Chapter III: Part 3

Thoroughwort is tonic, diaphoretic, and in large doses emetic and purgative. It is good in intermittent fevers to break the chill, if given in large doses in the form of warm tea as the chill comes on; in less doses a little warm it will sweat the patient freely; in large draughts taken cold it acts as a tonic and prevents the return of the chill. It is good in pleurisy as a sweat or in heavy colds; it is also good when made into a syrup for bad coughs, and in some forms of consumption, where the patient is weak and the skin hot and dry. It grows in almost every part of the United States, but mostly in the Western and Southern divisions, and should be gathered in September. Every part of the plant is medicinal, but the leaves and flowers are best. It should always be given in the form of a tea.

BITTER ROOT OR SILKWEED.

_Medical Properties and Use._

The root is the part used in the form of bitters in asthma and catarrh, also coughs and dyspepsia and in rheumatism. It may be taken in the form of bitters in quantities sufficient to purge gently and freely, or in powder in 20 grain doses, 3 times a day, or it may be given in strong infusion, 1 ounce of the root to a pint of water and drink in such doses as the stomach will bear.

PLEURISY ROOT.

_Medical Properties and Use._

It has long been employed by the regular medical faculty as a valuable medicine in pleurisy, catarrh, pneumonia, consumption and other diseases of the breast, and is evidently useful in all these cases. It is good in acute rheumatism and dyspepsia. It may be given in the form of a strong tea, or in powder; if in powder from 20 to 60 grains may be given several times a day, in sweetened water.

EXTEMPORE GASEOUS CHALYBEATE WATER.

Take of pure sulphate of iron 2 drachms, white sugar 3 drachms, pulverize, mix and divide into 12 powders. Then take of super carbonate of soda 2 drachms, white sugar three drachms, mix and divide into 12 powders. Mix one of each of the powders separately in half a tumblerful of water, pour together and drink while effervescing. This is a pleasant drink and a good tonic for a weak stomach.

GENTIAN.

_Medical Properties and Use._

Gentian possesses in a high degree the tonic properties which characterize the simple bitters. It excites the appetite, invigorates the powers of digestion. It may be used in all cases of disease depending upon pure debility of the digestive organs, or requiring a general tonic impression; as dyspepsia, gout, difficult menstruations, hysteria, scrofula, intermittent fever, diarrhœa, and worms. It is given in the form of infusion or tincture. The dose in infusion is a wine glassful 3 or 4 times a day. Infuse ½ ounce of the powdered root in a pint of water. A tea spoonful of the tincture may be given as often in a little water.

RATTLEWEED ROOT.

This unites with a tonic power the property of stimulating the secretions, particularly those of the skin, kidneys and mucus membrane of the lungs. Its medical properties are found in its salutary effects upon the nervous system, in neuralgia of the heart, in sciatica, and in other forms of rheumatism. It is equal if not superior to the colchicum in rheumatism, and far superior to it in neuralgia of any description. I have used it extensively in those cases, and with the happiest effects. I cured myself of a severe sciatica in twenty-four hours with it, but the dose was too large, producing violent sickness, great prostration, nausea, vomiting and profuse perspiration. I took 3 or 4 drachms of the saturated tincture at one dose; but it effects the cure completely when properly prepared. It acts upon the stomach and bowels powerfully, and its full effects are not obtained until it purges freely. The following is the best formula for its preparation.

½ pound powdered root,
1 pint alcohol.

Mix and macerate for 20 days and filter. One tea spoonful should be taken 3 times a day, in sweetened water, which may be increased or diminished so as to produce 3 or 4 operations on the bowels in 24 hours. I have seen some persons that it would not purge. It sometimes produces vertigo before it begins to operate, but these symptoms will all subside after the purging commences, yet it will cure if it does not purge. Several cases of Vitus’ Dance are recorded by Dr. Jesse Young, in which it performed cures after other remedies had failed.--It is usually administered in decoction by those living in the country. One ounce of the powdered root is boiled in a pint of water for a few minutes, and a small wine glassful given from 3 to 5 times a day according to its effects.

PIPSISSEWAY OR WINTER GREEN.

This is an evergreen found in pine woods and in light shady soils in all parts of the United States, which blossoms in mid summer. The whole plant has rather a pungent and bitter taste.

_Medical Properties and Use._

It is diuretic and tonic and is useful in all eruptive forms of diseases, especially in scrofula and cancer. A strong decoction may be made of the leaves and twigs, and a gill taken 3 times a day. Many cures of old ulcers, sore throats and like affections have been ascribed to the use of the pipsisseway. A decoction made of the leaves and given in small portions is excellent for colic in children. For grown persons it should be put in good rye whiskey, which, if made strong will seldom fail to cure the severest cases of colic and cramps. The pipsisseway put into whiskey and distilled the same as Wickey’s cholera medicine is much better. Dose for an adult is from 1 to 3 tablespoonsful, for children from 10 drops to a teaspoonful.

TO THE CONSUMER.

