For fun, I've added a few Victorian trade cards
advertising pharmacological cures promoted for various maladies.
I did not change or edit any spelling or grammer. I left this is as it
was written.
IMPORTANT
This article is for information purposes only.
It defines allegedly tried-and-true remedies used and recommended by
mothers in U.S. and Canada. I find these types of literature
fascinating.
This article IS NOT intended as medical advice or recipes you should
try.
From what I can tell from reading some of the remedies of the day,
and chemicals recommended, i wouldn't experiment on a human being,
without a professional medical practitioner to verify safety of the
ingreients.
Some suggestions are safe, and still in use today, as home remedies.
Some sound just plain bizarre to me. Like concoctions containing
alcohol, borax, kerosene, turpentine, benzene and other chemicals I
wouldn't dare make my family take or apply these. Hemlock is absolutely
out of the question. Chloroform in an oil spray in the nose is just not
going to happen. Although I am somewhat amused by the fact that it
probably introduces quiet around the house.
The oddities and herbals are the reasons i wanted to create this page.
There are also home remedies mentioned in this book, derived from herbs
that are quite curative, valid and valued as medicines today.
**Many of the herbal remedies listed in this publication are still in
use, and are said to be safe and effective. But don't take just anyone's
word for it.Bunions, Remedy from
Your Flower Garden
"Peel the outside skin from the leaf of 'Live Forever' and
apply as a poultice. Repeat until cured. This is a very good remedy and
one that should be tried if you are troubled with bunions or
corns."
Canker Sores
Canker Sore Mouth, Raspberry Leaf for.
—"Infuse a handful of raspberry leaves in a half pint of
boiling water for fifteen minutes; when cold strain and add two ounces
tinc. of myrrh, rinse the mouth with a little of it two or three times a
day, swallow a little each time until relieved. This is also good for
spongy gums, loose teeth, bad breath and for gently correcting and
cleansing the stomach."
Oak Bark Tea for.—"Red Oak
bark, a little salt and pepper." The bark should be boiled down to
make a good strong tea, according to age of person. The salt has an
astringent effect upon the mouth and is also a good antiseptic. The
pepper should not be used when the parts are very red and inflamed. It
should be used only when they are rather sluggish.
Weed Tea for.—"Apply canker
weed found in the woods. A small plant with dark green leaves spotted
with white." Make a tea of the canker weed by steeping it, then
strain and apply to the affected parts. This is a very good remedy.
Indigestion
1.
Indigestion or Dyspepsia, Mustard and Molasses for.—"Mustard
is an excellent household remedy kept in every home. A tablespoonful of
white mustard mingled with two ounces of molasses and then taken once a
day will act gently on the bowels and is a beneficial remedy in
dyspepsia." By acting upon the bowels it relieves the stomach of
any food that may have caused a disturbance and relieves the dyspepsia.
2.
Flatulent Dyspepsia, Wormwood tea for.—"Wormwood,
one to two teaspoonfuls, water one pint. Make a tea and take from one to
four teaspoonfuls daily." This is an old tried remedy and one that
should be given a trial if affected with dyspepsia.
3.
Indigestion or Dyspepsia, Dry salt for.—"One-half
teaspoon dry salt taken before each meal. Knew a gentleman who was
nearly worn out with this trouble and entirely cured himself with this
simple remedy." It is always well to give these simple remedies a
fair trial, before resorting to strong drugs. Salt is a good stimulant.
4.
Indigestion or Dyspepsia, Chicken Gizzard Skin for.—"Four
ounces good brandy, one-fourth pound of loaf sugar, one tablespoonful
pulverized chicken gizzard skin, one teaspoonful Turkish rhubarb dried
on paper stirring constantly; this prevents griping; the chicken gizzard
skin is the lining of the gizzard which should be thoroughly cleaned and
dried then pulverized. To prepare put brandy and sugar together (crush
the sugar), light a paper and set fire to the brandy; let burn until
sugar is dissolved, then add the gizzard skin and rhubarb, stir together
and if too thick add a little water and boil up. Dose :—Infant,
one-half teaspoonful every four hours; child, one teaspoonful every four
hours; adult, one tablespoonful every four hours. Have used this remedy
for a great many years and given it to a great many people who have worn
out all other remedies."
SORE THROAT (Acute
Pharyngitis—Acute Pharyngeal Catarrh—- Inflammation of the Pharynx—Simple
Angina).
