Panacea for Hoarseness

If little ones are hoarse or seem croupy at bedtime, use this mixture: Heat together lard and small portions of camphor, kerosene and turpentine. If cold is tight, saturate a light woolen cloth wath this and apply to throat and chest, bringing down close under arms. Over this put a thin cotton cloth to protect the clothing. It is also well to rub the back with the application. This loosens the croup membrane and in a few minutes the breathing grows easier and the child will sleep.

Source: 1001 Household Hints, Ottilie V. Ames

Tonsilitis

Apply kerosene freely on the outside of the neck. Also apply it inside with a small syringe, or a swab made by tying a soft bit of cloth on the end of a stick. A piece of smoked bacon tied on the neck when retiring for the night is a good remedy when applied in time.

Source: The Inglenook Cook Book

For Aching Feet

Any one who has aching feet, if the feet are placed in kerosene for about ten minutes each day will receive the greatest relief. If used regularly for a month is said to cure all corns and callous places on the feet. Will not blister or do any injury.

Source: The Just-Wed Cook Book

Relief for Burns

For a burn or scald apply kerosene. It will allay the pain almost instantly and quickly heal the injured parts.

Source: 1001 Household Hints, Ottilie V. Ames

Chilblains

Pour kerosene oil in a saucer, wring out a rag in it and with this wipe the affected parts several times each day. If awake in the night, do the same thing. Do not saturate the cloth and lay it upon the chilblains, as it might cause a blister. Wipe the feet with a dampened cloth and let them dry themselves.

Source: 1001 Household Hints, Ottilie V. Ames

Lice in Hair (Pediculosis)

Wash hair with kerosene, leaving it on over night; or use tincture of larkspur in the same way.

Perhaps the best remedy is fishberries.

Five cents worth of the berries may be boiled in 1 pint water for ten minutes.

Wash hair next day after using any of these remedies.

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

To Take Rust from Steel Implements or Knives

Rub them well with kerosene oil, leaving them covered with it a day or so; then rub them hard and well with finely powdered unslaked lime.

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

For a Burn

For a burn one of the best aids is to immerse the part in kerosene for ten or fifteen minutes, if possible, or cover closely for some time with a cotton cloth dipped in the oil. The soreness will soon leave.

Source: Audel’s Household Helps, Hints and Receipts

Croup, Coal Oil (kerosene) and Sugar for

“Coal oil and sugar; put a few drops on a teaspoonful of sugar.” The coal oil produces vomiting, relieving the trouble. If the first dose does not have this effect upon the child, repeat it.

Source: Mother’s Remedies: Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remidies from Mothers of the United States and Canada, T. J. Ritter

Cholera Morbus, Home Remedy for

“To a pint of water, sweetened with sugar, add chalk one-half dram, anise, two drams, cayenne pepper, ten grains; boil this down to one-half pint. Give a teaspoonful every hour or two until relieved. Kerosene may be applied to the abdomen with cloths. This is a very good remedy and easily prepared.”

Source: Mother’s Remedies: Over One Thousand Tried and Tested Remidies from Mothers of the United States and Canada, T. J. Ritter