If you want to save money never buy your castor oil by the bottle, but buy a pint of oil of some honest druggist, and you will then be able to perceive the difference. If put up in bottles it will cost you from 50 to 62½ cents; by the pint it may cost you 31 cents per pint. This is a great saving, as the article is always needed in a family. Never buy any other medicine or any thing that goes by measurement in small quantities, and especially such articles as come into every day use. Paying from 40 to 100 per cent. more for domestic articles will amount to a considerable sum in 5 or 10 years. Some persons may say: “I am too poor and cannot spare the money.” That kind of argument will not hold good. By saving 50 or 100 per cent. is the means to make you able. Try the experiment and you will soon be convinced; money is worth but 6 per cent.

FOR PICKLING PEARS.

Take 1 pound of sugar to one quart of vinegar; 6 pounds of pears, peeled and quartered; ½ ounce of cinnamon bark, broken in small pieces; ½ ounce of cloves. Dissolve the sugar in the vinegar, then put the pears, cinnamon and cloves into a pot or crock, pour over the vinegar and boil all together until the pears become soft, and you have a pickel far superior to any preserves. This is worth giving a trial. Should the pears be too sweet, add a little vinegar at any time, heating after the addition.

ON THE PRESERVATION OF HEALTH.

As this work is designed for the benefit of families as well as other purposes, it is hoped that a chapter on the preservation of the health of young girls will not be out of place. What we design to say in this chapter, will be applicable to the girl of ten years and upwards. It is the duty of the mother or guardian so to direct the conduct of the daughter that she may enjoy the blessings of life, and become a useful member of society. But in order to lay the foundation of future usefulness, the health should be well guarded in early life. Much of course depends upon a good constitution, and strict attention should be paid to its development and preservation. The child at an early age should be guarded against all that would tend to weaken or derange this desirable attribute of the human system.

Exposure is one of the principal sources of injury to the constitution, and therefore the clothing should always be adapted to the season of the year, and the temperature of the air, whether children are at home or abroad. Girls are generally clothed sufficiently warm while at home, but when they are going from home, they change their warm apparel for thinner and cooler garments. They are often allowed to expose themselves to the chilling blasts of winter, with their arms naked, their breasts and shoulders exposed, and their feet clad with thin stockings and shoes, in the place of those just laid aside, which were warm and comfortable.--This is a practice that cannot be too much deprecated, being one of the great evils of dress and fashion, upon whose altar thousands have been sacrificed. How many do we find in these days with enlarged tonsils and broken croaking voices, the fruits of exposure and nothing else?

The practice of tight lacing is another fruitful cause of destruction of health and broken-down constitutions. Young girls should not lace at all--an easy smooth jacket to make the dress fit smoothly is all they should wear. Are we asked why lacing is injurious? We answer, first, the ribs are soft and very elastic and the cartilages that join them to the breast bone are softer than the ribs. If then a jacket or corset be laced around the ribs or chest, so as to prevent a free and full play of the ribs at every inspiration, in the same proportion is the cavity of the chest diminished, and consequently the lungs are deprived of a certain amount of atmospheric air, in proportion to the contraction of the ribs, produced by the laced jacket or corset. Thus the order of nature is deranged and the system is deprived of that due proportion of oxygen which is necessary to health, the vitality of blood and the vigor and proper proportions of the system. One of the consequences of tight lacing therefore is, that the lungs are prevented from discharging a due portion of carbonic acid gas from the blood, and receiving in lieu therefor of due proportion of oxygen from the atmosphere. Hence the person looks pale, the lips assume a blue or purplish color, the breathing is labored, the breast heaves and the circulation is prevented from going on as freely as it should. The small air vessels of the lungs are partially obliterated, they become diseased in their action and tubercles form in them or the lungs; these remain to become in a few years the seeds of an incurable consumption.

Again: The free action of the heat is prevented by tight lacing and the consequence is it labors like a dying man, but in vain--it cannot get relieved from its fetters. The blood is prevented from flowing with that freedom and ease which are essential to the well being of the system, and the violent exertions which the heart must make in order to carry on the circulation, become the cause of disease in that organ, which perhaps can never be cured. Another evil of lacing: The stomach is always included in the deadly grasp of the corset. The lower floating ribs are forced to take the place the stomach should occupy in part; the skirts are compelled to grow too narrow, the liver is also pressed too closely and the stomach is bound as with a cord. The gastric juice is partly prevented from secreting and that which is secreted is unhealthy, the ducts of the liver and pancreatic gland are prevented from performing their healthy functions and consequently the food is not taken in due quantity to nourish the system, and what is taken is not properly digested, for the want of a free and healthy action of the digestive functions. Dyspepsia is the result,--a feeble and finally a destroyed constitution. For all the powers of nature must act freely and naturally, or a sound constitution and good health can never be enjoyed.

