Cough Mixture
Two quarts of rain water, one pound of raisins, five cents worth of licorice, a fourth of a pound of rock candy. Boil this to one quart and strain it. Take two tablespoons three times daily; adding
a little vinegar.
Source: 76: A Cook Book
For a Felon
Spread strong mercurial ointment on a linen cloth and apply when the sore first appears.
Source: 76: A Cook Book
For Sprains or Bruises
Take one pint of lard-oil; half a pound of stone-pitch; half a pound of resin; half a pound of beeswax, and half a pound of beef-tallow. Boil together for half an hour, skim off the scum, pour the liquid into cups. When needed, it must be spread upon coarse cotton cloth, or kid (the latter is best), and applied to the sprain or bruise. It will give quick relief, as it entirely excludes the air. One or two plasters of it will cure the worst case. It acts like splints on a sprained ankle or wrist. It is also good for cattle, horses, or dogs in all cases of injury.
Source: Audel’s Household Helps, Hints and Receipts
Acute Inflammation of the Bladder
Ten grains of bicarbonate of soda in a half ounce of an infusion of uva ursi (bearberry, kinnikinic, foxberry) every two hours will relieve acute inflammation of the bladder immediately.
Source: Audel’s Household Helps, Hints and Receipts
A Hop Poultice
Boil one handful of dried hops in half a pint of water, until the half pint is reduced to a gill, then stir into it enough Indian meal to thicken it.
Source: The White House Cookbook, F.L. Gillette
For Burns
Let the clothes be taken off with great care and tenderness, and then apply spirits of turpentine, or lay on a thick plaster of fresh yeast, renewing it as often as it becomes hot or dry; or dash the part with cold water in which some yeast has been stirred, or with vinegar, or with strong brine, or with the liquid which runs from potatoes sliced thin and sprinkled with salt; or cut a large cucumber in slices and lay it on the part.
Source: Audel’s Household Helps, Hints and Receipts