MEDICAL USES OF SOME COMMON HOUSEHOLD ARTICLES.
SALT (Sodium Chloride).—This common household article is used in a great many different ways. In cooking it is used to season foods. The absence of salt gives rise to a bad state of the system, with the formation of intestinal worms. If used too freely, it produces in some persons excess of blood and corpulency. Salt renders the food more palatable in many instances and thus increases the flow of the gastric juice. Salt increases the flow of saliva also. For pin-worms, solution of salt injected is often effective.
Constipation.—One teaspoonful to a glass of water taken on arising is very good for some people troubled with constipation. For dyspepsia it tones the stomach and aids in digestion in some cases. Salt alone in teaspoonful doses will produce vomiting and is good after a spree or to empty the stomach in convulsions and poisoning. Mustard given with it makes it more effective. A salt solution is frequently injected into the rectum to keep up the strength after operating and it is also frequently put into the breast for same purpose.
A gargle and astringent in sore throat. For this purpose it is often of use and successful. Taken dry in teaspoonful doses it is often given in bleeding from the lungs. It is often used as an antiseptic to cleanse sores and wounds. Teaspoonful to a half pint of water. On bites of insects strong salt water or applied dry is often very good. In bites of snakes and animals dry salt applied freely upon the wound is often of value. It draws away some of the poison and also helps to burn out and cleanse the wound.
Fomentations.—Used in this way it is good for sprains and bruises.
Baths.—One pound of salt to four gallons of water forms a suitable salt water bath acting as a tonic and excitant to the skin.
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Ague.—Homeopathic doctors claim that salt in the attenuations will cure some cases of ague.
Abuse of Salt.—Too much use of salt will cause a great many troubles. It produces a peculiar eruption on the skin, sore eyes, etc.
Want of Salt.—Domestic animals need it and may die for the want of it.
Some animals may become sterile if deprived of it.
LEMON.—Lemons, owing to their pleasant flavor and agreeable acidity, are very useful in a sick room. The rind yields an oil of great fragrancy. Each lemon yields two to eight drams of acidulous juice and contains seven to nine per cent of citric acid, besides phosphoric and malic acids, in combination with potassa and other bases. Half an ounce of lemon juice should neutralize twenty-five grains of bicarbonate of potassium, twenty grains of bicarbonate of soda or fourteen grains of carbonate of ammonia. The rind of lemon when fresh, besides the oil above mentioned, contains a bitter crystalline glucoside.
Hesperidin.—Uses. Lemon juice applied to the surface of the skin removes freckles, moth spots, sunburn, pruritus, and ink-stains.
Internally.—This is a very good remedy to cure scurvy. It is a constant companion of sea-goers and scurvy is seldom seen when the regulation ration of lemon-juice is used regularly. It also cures the scurvy skin trouble or the form of muscular pains felt in scurvy.
Chronic Rheumatism.—In some cases several ounces of lemon-juice administered daily affords marked relief, and it is also sometimes useful in acute rheumatism. Lemonade is a useful drink during convalescence, as it increases the urine and reduces its acidity.
Hot lemonade is useful as a sweating agent to break up colds in their beginning. It satisfies the thirst and is very grateful to a stomach that is not normal. It makes a very pleasant drink in many cases of sickness.
ONION (Allium Cepa).—It is supposed that the onion is a native of Hungary. It is now found over the whole civilized world. It contains a white, acrid, volatile oil holding sulphur in solution, albumen, much uncrystallizable sugar and mucilage, phosphoric acid both free and combined with lime, citrate of lime. The Spanish onion contains a large proportion of sulphur and thus may be satisfactorily used in those cases where sulphur is needed. The action of the volatile oil enhances that of sulphur. Spanish onion boiled and eaten freely at bed-time is an excellent laxative. Moderately used the onion increases the appetite, promotes digestion, but in large quantities it causes flatulence, uneasiness in the stomach and bowels. The juice mixed with sugar is useful in cough, colds, and croup where there is little inflammation. Roasted or split it is excellent as a local application in croup, tonsilitis and earache. Boiling deprives the onion of its essential oil.