Nothing is so fascinating to an intellectual young man as a well cultivated mind, a rosy cheek, an intellectual eye, and a corresponding expression of countenance; these you cannot have if you suppress any of the healthy functions of the system. Exercise is another essential item to promote the health of girls, and this they should be allowed to take freely. At an early age, let them run and play, jump the rope, throw the hoop, leap and skip; for free exercise gives freedom to the muscles and joints and strengthens the nerves, all of which are necessary for the building up of a good constitution. Girls should be allowed to sleep one-third of their time or eight hours in twenty-four, and when younger--they should sleep more. The young of all the animal creation require more sleep than those that are fully grown: girls, therefore, should retire early that they may obtain sleep enough; rise early and enjoy the benefit of the morning air, which is bracing to their systems. After children are ten years old, they should not sleep more than two in a bed, and there should not be more than two beds in a room, unless the room be very large and well ventilated. Girls should rise early and air and set their rooms in order; they should use free ablution of cold water over their breasts and arms, especially as far as they are in the habit of exposing them to the air, as this will prevent their taking cold as easily as they otherwise would. The diet of children should be plain and simple, as their digestive powers are not as strong as those of grown persons. The quantity should always be proportioned to the age and strength of the child. Much mischief is done by letting children eat too much. They should be allowed full time to eat and be taught to chew their victuals well. They should be taught to eat any thing that is common, so that they may appear easy at table at all times, and make their friends so likewise. Frequent bathing is of great service to youth; it invigorates the constitution and gives a fine complexion. The bath may be changed according to the season; it may be cold, tepid or salt. When the cold bath is used, either fresh or salt, the skin should be well rubbed with a coarse towel, as well before they go into the bath, as after they come out. When children are healthy liquid food is as a general rule, better for them than solid food, because it supplies more blood, and this is needed to form and build up the solids, but they should be allowed some of both.

Children should always take light suppers and light breakfasts. Their dinner should be of more substantial food and taken freely. But they should never be allowed to eat in haste, as nothing aids the powers of digestion more than the perfect mastication of food.

HEALTH.

ITS VALUE, CONDITIONS, PRESERVATION AND RESTORATION.

Health consists in the vigorous and normal or constitutional action of all the physical organs and functions. Life consists in precisely the same action: in proportion to the vigor of this action is the amount of both health and life, but in proportion as the physical functions are enfeebled or diseased, is health enfeebled and life diminished. But in proportion as we improve our health do we thereby increase life itself. Viewed in any and every aspect, health is life and life is health. By as much therefore as life is valuable should health be preserved if good and restored if feeble.

Health is the great seasoner or relish of all our blessings; nor is it possible to enjoy the latter except by means of the former: without health what can we be? What can we do?--What can we enjoy? For other things being equal, our capabilities of accomplishing and enjoying are proportioned to our health and diminished by disease. If we possessed all the wealth, and all the honors, and all the blessings mortals can possess, we could enjoy them only in proportion as we had health, and their value would be diminished just in proportion to its decline. Suppose we were sick and our appetite thereby destroyed, the richest food and most delicious fruits, instead of rendering us happy would nauseate us. How different if we were healthy. How a good appetite, the produce of health, would enjoy them. Well might the glutted alderman offer a ragged boy a guinea for his appetite for breakfast. The rich invalid is poor, but he who is healthy is rich, because his fund of life and his capacities for enjoyment are proportionally great. Reader, if brought to the brink of the grave, your last hour come, what would you give? What that you possessed would you not give for another year of life and its pleasures? Astor’s thirty millions would be cheap. To impair health in obtaining any amount of earthly goods is a dear exchange, since then to preserve or regain health is to preserve, prolong or regain life itself, and to impair the former is to destroy the latter and its pleasures, as well as hasten death; and since the value of life so infinitely surpasses that of all other earthly blessings, what consummate folly to trifle with health on any account. Then how much more foolish and even wicked virtually to throw it away for nothing, in our eager pursuit of those trifling objects, wealth, honors, and the like, which mainly engrosses mankind? What, sacrifice life upon the altar of mammon? For be it remembered, that no human being can impair his health at any period of his life, without proportionally shortening his days; without being brought to a strict account at the close of life, and he compelled to end it as much sooner than he otherwise would, as he has injured his health during his whole lifetime. Let me urge upon you the infinite importance of preserving your health. This effectually done, millions of money bestowed on each reader could not equally benefit you, because of the incomparable greater value of health than money. Let your own experience testify. Which of you has not, some time or some how, induced debility or pain in one portion of your system or another, which will cripple you for life. A foolish ambition breaks down the constitution of an incalculable number of our youths, unwilling to be outdone they will work at the top of their strength as long as they can stand, perhaps over heat themselves, or in a single day or week bring on some complaint which debilitates them for life, and carries them to a premature grave. An ambitious youth wishing to show his employers what a great day’s work he could do, shovelled till he lamed his side, so that for fifteen years he has been a partial invalid, cannot do any kind of work, nor more than half the amount he formerly did, besides working in almost perpetual pain. Nor is this the half; whatever enfeebles the health enfeebles the mind by weakening and disordering the brain. So perfectly are body and brain inter related, that all the conditions of either react upon each other; whatever augments the health, strengthens the body and thereby invigorates both the brain and the mind. What is the true value of the mind? How much could you afford to give for double the amount you now possess? Neither money nor any thing else can measure its value. To improve our minds is the most effectual mode possible of augmenting all the capabilities, all the pleasure, all the virtue of this life, and ripening for another, and hence should be the paramount business of our whole lives. Health allows you to be always on hand for business, from which sickness takes you and compels you to entrust its management to others, always disastrous, or cuts off your wages if a laborer, creates large doctors, nurses and a host of other incidental bills, and occasions a great variety of pecuniary losses. So measurably if any member of your family is sick, especially a wife. How many, reader, if they and their families had always been well, would have been rich who are now poor? Considered which ever way you will, to preserve the health if it be good, and if poor to regain and then preserve, should be the paramount business of life, should take precedence over all others, and be our first great concern. Come then readers one and all and let us make it our permanent business to preserve and augment our health; let us allow ourselves to do nothing that shall impair it; let us make and take time to do every thing in our power to invigorate it.