—This is a common complaint especially among some adults. A
predisposition to it is often due to chronic pharyngitis, chronic
enlargement of the tonsils and adenoids of the wall of the pharynx as
well as chronic nasal obstruction. Rheumatic persons are especially
subject to it and acute articular rheumatism is often observed to be
preceded by an attack of pharyngitis. Tonsilitis is said to have the
same influence also.
Symptoms.—The
throat is dry and feels stiff. There may be tenderness at the angle of
the jaw and outside of the neck. Pains some to swallow. In a day or two
there is a mucous secretion, making the patient inclined to clear the
throat by hawking or coughing. The throat looks red and in the early
stage this is more noticeable on the anterior pillars of the fauces, the
soft palate and uvula. On the back wall you see bright red spots, the
inflamed lymph follicles. It usually gets well in two to seven days. It
may become chronic after repeated acute attacks.
Chronic.—This
is very common in persons who smoke or drink to excess, also people who
use their voice in public speaking as preachers do, or in calling loudly
as hucksters, railroad brakemen, stationmen, etc.
Prevention of
chronic kind.—Ascertain the cause
and remove it. Too hot food or too much spiced food cause the chronic
kind. Rest the voice. Remove any existing catarrh.
Prevention of
acute kind.—Avoid undue exposure
to cold and wet, wear warm comfortable flannel underwear. Bath the neck
and chest daily with cold water. This is good cold preventive. The
wearing of handkerchiefs, mufflers, around the neck is injurious unless
you are driving. Accustom your neck to the cold from the beginning in
the fall and winter months. Wearing a full beard is said to be a good
preventive.
Remedies
1. Sore throat, Used for
Years Successfully.—"Salt pork dipped in hot water then covered thick
with black pepper. Heat in the oven and lay or bind on the throat or
lungs. This has been a favorite remedy with us for years." Sew the
pork to a piece of cotton cloth and bind over the sore parts after you
have sprinkled the pork with salt and pepper. Leave this on as long as
the patient can endure it. When the pork is removed, rub the affected
parts with cold cream or vaselin and put a clean muslin cloth on to keep
person from taking cold.
2. Sore
throat, Splendid Liniment for.—
"Olive oil 1/2 pint
Ammonia 1/2 pint
Turpentine 1/2 pint
One egg.
Shake till it forms emulsion. This can be used as a blister.
This is a very effective
remedy, but you must watch the throat very carefully as this will
blister quickly. After removing the liniment, grease the parts with oil
or cold cream.
3. Sore
throat, Simple Gargle for.—
"Soda 1 teaspoonful
Salt 1 teaspoonful
Borax 1 teaspoonful
Dissolve in pint of warm water; use as a gargle frequently."
This is a very good
gargle. It contracts the parts and acts as an antiseptic and thoroughly
cleanses the parts.
4. Sore
throat, Home Made salve for.-
"Beeswax 1 ounce
Rosin 1 ounce
Camphor gum 1 ounce
Lard about the size of an egg."
Mix the above ingredients together and apply to the outside of the
throat. This causes the skin to become red thus drawing the inflammation
out of the throat and relieving the trouble.
5. Sore
Throat, Cold Packs, Sure Cure for
"Put cold packs on
the throat. Gargle with very hot water and a little soda. This makes it
very effective.
6. Sore
Throat, Ointment for
Oil Turpentine 1/2 ounce
Oil of Hemlock 1/2 ounce
Oil of Peppermint 1/2 ounce
Oil of Encaliptus 1/2 ounce
Mix with one cup warm lard, apply warm to the throat."
7.
Sore Throat, Remedy from a mother in Johnson City, Tenn.—"Fat
meat stewed in vinegar and bound to the neck.
8. Sore
Throat, Gargle and Local Application for
Common salt 2
tablespoonfuls
Strained honey 2 tablespoonfuls
Vinegar 3 tablespoonfuls
Camphor 1/2 teaspoonful
Use as a gargle. External
applications, wring a cloth out of salt and cold water and keep it quite
wet, bind tightly about the neck and cover with a dry cloth. It is best
to use this at night."
9.
Mild Sore Throat, Vinegar Gargle for.—"Gargle
with vinegar and hot water. This will help to sooth the irritation and
in a mild sore throat is a sure cure."
10.
Sore Throat, Alum and Vinegar for.—"One
glass of warm water; one tablespoonful of vinegar; one teaspoonful of
sugar; one-half teaspoonful of alum; dissolve well and gargle throat
several times daily."
11.