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SODA (Bicarbonate of Soda).—Uses. It is used in stomach fermentation and in sick headaches arising from this condition. Useful in acidity of the stomach. Good for gas in the stomach. It is good as a local application to enlarged acute tonsils applied in powder. It is also used in preparing different articles of food. The best to get is the bicarbonate of soda at a drug store.
SULPHUR.—This is an important constituent in certain native mineral waters. On the bowels it acts as a mild laxative. It is very good in certain skin diseases and for itch in the form of an ointment it is often used. It is useful in chronic acne, and for lice, itch, barber's itch, etc. It is frequently used as a disinfectant after infectious diseases. Burning sulphur in a room destroys bed-bugs, chicken lice, etc.
TURPENTINE (Terebinthina).—Uses. It is a valuable counter-irritant in peritonitis, bronchitis, pneumonia, lumbago, pleurodynia, etc. Turpentine stupes are frequently used in abdominal inflammation, for flatulence and for bloating in typhoid fever. It is a valuable constituent of a great many liniments. Used in excess it produces bloody urine, painful urination and inflammation of the kidneys. The free use of barley water, hot bath and purgative relieve its bad effects.
VASELIN.—Under the name of Petrolatum is sold a semi-solid substance derived from certain kinds of petroleum called cosmoline or vaselin. It has very soothing powers and does not become rancid and is used as a soothing dressing in sores, boils, and skin affections. It is frequently used as a base for ointments. Fluid or liquid petrolatum is much used now in the form of a spray in the treatment of acute and chronic catarrh and after irritant applications to the nasal cavities. It is put up now in tubes and is much cleaner and purer. It is very soothing and healing when used in this pure form.
ALCOHOL (Spirit of Wine).—Alcohol is a liquid composed of ninety-one per cent by weight of ethylic alcohol and of nine per cent by weight of water. Alcohol dissolves alkaloids, fatty and resinous substances, and is largely used as a menstruum in obtaining the active principles of drugs in an available form for administration. It is the basis for spirits, tinctures and elixirs; spirits being solutions of volatile substances in alcohol; tinctures, solutions of active principles of plants, generally obtained by maceration and percolation. An elixir is a cordial flavored with orange and syrup, used as a vehicle for other remedies and as a stomachic.
Its action is very extensive. It is used extensively in medical preparations. It is a good application to prevent bed-sores. The addition of one dram of alum to a pint makes it more effective. Hot applications relieve pain in face neuralgia, cold in the face or toothache. It is often used after bathing in full strength or diluted to rub on the body to prevent taking cold. It stimulates the digestive organs, nervous system and the circulation. It is much used in snake-bite. Its constant use is a menace, as all know. It should never be taken for disease unless prescribed by a reputable physician.
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ALUM (Alumen).—Dried alum is an astringent and mild "burner" for growths such as "proud flesh." The glycerite of alum is useful in tonsilitis or pharyngitis when it is not acute. In solution it condenses tissue by coagulating their albumin and acts as an astringent.
Uses of the Strength.—One dram to a pint of whisky and water aids in checking sweating in consumption when applied with a sponge. It is a good injection for the whites. A cotton plug soaked in alum often stops nosebleed by inserting it in the nostrils, or a solution may be thrown or snuffed into the nostrils. It is also good as a gargle for tonsilitis and sore throat.
Emetic for Croup.—Put a heaping teaspoonful in thirty-two teaspoonfuls of water or syrup and give a teaspoonful every fifteen minutes until vomiting is produced. It is often used stronger when quick action is desired. It is a mild astringent and thus used to check mucous discharges from the bowels, etc. Burnt powdered alum is often used to destroy "proud flesh."
BORAX (Sodium Borate).—This drug as it appears in commerce of America is derived entirely from natural deposits found on the shores of lakes of California and Nevada. This is purified.
Action.—It is antiseptic in its action. It renders the urine alkaline.
Gargle.—It is used as a gargle in sore mouth and throat in dose of a dram to a pint of water. It is very good used as a wash for fetid sweating, especially of the feet. It is often used in combination in catarrh of the nose. It can be combined with soda for this purpose in dose of one dram of each to two pints of pure water and used in an atomizer.
CAMPHOR.—This is distilled from the wood and bark of the camphor tree, cinnamomum camphora, which grows chiefly in China and Japan. It should be kept in closed bottles.