HOW TO PROLONG LIFE.

The following should be carefully perused especially by the young. Are there any among you my young friends, who desire to preserve your health and cheerfulness through life, and at length arrive at a good old age? If so listen to what I am about to tell you.

A considerable time ago I read in one of the newspapers of the day, that a man had died near London at the advanced age of 110 years, that he had never been ill, and that he had maintained through life, a cheerful, happy temperament. I wrote immediately to London to know if in the man’s treatment of himself there had been any peculiarity which had rendered his life lengthened and so happy, and the answer I received was as follows:

“He was unusually kind and obliging to every body; he quarreled with no one; he ate and drank merely that he might not suffer from hunger or thirst and never beyond what necessity required; from his earliest youth he never allowed himself to be unemployed; these were the only means he used.”

I took a note of this in a little book where I generally write all that I am anxious to remember, and very soon afterwards I observed in another paper that a woman had died near Stockholm at 115 years of age; that she never was ill, and was always of a contented disposition. I immediately wrote to Stockholm to learn what means the old woman had used for preserving her health, and now read the answer:

“She always had a great love of cleanliness, and in the daily habit of washing her face, hands and feet in cold water, and as often as opportunity offered she bathed in the same.--She never ate or drank any delicacies or sweet-meats, seldom coffee, seldom tea, and never wine.”

Of these likewise I took a note in my little book. Sometime after this I read that near St. Petersburg, a man died who had enjoyed good health until he was 120 years old. Again I took my pen and wrote to St. Petersburg, and here is the answer:

“He was an early riser, and never slept beyond seven hours at a time; he never was idle; he employed himself chiefly in the open air, and particularly in his garden; whether he walked or sat in his chair he never permitted himself to sit awry or in a bent posture, but was always perfectly straight. The luxurious and effeminate habits of citizens he held in contempt.”

After having read all this from my little book I said to myself: “you will be a foolish man indeed not to profit by the example and experience of these old people.” I then wrote out all that I had been able to discover about these happy old people upon a card, which I suspended over my writing desk, so that I might always have it before my eyes to remind me what to do, and from what I should refrain. Every morning and evening I read over the contents of my card and obliged myself to conform to its rules.

And now my dear young readers, I can assure you on the word of an honest man, that I am much happier and in better health than I used to be. Formerly I had the headache every day and now I suffer scarcely once in three or four months. Before I began these rules I hardly dare to venture out in the rain or snow without catching cold. In former times a walk of half an hour’s length fatigued and exhausted me, now I walk miles without weariness. Imagine then the happiness I experience, for there are few feelings so cheering to the spirits as those of constant good health and vigor. But, alas! there is something in which I cannot imitate these happy old people, and that is I have not been accustomed to all this from my youth. Oh! that I were young again that I might imitate them in all things; that I might be happy and long-lived as they were.

Little children who read this, you are the fortunate ones who are able to adopt in perfection this kind of life. What then prevents your living henceforward as healthful and happily as the old woman of Stockholm or as long and useful as the old men of London and St. Petersburg.

LIQUID OPODELDOC.

Take ½ pint 95 per cent. alcohol, 1 ounce camphor, ½ pint turpentine; dissolve the camphor in the alcohol; then add the turpentine. For rheumatism, head ache, sore throat, old strains, swellings, cramps, numbness, stiffness, weakness, pains in the joints, corns, slight burns, frost bitten feet, &c.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE.

Rub it well on the part affected with your hand or a piece of muslin, night and morning, and if convenient, at noon. In obstinate cases avoid as much as possible exposure to a damp atmosphere, to the extremes of heat and cold. Keep the feet dry and comfortable, and be temperate in eating and drinking. For corns, lay a piece of flannel on them and moisten occasionally with the opodeldoc, avoid tight shoes. Travellers and families ought always to keep a bottle by them; it only requires a trial to prove its efficacy; keep the bottle closely stopped. In some cases of rheumatism and other affections, if a piece of flannel be worn over the part, relief will be obtained sooner.

DR. WICKEY’S CHOLERA MEDICINE.

Take 2 ounces Formentilla,
“ 2 “ Devil Bit,
“ 2 “ Bimbornella,
“ 2 “ Bistorda,
“ 2 “ Angelica,
“ 2 “ Gentiana,
“ 2 “ Zedary,
“ 2 “ Valerian,
“ 2 “ Elecampane,
“ 2 “ Calamos,
“ 2 “ Rue or other bitter herb.

Pulverize these as fine as possible, put them into one gallon of French brandy of the best quality, or best fourth-proof old rye whiskey; brandy is best--put the whole into a bottle or jar--a bottle is best if one can be had large enough at the top, which must be closed; then place the bottle or jar in the sand, which should be at least two inches deep at the bottom of the kettle or crock; fill in sand to come above the drugs when settled, and put under it a slow fire, so as to keep it warm but not to boil. Let it digest for fourteen days and filter the whole of it through fine flannel several times, so as to separate the drugs well; then put in each gallon 2 ounces spirits of camphor and 2 ounces spirits saffron, when it will be ready for use.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE.