Sore Throat, Kerosene for
Dip a flannel cloth in coal oil, (kerosene) and bind on the throat. I
have tried this; in fact it is what I always use. It is almost sure to
cure."
12.
Sore Throat and Cough, Remedy always at hand.—"Equal
parts of alcohol and glycerin make a good gargle, or use three
tablespoonfuls of vinegar and one of salt to a tumbler of water. Or
simply hot water and salt when nothing else is to be had. The hot water
alone is very good."
13.
Tickling in Throat, Simple Remedy for
Take bread crumbs and swallow
them."
COLDS. (Coryza. Acute Nasal Catarrh. Acute
Rhinitis).
—This is an inflammation of the mucous membrane lining the nose.
Causes.—Exposure
to cold or wet when the body is overheated; sudden or extreme changes in
the atmosphere; inhaling irritating fumes or dust.
Symptoms.—A
chilly feeling, limbs ache, tendency to sneeze, severe headache above
the nose, eyes are dry, stopped-up feeling in the nostrils. Then there
is a thin watery discharge, usually of an irritating character, very
thin at first, but it soon becomes thicker; sometimes the ears ring
(tinnitus). The nose and lining is red and swollen.
Mothers' Remedies
1. Colds. Borax for Cold Settled in Throat. "For a cold
in the throat, dissolve a piece of borax, the size of a pea, in the
mouth and don't talk. It will work like a charm." This is an old
and well tried remedy and is very good for colds or sore throat. It acts
by contracting the tissues and in that way there is less congestion in
the parts.
2.
Colds, Valuable Caution and Treatment for.—Mrs.
Maxwell, of Cleveland, writes in the Cleveland Press as follows:
"If you intend to treat the cold yourself, take it up at the
outset. Don't wait for it to develop. To break it up, nothing is better
than the full hot bath at bed time, or the foot bath with mustard,
followed by a hot drink. It is old-fashioned, but scientific, for nine
colds out of ten are due to clogged pores.
Benjamin Franklin said a hundred years ago that all colds come from
impure air, lack of exercise, and over-eating, and nobody has ever
bettered his conclusion. Even contagious colds will not be taken if the
bodily resistance is kept at par. More fresh air, less grip. Avoid
people who have colds, and keep out of badly ventilated rooms. Stuffy
street cars are responsible for half the hard colds, not because people
get chilled, but because the air is foul. And when you have a cold keep
away from the baby. If the baby takes a cold, let it have medical
attention at once. Don't experiment upon it with remedies intended for
grown-ups."
3.
Colds, Molasses-Vinegar Syrup for.—"One-half
cup of molasses, butter the size of a hickory nut, one tablespoon
vinegar, boil together. Dose: One teaspoonful or less as the case
requires. Take often until relieved." This is an old remedy and a
good one.
4.
Colds, Quinine and Ginger for.—"Give
plenty of quinine and drink hot water with ginger in it." Quinine,
as we all know, is an old remedy for colds and therefore we all know how
it acts. The ginger warms up the system and produces sweating. Care
should be taken when using this remedy not to take cold, as the pores
are all opened by the quinine.
5.
Colds, Boneset for.—"Boneset tea
steeped and drank cold cures a cold." Boneset simply acts by
causing a better circulation in the system and in that way sweating is
produced and we all know that a good sweat will usually cure a cold if
taken in time.
6.
Severe Cold or Threatened Consumption.—"One
pint of molasses; one pint of vinegar; three tablespoonfuls of white
pine tar; let this boil not quite half down; remove from the stove and
let stand until next day; then take and skim tar off from the top,
throwing tar away. Jar up and take as often as necessary. Spoonful every
half to two hours."
7.
Colds, Rock Candy Syrup for.—"Ten
cents worth of rock candy; one pint of whisky; one pint of water;
fifteen cents worth of glycerine; mix all together; this will syrup
itself." Take one teaspoonful as often as necessary. This is
excellent.
8.
Colds, Skunk's Oil for.—"Skunk's
oil has cured colds quickly by rubbing on chest and throat." The
oil penetrates quickly and relieves the congestion. This remedy can
always be relied upon.
9.
Colds, Lemons and Mustard for.—"A
hot lemonade taken on going to bed and put the feet in a hot mustard
bath; taken in time will break up a cold." The idea of the foot
bath is to equalize the circulation, as so many of our colds begin in
the head and by drawing the blood from the head the congested parts of
the head are relieved.
10.
Colds and Cough, Hops or Catnip Poultice for.—"Hops
or catnip put in little bags and steamed until hot, then placed on lungs
and throat." This is a very good remedy, as the hot bags act as a
poultice and draw the congestion from the diseased parts. It produces
not only local, but general perspiration.
