Eczema

The places affected must be protected from the air and be softened by applications of oil and ointments. The following is a good ointment: 2 parts each of boracic ointment and zinc ointment, 1 part tar ointment. Rub into affected parts and powder with oxide of zinc. The hard scabs that form should be softened by oil and poultices and be gently removed with some perfectly clean instrument, and the ointment then be applied, either as described or smeared on a piece of linen, which requires changing every few hours. Washing with soap and water is not permissible. Children should have their hands tied up at night or covered with gloves, to prevent scratching.

Source: The Complete Household Adviser

Piles

Piles are varicose veins at the anus. If small and not ulcerated, opium ointment should be applied. Large piles require medical attention and, if in a very bad condition, surgical removal — quite a small and simple operation. Persons liable to piles should eat moderately and avoid alcohol, keep the bowels open, as straining aggravates the trouble; and be very careful to avoid sitting on damp ground or on stone, whether wet or dry.

Source: The Complete Household Adviser

Itching

For itching which affects the whole body, give a bath; apply sulphur ointment.

Sulphur ointment is made by rubbing 2 tbsp. flowers of sulphur into a dessertspoonful of lard.

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

Fever Blisters (Cold Sores)

Apply boric acid ointment, or touch frequently with spirit of nitre or spirit of camphor.

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

Ring-worms

Rub mercurial ointment on the ring-worm previous to going to bed, and do not wash it off till morning. It will effect a cure if persevered in; sometimes in less than a week.

Source: Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches, Eliza Leslie

Green Ointment

Take two or three large handfuls of the fresh-gathered leaves of the Jamestown weed, (called Apple Peru in New England,) and pound it in a mortar till you have extracted the juice. Then put the juice into a tin sauce-pan, mixed with sufficient lard to make a thick salve. Stew them together ten or fifteen minutes, and then pour the mixture into gallipots and cover it closely. It is excellent to rub on chilblains, and other inflammatory external swellings, applying it several times a day.

Source: Directions for Cookery, in its Various Branches, Eliza Leslie

Green Ointment

Boil the leaves of Jamestown weed in water until a very strong tea is obtained; add good hog’s lard in the proportion of three pounds of lard to one gallon of the water. Stew until the water is evaporated. Strain, and to each pound add an ounce of turpentine; add it when the lard is nearly cold.

Source: Mrs Hill’s New Cook-Book

Mac’s Pile Ointment

Gum Camphor 2 drams.

Citrine Ointment 3 drams.

Oxide of Zinc 2 drams.

Powdered Opium 1 dram.

Powdered Galls 1 dram.

Tannic Acid 1/2 dram.

Vaseline to make 2 ounces.

I have put up above for hundreds of sufferers, and have never known a case where great relief has not been experienced, and almost invariably a complete cure wrought.

Source: Tested Formulas and Useful House and Farm Recipes, T. Kenny

For a Felon

Spread strong mercurial ointment on a linen cloth and apply when the sore first appears.

Source: 76: A Cook Book

All-Healing Ointment

One part white rosin, one part beeswax, one part turpentine and two parts of mutton tallow.

Source: 76: A Cook Book