Uses.—It is good for cold in the head in the early stages. It may be snuffed up the nostrils in fine powder, or put in boiling water and the fumes inhaled. It is good used as a liniment in neuralgia, stiff neck, rheumatism and for boils and sores. Used in the form of camphor ice it is very good for sores, cuts, boils, etc. It is often of use to smell when one feels faint. It is one of the ingredients in many liniments. Its external use as spirits of camphor is extensive.
CASTOR OIL (Oleum Ricini).—This is derived from the beans of Ricinis
Communis, a plant in the United States.
Action.—It is bland and unirritating in its action as a purge and generally acts in four to five hours.
Uses.—It is used whenever irritant materials such as bad food, putrid flesh, decaying vegetables have been eaten, to move the bowels. It is good in diarrhea produced by above causes and others, such as corn, peanuts, cherry stones, berries. It is apt to produce piles and constipation if used constantly. It is often given in the form of capsules containing from one-fourth to one teaspoonful. Dip the capsules in water, as this renders them slippery and are easily swallowed. Dose is from one to six teaspoonfuls.
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OLIVE OIL. Sweet Oil (Oleum Olivae).—This is expressed from the ripe fruit.
Action and Uses.—It is a lubricant. It is added to poultices as an emollient in pneumonia and skin diseases. Internally, olive oil is nutritious and laxative, and a purgative in infants in doses of one teaspoonful. In adults it is a useful remedy in many irritant poisons, excepting phosphorus. It is given in large doses for gall stones, three to six ounces at a dose.
GINGER (Zingiber).—Ginger is the rhizome of Zingiber Officinale, a plant of Hindostan, Jamaica and other tropical countries.
Action: It is an agreeable carminative and stimulant, in easing the secretions and stimulating the wavelike movement of the bowels. It acts as an irritant to the bladder and urethra.
Uses.—It is put in laxative pills to prevent griping and to disguise the taste of the salines. It is useful in dyspepsia of aged persons and also good in flatulence and diarrhea. For menstrual cramps, due to suppression from exposure to cold it is useful as a warm tea and also for colds. It is also used in the spice plasters.
HONEY (Mel).—This is a saccharine fluid deposited in combs by the honey bee (Apis Mellifica).
Action: It is slightly laxative and a pleasant article of food. Honey and water is used as a gargle and to relieve cough, dryness of the mouth and fauces. When used as a gargle it increases the secretion of the mucous membrane and so relieves the congestion. It is apt to disorder the stomach when used too freely. Honey mixed with lemon juice and water is very good for a cough, especially the tickling kind.
LARD (Adeps).—This is a common household article known to all. It is frequently used as the basis for ointments and cerates and in domestic practice as a lubricant. Tincture benzoin added to it prevents it from becoming rancid. It can be used in corrosive poisoning as an antidote except where phosporus and carbolic acid have been swallowed. It is also used in preparing articles of food. It has more penetrating power than petrolatum or vaselin. Washed lard, beaten up with an equal quantity of lime-water, and a few drops of oil of bitter almond, thymol, or carbolic acid added, is splendid for burns; stiffened with yellow wax it forms the simple ointment often used. It softens the hard skin and reduces its heat, when the natural secretion is suppressed. It also softens and removes scabs and lessens and prevents the effect of irritant discharges. The simple lard ointment relieves the intense heat and itching of the skin in scarlet fever. Dissolved and given in large doses it causes nausea and vomiting.
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MUSTARD (Sinapis).—Mustard flour, two tablespoonfuls to a glass of water, acts as an emetic. If given largely it produces violent gastritis, and chronic gastritis is often set up by its constant use in excess. It should not be used in acute dyspepsia and bowel irritation.
External: It is applied for colic due to flatulence and for acute inflammation of different organs and is also good when applied to the nape of the neck in headache, neuralgia, etc. Lint soaked in limewater and olive oil relieves the excessive burning from the plaster. Mustard foot baths made by using one handful of ground mustard to half pail of hot water is useful in colds, sleeplessness, headache, convulsions, dysmenorrhea.