11.
Colds, Honey for.—"Eat honey. I
have tried this many times and it is very good." The honey is very
soothing, but if a little hoarhound or lemon is added it would make it
much more effective. This is a good remedy for children, as they most
all like honey.
12.
Colds, to Break Up at the Outset.—"To
break up a cold soak the feet in hot water and drink all the cold water
you can." This has been known to cure many severe colds if taken at
the beginning.
13.
Cold in the Chest, Mutton Tallow and Red Pepper for.—"If
cold is in the chest, render enough mutton tallow for one cupful and add
one teaspoonful of red pepper and rub on chest and apply a flannel to
keep out the cold. This is an old-time remedy and a good one."
14.
Colds, Lard and Turpentine for.—"Melt
a half cupful of lard and add one and one-half teaspoonfuls of
turpentine, rub on chest and apply flannel cloth."
15.
Colds, Milk and Cayenne as a Preventive.—"Drink
a glass of milk with a pinch of cayenne in it. This will warm the
stomach and prevent headache."
RESPIRATORY DISEASES
1. Camphor and Vaseline
Mixed, or Camphor and Cream, rubbed in the nose is good to stop the cold
and soreness.
2. A few drops (two or
three) of camphor taken internally every three hours will abort some
colds, especially if the nose is all the time pouring out drops of
water.
3. Aconite in small doses,
one-tenth of a drop, every two hours is a splendid remedy at the
beginning. My experience has shown me that aconite does better work in
these small doses. Put one drop in ten teaspoonfuls of water and give
one teaspoonful at a dose.
4. The following is good
for a thick discharge: in oil spray.
Menthol 6 grains
Chloroform 5 drops
Camphor 5 grains
Liquid Alboline 2 ounces
Mix and make into a solution. Use in an atomizer, every two hours.
To cleanse the nostrils
wash out each nostril gently with a solution made of one teaspoonful of
listerine, or glyco-thymoline, or borolyptol, or one-quarter teaspoonful
of common salt in a half glass of warm water. You can use a vaporizer
and this solution:
Menthol 5 grains
Camphor 5 grains
Compound tincture benzoin 1 dram
Liquid Alboline 1 ounce
Mix and make solution and use frequently in a nebulizer.
Never snuff a
solution into the nose, and do not blow the nose hard after using.
Some of the solution or nasal discharge may be forced into the
eustachian tube.
5. Lard or camphorated oil
rubbed on the nose and throat twice a day is good.
6. To
Restore the Loss of the Voice.—
Oil of wintergreen 2 drams
Lanolin or vaseline 1 ounce
Mix and rub on the throat at night and put on flannel until morning.
This will relieve the loss of voice very promptly.
7. Put a quart of boiling
water in a pitcher; add from two to four drams of the compound tincture of benzoin and inhale the
hot vapor.
Wrap both head and pitcher in a towel. This is very good for sore throat
also.
8.
Herb Teas for.—Ginger
tea, catnip, hoarhound, pennyroyal, etc.; hot, are all good to produce
sweating and thus relieve cold.
9. From
Dr. Ball, a London, England, Specialist.—
Menthol 30 grains
Eucalyptol 30 drops
Carbolic acid 2 drams
Rectified spirits of wine 1 dram
Mix thoroughly; a teaspoonful to be put into a pint (or less) of hot
water and the steam to be inhaled through the nose for four or five
minutes. This is useful in acute colds, especially in the later stages,
and in chronic catarrh, etc.
10. When the stage is
rather marked or prolonged, spray or syringe out the nose with tepid
solution once or twice a day using the following:
Bicarbonate of soda 3 to 5
grains
Borax 3 to 5 grains
Tepid water 1 ounce
Use a spray, douche, or gargle in chronic catarrh and chronic
pharyngitis. When you wish to use a large quantity, mix an equal
quantity each of soda and borax and put a couple teaspoonfuls to each
pint of warm water and use.
CATARRH.
(Chronic Inflammation of the Nose, Chronic
Rhinitis).
Causes.— Frequent attacks of colds, irritating gases and dust,
adenoids, enlarged tonsils, spurs on the septum (partition bone) or
foreign bodies in the nose, like corn, beans, stone, etc.
Symptoms and Course.—There
are alterations of the secretions: the amount varies in the same case at
different times. Sometimes it is thin and watery, or thick, sticky mucus
or this may alternate with more watery discharges.
