Digestive Pills
Rhubarb, two ounces; ipecacuanha, half an ounce; cayenne pepper, quarter of an ounce; soap, half an ounce; ginger, quarter of an ounce; gamboge, half an ounce. Mix, and divide into four grain pills.
Source: Our Knowledge Box, ed. G. Blackie
Tincture for Wounds
Digest flowers of St. Johnswart, one handful, in half a pint of rectified spirits, then express the liquor and dissolve it in myrrh, aloes, and dragon’s blood, of each one drachm, with Canada balsam, half an ounce.
Source: Our Knowledge Box, ed. G. Blackie
Superior Cologne Water
Alcohol, one gallon: add oil of cloves, lemon, nutmeg and bergamot, each one drachm; oil neroli, three and a half drachms; seven drops of oils of rosemary, lavender and cassia; half a pint of spirits of nitre; half a pint of elder-flower water. Let it stand a day or two, then take a cullender[sic] and at the bottom lay a piece
of white cloth, and fill it up, one-fourth of white sand, and filter through it.
Source: Our Knowledge Box, ed. G. Blackie
Blackberry Cordial
To one quart of blackberry juice, add one pound of white sugar, one tablespoonful of cloves, one of allspice, one of cinnamon, and one of nutmeg. Boil all together fifteen minutes; add a wineglass of whiskey, brandy or rum. Bottle while hot, cork tight, and seal. This is almost a specific in diarrhea. One dose, which is a wineglassful for an adult–half that quantity for a child–will often cure diarrhea. It can be taken three or four times a day if the case is severe.
Source: Our Knowledge Box, ed. G. Blackie
Essence for Smelling Bottles
Oil of lavender and essence of bergamot, each one drachm; oil of orange-peel, eight drops; oil of cinnamon, four drops; oil of neroli, two drops; alcohol and strongest water of ammonia, each two ounces.
Source: Our Knowledge Box, ed. G. Blackie
Oil for the Hair
A very excellent ready-made oil for the hair which answers all common purposes, is made by mixing one part brandy with three parts of sweet oil. Add any scent you prefer.
Source: Our Knowledge Box, ed. G. Blackie
Pearl Water for the Complexion
Castile soap, one pound; water, one gallon. Dissolve, then add alcohol, one quart; oil of rosemary and oil of lavender, each two drachms. Mix well.
Source: Our Knowledge Box, ed. G. Blackie
To Make The Complexion Fair
Take emulsion of bitter almonds, one pint; oxymuriate of quicksilver, two and a half grains; sal ammonia, one drachm. Use moderately for pimples, freckles, tanned complexions.
Source: Our Knowledge Box, ed. G. Blackie
Smelling Salts
Super carbonate of ammonia, eight parts; put it in coarse powder into a bottle, and pour out lavender oil one part.
Source: Our Knowledge Box, ed. G. Blackie
Directions to Dye the Hair
First wash the head, beard, or moustaches with soap and water; afterwards with clean water. Dry, and apply the gallic acid solution, with a clean brush. When it is almost dry, take a small tooth comb, and with a fine brush, put on the teeth of the comb a little of the silver solution, and comb it through the hair, when it will become a brilliant jet black. Wait a few hours; then wash the head again with clean water. If you want to make a brown dye, add double or treble the quantity of water to the silver solution, and you can obtain any shade of color you choose.
Source: Our Knowledge Box, ed. G. Blackie