CREAM OF TARTAR (Potassii bitartras).—Uses: It is useful in kidney diseases to remove dropsy. In large doses of four teaspoonfuls it acts as a watery purge. It is useful where the urine is thick and alkaline to make it clear and normal. It is sometimes combined in equal parts with epsom salts to move the bowels, especially when an action on the kidneys is also necessary. It is given in teaspoonful doses before breakfast for prickly heat; it is cooling to the blood and is one of the old home remedies.
VINEGAR (Acetic Acid).—Vinegar contains from six to seven per cent acetic acid. Dilute acetic acid contains six per cent pure acetic acid. The pure or glacial acetic acid is a crystalline solid at 59 degrees F., takes up moisture readily so should be kept in well stoppered bottles. Acetic acid is a strong corrosive poison; if taken internally, causes vomiting, with intense pain, followed by convulsions and fatal coma. If the acid remains in the stomach for some time it may eat its way through the stomach wall. In cases of poisoning by acetic acid, milk or flour and water should be freely given and vomiting produced. Weak alkalies should also be given as antidotes. Glacial acetic acid is used as an application to cancer of the skin, ulcers, warts, growths in the nose, ringworm, lupus (Jacob's Ulcer) and other ulcerous growths. Vinegar or dilute acetic acid is given to check night sweats and to relieve diarrhea. It is also used in treating painter's colic after the constipation has been relieved, as an antidote to poisoning by caustic alkalies; externally to prevent bed sores, relieves headaches, checks moderate bleeding from leech bites, superficial wounds, nosebleed and in post-partum hemorrhage. It inhibits the growth of micro-organisms. Cases of catarrhal, membranous and diphtheric croup are benefited by the vapor of vinegar diffused through the sick room. A compress saturated in vinegar and placed over the nose until consciousness returns is recommended to prevent or relieve vomiting, nausea and headache following the inhalation of chloroform.
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UNCLASSIFIED MOTHERS' REMEDIES
Received Too Late to Place in Proper Departments
Burns, Lime Water and Sweet Oil for.—"Put unslaked lime about the size of a hen's egg in three pints of water and strain; add one cup of sweet oil, shake and keep burn moist. Will heal without scar or scab." This is highly recommended by physicians.
Burns, Charcoal for.—"Powered charcoal put on thick. This gives quick relief," It is an antiseptic poultice and keeps air from burned surface.
Burns or Scalds, Grated Onions for.—"Grate onions and mix two parts pulp with one part salt; apply twice or three times a day, changing as soon as onions are wilted." The onions are very soothing and keep the air from the affected parts.
Burns, an Easily Prepared Remedy for.—"Spread pure lard, or any unsalted grease over burned surface: cover thickly with flour and wrap with soft cloth after pain has ceased. Remove the flour and spread again with lard or vaselin. Sprinkle over with boracic acid powder and wrap up." This is an old tried remedy and one we all know to be good. The grease helps to lessen the smarting, while the boracic acid is a good antiseptic and keeps the air out.
Bunions, Pulverized Salt Petre for.—"Five cents worth of pulverized saltpeter put into a bottle with sufficient olive oil to nearly dissolve it. Shake well and apply to parts night and morning."
Blisters from Burns or Scalds, White of Egg for.—"Apply immediately the white of an egg. Keep the part from being exposed as much as possible to the air." White of egg is soothing and forms a coating while blistered part is healing, also protects it from air.
Bites from Insects, Simple Remedies for.—"Tolerably strong solution carbolic acid and water. An onion cut in two and rubbed on will also do." Carbolic acid is an antiseptic; onion is soothing and helps to draw out poison by acting as a poultice.
Catarrh, Burnt Alum for.—"Burn alum and power finely or buy prepared burnt alum at the drug store and use as a snuff eight or ten times daily. Ten cents' worth will last a long time. My mother used this remedy and believes that she has cured her catarrh entirely with it." Alum is an antiseptic, is cleansing, as well as an astringent remedy.
Catarrh, Bad Case Cured by the following: "Inhale fumes of iodine crystals. This was given me by a friend, who claimed it cured a bad case of catarrh." Use moderately.
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Catarrh, Borax and Camphor for.—"Inhale three times daily equal parts of borax, camphor and salt." These ingredients should be powdered very finely and a pinch of the powder snuffed carefully several times a day. This is a very simple but effective remedy.