It may be mucus and pus or entirely pus.
Frequently the secretions discharge into the throat and cause efforts to
clear it by hawking and spitting. The secretion sometimes dries and
forms crusts in the fore part of the turbinated bones and
partition.
Patients frequently pick
the nose for this crust and ulceration may result at that point from its
doing. Bleeding often occurs from picking the scales from the ulcers,
and perforation of the partition may take place from extension of the
ulceration. There is a feeling of stuffiness. There is some obstruction
to breathing. If there is much thickness of the structures, nasal
obstruction is a persistent symptom. Changed voice, mouth-breathing,
etc., are noticed. A sensation of pain or weight across the bridge of
the nose is sometimes complained of and this symptom is especially found
associated with enlargement of the middle turbinated body on one or both
sides, etc.
1. Catarrh,
Successful remedy for.—- "Dissolve in one-half ounce
olive oil as much camphor gum as it will take up. Moisten a little
finger with the oil, rub into the nostrils and snuff well up into the
head." The olive oil is very soothing to the diseased parts and the
camphor contracts the swollen mucous membranes, thereby relieving the
catarrh. This is an excellent remedy.
2. Catarrh, Cleansing Antiseptic Remedy for.—"Snuff
about one teaspoonful of salt in cup of warm water every morning in
nostrils. I have found this remedy simple but fine for catarrh and also
having sleeping room well ventilated summer and winter will help in
curing disease." This remedy will be found very effective in
catarrh because it loosens up the secretions and cleanses the nose of
the foul secretions and also has an antiseptic action. This can be used
twice daily. Snuffing should be done very gently so as not to draw the
water too far back.
3. Catarrh, Witch-Hazel for.—"Pond's
extract applied with nose spray." Pond's extract is simply
witch-hazel water and everyone knows that witch-hazel water is healing
and soothing to the membranes of the nose. This may be used regularly
twice a day.
4. Catarrh, Cure for.—
Menthol 10 grains
Camphor Gum 10 grains
Chloroform 10 drops
Fluid Alboline 8 ounces
Mix. Apply in the nasal cavities with alboline atomizer.
5. Catarrh of head, Mullein Leaves. Treatment, etc., for.—"Smoke
dried mullein leaves and blow the smoke through the nose, and in
addition to this, put a heaping tablespoonful of powdered borax in a
quart of soft water; syringe this up in the nose, and in addition to
both of the above, frequently inhale a mixture of two drams of spirits
of ammonia, half a dram tincture of iodine and fifteen drops of carbolic
acid; smoke the mullein, syringe the borax water and inhale the last
mixture all as frequently as convenient and it frequently will cure if
kept up faithfully."
6. Catarrh, Milk and Salt Wash for.—"Mix
together one teaspoonful common salt, a teacupful milk, and half pint of
warm water. Inject this into the nostrils three times a day. You may use
the same quantity of borax in place of the salt, if you choose to do
so."
7. Spray for.—After
cleansing the nostrils with the solution the following soothing mild
spray will be found of great benefit.
Menthol 5 grains
Camphor 5 grains
Liquid Alboline 2 ounces
Mix and make a
solution. Use in an atomizer or nebulizer.
8. Powders
for.—Antiseptic powders are also very useful in some cases, such as,
compound stearate of zinc and boric acid, or compound stearate of zinc
and alum or compound stearate of zinc and menthol. One or two drams is
enough to buy at once as it is very light; always use it in a powder in
the following way:
First take a long
breath and while holding the breath, puff some of the powder into each
nostril; then gently puff the breath out through each nostril. Do not
snuff powder up the nose or use the powder-blower while breathing. If
this is done, some will get into the pharynx and larynx and cause
annoying coughing.
9. Solution for.—
Bicarbonate of soda 1/2
ounce
Borax 1/2 ounce
Salt 1/2 ounce
White sugar 1 ounce
Mix all. Half a
teaspoonful to be dissolved in one-half tumbler of warm water; used with
spray producer or a syringe.
10. Spray, for.—
Bicarbonate of soda
1-1/2 drams
Listerine 6 drams
Water 1 ounce
Use as a spray.
OZENA.—(Foul
odor from nose, not breath, due to catarrh of the nose). The membrane is
dry and shrunken. It is a very offensive odor, thus called
"ozena."
Causes.—It is usually
seen in people who are very much debilitated, in young factory girls,
and sometimes in healthy boys. Retained secretions in the nose, usually
cause the odor. These decompose and ferment. The nose is large and
roomy, the nostrils are filled with scabby secretions; hard masses are
formed which sometimes fill the nostril.
