Milk of Roses

Take 2 ounces of blanched almonds; 12 ounces of rose-water; white soft-soap, or Windsor soap; white wax; and oil of almonds, of each 2 drachms; rectified spirit, 3 ounces; oil of bergamot, 1 drachm; oil of lavender, 15 drops; otto of roses, 8 drops. Beat the almonds well, and then add the rose-water gradually so as to form an emulsion, mix the soap, white wax, and oil together, by placing them in a covered jar upon the edge of the fire-place, then rub this mixture in a mortar with the emulsion. Strain the whole through very fine muslin, and add the essential oils, previously mixed with the spirit.

This is an excellent wash for “sunburns,” freckles, or for cooling the face and neck, or any part of the skin to which it is applied.

Source: The Ladies’ Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness, Florence Hartley

Cholic

Young children are often afflicted with griping pains in the bowels; and if attended with costiveness, it will be necessary to give them very small doses of manna and rhubarb every half hour, till they produce the desired effect. When the stools are green, a few drams of magnesia, with one or two of rhubarb, according to the age of the patient, may be given with advantage; but the greatest benefit will be derived from clysters made of milk, oil and sugar, or a solution of white soap and water. A poultice of bread, milk and oil, may likewise be applied to the lower part of the belly, and frequently renewed with a little warm milk to give it a proper consistence. The cholic in adults arises from a variety of causes, not easily distinguished except by professional persons; and therefore it is absolutely necessary to abstain from all violent remedies, or it may be attended with fatal consequences. Nothing can be applied with safety but emollient clysters and fomentations, and to drink copiously of camomile tea, or any other diluting liquor, till the spasms be relieved, and the nature of the disease more clearly understood. Persons who are subject to the bilious cholic in particular, should abstain from acrid, watery and oily food, especially butter, fat meat, and hot liquors: and pursue a calm and temperate course of life.

Source: The Cook And Housekeeper’s Complete and Universal Dictionary, Mary Eaton

Soap Application When Eyeglasses Steam

To prevent annoyance caused by a deposit of moisture upon eyeglasses, when going from a cold into a warm atmosphere, moisten the tips of the fingers and rub them over a cake of soap. Then rub them over the lens, and polish as usual. One application every day or two is all that is necessary.

Source: Fowler’s Household Helps, A.L. Fowler

A Remedy For A Common Cold

3 grains compound extract of colocynth, and 3 grains of soap, in 2 pills, taken at going to bed. The following night, take 16 or 18 grains of compound powder of contrayerva, and 1/2 a pint vinegar whey.– Breakfast in bed the next morning.

Source: The English Housekeeper, Anne Cobbett

Glandular Enlargements, To Lessen

Dissolve by a gentle heat two drams of scraped white soap and half a dram of extract of henbane in six ounces of olive oil. Rub the part well twice a day with about half an ounce of the mixture.

Source: Recipes for the Million

An Embrocation for Rheumatism

Dissolve 1 oz. of gum camphor in 6 oz. of rectified spirits of wine; add by degrees, shaking the phial frequently, 2 oz. spirits of sal ammoniac and 2 drachms oil of lavender. This has been used with success.

Another: (known to mitigate the tic douloureux), is the caja peeta oil*, but it must be genuine. It is also good for strains, bruises, and chilblains.

Or: a mixture of 6 drachms French soap, 6 drachms ether, and 1 oz. spirits of wine.

[* Editor’s note: no, I have not the slightest idea what this is, and neither — it would seem — does anyone else online… the only occurrences of the phrase seem to be in the text of the book from which this came.]

Source: The English Housekeeper, Anne Cobbett

Sure Remedy for a Felon

Take common soft soap and stir in air slacked lime, until of the consistency of glaziers’ putty. Make a leather thimble, fill with the composition and insert the finger therein.

Source: Tried and True Recipes, F.D.P. Jermain

Liniment for Rheumatism, Sprains and Bruises

One ounce spirits of ammonia, one ounce spirits of turpentine, one ounce tincture of opium, one pint rain water, add a little soap. Shake well before using. Bathe affected part well with hot water before applying.

Source: The New Galt Cook Book, M. Taylor & F. McNaught

Cure for a Felon

The cure is said to be certain and is published at the particular request of a person who had experienced its success for a great number of years.

Take a piece of rock salt about the size of a walnut and wrap it up closely in a green cabbage leaf, but if not to be had, in a piece of brown paper well moistened with water; lay it on hot embers and cover it up as if to roast for twenty minutes, take it up and powder it as fine as possible then take some hard soap and mix the powdered salt with it so as to make a salve, if the soap should contain but little turpentine which its smell will determine add some more, but if it smells pretty strongly of it, none need be added; apply the salve to the part affected and in a short time it will totally destroy the felon and remove the pain.

Source: Household Recipes, Constance Hatton Hart

Shampoo Soap

Mix 1/2 lb green soft soap, 1/2 oz salts of tartar and 1/2 pint water in a jar, standing in a saucepan of hot water. When quite dissolved put into jars and use sufficient to form a lather for washing the hair.

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