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

Beef Tea (For Invalids)

One-half pound tender beef (no fat), cut in bits; put in glass bottles, with top well screwed on (can add a little water), place in kettle of boiling water 20 minutes, take out, shake well; this quantity makes 1 cup of rich tea.

Source: Tested Recipe Cook Book, Mrs H.L. Wilson

All-Healing Ointment

One part white rosin, one part beeswax, one part turpentine and two parts of mutton tallow.

Source: 76: A Cook Book

Cough Mixture

Take buttonwood root and make a strong tea of it; to a pint of the tea and a pint of honey, a piece of saltpetre about the size of your thumb; mix all together and boil down to one pint; also add one tablespoon of paregoric.

Source: Tested Recipe Cook Book, Mrs H.L. Wilson

For Rheumatism

Take equal parts of the best oil of Juniper and spirits of turpentine, and rub the parts afflicted thoroughly. Particular care should be taken to use only the best oil and spirits.

Source: 76: A Cook Book

Cracker Panada

Break in pieces three or four hard crackers that are baked quite brown, and let them boil fifteen minutes in one quart of water; then remove from the fire, let them stand three or four minutes, strain off the liquor through a fine wire sieve, and season it with sugar.

This is a nourishing beverage for infants that are teething, and with the addition of a little wine and nutmeg, is often prescribed for invalids recovering from a fever.

Source: The White House Cookbook, F.L. Gillette

Cure for Ringworm

Yellow dock, root or leaves, steeped in vinegar, will cure the worst case of ringworm.

Source: The White House Cookbook, F.L. Gillette