Hayfever
1.
Hay fever, Quick Relief from.
—"For hay fever and other slight
forms of diseases which produce sneezing, there is no remedy more
quickly effective, and often curative, than a vapor of heated salt and
alcohol. Heat it very hot and breathe the vapor for ten minutes at a
time, four or five times a day."
2. Hay fever, Remedy
Worth Trying for.
—"A mixture composed of ten grains of sulphate
of zinc, half teaspoonful of borax, and about four ounces of rose water.
This is very good to inject into the nostrils if there is much
irritation of eyes and nostrils."
3. Hay fever, Our
Canadian Remedy for.—
"Inhale smoke from ground coffee (sprinkle
over coals). This relieved a case for me of five years standing."
4. Hay Fever, Medicine
That Helps.
—"Use phenol sodique as directed on the bottles. This
was recommended to me by Mrs. Levi Weller, who said her husband had
found more relief from this remedy than any other he had tried."
NOSEBLEED
1.
Nosebleed; remedy sent us by a Public School Teacher.
"Make a
compress of paper soaked in cold water; put it under the upper lip and
have the patient press the lip with the fingers. Remarks.—Tried with
success in many cases by a school teacher." By putting under the
lip and pressing on it, you press on an artery and stop bleeding. Be
careful to use nothing but white paper, as ink or colors would come out
when wet.
2. Nosebleed, Alum as a
cure for.
—"Apply cold water to face and back of neck; snuff
powdered alum." The powdered alum contracts the blood vessels,
thereby shutting off the supply of blood. The cold water applied to the
back of the neck affects the nervous system in such a manner that the
blood vessels are contracted and so the blood supply is diminished.
3. Nosebleed; Remedy
that succeeded in a severe case.
—"Put pieces of ice in cloth. Lay
a piece each side of the nose and on the back of the neck. Remarks.—My
neighbor's daughter had nosebleed which refused to stop until they were
much frightened but this treatment soon stopped it, after which she
rested quietly for a time,"
4. Nosebleed, Simple
Remedy for.
—"Place the finger on the side of the nose tight for
ten or fifteen minutes. My mother has stopped her nose from bleeding
when other remedies failed." This shuts off the circulation and
helps to form a clot.
5. Nosebleed, Another
Home Remedy for.
—"Hold the head back as far as possible, press up
the end of the nose with the end of the finger." Best to lie on the
side so blood will not run down the throat and choke the patient.
6. Nosebleed, Puff-Ball
for.
—"Find an old brown puff-ball from the ground, pick out the
soft inside part and put it in nose and let remain for some time."
7. Nosebleed, Vinegar
and Water for.
—"Wet a cloth in very cold water or strong cold
water and vinegar and apply to back of neck, renewing as it gets warm.
Have seen this tried and know it to be good."
HOARSENESS.
Inflammation of the Larynx. (Acute Laryngitis) Causes.—Due to taking
cold or over using the voice; hot liquids, poisons. It may occur in
influenza and measles; from irritating gases; some are subject to it.
Symptoms.—Tickling in
the larynx; cold air irritates, and breathing may cause some pain; dry
cough; the voice may be altered. At first it may be only husky. In
children breathing may be very difficult, after a day or two there may
be a light expectoration and finally there may be a loose cough and a
slight fever. The trouble is in the region of "Adam's Apple."
There is little or no danger in these attacks if proper care is taken.
The attack generally lasts two to four days.
1.Hoarseness, Borax
for.
—"For hoarseness dissolve a piece of borax the size of a pea
in the mouth and don't talk. It will work like a charm." The borax
does away with the inflammation of the inflamed parts and gives relief
very quickly.
2. Hoarseness, Egg and
Lemon for.
—"Beaten white of one egg, juice of one lemon, with
sugar enough to thicken, then add one teaspoonful olive oil." Take
one teaspoonful every hour until relieved.
3. Hoarseness,
Horseradish for.
—"Horseradish root; eat plenty of it. This has
been tried and proved successful."
4. Hoarseness,
Successful Remedy for Adults.
—"Take two ounces of fresh scraped
horseradish root, infuse in a close vessel in one-half pint of cold
water for two or three hours; then add four ounces of acid tincture of
lobelia and one-half pound of honey. Boil altogether for one-half hour,
strain and take a teaspoonful four times a day. This is a very good
remedy, especially for adults."
5. Hoarseness, Lemon
and Sugar for Children.
