For Tender Hands

Procure 5 cents’ worth of pure glycerine and exactly its weight of tincture of benzoin; put these in a bottle, then add a pinch of salt and half a pint of cold water, previously boiled and cooled, shake well and it is ready for use. Put a bottle of the lotion in the bathroom and another near the kitchen sink; every time the hands are washed dry them thoroughly on a soft towel and apply a small quantity of the foregoing liquid. It is not at all sticky or greasy and has a pleasant odor. It is harmless and comforting for chapped faces, especially for little folks after playing outdoors on windy days.

Source: 1001 Household Hints, Ottilie V. Ames

Arnica

For internal bruises nothing answers so well as tincture of arnica. 10 drops in a tablespoonful of water every three hours. It is also one of the best remedies for external bruises of all kinds, relieving the pain caused by blows, falls or other injuries. A lotion made of 1 part of the tincture to 10 of water, apply immediately by well saturating a piece of lint and covering over with oiled silk to prevent evaporation. The sooner this is done after receiving the injury the more likely it is to do good.

Source: Fray’s Golden Recipes for the use of all ages, E. Fray

Itch, Lotions For

Hydriodate of potash, two drams; distilled water, eight ounces. Apply frequently.

Equal parts of lime-water and linseed oil will also allay the irritation.

Or, after washing the body in warm water, apply the following : — Lime, two ounces ; sulphur-vivum, two ounces. Mix. Pour off the clear liquid for use.

Source: Recipes for the Million

Lotions for Ringworm

Sulphate of zinc, two scruples; sugar of lead, fifteen grains; water, six ounces. Wash the parts two or three times a day.

Or: paint the rings with black writing ink.

Tincture of iodine, applied with a feather, is considered to be a speedy cure.

Another good remedy is two drams of muriated tincture of steel (steel drops) mixed with four tablespoonfuls of soft water. Bathe with it night and morning, and let a little of the lotion dry on.

Source: Recipes for the Million

Bruises

Rest, and bathe in cold water. If the skin is unbroken, apply half a teaspoonful of arnica lotion to a tumblerful of water; soft linen rags wet with this lotion to be applied, and changed as often as they become warm and dry.

Source: Household Gas Cookery Book, Helen Edden

Lotion for Chapped Hands

Soak 1/8 oz gum tragacanth in one pint soft water for three days, or until quite soft, then add to it one gill alcohol, 1 gill glycerine, and 1/4 gill cologne. Shake well and it is ready for use.

Source: Book of Recipes, Daughters of the American Revolution, Genesee Chapter

Eye Lotions

1. Dissolve 100 grs of boric acid in 6 oz water.
2. Add one teaspoonful Condy’s fluid to 10 oz water.
3. Dissolve 30 grs alum and 10 grs sulphate of zinc in 10 oz water.
4. Goulard water.
5. Cold tea. Useful in cases of slight inflammation.

Source: The Complete Household Adviser

A Useful Lotion for the Hands

…which may be kept in the bathroom or upon the washstand, is made with equal parts of glycerine and rubra lotion (tincture of lavender and zinc). Mix the two together in a bottle and rub a few drops into the hands after washing, but before drying them upon the towel.

Another similar lotion is made by mixing equal quantities of glycerine, rosewater and hazeline.

Rub in a few drops after washing when the hands are partly dried.

Source: Household Management, E. Stoddard Eckford & M.S. Fitzgerald

Lotion for Burns

Olive oil and an equal quantity of boracic lotion (half pint boiling water and one teaspoonful of boracic powder). Mix the two together and keep in a bottle. Apply to the injured part and cover with lint.

This is considered better than carron oil for keeping, as the latter becomes rancid if kept too long.

Source: Household Management, E. Stoddard Eckford & M.S. Fitzgerald

Remedy for Pallor

An excellent lotion in case of pallor is made from one tablespoon of tincture of benzoin and three ounces of rose water.

Source: Civic League Cook Book