406. For Cough and Hoarseness.—Beat well a newly laid egg, and stir it into a quarter of a pint of new milk, warmed, to which add a table-spoonful of capillaire.
A piece of anchovy will almost instantly restore the just tone of voice to any one who has become hoarse by public speaking.
407. White Mixture for Coughs.—Beat well the yolk of an egg, mix with it in a mortar half a drachm of powdered spermaceti, a little loaf sugar and twenty drops of laudanum (tincture of opium); add a gill of water, and mix well: a table-spoonful of this mixture will relieve an obstinate cough.
Or, mix half a pint of almond emulsion, two drachms of syrup of poppies, the same of oxymel of squills, and one drachm of powder of gum tragacanth; two table-spoonfuls to be taken often.
408. Colds.—A daily exposure to the outward air is absolutely necessary to secure us against the injurious influence of our variable climate. For cure of catarrh, reduce the amount of food, take exercise, keep the bowels open, and bathe the feet in warm water at bed-time.—Henderson.
409. For a Cold in the Head.—What is called a head-bath is useful. Fill a wash-hand basin with boiling water, and add an ounce of flour of mustard; then hold the head, covered with a cloth to prevent the escape of the steam, over the basin as long as any steam arises.