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This is presented here as a historical reference ONLY of Mid 19th century medicinal uses of herbs and plants.

Funke's makes no claim as to the effectiveness or safety of any of the remedies listed.

Consult a physician before ingesting any antique remedy!

Now that that has been said :)

Enjoy these excerpts from:

Y O U N G ' S

D E M O N S T R A T I V E T R A N S L A T I O N

O F

S C I E N T I F I C S E C R E T S ;

O R

A C O L L E C T I O N O F A B O V E

5 0 0 U S E F U L R E C E I P T S

O N A V A R I E T Y O F S U B J E C T S

T O R O N T O

P R I N T E D B Y R O W S E L L & E L L I S,

K I N G S T R E E T E A S T

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433. MEDICINES
The following medicines are for man, while those commencing at receipt No.
331, and ending at No. 392 are for horses, cattle, &c., unless when stated
to the contrary.

434. FOR DROPSY
Take of powdered jalap 5 gr., powdered rhubarb 5 gr., powdered scammony 5
gr., powdered elaterium 1/2 gr., bitartrate of potash 1/2 drm., sulphate
of potash 1/2 drm., and syrup of ginger sufficient to make into pills; mix
and divide into five pills. These five pills given at once form an
excellent hydragogue cathartic to clear the chest, relieve breathing and
diminish the dropsical effusion.

435. ANTIBILIOUS PILLS
Take of camomel 20 grs., jalap powder 20 grs., tartar-emetic 2 grs., and
syrup sufficient to form into pills; divide into eight pills. The dose is
tow at bed time; repeated in the morning if necessary. This forms an
excellent antibilious pill.

436. JAUNDICE
Take of rhubarb powder 1 scruple, castile soap half a drachm, calomel 12
grs., mix and divide into pills; two or three to be taken at bed time;
emetrics, purges, fomentations about the stomach and liver, and exercise
will seldom fail to cure jaundice when it is a simple disease; and when
complicated with dropsy, a scirrous liver, or other chronic complaints, it
is hardly to be cured by any means. Castile soap has been looked upon as a
kind of specific.

437. ASTHMA
Take of powdered squills 2 drms., powdered assafoetida 1 drachm, mix and
divide into 30 pills, two to be taken twice or thrice a day. Useful in
chronic asthma.

438. DR. DEWEES' ANTI-COLIC MIXTURE
Take of carbonate of magnesia 1/2 drm., tincture of assafoetida 60 drops,
tincture of opium 20 drops, white sugar 1 drm., and distilled water 1 oz.;
mix and shake; twenty-five drops to be given to an infant of two to four
weeks old, in flatulent colic, diarrhoea, &c.

439. DR. HUN'S ANTI-DIARRHOEAL MIXTURE
Take of oil of cajeput 1 oz., oil of cloves 1 oz., oil of peppermint 1
oz., oil of anise 1 oz., alcohol 4 oz.; mix and shake; dose, from one to
two drachms in hot brandy and water or syrup. This will afford the most
speedy relief in diarrhoea accompanied with pain.

440. HOPE'S MIXTURE
Take of camphor water 4 oz., nitric acid 4 drops, tincture of opium 40 to
60 drops; mix cork, and shake; dose, a tablespoonful every two hours in
diarrhoea and dysentery.

441. ANTI-CHOLERA MIXTURE
Take of tincture of opium 1 drm., liquor ammonia 1/2 drm., tincture of the
oil of peppermint 1/2 drm., ether 25 drops, tincture of camphor 1 drm.,
tincture of capsicum, 1 drachm; mix, cork and shake. In real cholera give
this all immediately; if the patient throws it up, repeat at once. This is
an excellent prescription in extreme cases when the patient is cramped.

442. FOR HYSTERIC FITS
Take of tincture assafoetida 2 drms., aromatic spirits of ammonia 2 drms.,
camphor water 7 ozs., mix and cork; give two tablespoonsful every three or
four hours.

443. ANTI-ASTHMATIC MIXTURE
Take of mixture of ammoniacum 4 oz., syrup of squill 3 drms., antimonial
wine 60 drops, wine 1/2 oz., mix and cork. Give two tablespoonsful often,
or when either the cough or shortness of breath is troublesome.