Catarrh, Pure Lard for.—"Take a bit of pure lard size of a pea and draw it up each nostril every evening. It will require about a year of constant use." The grease helps to keep the affected parts moist and relieves any congestion present. Anyone suffering with this disease should make it a point to use grease in some form every night. It gives great relief.
Cancer, Yellow Dock Root for.—Scrape narrow leaf yellow dock roots and steep in cream to make a salve and apply externally. Add a little alcohol if you wish to keep it for sometime."
Colds.—
"Dover's Powders 20 grains
Capsicum 15 grains
Camphor 10 grains
Quinine 25 grains"
Mix. Make up into about 20 capsules or powders. Take one every 2 or 3 hours. This is recommended as a sure cure for colds. Keep bowels open with small doses of salts or oil.
Coughs and Colds, Mullein Remedy.—"Steep Mullein leaves in fresh milk.
Drink of it just before going to bed. This makes a soothing drink."
Cough Syrup, an Easily Prepared Remedy for.—
"Fluid Wild Cherry Bark 1/2 ounce
Compound Essence Cordial 1 ounce
White Pine Compound 3 ounces"
Dose: Take twenty drops every half hour for four hours and then from one-half to one teaspoonful three or four times a day, children less according to age.
Constipation, Bran as a Cure for.—"Take each night two dessertspoonfuls of bran. Take a spoonful at a time and chew it slowly and thoroughly and swallow." This simple remedy has been known to cure cases of long standing if kept up faithfully for a while.
Constipation, an Old Tried Remedy for.—"One ounce of cream of tartar and two ounces of salts; pour quart of boiling water over mixture and stir till dissolved; drain off and take a wineglassful every morning." The cream of tartar is a good blood purifier and the salts carry off all impurities in the system and in that way relieve the constipation.
Constipation, an Effective Remedy for.—"Chop fine a half-pound seeded raisins and one ounce of senna leaves together; mix with a half ounce powdered sulphur in air-tight jar. Chew a piece the size of a walnut every night."
Constipation, Baby, Juice from Prunes for.—"Give baby a teaspoonful of juice from cooked dried prunes whenever a laxative is needed." This remedy will be found useful, not only for infants, but older children as well. When old enough let them eat the pulp as well as the juice.
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Cramps, Turpentine for.—"A cloth dipped in turpentine and applied will relieve cramps in the limbs," Any one suffering with this difficulty will find the above treatment very beneficial.
Croup, Quick Cure for.—"A quantity of raw linseed oil should always be at hand in a family where the children are subject to croup. It is an unfailing remedy, and for quick results it beats anything else which can be given for that dread disease. Half a teaspoonful is a dose, unless the child is choking very badly; then give a teaspoonful. It acts two ways. In the first stage of croup, where there is not much mucus, it is loosened and carried off through the bowels. In the second stage it causes vomiting, but, unlike ipecac, it leaves no soreness of the throat as an after difficulty. It is rarely necessary to give more than one dose, when the child will get relief and go to sleep again. This simple remedy is one that is within the reach of every mother, and one that can be kept on hand at all times; and, while it is in the house the dreaded croup need cause no terrors."
Croup, Salt Water for.—"A handful of salt in a basin of cold water. Wring towel out of this solution and apply over the throat. Cover with warm flannel, keep patient warm." This simple but effective remedy has been known to give relief many times and has been thoroughly tried by a great many mothers.
Chapped Hands, an Inexpensive Remedy for.—"One-fourth ounce gum tragacanth, one-fourth ounce boracic acid, one ounce glycerin, one and one-half ounce alcohol, five cents' worth best white rose perfume. Soak gum in pint of rain water for thirty-six hours; let warm slowly until heated. Remove from the stove, strain through a cheese cloth, add the other ingredients, stir well and bottle."
Cholera Infantum, Chickweed For.—"Chickweed boiled and sweetened in milk. This cured my daughter when an infant. This recipe has been used by me and my mother and proved effectual." The above remedy is an inexpensive one and easily prepared. It will be found excellent for this trouble.
Dog Bite, Home Treatment for.—"Apply common salt." Salt eats and draws poison out. Use it freely.
Drunkenness, Chocolate for.—"Give patient all the chocolate he can or will eat. This cured one man I know."