For preventing cholera: first take one tablespoonful in the morning, fasting on cold water, one at noon, and one at night. Second, for an attack or symptoms take from 2 to 3 tablespoonsful every 5, 10 or 15 minutes, as the case may require, until relieved, when the doses may be lessened, or not so often. Let the patient go to bed and keep warm and quiet as possible until relieved. Third, for the third stage or relapse, vomiting and pain in the stomach, take from 2 to 4 tablespoonsful every 5 or 10 minutes, as the case may be, until relieved or thrown into a sweat; cover up warm, and if cold apply plenty of hot bricks or bottles with hot water in, to the feet, hands, body, &c. mustard plaster on the stomach, rubbing with the hand, some stimulant, as not a moment’s time should be lost when the cold chill comes on. Fourth stage or relapse, attended with cold sweats and rice water discharges, take large doses every 3 or 5 minutes; continue until the patient becomes warm and easier. No time should be lost at this stage of the disease. Apply hot bricks, bottles, &c. as before directed; when relieved the doses may be less and not so often--say from ½ hour to 6 hours; continue 3 or 4 days as the case may require, and do not fail to keep the patient warm, &c.

For bilious or cramp colic, cholera morbus, flux, bilious fever, &c. administer doses as above. Let the patient go to bed and keep as quiet as possible until relieved. In severe cases of cholera morbus, a mustard plaster should be placed over the stomach, which must be kept on as long as it can be borne. Travellers and families should not be without this medicine, as it as considered by all who have used it to be the safest and surest remedy for the above disease ever introduced. Take a friend’s advice and never be without this remedy, as it was never known to fail in curing what it is recommended to do. Give it a fair trial, and its efficacy will soon be seen. By strictly obeying the directions it is perfectly safe and harmless; it is also good in sick stomachs, &c.

This medicine, when persevered in according to directions, will effectually cure cholera in all its stages, and all that it is recommended to do, which can be attested by certificates from many persons. By adding the tincture of cayenne you will find this medicine effectual in cramp colic; add the tincture until as strong as it can be taken.

To be more plain and simple,--in making of the cholera medicine, if in the summer you can set the bottle or jar in the sun, which should be when the sun is very warm, letting it remain some 3 or 4 weeks--the longer you distil, the better the medicine. If in the winter season, you can place your crock on the top of the stove, keeping the fire regular, so as not to boil--if you distil until reduced one-third, it will be much stronger and better.

CERTAIN REMEDY FOR RHEUMATISM.

Take of sarsaparilla root, coltsfoot root, or wild ginger root, sassafras root, dogwood root, yellow poplar root, prickley ash root, spicewood root, one handful of each, when dried, as much as you can hold in one hand; cut the bark off of the roots and pulverize as fine as you can, except the sarsaparilla, which must be cut in very small pieces; then put the whole in one gallon of best fourth-proof old rye whiskey, and let it stand for 1 or 2 weeks; but should you wish to use immediately, set the vessel containing the ingredients on the stove, and keep just warm for 2 or 3 days, when it will be fit for use.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE.

Take from 1 to 3 tablespoonsful 3 times a day, one hour before meals. It may be taken 5 or 6 times a day provided it does not affect the nerves too much. It is perfectly safe and has cured more cases of rheumatism than any other remedy introduced.

I will cite one or two cases where it effected complete cures: Mr. Joshua Deer, who had been in a most helpless condition for a long time, and had tried many other remedies in vain, was cured in five days after he commenced using it, so as to be able to take a ride on horseback, which can be certified by a number of persons living in the neighborhood. Any one doubting the above, can have it proven to their satisfaction by addressing Ezra Deer, or Henry Gross, who was cured by it in less time.

Let it be understood that there never was a preparation that would cure all cases: no, not one-fourth, therefore I have given a number of preparations, so that if one fail, others may prove efficacious, though the above remedy occupies the head of the list in our own estimation. Never give up any one remedy until you have given it a fair trial. “He that holds out faithfully shall be saved.”

This medicine can be distilled the same as the cholera medicine, bottled up and kept for years. Mr. Joshua Deer, was cured with the distilled. Henry Gross and others used it in liquor. You must keep from labor and exposure, while using the above and be careful not to eat any thing greasy, or that which will not agree with you.

FOR RHEUMATISM.

Take 1 ounce of saltpetre, 1 quart of ale--if ale cannot be had take whiskey or water--dissolve the saltpetre in the ale.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE.

Take 1 wine glassful before breakfast, 1 before dinner, 1 before going to bed, and continue until relieved. Should the second quart do no good, stop taking it. You must keep from labor and exposure while using the above. Mr. Dill was cured by this remedy, who had suffered for more than a year constantly.

FOR RHEUMATISM.

Take 1 ounce of sulphur, 1¼ ounces of saltpetre, ½ ounce of gum guscomb, 2 nutmegs, the whole to be finely pulverized, to which add 12 ounces of molasses.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE.

