To Take Away the Signs of the Small Pox

Take some Spercma-ceti, and twice so much Virgins Wax, melt them together and spread it upon Kids Leather, in the shape of Mask, then lay it upon the Face, and keep it on night and day, it is a very fine Remedy.

Source: The Queen-like Closet or Rich Cabinet, Hannah Wolley

Mulled Wine

Take a quarter of an ounce of bruised cinnamon, half a nutmeg, (grated), and ten bruised cloves ; infuse them in half a pint of boiling water for an hour, strain, and add half an ounce of white sugar. Pour the whole into a pint of hot port or sherry wine. This is a good cordial and restorative in the low stages of fever, or in the debility of convalescence from fevers.

Source: The Housekeeper’s Friend: A Practical Cookbook

To make Bottle Ale for a Consumption

Take a quart of Ale, and a Pint of strong Aqua vitæ, Mace and Cinamon, of each one quarter of an Ounce, two Spoonfuls of the powder Elecampane root, one quarter of a pound of Loaf Sugar, one quarter of a pound of Raisins of the Sun stoned, four spoonfuls of Aniseeds beaten to Powder, then put all together into a Bottle and stop it close.

Take three spoonfuls of this in a morning fasting, and again one hour before Supper and shake the Bottle when you pour it out.

Source: The Queen-like Closet or Rich Cabinet, Hannah Wolley

Remedy for Hoarseness or Loss of Voice

Dissolve in the mouth a lump of borax, the size of a garden pea, or about three or four grains. If held in the mouth for ten minutes before speaking or singing, it will act like magic.

Source: The Housekeeper’s Friend: A Practical Cookbook

Oleum Camphoratum (Camphorated Oil)

Take of

• Olive oil, two ounces ;
• Camphor, half an ounce.

Mix them so that the camphor may be dissolved.

This is a simple solution of camphor in fixed oil, and is an excellent application to local pains from whatever cause, and to glandular swellings.

Source: The Edinburgh New Dispensatory, Andrew Duncan

Boiled Flour

Take of fine flour one pound, tie it up in a linen cloth as tight as possible, and after frequently dipping it into cold water, dredge the outside with flour till a crust is formed round it, which will prevent the water soaking into it while boiling. Boil for a long time, and permit to cool, when it will become a hard, dry mass. This is to be grated, and prepared like arrow root. A good diet for children in diarrhea.

Source: The Housekeeper’s Friend: A Practical Cookbook

Rosemary for the Hair

Rosemary is considered an excellent remedy to increase the growth of the hair. Get a small quantity of the leaves and boil them over a quick fire for a few minutes, strain, add a little cocoanut oil and a few drops of verbena.

Source: Audel’s Household Helps, Hints and Receipts

For a Severe Sprain

For a severe sprain take the white of an egg and a teaspoonful each of vinegar and spirits of turpentine. Put all in a bottle, shake it thoroughly, then bathe the sprain often, beginning as soon as
possible after the accident.

Source: Audel’s Household Helps, Hints and Receipts

To make Syrrop of Ale, good for weak People to take inwardly, or to heal old Sores, applied thereto

Take two Gallons of Ale Wort, the strongest you can get, so soon as it is run from the Grounds, set it on the fire in a Pipkin, and let it boil gently and that you do perceive it to be as though it were full of Rags; run it through a strainer, and set it on the fire again, and let it boil until it be thick, and scum it clean, and when it is much wasted, put it into a lesser Pan to boil, or else it will burn; when it is thick enough, take it off, and when it is cold, put it into Gallipots, take as much as a Walnut fasting; and as much when you go to bed.

Source: The Queen-like Closet or Rich Cabinet, Hannah Wolley

Walt Whitman’s Health Tips

It has recently come to light that the US poet Walt Whitman also published a series of tips for health in 1858. Written under a pseudonym, the tips for “Manly Health and Training” contain much that would be familiar to those seeking health advice today – though few of the “patent” remedies that might otherwise have been suggested in that era; Whitman’s emphasis was on exercise and a very plain diet.