444. ANTI-RHEUMATIC MIXTURE
Take of ammoniated tinc. of quack 1/2 oz., honey 1/2 oz., camphor water 6
oz., mix and cork. Take two tablespoonsful three or four times a day in
chronic rheumatism; rub well the affected part with anti-rheumatic
liniment.

445. ANTI-RHEUMATIC LINIMENT
Take of tinc. of opium 2 oz., tine of belladonna 2 oz., powdered camphor 2
oz., oil of turpentine 2 oz., oil of sassafras 2 oz., oil of origanum 2
oz., and tinc. of capsicum 1 pint; mix all together.

446. DIURETIC MIXTURE
Take of peppermint water 5 oz., wine 6 drachms, sweet spirits of nitre 1/2
oz.; mix. Two tablespoonsful to be taken three times a-day in obstruction
of urinary passages.

447. SWEATING MIXTURE
Take of acetated liquor of ammonia 3 oz., ipecacuanha 10 gr., tincture of
oil of peppermint 15 drops, distilled water 5 oz.; mix. Three
tablespoonsful to be taken every two hours, until it produces the desired
effects.

448. FOR CRAMP IN THE STOMACH
Take of ether 2 drms, white sugar 1 1/2 drms., tinc. of opium 60 drops,
cinnamon water 2 oz.; mix. Give a teaspoonful every hour in cramp of the
stomach.

449. FOR HOOPING COUGH
Take of tinc. of assafoetida 1 drm, ipecacuanha 10 gr., tinc. of opium 10
drops, distilled water 2 ozs.; mix. Give to a child two years old a
teaspoonful every four hours, increasing ten drops for every additional
year.

450. FOR WINTER COUGH, &c
Take of powered extract of liquorice 2 drms, gum acacia 2 drms, hot water
4 oz.; mix. Let all dissolve, and add tinc. of opium 40 drops, spirits of
nitric ether 1 drm., wine of antimony 2 drms. Dose, one tablespoonful in
catarrh and common winter cough.

451. TONIC MIXTURE
Take of calomba 2 ozs., tine. of muriate of iron 1 1/2 oz., sulphate of
quinine 20 grs., brandy 6 ozs., water 1 1/2 pint, bruise the calumba and
pour the water on it boiling hot, cover tightly for two hours, then
strain, bottle, and add all the other ingredients, when the quinine is
dissolved it is ready for use. This forms an excellent tonic in cases of
debility. Dose, one tablespoonful three times a-day half an hour before
meals.

452. ANTI-PERIODIC MIXTURE
Take of sulphate of quinine 20 grs., sulphuric acid 1 drop, white sugar 1
drm., cinnamon water 2 1/2,; put the quinine, acid and water into a vial
together, when dissolved add the sugar. Dose, a teaspoonful every hour,
between the paroxysms of intermittent fevers, fever and ague, &c.

453. EMMENAGOGUE MIXTURE
Take of tinc. of aloes 1/2 oz., tinc. of chloride of iron 1/2 drm., tinc.
of valerian 1/2 oz.; mix. Take a teaspoonful in chamomile tea two or three
times a-day in cases of amenorrhoea.

454. ANTI-GOUT MIXTURE
Take of ammoniated tinc. of guaiac 6 drms., camphor water 6 ozs., tinc. of
rhubarb 1/2 oz., and honey 1/2 oz.; mix, by rubbing the honey and the
guaiac up in a glass mortar, and then add the other articles by degrees.
Give two tablespoonsful every four or six hours, and rub with the
anti-rheumatic liniment.

455. ANTI-GONORRHOEAL MIXTURE
Take of copaibe 1/2 oz., spirts of nitric ether 1/2 oz., powdered acacia 1
drm., powered white sugar 1 drm., compound spts. of lavender 2 drms.,
tinc. of opium 1 drm., distilled water 4 oz.; mix. Dose, a tablespoonful
three times a-day. Shake before using.

456. ANOTHER
Take of copaibe 1 oz., sweet spirits of nitre 1 oz., gum acacia powdered
white sugar 1 drm., peppermint water 4 oz.; mix, and let all dissolve.
Dose, a tablespoonful three times a-day. Shake before using.

