To Relieve Asthma

Soak blotting or tissue paper in strong saltpetre water. Dry, and burn at night in your bed-room.

Source: Common Sense in the Household, Marion Harland

For A Cough

Make a strong tea of hoarhound; then strain it, and add half a pound of the best loaf sugar, to a pint of the tea: let it simmer till thick; then bottle it, and take a little two or three times a day.

Source: The Philadelphia Housewife, Mary Hodgson

Piles

Piles are varicose veins at the anus. If small and not ulcerated, opium ointment should be applied. Large piles require medical attention and, if in a very bad condition, surgical removal — quite a small and simple operation. Persons liable to piles should eat moderately and avoid alcohol, keep the bowels open, as straining aggravates the trouble; and be very careful to avoid sitting on damp ground or on stone, whether wet or dry.

Source: The Complete Household Adviser

To Stop The Flow Of Blood

Bind the cut with cobwebs and brown sugar, pressed on like lint. Or, if you cannot procure these, with the fine dust of tea. When the blood ceases to flow, apply laudanum.

Source: Common Sense in the Household, Marion Harland

Flax-Seed Lemonade

4 tablespoonfuls flax-seed (whole.)
1 quart boiling water poured upon the flax-seed.
Juice of two lemons, leaving out the peel.
Sweeten to taste.

Steep three hours in a covered pitcher. If too thick, put in cold water with the lemon-juice and sugar. Ice for drinking.

It is admirable for colds.

Source: Common Sense in the Household, Marion Harland

Wash for Hands

Glycerine and lemon juice, equal parts of each.

Source: Flint Hills Cook Book

Iceland or Irish Moss Jelly

1 handful moss, washed in five waters, and soaked an hour.
1 quart boiling water.
2 lemons—the juice only.
1 glass of wine.
1/4 teaspoonful cinnamon. (Measure scantily.)

Soak the washed moss in a very little cold water; stir into the boiling, and simmer until it is dissolved. Sweeten, flavor, and strain into moulds. You may use two glasses of cider instead of one of wine for a fever-patient, putting in a little less water.

Good for colds, and very nourishing.

Source: Common Sense in the Household, Marion Harland

For Burns

When the skin is not off, apply scraped raw potatoes. When the skin is off, apply sweet oil and cotton, or linseed oil and lime water made into a paste. Elder ointment is very good: make the ointment of the green bark of the elder; stew in lard.

Source: The Philadelphia Housewife, Mary Hodgson

For A Sore Throat or Mouth

Make a sage tea by boiling some sage leaves; when strong, add honey and some alum or borax. Gargle the throat with this often through the day.

Source: The Philadelphia Housewife, Mary Hodgson

Arrowroot Wine Jelly

1 cup boiling water.
2 heaping teaspoonfuls arrowroot.
2 heaping white sugar.
1 tablespoonful brandy or 3 tablespoonfuls of wine.

An excellent corrective to weak bowels.

Source: Common Sense in the Household, Marion Harland