To Prepare Fumigating Powder
Take equal parts of cascarilla bark, in coarse powder, camomile flowers, and anise-seed, powdered and well mixed together. Two ounces of each will be sufficient to use for several times. Take up some hot coals upon a shovel, and sprinkle the powder over them very slowly; and as the smoke arises, carry the shovel into all parts of the room, and fumigate the air thoroughly. It destroys all disagreeable odors, and is said to prevent contagion in infectious diseases, such as diphtheria, scarlet fever, and the like.
Source: Household Hints and Recipes, Henry T. Williams
To Remove Disagreeable Odors from the House
Sprinkle fresh ground coffee, on a shovel of hot coals, or burn sugar on the shovel. This is an old-fashioned disinfectant, still good.
Source: Things Mother Used To Make, L.M. Gurney
An Agreeable Disinfectant
Sprinkle fresh ground coffee on a shovel of hot coals, or burn sugar on hot coals. Vinegar boiled with myrrh, sprinkled on the floor and furniture of a sick room, is an excellent deodorizer.
Source: The White House Cookbook, F.L. Gillette
For a Felon
If you have the appearance of a felon coming, put some hardwood ashes in an old tin cup, pour over them warm water, immerse the end of the sore finger in the ashes, set the dish on some live coals or on top of the stove, keeping the finger in as long as you can, and soak it several times a day. If taken in time, it generally prevents a felon from coming if the finger is wet with it often.
Source: Audel’s Household Helps, Hints and Receipts