457. ASTRINGENT EYE-WATER
Take of solution of acetate of lead 12 drops, wine of opium 11 drops, rose
water 4 ozs.; mix, and let dissolve. This should be applied with a linen
rag four or five times a-day.

458. EYE-WATER
Take of distilled vinegar 1 oz., diluted spirits of wine 1/2 oz., rose
water 8 ozs., mix. An excellent application to weak eyes after depletion.

459. ALUM EYE-WATER
Take of rose water 2 ozs., distilled water 2 oz., and alum 1 scruple; mix
and let dissolve. Excellent in chronic inflamations.

460. GARGLE OF BORAX
Take of borax 1 drm., tinc. of myrrh 1/2 oz., clarified honey 1 oz., rose
or distilled water, 4 oz.; mix. To be used as a gargle or mouth wash in
sore mouth or affection of the gums. Omit the myrrh and water, and there
is nothing better for the thrush in children; clean rain water answers
about the same purpose, in all cases, as distilled water.

461. GARGLE FOR SORE THROAT
Take of sulphate of quinine 15 grains, sulphate of copper 16 grains,
aramotic sulphuric acid 1 drm., water 8 ozs.; mix and dissolve. To be used
frequently in chronic and obstinate sore throats.

462. OINTMENT FOR PILES
Take of lard 1 oz., solution of subacetate of lead 25 drops, tinc. of
opium 1 drm.; mix well. Anoint the parts twice a day.

463. OINTMENT FOR ITCH
Take of sublimed sulphur 2 ozs., lard 4 ozs., oil of lavender 1 drm. Make
into an ointment. To be rubbed on the parts affected every night, till the
eruption disappears. The internal use of sulphur will, in all cases,
assist its external application.

464. BLISTERING OINTMENT
Take of lard 32 parts, oil of almonds 2 parts, strong liquor of ammonia 17
parts; melt the lard, add the oil, then the ammonia, must be strong, and
keep the contents of the bottle well mixed by shaking them until cold.
This will blister in half an hour.

465. IODINE OINTMENT
Take of iodine 3 grs., lard 2 drms.; make into an ointment; applied to
scrofulous swellings when the skin is unbroken. It is the only cure for
what is popularly termed thick neck.

466. OINTMENT OF IODINE OF ZINC
Take of iodide of zinc 1 drm., lard 1 oz.; make onto an ointment. A drm.
to be rubbed on twice a day in tumors.

467. OINTMENT FOR CHILBLAINS
Take of lard 7 1/2 drms., creosote 10 drops, solution of subacetate of
lead 10 drops, watery extract of opium 1 grain; mix. Apply to the affected
parts.

468. OINTMENT FOR DISEASES OF THE SKIN
Take of citrine ointment 1 1/2 drm., sublimed sulphur 1 drm., lard 3 ozs.;
make an ointment. This is a good application for almost all affections of
the skin.

469. EMOLLIENT OINTMENT
Take of palm oil 2 lbs., olive oil 1 pint, turpentine 4 oz., red beeswax 6
ozs.; melt the wax in the oils, and then add the turpentine and strain the
ointment. This is a most excellent application for inflamed parts, &c.

470. POKE ROOT OINTMENT
Take of poke root 3 ozs., lard 1 lb., boil for a quarter of an hour and
strain. This ointment has quite a reputation in Virginia, with the old
ladies, for all kinds of old sores and ulcers, and it is an excellent
application to indolent and purulent ulcers and sores.

471. OINTMENT FOR HYDROCEPHALUS
Take of iodide of mercury 2 parts, iodide of potassium 3 parts, camphor 2
parts, lard 32 parts; mix and keep well corked. To be rubbed on the head
in hydrocephalus or water on the brain in doses of half a drachm to a
drachm.

472. LINAMENT FOR BURNS
Take of olive oil 1 oz., linseed oil 1 oz., lime water 1 oz.; mix well.
This forms an excellent application for recent scalds and burns

473. VOLATILE LINAMENT
Take of olive oil 1 oz., aqua ammonia 1 oz.; mix. To be applied to bruses,
rheumatic parts, &c., and to the neck in inflammation of the throat.