Take 1 tea spoonful every night before going to bed, but if it should act too free on the bowels, the quantity must be diminished.

LINIMENT FOR RHEUMATISM.

Take 1 ounce of spirits of camphor, 1 ounce turpentine, 1 ounce sweet oil, 1 drachm oil of juniper, 1 drachm carbonate of hartshorn, mix these perfectly, and apply three times a day, rubbing it in by the stove or fire with the palm of the hand for 15 minutes.

LINIMENT FOR RHEUMATISM

Take 2 ounces of saltpetre, 2 ounces spirits of hartshorn, 8 ounces of sweet oil. Pulverize the saltpetre as fine as possible, and mix with the spirits of hartshorn, letting it dissolve, then add the sweet oil. Bathe and rub in with the palm of the hand for 15 minutes, at the fire or stove, wrap with flannel if possible. If not strong enough you may add hartshorn, if too strong add sweet oil. This is considered the best liniment ever introduced for the purpose. Use freely.

LINIMENT FOR RHEUMATISM OR NEURALGIA.

Take 8 cayenne pepper pods, and 1 pint of whiskey, boil over a fire until it is reduced to one-half the quantity, when it will be ready for use. Bathe the parts affected with the liniment three times a day. This liniment has often relieved where other remedies have failed.

NERVE AND BONE LINIMENT.

For Swellings, Bruises, Chapped Hands, Frosted Feet, Rheumatism, Cuts, Burns, Mosquito Bites, Stings, Pains in the Limbs, Back, Chest, &c. Take 1 ounce spirits of hartshorn, 1 ounce spirits camphor, 1 ounce saltpetre, 1 tea spoonful sweet oil, 2 teaspoonsful laudanum; put all into a bottle, shake and mix well and it is ready for use. Bathe in at a fire 3 tablespoonsful 3 times a day, rubbing with the hand for 15 minutes. Put the liniment into a bottle, and keep it corked tight. Never pour out more than one table spoonful at a time, being careful to keep the bottle corked tight. This liniment is far superior to any other in use, and you can make as much for 10 cents as you generally buy for 50 cents. Try the experiment and see for yourself.

The spirits of camphor is made by mixing 1½ ounces of gum camphor with ½ pint of 95 per cent. alcohol. Put into a bottle and let them dissolve, shake occasionally, after which it will be ready for use.

The spirits of saltpetre is made by taking 2 ounces pulverized saltpetre put into a bottle, then add 2 ounces spirits of hartshorn, and let it remain half a day, shaking frequently, then add scant ½ pint 95 per cent. alcohol, shake and let it dissolve, when it will be fit for use. For rheumatism add more hartshorn, and bathe the parts affected well.

OINTMENT FOR GOUT AND RHEUMATISM.

The chloride of gold made into an ointment with lard is said to speedily relieve the pains of the gout or rheumatism. It stains the skin purple, which can be easily removed by washing it with urine.

FOR RHEUMATISM.

Take 2 balsam apples, put into ½ gallon of good fourth proof whiskey in a jug and let it stand for a week or ten days, shaking occasionally. Dose, one wine glassful three times a day. Keep from exposure while using and eat nothing greasy or that disagrees with the stomach. This has cured where other remedies have failed, and should the first ½ gallon not entirely cure, use the second immediately.

EFFECTUAL CURE FOR RHEUMATISM.

The following receipt, given by an Englishman to a respectable tradesman of Limerick, (Ireland,) who had for a considerable time labored under the most violent rheumatic pains in all his limbs and joints, having been used by him as directed but 5 or 6 times, as he states, eradicated the disease completely. Anxious that so effectual a remedy should be made publicly known we publish the recipe:

Take 1 ounce of sulphur, 1¼ ounces of saltpetre, 1½ ounces gum guscomb, 2 nutmegs; the whole to be finely powdered in a mortar and 12 ounces of molasses. A tea spoonful to be taken every night on going to bed; should it operate too much on the bowels, a smaller quantity is to be taken.

PLASTER FOR RHEUMATISM.

Or Pains in the Back, &c. It is said to be a certain cure. Take 1 pound of rosin and melt it over a slow fire, then add ½ pint of tar pouring in slowly, stirring all the time; when it is well mixed pour all into cold water, and work it well with your hands. As soon as it is cool and stiff enough, spread it on a linen rag and apply it to the affected part. The plaster should be a little larger than the pain extends--if you put the plaster on sheep skin it will be better. This is sure to give relief.

TO MAKE HONEY WITHOUT BEES.

Take 8 pounds best brown sugar, 1½ pounds rendered honey, 1 ounce cream of tartar, 4 drops essence of wintergreen, 2 drops essence of peppermint, 2 ounces best molasses, 3 parts of a pint pure cold water, dissolve the cream of tartar, then put all in a tin or bell metal vessel, let boil gently 6 or 8 minutes, stirring and mixing occasionally; then beat up the white of 2 eggs into a foam, and stir them in, and when nearly cool stir in 2 pounds more of bees honey; skim off whatever may rise to the top. If you want it nice and clean, strain it through a coarse cloth as soon as you have the eggs stirred in.--If you strain it put in the 2 lbs. of honey after it is strained. This makes an excellent honey. The addition of the eggs is simply to give it the appearance of having combs in it, but can be left out if you wish. The same honey may be used for the second making.