—"Take the juice of one lemon and saturate
with sugar, take a teaspoonful several times a day. It is sure to give
relief. This is very pleasant to give to children, as they most all like
it."
TICKLING
IN THROAT.
Mullein Leaf Smoke Beneficial for.
—"Smoke dried mullein
leaves, just a few puffs are needed, and should be drawn into the
throat. Myron H. Grinnel of Albion, Mich., says his grandmother always
gathers mullein leaves for this purpose and finds them an excellent
remedy. Too much would cause dizziness." Mullein leaves are good
for inflamed membranes like the ear and throat. If a person does not
wish to gather the leaves themselves they may buy them at a drug store.
2. Tickling in Throat,
Good Northern Canada Remedy for.
—"Chew some of the bark of
slippery elm and gargle the throat with saliva. This stops tickling in a
few minutes."
3. Tickling in Throat,
Tested Gargle for.
—"Gargle from four to six times daily with
following:—
Strong Sage Tea 1 pint
Salt 2 tablespoonfuls
Cayenne Pepper 2 tablespoonfuls
Vinegar 2 tablespoonfuls
Honey 2 tablespoonfuls
Mix thoroughly and bottle for use.
The above ingredients
are all excellent for sore throat and it is an old tried remedy and can
easily be obtained. If it is too strong dilute with warm water to the
desired strength.
"CHILD
CROWING" (Spasm of the
Glottis.)—This is usually peculiar to children.
Cause.—It is purely a
nervous affection and it occurs between six months and three years, and
is most commonly seen in children with rickets.
Symptoms.—It may come
in the night or day; or when the child awakes. The breathing is
arrested, the child struggles for breath, the face is flushed, and then
with a sudden relaxation of the spasm, the air is drawn into the lungs
with a high pitched crowing sound. Convulsions may occur. Death rarely
occurs. There may be many attacks during the day.
Cold Sponging.
—In
severe cases, the child should be placed in a warm bath tub and the back
and chest thoroughly sponged for a minute or two with cold water. This
plan may be used even when a child is in a paroxysm, though the attack
is severe and the child looks blue, it is much better than to dash cold
water in the face. Sometimes the attack can be stopped by introducing
the finger far back into the throat.
CROUP, Spasmodic.
—This
disease gives the parents a terrible shock if they have never seen any
attacks of the kind. The symptoms which attend the attack are out of all
proportion to the real danger. It is generally the result of exposure to
cold or to the cold wind. Irritating, undigested food, often causes it.
Symptoms.—Usually the
child goes to bed perfectly well, or has a slight cold and wakes up an
hour or two later, coughing and gasping for breath, due to a spasm in
the wind pipe. The cough is shrill, more like a bark; the cough is
repeated at intervals and soon the patient breathes quickly and
laboriously. It must sit up for it can breathe easier sitting. The voice
is oftentimes nearly or quite lost, or at least only a hoarse whisper;
the face is bluish or perspiring. The spasm lasts for a variable period,
but rarely exceeds one-half hour, sometimes only a few minutes. The
croupy cough and oppressed breathing may last longer than this, but
these too subside after a time, after which the child drops to sleep and
usually rests quietly for the rest of the night. There is a tendency to
recurrence on succeeding night unless obviated by treatment.
Treatment.
Preventive.
—Guard against such children's exposure to cold winds and
dampness, dress them warmly. The living and sleeping rooms should not be
too warm. Do not give them food hard to digest at any time, especially
before bedtime. Foods hard to digest frequently cause the attack.
1. Croup, Cold Application for.
—"Apply
to throat a flannel wrung out of cold water, lay a dry cloth over
it." This is an excellent remedy for a mother to try in case of an
emergency when no other medicine can be obtained. This very often will
relieve a child until other remedies can be secured and has been known
to save many children's lives: The cold water helps to draw the blood
away from the larynx and air passages and also dilates the tubes and
gives relief. Take great care not to wet the child, as this will cause
it to take more cold and may prove fatal.
2. Croup, Sure
Cure for.
—"Give child anything
that will make it vomit, soak feet in hot water, apply onion drafts to
bottom of feet, roast onions and put on the chest, keep warm. My mother
has cured me at least one hundred times with the above remedy. She
generally gave me pig's foot oil, or oil from the feet of a chicken,
sometimes melted lard. Croup has to be attended to at once or it is
fatal with the child." This is a very good remedy.
3. Croup,
Immediate Relief from Steaming.
