Or, chew at night a small piece of gum myrrh; or chew night and morning a clove, or a piece of orris root, about the size of a bean; or rub the teeth with a piece of rag dipped in the spirits of vinegar.
TO SWEETEN MEAT, FISH, &c. THAT IS TAINTED.
When meat, fish, &c., from intense heat, or long keeping, are likely to pass into a state of corruption, a simple and pure mode of keeping them sound and healthful is by putting a few pieces of charcoal, each about the size of an egg, into a pot or saucepan wherein the meat or fish is to be boiled. Among others, an experiment of this kind was tried on a turbot, which appeared to be too far gone to be eatable; the cook, as advised, put four pieces of charcoal under the strainer of the fish kettle; after boiling the proper time, the turbot came to the table sweet and firm.
USEFUL RECEIPTS.
OF THE SKIN.
Deformities as of the skin are generally the consequences of a distempered blood thrown upon it. Promoting the ordinary discharges, and rectifying the skin by proper washes, is the only way to get rid of such disorders. When, therefore, any lotion is employed on the skin, the person must always take care that some other emunctuary may be in readiness, to discharge what to lessened by the application of the external medicine. Diuretics are allowed by all to be the best auxiliaries to cosmetics, and it is hardly safe to use one without the other. We will first notice
OF PIMPLES.
This deformity consists in a redness of the face, attended with inflammatory pustules, the causes of which are commonly attributed to an acrid, thick blood, that swells and corrodes the small vessels; to clear which, the mass of blood must be sweetened and diluted with proper medicines.
For this purpose, infuse 4 oz. of mustard seed in a quart of while wine, and after 3 or 4 days, drink a wine glass full of it every morning filling up the phial as long as the seed gives any strength.—Or boil 3 spoonsful of mustard seed in a quart of milk, take off the curd, and keep the whey for use. This remedy is an excellent diuretic, and a cordial for the nerves, but it differs from the first in quality. Take half a wine glass full every morning.
Among all the lotions, and the best to use with the above diuretic, is a pimpernel water, which is so sovereign a beautifier of the complexion as to deserve a place on every lady’s toilet. It is prepared by only infusing half a handful of this herb in a quart of water, letting it stand all night. It may be used a little warm, but not hot. If not sufficiently powerful to remove the pimples, take camphor rubbed fine in a mortar, put upon it, a little at a time, 1 ounce of the juice of lemons, when dissolved, add 1 pint of white wine. This is a very good lotion for spots and flushings: it may be used with the greatest safety.