JUDKIN’S OINTMENT.

Take 1 pound of red lead, ¾ pound rosin, 1 pint linseed oil, 3 tablespoonsful lamp black, 2 ounces British oil, ½ ounce sugar of lead finely pulverized. Boil this over a slow fire one hour, then add 1 pint more of linseed oil, and boil another hour, when done add ½ pint of turpentine while cooling off, stir and mix well, do not put the turpentine in when first taken off the fire. Let it cool 5 minutes, then pour in the turpentine slowly, stirring well. Should it catch on fire while pouring in the turpentine, put a lid or cover over the vessel immediately to smother the fire. There is no danger in making if careful, as it will be easily smothered. Pour out into a new earthen crock, let cool off, and when cool put into a jar or tin box. There is nothing better than this preparation for wounds, fresh or old boils, and cannot be surpassed for scalds, burns, &c.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE.

Spread a thin coat of the ointment on a piece of linen rag large enough to cover the scald or burn, which should be renewed twice a day.--Scrape the old ointment off, and the rag may be used again with another coat of fresh ointment. For boils cut a hole in the rag so as to give it room to open and discharge its contents; renew the ointment three times a day. This is considered one of the best ointments of the age. Give it a trial and its effects will soon be felt.

REMEDY FOR THE BITE OF A SNAKE.

Take the spirits of camphor made of whiskey and apply it to the bite, turning the bottle which contains it over the bite and let it remain on until all the poison is drawn out. The bottle used should have a large mouth so that it may cover the wound entirely. Drink freely of the whiskey until you begin to feel its effects. This done in time has never failed.

FOR THE PILES.

Take the kernel of three peach seeds, mash them well, then add hog’s lard or fresh butter, not salted, enough to form a salve and rub this between two butter plates until it becomes of a bluish color, grease with it and take enough rhubarb to keep the bowels open.

CERTAIN CURE FOR CANCER.

Take 1 pint of strong ley and boil down till it forms a salve, then apply every 15 minutes until seven plasters have been applied, and as soon as it begins to bleed stop the applications, then work the core out and grease with hog’s lard to kill it; heal with ointment or some good salve. When the ley has been boiled down, should the substance that remains become hard, work it into a salve. This is also good for the cure of fistula or poll evil in horses.

FOR WHITE SWELLINGS.

Take 1 handful of mullin leaves and ½ pint of old rye whiskey; boil these together and strain, then add 1 gill of turpentine and 2 gills of spirits of camphor. Bathe well until all the swelling and soreness has left, wrap with flannel which should he dampened with the lotion; this is a certain remedy.

TO KEEP CIDER SWEET.

Make the cider as late in the fall as possible from solid apples, without using any water, put away immediately from the press, and lay it in some place where it may remain quiet, let the place be as cool as possible. Fill the barrel up full, take the bung out and leave it out for four days, filling it up occasionally as it settles or works out. Should the cider stop working under 4 days, rack it off carefully from the dregs, which should be done as soon as the cider stops working, then put your cider into a clean sweet barrel--it should be a barrel that has had whiskey or brandy in it--if not, rinse with water until perfectly clean, then sweetened by putting in a small quantity of whiskey. If this cannot be done soak your barrels well so that they may be sweet and clean. After having racked your cider off from the dregs carefully, put in the whites of 6 eggs, battered light, and a scant ½ pint of mustard seed. Bung up and in 5 or 6 weeks rack it off again carefully from the dregs. Cleanse the barrel well and put in the same barrel--½ gallon of old rye whiskey will add considerably to its flavor. If your cider is very sour, add from 3 to 5 lbs. white sugar; to insure its preservation it should be strained through a cloth from the press. By being careful--cider put up in this way will keep for 5 years.

FOR BOILED CIDER.

Make the cider late in the fall, using none but sound apples, not even those with small specks in, without any water. Take it right from the press and put it in a copper kettle; boil it one hour from the time it commences; skim it off as the skum arises as clean as you can; then pour into a clean, sweet whiskey barrel, put into a bag scant ½ pint of mustard seed; let the bag down through the bung hole by a string, making the string fast to the barrel so as it can be drawn out again conveniently. It may be flavored with ground cinnamon or cloves if you fancy the taste. Cider put up in this way will keep a long time and makes an excellent drink, by adding ½ gallon of old rye whiskey it may be kept a number of years. Cider, either from the press or boiled, put into bottles or jugs, corked up tight and sealed over with sealing-wax; it can be kept many years, and makes a delicious drink.

CHERRY BRANDY.

Press out the juice and add 1 gallon of water to 12 gallons of the juice; then dissolve in the juice 1 pound of white sugar to the gallon; boil slowly in a copper kettle, and skim off what rises to the top. Do not boil too long or it will get thick; when the skum stops rising freely pour it into some vessel to cool. Do not allow it to stand in the kettle to cool. When it has become cool put into whatever vessel you wish to keep it in, and add as much old rye whiskey as may suit your taste, say from 1 to 3 gallons. The better the whiskey is the better your brandy will be. Black heart cherries are the best if they can be had. This makes a much better drink than port wine.