—"Put
a small shawl over the child's head to retain steam, then put a small
chunk of unslaked lime in a bowl of water under shawl. The steam affords
immediate relief, usually, if child inhales it." This is very good;
shawl should cover the child's head and bowl in which lime is dissolved.
4. Croup, for
Baby or Older Child.
—"Take a
teaspoonful alum, pulverize it and sprinkle it on the whites of two
fresh eggs in a cup or glass, let it stand for a few minutes, until the
combination has turned to water, or water is produced; then give
one-half teaspoonful to a child six months old or less and increase the
dose to one teaspoonful for older children, and repeat the dose in
fifteen or thirty minutes as the case may require. Remarks: From
personal experience in my own and neighbors' families, I have never
known a case where it did not bring relief and cure. The dose must
produce vomiting."
5. Croup,
Remedy that Never Fails.
—"Two
tablespoonfuls of liquor or brandy and one-quarter teaspoonful of
glycerin, one teaspoonful of sugar, one tablespoonful of water; stir up
well and give one teaspoonful every hour or oftener if necessary. Then
at same time take a flannel and soak well in cold water, wring it gently
and put around neck with a heavy, dry flannel over the damp one. If damp
flannel becomes hot take it off, dampen it in more cold water and apply
again, and so on until relieved. Do not allow the patient to get
chilled. Better results are obtained if patient will go to bed. Remarks:
I have used this in my family, and have always found it to be the best
croup cure I have ever seen, and it will be found to give immediate
relief. The external application is extremely good."
6. Croup, Coal
Oil (kerosene) and Sugar for.
—"Coal
oil and sugar; put a few drops on a teaspoonful of sugar." The coal
oil produces vomiting, relieving the trouble. If the first dose does not
have this effect upon the child, repeat it.
7. Croup, Pork and
Onion Poultice for.
—"Put pork and onions on the throat. Drink
plenty of hot water." Bind the pork and onions on the throat,
acting as a poultice. The virtue of this can be increased by cooking the
onions and pork together.
Onion syrup may be given internally to produce
vomiting, even in very small babies.
8. Croup, Bloodroot
for.
—"One teaspoonful powdered bloodroot mixed with molasses
or sugar. Have taken this myself and it relieved at once. If one dose
does not seem enough it may be repeated." This is a very effective
remedy, but is very weakening. Care should be taken not to repeat dose
any oftener than absolutely necessary.
9. Croup, Time
Honored Remedy for.
—"Pulverized alum and sugar or honey or
molasses; mix together and give half teaspoonful doses or less. For
infants use only in emergency cases." This is one of the good
old-fashioned remedies that nearly every mother has used.
It acts simply
by producing vomiting and causing the air tubes to relax. Repeat in five
to twenty minutes until it causes vomiting.
10. Croup, Ipecac
for.—"One-third teaspoonful of powdered ipecac dissolved in
one teaspoonful of water, one tablespoonful of sugar; pour on one
teacupful of boiling water and let boil down to a half cup, Dose: One
teaspoonful for adults; children in proportion every two hours; or, if
needed to vomit children, give again in ten or fifteen minutes."
If
you cannot secure the powdered ipecac, the syrup can be bought at any
drug store, and is already prepared, Dose: Ten to fifteen drops as the
case may need.
11. Croup, Vaselin
for.
—"Vaselin rubbed on the chest, cover with a hot flannel,
and take 1/4 teaspoonful of vaselin internally occasionally."
Dissolve vaselin and repeat dose if necessary to produce vomiting.
12. Croup, Ice
Application for.
—"Ice applied to the throat is almost instant
relief." It is best to break the ice up fine and sprinkle salt on
same, putting it in a cheese cloth bag, binding on the throat with a
flannel, and change as soon as it shows signs of wetting.
13. Croup, Salt for.
—"Parched
salt put on the throat hot." The parched salt acts the same as
mustard plaster, by producing a redness on the throat. Salt is something
that we can always have on hand and by using this remedy we are always
prepared for an emergency in case of croup.
14. Croup, Castor
Oil Breaks up.
—"Castor oil, given before bedtime, is good.
Dose.—From one-half to one teaspoonful. I have taken this when I was
small." Castor oil is good when the bowels are constipated or the
stomach is full.
15. Croup, Coal Oil,
Turpentine and Snuff, a Canadian Remedy for.
—"A little coal
oil and a few drops of turpentine soaked up by snuff, and used as
plaster. Makes the child sneeze after a few minutes. The poultice
loosens the phlegm and the sneezing throws it off."
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