474. ALKALINE CATAPLASM
Take of lye, rather weak, warm it and stir in of slippery elm bark or
flaxseed, or meal sufficient to form a poultice. This is a most excellent
poultice, and should be used more than it is. It is useful in inflammation
of the breast and other parts, felons, wounds, fistula, &c.

475. ANODYNE FOMENTATION
Take of laudanum 4 ozs., water 1 pint; mix. For painful affections of the
joints, as chronic rheumatism, &c., hops dipped in hot vinegar will answer
as well.

476. COMMON CLYSTER
Take of flaxseed tea or cornmeal gruel, from one to two pints, sweet oil 2
or 3 ounces, common salt one teaspoonful, brown sugar two tablespoonsful;
mix.

477. ANODYNE CLYSTER
Take of a solution of starch in water, of jelly, or water half a pint,
laudanum forty drops; mix. The whole to be injected in cases of dysentery,
violent purging and pain in the bowels.

478. INJECTION FOR LEUCORRHOEA
Take of sulphate of zinc 10 grs., tinc. of opium 1/2 drm., rose water 4
oz.; mix and dissolve. To be injected several times a day.

479 ANOTHER
Take of alum 10 grs., rose water 4 oz.; mix and dissolve. To be used
frequently.

480. ESSENCE OF BEEF
Take of lean beef sliced 1 lb., put it into a bottle or jar closely
corked; place this in a vessel of cold water and boil for an hour or more;
then decant and skim the liquid. Chicken tea may be made in the same way.
For more nourishing and palatable than beef tea, season it to suit the
taste.

481. IMPERIAL DRINK
Take of cream of tartar one drm., the outer rind of fresh lemon or orange
peel half a drm., loaf sugar one ounce, boiling water two pints. When they
have stood in a pitcher about ten minutes, strain off the liquor. This
makes a beautiful cooling drink, and is an excellent article in fevers.

482. RINGWORM LOTION
Take of sublimate of mercury, 5 grains; spirits of wine, 2 oz.; tinc. of
musk, 1 drachm; rose water, 6 oz.; mix well, and rub well in.

483. WHISKERS AND MOUSTACHES
The best method of promoting the growth of whiskers and moustaches, is to
shave the parts frequently, and use as a stimulant the ashes of burned
tobacco macerated in bay water.

484 COUGH SYRUP
Take of hoarhound, 1 quart; water 1 quart; mix and boil down to a pint;
then add two or three sticks of liquorice and a tablespoonful of essence
of lemon; dose, a tablespoonful three times a day, or as often as the
cough is troublesome.

485. BLACK SALVE
Take of sweet oil 1 oz., linseed oil 1 oz., pulverized red lead 1 oz.; put
all into an iron dish over a moderate fire, constantly stirring until you
can draw your finger over a drop of it on a board, when a little cool,
without sticking; when it is done, spread on a cloth and apply as other
slaves.

486. SEIDLITZ POWDERS
Take of rochelle salts, 2 drachms; bicarbonate of soda, 2 scruples; put
these into a blue paper, and put 35 grains of tartaric acid into a white
paper. To use, put each into different tumblers, half fill each with
water, and put a little loaf sugar in with the acid, then pour them
together and drink; this makes a very pleasant cathartic. Effervescing
draught is made by leaving out the rochelle salts.

487. CAMPHOR ICE.
Take of spermaceti, 1 1/2 oz.; gum camphor, 3/4 oz.; oil of sweet almonds,
4 teaspoonsful; mix, and apply heat just enough to melt all together.
Whilst warm, pour into small moulds, then paper, and put up in tin-foil.
This, for chaps on hands or lips, cannot be equalled.

488. FOR SALT RHEUM
Take a quantity of the pokeweed, any time in summer, pound it, press out
the juice, strain it into a pewter dish, and set it in the sun until it
acquires the consistency of salve; then put it into an earthen mug, add to
it water and beeswax sufficient to make an ointment of common consistency.
Simmer the whole over a fire till thoroughly mixed; when cold, it is ready
for use. To be rubbed on the part affected. The most obstinate cases have
yielded to this in three or four months. Try it.

