Pneumonia

Wring flannel out of hot strong salt water to which a little vinegar has been added, and lay on the lungs or affected part. Be very careful not to chill while using this, and have the flannel wrung so dry as not to wet the clothes badly. Cover with a dry cloth. This is good in lung fever, or rheumatism.

Source: The Inglenook Cook Book

White Liniment

Good for sprains, bruises, sores, sore throat, etc. Take one quart of sharp apple vinegar, one-half pint of turpentine, and three eggs, and shake well together. This is equally good for man or beast.

Source: The Inglenook Cook Book

Cream Tartar Whey

Warm a pint of fresh milk, when scalding hot, stir in a teaspoonful of cream tartar, and if this does not turn it, add more, till it does. Strain it, and sweeten with loaf sugar. Those who cannot eat wine whey can eat this without trouble, and it is good in fevers.

Source: Miss Beecher’s Domestic Receipt Book, Catherine Beecher

Onion Juice for Croup

Slice raw onions very thin and sprinkle with sugar. Allow to dissolve and give the juice in teaspoonful doses frequently. This often relieves instantly.

Source: The Inglenook Cook Book

Bread and Butter Poultice

For bruises and sores, take equal quantities of butter and bread crumbs, mix thoroughly, adding a little water, and apply as a poultice. This reduces pain and swelling and prevents discoloration.

Source: The Inglenook Cook Book

Gnat Stings

Wherever gnats abound the following compound should always be kept at hand, as it is useful, not only as a cure, but also as the best preventive against the attack of these insects. Take two ounces of spermaceti, half an ounce of white wax, one ounce of camphor, and two ounces of olive oil. Melt the whole together, stirring frequently the while. Pour into small pots for use.

Source: Recipes for the Million

Gargles For Inflamed Throat

Take one dram of sulphuric ether and add to it half an ounce of syrup of marsh-mallows and a teacupful of barley water. Gargle the throat frequently with the mixture until the inflammation dies away.

Or, mix together two drams of purified nitre, seven drams of acetate of honey, and eight ounces of barley-water. Use frequently.

Source: Recipes for the Million

Bran Tea

Put a handful of bran in a pint and a half of cold water, boil it for an hour and three-quarters, then strain, and flavour with sugar and lemon juice. This is a very cheap and useful drink in colds, fevers, and restlessness from pain.

Source: Recipes for the Million

Several Ways of Preparing Chickens for the Sick

Chicken tea is made by boiling any part of the chicken, and using the broth weak with only a little salt.

Chicken broth is made by boiling a chicken a good deal, and skimming very thoroughly and seasoning with salt. A little rice, or pearl barley improves it, or a little parsley may be used to flavor it.

Chicken panada is made by pounding some of the meat of boiled chicken in a mortar, with a little broth, and also a little salt and nutmeg. Then pour in a little broth and boil it five minutes. It should be a thick broth.

Source: Miss Beecher’s Domestic Receipt Book, Catherine Beecher

Nervous Irritability, To Remove

Mix with two ounces of compound tincture of bark, one ounce and a half of camphorated tincture of valerian, and half an ounce of compound tincture of aloes.

Dose : Two teaspoonfuls twice a day.

Source: Recipes for the Million