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This page contains a formula or preparation using substances now known to be dangerously toxic, such as arsenic, mercury, lead, or cyanide compounds. Exposure to these substances can cause severe poisoning, permanent injury, or death.
In addition, this page recommends preparations containing opium, laudanum, morphine, or similar narcotics — in some cases for children. These substances are dangerously addictive, easily fatal in overdose, and strictly controlled by law today.
In addition, this page presents medical treatment from an era before modern medicine. The remedies described are ineffective against the conditions named, and some of the ingredients or doses are harmful. Do not use them to treat any illness; consult a qualified medical professional.
This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon.
Home › Medicine › Another Method (Dissolve drachms of sulphate)
Another Method (Dissolve drachms of sulphate)
Dissolve 2 drachms of sulphate of zinc (white vitriol) in a pint of distilled water. To be applied as above.
Marsh-mallow Fomentation.
Boil together for a quarter of an hour 1 ounce of dried marsh-mallow root, with an ounce of chamomile flowers, in a pint of water; strain through a cloth. The fomenting flannels should be sprinkled with spirits just before they are applied to the inflamed part. Fomentation of Poppies.
Bruise 4 ounces of dried poppy heads, and then boil them in 6 pints of water, until a quart only remains after straining. This fomentation is to be applied to inflamed parts, where there is much pain, but which are required to suppurate.
Refrigerant Lotion.
Mix together equal parts of acetated water of ammonia and tincture of camphor, which apply to the inflamed joint or other part.
Another. Dissolve 1 ounce of muriate of ammonia in 4 ounces of common vinegar, and add 10 ounces of water. To be applied with or without a cloth to inflamed surfaces. Another. Mix together 2 ounces of rectified spirit, and 5 ounces of acetated water of ammonia.
Sedative Lotion.
Dissolve half a drachm of sugar of lead in 4 ounces of distilled vinegar, and then add 1 ounce of common spirits with a pint of water. Linen cloths dipped in this lotion are to be applied to inflamed joints, etc.
Cold and Sedative Cataplasm.
Take of goulard water, 1½ drachms; rectified spirits, 2 ounces; water, 1 pint. These are to be mixed with a sufficient quantity of the crumb of a new loaf to form a cataplasm. To be applied at night to inflamed parts. - Another. Mix with crumb of bread as above, one drachm of goulard water (or solution of sugar of lead) and a pint of common water that has been boiled.
Cataplasm to hasten Suppuration.
Make two quarts of finely-powdered bran, and one part of linseed meal, into a poultice, with boiling water. A little oil should be spread over the surface just before it is applied.
Another. Take of crumb of bread and linseed meal equal parts; make them into a poultice with boiling milk.
Linseed Cataplasm.
Stir linseed flour into boiling water in sufficient quantity to form a cataplasm of proper consistency, and before application smear the surface with a little olive or linseed oil. If irritation, with great pain and tension, or hardness should prevail, it will be necessary to substitute a decoction of poppy heads for the common water. This poultice is in general use in all the hospitals.
Embrocation for Sprains.
Shake in a phial until they become white like milk, 10 drachms of olive oil, with 2 drachms of spirits of hartshorn (water of ammonia); then add 4 drachms of oil of turpentine. When properly mixed, they may be directly used as an embrocation for sprains and bruises. Where weakness remains in consequence of a sprain, cold water ought to be pumped on the part every morning; and a long calico roller should be bound firmly (but not too tightly) round it immediately after. By these means strength will soon be restored.