Imperial Drop - For Gravel And Kidney Complaints

Take saltpetre 1 oz.; putting it into an iron mortar, dropping in a live coal with it, which sets it on fire; stir it around until it all melts down into the solid form, blow out the coals and pulverize it; then taka an equal amount of bi-carbonate of potassia, or saleratus, and dissolve both in soft water 2 oz.

Dose: from 20 to 30 drops, morning and evening, in a swallow of tea made from flax seed, or a solution of gum arabic.

Source: Dr Chase's Recipes, or Information for Everybody, A.W. Chase

Rheumatism, Saltpetre Good in Cases of

"One ounce of saltpetre to one pint of water. Take one teaspoonful of the above in a large glass of water, about six times daily." The saltpetre acts on the kidneys, carrying off the impurities in this way. Care should be taken not to continue this treatment too long at a time, as continued use would result in injury to the kidneys.

Source: Mother's Remedies: Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remidies from Mothers of the United States and Canada, T. J. Ritter