Diphtheria, a Marine City Mother Gives the Following Cure For.—"One-fourth pound loaf sugar, one-fourth pound gum kino, one-fourth ounce alum; put in a covered porcelain dish on stove in a quart of soft water. Simmer down to one pint, gargle the throat every fifteen minutes, or for small children use a swab. Bandage the throat with onion poultices; this recipe has relieved when used as directed; was used by my mother and proved effectual."
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Dropsy, Chestnut Leaves for.—"A tea made of chestnut leaves taken freely instead of water." These leaves can be purchased at any drug store in five-cent packages. Prepare the same as ordinary tea, only stronger.
Eczema, Lard and Sulphur for.—"Melt lard and sulphur. When cool add a little alcohol to keep sweet." This combination is very soothing to the parts affected.
Eczema, Gasoline for.—"Bathe the affected parts in gasoline; be careful not to use the liquid where there is fire or lamps."
Erysipelas, Antiseptic Wash for.—
"Hyposulphite of Soda 8 ounces
Carbolic Acid (200 drops) 3-1/3 drams
Soft Water 1 pint"
The above wash has very strong recommendations as a local application. It was secured from a family that had used it at different times for twenty years. The family seemed to be susceptible to erysipelas and this medicine had been used for three generations, grandfather, son and grandson. In fact, it was the only remedy that helped their case, although many others had been tried. The entire prescription would cost about fifteen cents.
Fishbone, Choking from.—"Raw egg, taken soon as possible." It helps to carry bone out of throat and is a remedy ready at hand.
Goitre, a Good Remedy for.—
"Iodine 1 dram
Iodide of Potassium 4 drams
Soft Water 4 ounces
Apply night and morning. Rub on with feather or soft brush all around, as well as immediately on the lump." This is a counterirritant and often used for goitre.
Goitre, Iodine for.—"Blister with iodine. Heal with sweet cream, paint and blister again. This wore my sister's goitre away. It took time but was worth it." It should produce redness instead of a blister.
Headache, Lemon Juice and Coffee for.—"A teaspoonful of lemon juice in a small cup of black coffee will relieve." This is an old tried remedy and one that will be found beneficial.
Inflammatory Rheumatism, Salt Petre and Sweet Oil for.—"One ounce salt petre pulverized, one pint sweet oil. Rub parts affected."
Ingrowing Toenail, Home Treatment for.—"Cut a notch in the top of the nail with a penknife, scrape the nail from base to top."
Ingrowing Toenail, a Good Canadian Remedy for.—"Paint part under flesh with four parts caustic potash, six parts warm water. Paint part and scrape with piece of glass or sharp knife. Repeat till thin enough to break off." The caustic potash makes parts soft.
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Ingrowing Toenail, Camphor for.—"Cut part growing in with sharp knife and put camphor on intruding part. This eases the pain and prevents second growth."
Indigestion, Egg Shells for.—"Brown egg shells in oven and crush till very fine with a rolling pin, then take a teaspoonful at meal times three times a day."
Inflammation of the Bowels, a Grandmother's Remedy for.—"Raw linseed oil and bean poultice. Use as hot as can be borne; keep repeating until relieved. This recipe has been used by my mother."
Kidney Trouble, an Easily Prepared Remedy for.—"Steep plantain leaves into strong tea. Take half cup every night. This has been found good for kidney trouble." Also good for ivy poisoning, burns, scalds, bruises, and to check bleeding; pound leaves to a paste and apply to parts.
La Grippe, Red Pepper Treatment from a Canadian Mother for.—"Take a bottle of alcohol, put enough red pepper in it so that when four drops are put in a half cup of water it is strong. This is what I always break up my grippe with." Peppers thus prepared stimulate and warm up the stomach and bowels and increase the circulation.
Rheumatism, Liniment Sent Us from Gentleman in Canada (says he paid $7.00 for it).—
"Capsicum Powdered 1 ounce
Camphor 1/2 ounce
Oil Hemlock 1/2 ounce
Spirits Ammonia 1/2 ounce
Chloroform 1/2 ounce
Oil Turpentine 1/2 ounce
Oil Wormwood 1 dram
Potassium Nitrate 1 dram
Add Alcohol to make 12 ounces
Good Liniment.—"Sweet oil, turpentine, hartshorn, equal parts. Keep corked."
Liniment, Sprains, Etc.—English Black Oil.
"Tanner's Oil 1 pint
Oil Vitriol 1 ounce
Spirits of Turpentine 1 ounce
Beef 's Gall, contents of 1 gall
Put oil vitriol in tanner's oil, let stand twelve hours and not cork tightly, then add balance."
Lumbago, Ointment for.—
Vaselin 1 ounce
Belladonna 15 grains
Salicylic Acid 1 dram
Sodium Salicylate 1 dram
Apply. Also good to rub on bunions."
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Neuralgia, Soothing Ointment for.—"One ounce of laudanum, baking soda to make paste." Apply to parts and cover with flannel." Its virtue is in its soothing and quieting action.
Pain or Rheumatism, Tansy and Smartweed for.—"Boil handful each of tansy and smartweed together till strong tea is made. Dip cloths in the hot tea and apply." Good local and quieting application.
Pain, Horseradish Poultice for.—"Grate and make poultice. Apply to part where pain is." Makes a good drawing poultice and a counterirritant.
Pains, Liniment to Relieve.—
"Peppermint 1 ounce
Oil of Mustard 1/2 ounce
Vinegar 1 pint
White of one egg.
Beat egg and stir all together."
Pain, Vinegar and Pepper for.—"Hot flannel cloths wrung from vinegar, to which a pinch of cayenne pepper has been added, applied hot to any part of the body, will relieve pain." This is very good. This remedy is always at hand and can be prepared quickly. It will most always give relief.
Palpitation of the Heart, Salt Baths for.—"Stop drinking tea and coffee. Add sea salt to water when bathing. This cured me and I have not been bothered for four or five years." Good when palpitation is due to nervousness.
Piles.-
"Extract Belladonna 15 grain
Acetate Lead 1/2 dram
Gum Camphor 1 dram
Gallic Acid 15 grains
Acetanilid 20 grains
Vaselin 1 ounce
Mix.
In protruding, itching and blind piles this ointment will give almost instant relief; if kept up several days it will promote a cure."
Poison Ivy, Buttermilk and Salt Heals.—"Add considerable salt to buttermilk and bathe poisoned parts in it frequently."
Poison Ivy, Lead Water and Laudanum Relieves.—"Application of cold lead water, made in proportions of two drams of sugar of lead, half an ounce of landanum to half a pint of water and applied by means of cloths. The patient should eat a cooling, light diet and use a good saline cathartic, such as rochelle salts, etc."
Poison Ivy, Excellent Cure for.—"Copperas mixed with sour milk; put in all the copperas the milk will dissolve. I knew of a very bad case to be cured by this after a few applications. Care should be taken not to let it get on the clothing, as it burns badly."
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Poisonous Wounds, Ammonia Application for.—"Strong spirits of ammonia applied to the wounds of snake bite or rabid animals is better than caustic. It neutralizes the poison and is an excellent remedy."
Oak Poison, Gunpowder and Lard for.—"Mix small quantity of gunpowder and lard and apply. One application cured me." This is an old, tried, standard remedy.
Milk Poison, Popular Remedy for.—
Yellow Poplar Bark 4 ounces
Wild Gooseberry Roots 4 ounces
Slippery Elm Bark 4 ounces
Put in an earthern vessel with two quarts of water; put over a slow fire and simmer to one pint, then strain and add it to one gallon of the best rye whisky and give one wineglassful for the first dose, and thereafter give two tablespoonfuls every two hours. Move the bowels by pink and senna tea. Poultice the bottom of the feet with blue flag swamp root mashed fine to the consistency of a poultice. For the vomiting associated with the disease give one teaspoonful wild deer horn in a little water obtained by filing or grinding the horn of a wild deer. As this is not always to be obtained, a tablespoonful of pulverized chalk is good, or a little cold tea may be given. This recipe has been known to save many persons' lives, when the doctors had given up in despair. When the patient becomes sufficiently improved to warrant it, the dose may be decreased, but it should be taken quite a long time to kill the poison or counteract the poison in the system."
Poor Circulation, Alcohol Rub for.—"Rub vigorously night and morning with good whisky. Don't stop for a week or so after patient looks and feels well." Rubbing with alcohol would probably be preferred.
Ruptures, Herb Remedy for.—"Make a poultice of lobelia and stramonium leaves, equal parts, and apply to part, renewing as often as necessary." This poultice acts by relaxing the muscles, but in severe cases no application will do any good and the doctor should be consulted.
Rheumatism, Mountain Leaf Tea for.—"Tea made of mountain leaf taken frequently cures rheumatism." Rheumatism, Beef Gall for.—"Two beef galls in pint bottle, fill bottle with whisky. Apply often."
Salt Rheum, a Well-Tried Remedy for.—"Teaspoonful of red precipitate to two tablespoonfuls of lard. Anoint the parts affected." This recipe has been used by my mother and myself and proved effectual.
[UNCLASSIFIED MOTHERS' REMEDIES 681]
Snake Bites, Simple Poultice for.—"Poultice of hops or salt and grease; grease is to keep salt together. Hops are always kept to be used in berry season." As a poultice it draws the poison out.
Snake Bites, Onions and Salt for.—"Good drawing poultice for snake bites is an onion and a handful of salt pounded together. We also use this for a common poultice."
Stings, an Old, Tried Canadian Remedy for.—"For the bee sting I put soda on and dampen it with honey." An old-time remedy and seems to do the work. Soda is an antiseptic and cleansing remedy. If no honey at hand, dampen soda with water.
Stings from Nettles, an Inexpensive Remedy for.—"Rub the affected parts, if of nettles, with berry juice and let dry. This is what I always do during the berry season." Berry juice is quieting and soothing; it contains tannin. It would be handy to use and is recommended.
Stye, Common Tea Leaves for.—" After steeping tea gather out a small handful of the steeped leaves, lay them in a cloth as you would any poultice, and apply warm over the stye." It is the tannin in the tea that cures the stye, although clear tannin bought at the drug store does not seem to do the work as well. Black tea may be preferable.
Splendid General Salve.—
"Resin 4 ounces
Beeswax 4 ounces
Lard 8 ounces
Honey 2 ounces
Boil slowly until melted, then remove and stir until cold."
Scrofulous Difficulties, a Good Remedy for.—"A tea made of ripe dried whortleberries and drank in place of water is an excellent remedy."
Sore Eyes, Camphor and Breast Milk for.—"When a tiny baby has sore eyes, add one-half drop of camphor to a teaspoonful of breast milk; bathe the eyes several times a day." Breast milk alone applied to the eyes of an infant is very healing, but the addition of camphor improves it.
Sore Throat, Mustard Plaster for.—"Mustard plaster applied on outside of the throat. I know it is good—have tried it." Care should be taken not to allow the plaster to remain on too long as it will blister.
Stammering, a Canadian Mother's Treatment for.—"I always stop my boy when I hear him stammering and make him say the words by syllables. I find he is getting much better." The above is one of the best plans and should be tried.
Sweating, to Cause.—"Wet flannel cloth in vinegar, lay it on a hot soapstone and wrap in cloth. Take it to bed and you will sweat." This creates a steam and of course will produce sweating very quickly.
[682 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
Sweating, to Cause.—"Hot cornmeal mush applied as a poultice to parts, will cause sweating."
Splinter, to Extract.—"When a splinter has been driven deep into the hand, it can be extracted without pain by steam. Nearly fill a wide-mouthed bottle with hot water, place mouth of the bottle over splinter and press tightly. The suction will draw the flesh down, and in a minute or two the steam will extricate the splinter and the inflammation will disappear."
Toothache, Benzoin for.—"Compound tincture of benzoin applied on batting to tooth,"
Toothache, Oil of Cinnamon for.—"Oil of cinnamon rubbed on gum and on cotton batting and put in hollow tooth."
Weak Back, Turpentine and Sweet Oil for.—"Take one part of turpentine to two parts of sweet oil, mix together and apply to back several times a day. It is well to massage the back at night with this mixture just before retiring. Always apply warm."
Weak Back, Liniment for.—
"Tincture of Cayenne Pepper 1/2 ounce
Spirits of Camphor 2 ounces
Tincture of Arnica 1-1/2 ounce
No better liniment; is an excellent remedy to bathe the back with; will not blister."