BLACK OR DEWBERRY CORDIAL.

For diarrhœa or summer complaint. This is made by adding 1 pound of white sugar to 3 pounds of black or dewberries, allowing them to stand for twelve hours, then pressing out the juice and strain well, adding 1 third part good french brandy and 1 tea spoonful of finely pulverized allspice in every part of the cordial, which is ready for use at once. This cordial cannot be surpassed for children and weak stomachs, &c.

BLACK OR DEWBERRY WINE.

An excellent wine and a valuable medicine for home use. To make a wine equal to port wine, take ripe blackberries, or dewberries are best; press out the juice, let it stand thirty-six hours to ferment, skim off whatever rises to the top, then to every gallon of the juice add one quart of water and 3 pounds of white sugar. Let this stand in open vessels for 24 hours, skim and strain it, then barrel it up until March, when it should be racked off carefully from the dregs, and bottled up for use.

GAS BEER.

For 8 gallon vessel--take three pints of fresh yeast, 3 pints of New Orleans molasses, put into your keg, then add 3 gallons of fresh water, bung up, and shake to mix well. Then take a tin bucket and put in one tea spoonful of ground cinnamon, 1 of ground cloves, 3 tablespoonsful of ground allspice, 1 of ginger, 3 pints of molasses, then pour on it hot water and mix well; let this stand some 10 or 15 minutes, then pour it into the keg and fill up with fresh water, bung up tight; put something over the bung to keep it from working out--use a strong keg for this purpose. This makes an excellent cooling drink in summer. Lay your keg in the sun several hours or until it commences to work.--In cold weather lay your keg close to the fire--in fifteen or twenty hours it will be fit for use.

SILVER TOP DRINK.

Take 1 quart of water, 3 pounds of sugar, 1 tea spoonful of lemon oil; 1 table spoonful of flour, with the white of 5 eggs well beat up, mix the above well together, then divide the syrup and add 4 ounces of carbonate acid in the other, and bottle for use. Pour about a gill out of one bottle into a tumbler and the same quantity out of the other bottle into another glass, add a little water if you choose, pour the two together and drink while effervescing.

BLACK INK.

Take 4 ounces of the extract of log wood, ¼ ounce of bycromate of pot ash, 1 pint boiling water, stir well until all is dissolved--if the ink is not black enough, add a little more of bycromate of pot ash. This preparation will also answer for coloring goods, &c.

RED INK.

Take of spirits of hartshorn 1 pint, pure carmine ½ drachm, put into a bottle and shake well and it is fit for use.

INDELLIBLE INK.

Take of lunar caustic 100 grains, gum arabic 100 grains, make both fine and pour water enough over to dissolve it, put into a phial and stop tightly.

To make the preparation to be used before writing on the linen, take 2 drachms of salts of tartar; 2 drachms gum arabic, dissolve these in 1 ounce of rain water. Before using the ink, wet whatever article you wish to mark with this last preparation and dry with a smooth iron, then wash the gum out and you have the name indellibly fixed.

ANOTHER BLACK INK.

Take 1 pound logwood, 1 gallon soft water, boil it 1 hour and add 25 grains of bycromate of pot ash, 12 grains of prusiate of pot ash, stir a few minutes over the fire, take it off, and when settled strain it.

WASHING FLUID.

Take 1 gallon of soft soap, 4 ounces of sal soda, ½ gallon soft water, and ½ gill of spirits of turpentine, place them all into a pot over a fire and allow the mixture to boil a few minutes, it is then ready for use and can be kept in an earthen or stone vessel. In using this fluid the clothes intended to be washed should be soaked in water 10 or 12 hours, say over night, and then to a 10 or 12 gallon boiler or kettle full of clothes, covered with water, add 1 pint of fluid, boil briskly for fifteen minutes, and then wring them out in fresh water. It will be found that little or no rubbing will be necessary.--This preparation will save a great deal of hard rubbing and labor--it is truly worth trying.

TRANSPARENT SOAP.

Take 3 pounds of best rosin soap, 1 quart of best alcohol, 1 ounce of venice turpentine, 1 ounce of oil of sassafras, or you may use bergamot or the oil of lemon, or cinnamon, either of which will answer. Cut the soap into thin shavings, put into a pan the alcohol and soap, melt over a slow fire so as just to keep from boiling; when all is dissolved let it boil a minute or two, you must be careful not to let the blaze of the fire get to it or it will catch on fire; it is best to put it on a stove where there will be no danger, keep stirring slowly until all is melted, then add your venice turpentine, stirring and mixing for a minute or so, then take your pan off the fire and put in your oil of sassafras immediately, or whatever oil you intend using, the oil of sassafras is however the best. This soap cannot be surpassed for shaving, washing, and is excellent for sore or rough hands. Try it and you will be surprised--the rosin soap used must be clear.

PROF. BIDDLE’S CELEBRATED PREPARATION FOR THE HAIR AND HEAD.

To make 1 quart, take nearly one half a pint of cold pressed castor oil and fill it nearly full of 95 per cent. alcohol, then add ½ ounce of spirits of hartshorn, ½ ounce of tincture of cantharides, 40 drops oil of bergamot, which gives it an elegant perfume--shake well and it is ready for use.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE.