Hay Fever, To Cure

This unpleasant complaint may be cured by aconite and white wine whey taken at bed-time. Boil half a pint of milk, add a little aconite and a glass of sherry, strain through muslin, and sweeten the whey with white sugar.

To twelve parts of absolute phenol, eight parts of carbonate of ammonia, twenty-two parts of strong solution of ammonia, half a part of oil of lavender, and one and a half parts of camphor, add a little sifted pine sawdust. Inhale five or six times a day, or when the sneezing comes on.

Relief has often been found by wearing tinted side spectacles to soften the light and lessen the glare of the sun.

Source: Recipes for the Million

An Ointment for Burns

Take a Pound of Bores-Grease, two Pints of White-Wine, the Leaves of the greater Sage, Ground- and Wall-Ivy, Sweet Marjoram, or the Greater House-Leek, of each two handfuls.

Let the whole Mass be boil’d over a gentle Fire, and having afterward strain’d and squeez’d it, let the Ointment so made be kept for use.

Source: The Compleat Surgeon, Charles Gabriel Le Clerc

Sprains

These generally proceed from some external injury, attended with pain, swelling, and inflammation. A fomentation of vinegar, or camphorated spirits of wine, if applied immediately, will generally be sufficient: if not, a few drops of laudanum should be added. The fomentation should be frequently renewed, and the sprained part kept in a state of rest and relaxation.

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

Menses, For Obstruction Of The

Steel filings, two ounces; powdered sugar, two ounces; ginger, two drams. Pound together. One teaspoonful to be taken twice a day in orange wine.

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

Asthma, To Relieve

Best honey, two ounces ; castor oil, one ounce. Mix, and take a teaspoonful every night and morning. If the breathing be difficult the following will probably give relief : — To one ounce of spirits of wine, add a quarter of an ounce of balsam of tolu and the same quantity of ether. Put a teaspoonful into a quart of boiling water and inhale it twice a day.

Source: Recipes for the Million

Tomato Syrup

Express the juice of ripe tomatoes, and put a pound of sugar to each quart of the juice, put it in bottles, and set it aside. In a few weeks it will have the appearance and flavor of pure wine of the best kind, and mixed with water is a delightful beverage for the sick. No alcohol is needed to preserve it.

The medical properties of the tomato are in high repute, and it is supposed that this syrup retains all that is contained in the fruit.

Source: Miss Beecher’s Domestic Receipt Book, Catherine Beecher

For a Sore Throat

At the beginning of a sore throat, get fresh ivy leaves, tack them together, warm them, and put the shady side to the throat.– Or: wet bread-crumbs with brandy, and tie them round the throat. Make a gargle of 2 carrots, sliced and boiled, and use it often.– Or: dissolve 4 oz. camphor in a pint of rectified spirits of wine. Dip a piece of new Welsh flannel into this, and apply it to the throat. Be careful to wet frequently.

Source: The English Housekeeper, Anne Cobbett

Hair Lotion for Use After Illness

Spirit of ammonia, 1 1/2 oz.; glycerine, 1 1/2 oz.; oil of rosemary, 1/2 oz.; spirits of wine, 4 oz. To be applied at night with a small sponge.

Source: Still Room Cookery, C.S. Peel

Hair Tonic for Weak and Falling Hair

Hydrochlorate of ammonia, 2 drams; spirit of juniper, 20 drops; tincture of cantharides, 1 oz.; rectified spirits of wine, 2 oz.; camphor water, 3/4 pint. To be applied once a day.

Source: Still Room Cookery, C.S. Peel