed oil;
pound the resin, and cut the beeswax and suet; put them over the fire
with the other ingredients, and keep stirring till they are mixed, but
do not let them boil; put it in a jar, and tie it up. It is good for
burns, biles, gathered breasts, &c.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Salve for Corns, or Bunions.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Take a pint of sweet oil, half a pound of red lead, two ounces of
Venice turpentine, two of beeswax, and one of white turpentine; boil
the oil and red lead in brass or bell-metal till they turn brown,
stirring it constantly; have the wax and white turpentine sliced, and
put them in by degrees; take it off the fire, and stir till all is
melted; then add the Venice turpentine, and continue to stir till it is
cold; when dip your hands in cold water, and make it out in rolls about
two inches long; wrap each roll up in paper, and keep them in a box.
After soaking and scraping the corn, bind it on, spread on a soft rag.
To warm a small piece of common adhesive plaster and apply it, gives
almost immediate relief.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Sassafras Poultice.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Take the bark of the root and mash, or pound it; boil it in a
little water, and take out the bark, and thicken it with crumbs of
bread, and milk.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Balsam Apple in Spirits.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Cut a ripe balsam apple in small pieces, and fill a bottle with it;
pour
Holland gin on it.</p>
<p>This retains its strength for years, and is useful to take a few
drops
at a time for the colic; it is also valuable to apply with sugar to a
cut or wound.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Cure for Bites.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Use equal quantities of resin soap, brown sugar, and powdered resin,
worked well together, with a few drops of molasses. A poultice of
onions, sassafras, or bread and milk may be used with advantage. For
mosquito bites, apply spirits of hartshorn and camphor.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For Scurvy of the Gums.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Take a quarter of an ounce of bark, and a piece of new lime the size
of
a hazle-nut; put them in a bottle with half a pint of water; wash the
mouth with this three times a day.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For an Infant's Sore Mouth.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Make a strong sage tea; put in a little bark and borax or alum, with
honey to sweeten it; cork it up in a vial, and wash the child's gums
with it three times a day, using a fresh rag every time.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For Affection of the Kidneys.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Boil some onions soft, mash, and apply them where the pain is
seated.
This has given great relief.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For a Gathering on a Finger.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Mix together equal parts of castile soap and chalk; wet it with
camphor,
and bind it on, or dip the finger in honey and camphorated spirits, as
hot as you can bear. A little burnt alum put on lint is good; also a
bread and milk poultice, with pounded sassafras root stewed in it, and
renewed frequently. Honey and camphor mixed is useful for gatherings
that have been of long standing.</p>
<p>Take of the following ingredients a tea-spoonful each: black pepper
powdered finely, ginger, spirits of camphor, laudanum, and honey; beat
them well with the yelk of an egg, and thicken with rye flour, or if
you
cannot obtain rye, corn and wheat flour mixed will answer; this will
form a soft poultice, and should be applied in sufficient quantity to
keep moist, and changed once a day. I have known this to cure several
gatherings that threatened to be severe.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Huxham's Bark Tincture.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Take two ounces of bark, three drachms of Virginia snake root, one
ounce
of orange peel, and one quart of good spirits; set it in a warm place,
and shake it daily for two weeks; then pour it off, and add a pint more
spirits to the ingredients.</p>
<p>This is very useful to take, when recovering from the ague or
bilious
fever, or in the fall of the year; when these are apprehended, take two
tea-spoonsful a day, before breakfast and dinner.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Wine Bitters for Debility, &c.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Take two ounces of chamomile flowers, two of centaury flowers, one
of
iron filings, and an ounce and a half of Jesuit's bark; put these in
two
quarts of good wine, and set it in the sun three days, shaking; it
frequently. Half a wine-glass of this taken, twice a day, with water,
is
useful in cases of debility, where there is no fever.</p>
<p>Chamomile, and wormwood teas, are both excellent tonics, as is also
wild
cherry tree bark, made in strong tea, and taken cold.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Spice Wood Berries.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Boil in a pint of new milk, a table-spoonful of bruised spice wood
berries. This has a very healing effect in cases of dysentery, and
summer disease in children.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Spiced Rhubarb.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Take two ounces of rhubarb, half an ounce of cloves, the same of
cinnamon, and quarter of an ounce of mace; stew them in a pint and a
half of water till one half is evaporated; then strain it and add
half a pint of good spirits. Two tea-spoonsful is a dose for a child
a year old, with the summer disease, and two table-spoonsful for a
grown person.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>For Chapped Lips.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Put a tea-cupful of rich cream over some coals to stew with three
table-spoonsful of powdered loaf-sugar. This has a healing effect.</p>
<p>Another remedy, equally good, is to a tea-cupful of honey, add half
the
quantity of mutton tallow, and stew together till well mixed; pour it
out in a cup, and keep stirring till cold.</p>
<p>For chapped hands, mix together equal quantities of rich cream and
strong vinegar, and rub it over every time you wash your hands.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Bathing.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Almost every family, even if their circumstances be moderate, can
have a
shower bath; they may save the expense, by improved health and
strength;
one bucket full of cold water is sufficient. You should wear on the
head
an oil-cloth cap. For a person in strong health, the bath may be taken
on first rising in the morning; but for one disposed to be delicate,
two
or three hours after breakfast is the most proper time. To produce
warmth, rub the person with a crash towel, or horse hair glove. You
should be careful to take some exercise after the bath, or you will be
more liable to take cold. Never take a bath soon after a meal, as that
is injurious. Persons subject to colds, sore throat, rheumatism, sick
head-ache, nervous disease, or general debility, have been greatly
benefited by the daily use of the shower bath. Children that are
oppressed with heat are much refreshed, and will rest well after a
bath;
the water should be moderated for them. Infants should be bathed every
morning in a tub of water about milk warm, and may be very early
accustomed to its use; they will become fond of it, and are less liable
to take cold from exposure to the air. They generally take a refreshing
nap after coming out of the bath. They should not be allowed to remain
in more than five or ten minutes; should be well wiped with a soft
towel, and then rubbed with flannel and dressed; their clothes being
warmed to prevent a chill.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Elderberry Jam for Colds, &c.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>A quart of nicely picked elderberries, to a pound of loaf-sugar and
a
tea-cup of water; let them boil slowly for an hour. If you prefer it
without the seeds, strain the berries after boiling them for a few
minutes, before you add the sugar. This is useful and agreeable for
colds, taken through the day, or at night, when the cough is
troublesome. It is said also to purify the blood, and is taken to
prevent erysipelas.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Black Currant Jelly, a Remedy for Sore Throat.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Take ripe black currants, mash and strain them, and to every pint of
the
juice, add a pound of loaf-sugar; boil it until it becomes a jelly. It
is valuable for sore throats.</p>
<p>Quince seeds dried, and boiling water poured on them, make a useful
gargle for sore throat.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<h3>Lavender Compound.</h3>
<p></p>
<p>Pick the lavender blossoms, and put them in a bottle, with a few
blades
of mace, and some cloves; fill up the bottle with good spirits, and let
it stand corked up, till all the strength is extracted; when strain it
off, and color it with a little cochineal.</p>
<p></p>
<p></p>
<hr>
<p></p>
<p></p>
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