Pomatum (Elder-Flower)

Melt together over a slow fire two ounces of marrow, and the same amount of refined lard, then add four ounces of elder-flower oil and stir till it is nearly cold.

Source: Recipes for the Million

Violet Mouthwash

Mix equal quantities of tincture of orris, spirits of roses, and common spirit, with a few drops of otto of almonds.

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

Piles, Ointment For The

Hog’s lard, four ounces; powdered galls, one ounce; laudanum, half an ounce; and spirits of camphor, two drams. Mix, and apply at bed-time.

Source: Recipes for the Million

To Strengthen A Weak Voice

To eight ounces of water add one dram of tincture of cayenne. Gargle the throat frequently, especially before speaking or singing.

The following is also good: — Beeswax, two drams; copaiba balsam, three drams; powdered liquorice root, four drams. Melt the balsam with the wax in an earthen pipkin, remove it from the fire and mix in the powder. Make pills of three grains each. Two of the pills to be taken occasionally, three or four times a day.

Source: Recipes for the Million

Lozenges for Offensive Breath

Gum kino, half an ounce; catechu, one ounce; white sugar, three ounces; orris powder, three-quarters of an ounce. Make into a paste with mucilage, and add a drop of neroli.

Source: Recipes for the Million

Influenza, To Remove

Place the feet in hot water, with a blanket spread over the knees, for twenty minutes, then, without stopping to dry them, dab off the majority of the water; place the feet in a warm blanket at the moment of getting into bed, and drink a glassful of hot lemonade.

Or, mix a quarter of a pound of ginger, an ounce and a half of cayenne pepper, and a quarter of an ounce of cloves. Dissolve a teaspoonful in a cupful of water, sweeten to taste, and take at bed-time.

Source: Recipes for the Million

Wasps and Bees, Stings From

Mix together a little spirits of hartshorn with double its quantity of olive oil, and apply to the part affected.

Another very simple remedy, which is asserted to be unfailing, is to rub with an onion the part of the flesh which is stung.

The application of either oil of tartar or a solution of potash will give instant ease.

Perhaps the most convenient thing will be to mix a little oil with common soda. This will allay both the pain and the irritation.

Source: Recipes for the Million

Gnat Stings

Wherever gnats abound the following compound should always be kept at hand, as it is useful, not only as a cure, but also as the best preventive against the attack of these insects. Take two ounces of spermaceti, half an ounce of white wax, one ounce of camphor, and two ounces of olive oil. Melt the whole together, stirring frequently the while. Pour into small pots for use.

Source: Recipes for the Million

Gargles For Inflamed Throat

Take one dram of sulphuric ether and add to it half an ounce of syrup of marsh-mallows and a teacupful of barley water. Gargle the throat frequently with the mixture until the inflammation dies away.

Or, mix together two drams of purified nitre, seven drams of acetate of honey, and eight ounces of barley-water. Use frequently.

Source: Recipes for the Million