Nails (Ingrowing)

Scrape surface — a piece of glass is good for this purpose. Cut in V-shape. Pack absorbent cotton under affected side. Paint with iodine.

Source: The Mary Frances First Aid Book, Jane Eayre Fryer

Poison Ivy Rash

The poison ivy plant has three leaves in clusters.

Do not scratch. Mop on rash a saturated solution of Epsom salt (as much as can be dissolved in a cup of water); or, wash with saturated solution boric acid. Allow it to dry in the air.

Lime water may be used in place of boric acid.

Wash the affected surface every day, dry and repeat treatment.

Sweet fern tea is very good. Steep the sweet fern in boiling water an hour, and apply to rash.

Source: The Mary Frances First Aid Book, Jane Eayre Fryer

Nosebleed

Head in upright position. Raise arm on bleeding side. Loosen collar. Apply ice in a cloth to bridge of nose and back of neck. A roll of paper under upper lip. Snuff cold tea up nose, or salt water, 1 tsp. to cup water, or the same of powdered alum.

If bleeding continues, tie a small wad of cotton with thread; dip it into peroxide of hydrogen, and plug nostril by pushing the cotton gently with a pencil. The thread is used to withdraw cotton.

If these means fail, send for doctor.

Source: The Mary Frances First Aid Book, Jane Eayre Fryer

Cologne

A fine cologne is prepared from -one gallon of deoderized alcohol, to it add one ounce of oil of lavender, one ounce of oil of orange, two drachms of oil of cedrat, one drachm of oil of neroli, or orange flowers, one drachm of oil of rose, and one drachm of ambergris. Mix well, and keep for three weeks in a cool place.

Source: The Housekeeper’s Friend: A Practical Cookbook

For the Worms

Take an orange cut off the top press out the juice as near as you can then put into it half a spoonfull of oyle of bays of the juice of rue and wormwood of each half a spoonfull powder of 4 or 5 lupins dry’d with as much treacle as will fill an ordinary thimble then stop the hole with the piece you cut off tye it up close and fast that nothing get out or in, then Seeth it well and when it is cold anoynt the navell, nostrells, pulses and temples of the party therewith troubled with the Stuff it paseth all other medecins for y^e worms what ever.

Source: A Book of Simples, H.W. Lewer

For Burns – Good

In one pint of linseed oil mix as much lime water as it will cut.

Source: 76: A Cook Book

Potatoes Used to Cleanse

Small pieces of raw potato in a little water shaken vigorously inside bottles and lamp chimneys will clean them admirably. To clean a burned porcelain kettle boil peeled potatoes in it. Cold boiled potatoes not over-boiled, used as soap will clean the hands and keep them soft and healthy. To cleanse and stiffen silk, woolen and cotton fabrics use the following recipe:–Grate two good sized potatoes into a pint of clear, clean, soft water. Strain through a coarse sieve into a gallon of water and let the liquid settle. Pour the starchy fluid from the sediment, rub the articles gently in the liquid, rinse them thoroughly in clear water and then dry and press. Water in which potatoes are boiled is said to be very effective in keeping silver bright.

Source: Vaughan’s Vegetable Cook Book

Unfailing Cure for Colic in Horses

Take one dessert-spoon of copperas, put it in a piece of paper, tie on a stick and put down the horse’s throat, punching until the paper breaks. It will give relief in a few minutes.

Source: 76: A Cook Book

Another Remedy for Neuralgia

Bathe the parts affected every fifteen or twenty minutes with acetic acid No. 8.

Source: The Housekeeper’s Friend: A Practical Cookbook

Cure for a Wen

Wash it in common salt, dissolved in water, every day and it will be removed in a short time.

Source: 76: A Cook Book