489. ARTIFICIAL SKIN
Dissolve gun cotton in sulphuric ether, and thicken it with gum mucilage.
This article touched upon a cut or bruise, forms, immediately, an
artificial skin, which cannot be washed off. It is very useful as it
obviates the necessity of finger cots or bandages. It is excellent for
sore nipples.

490. HAIR RESTORATIVE
Take of sugar of lead, 1 oz.; lack sulphur, 1 oz.; essence of bergamot,
1/2.; bay rum, 1 gill; alcohol, 1 gill; and half a teaspoonful of salt;
dissolve, first, the sugar of lead and sulphur in the alcohol, then the
other ingredients; and add the whole to a gallon of warm soft water, then
bottle it tightly, and it is fit for use. To be applied several times a
day. This is a most excellent article, give it a trail.

491. TO REMOVE WARTS AND CORNS
This is very often done by means of nitrate of silver, or some of the
mineral acids; but the best caustic for this purpose is that recommended
for cancer in the skin.

492. CANCER IN THE SKIN
No one but an impostor will presume to cure a true cancer, containing the
cancer cell, and situated in the muscles. Many times hard tumors, not
containing the cancer cell, are called cancers, and are removed by
different methods, which is very easily accomplished, without a danger of
their returning; by which means base quacks become lauded by the
illiterate, for their superior skill in banishing this dreadful malady,
and the orphan, and finally, in consequence thereof, plunge themselves
headlong over yonder precipice of eternal misery. Cancer which are
situated in the skin, and are sometimes called spider cancers, &c., may be
cured by the following caustic: take of sulphate of iron, 1 part; and
acetate of lead, 1 part; pulverize each separately, as fine as possible,
and mix well together; then, by means of a probe or knitting-needle, touch
the cancer with it every morning for three or four times, and you will be
able to draw it all out; after which apply adhesive straps that it may
heal. It is used in the same way to destroy corns and warts. In the case
of cancer, physic well before applying it.

493. FOR WORMS
Give a child one year old 15 drops of spirits of turpentine on sugar,
fasting, for three mornings in succession; follow the last dose with a
good dose of castor oil; this forms an excellent vermifuge. The dose of
spirits of turpentine for a child two years old is 20 drops, three years
old 25 drops, four years old 30 drops, &c.

494. SPASMODIC CROUP
Genuine croup is indeed of very rare occurrence, and is a fearfully
dangerous disease, the only chances are to call in a physician at once. In
genuine croup, the child seems to have a cold and is hoarse for a few days
previous to the attack; but the fit generally comes on suddenly in
spasmodic croup, which may be treated as follows. During the fit put the
child in a warm bath, apply hot water to the throat, allow fresh air, and
sprinkle the face and chest with cold water.

495. FOR FLATULENCY
Make a tea of the seeds of anise, caraway, and coriander, and drink freely
of it.

496. FOR HICCOUGH
Take five drops of oil of anise on sugar when they commence to be
troublesome.

497. FOR HEARTBURN
This is a very disagreeable sensation, but may be banished by taking a
teaspoonful of carbonate of soda dissolved in half a tumbler full of
sweetened water.

498. ERYSIPELAS
This when very bad needs the attendance of a physician; when not so bad,
paint the inflamed part over with white lead, mixed with paint oil, it is
an excellent remedy.

499. FOR FELON
Poultice well with flaxseed meal until matter begins to form, then at once
have it well laid open with a lance, continue the poultice for some time
afterwards.

500. HAIR RESTORATIVE
Take of black mustard seed 1/2 oz., red pepper 15 grains, blood root 1/2
oz., cantharides 15 grains, castile soap 1/2 oz., alcohol one quart; mix
all together in a bottle, let stand for a week, occasionally shaking.
Perfume with oil of bergamot, and apply three or four times a day.

501. TO KILL RATS AND MICE WITHOUT POISON
Slice up a quantity of corks, grease, and scent them with oil of anise;
throw them in the way of the rats and mice; they will eat, but cannot
digest them; the result is they will die.

502. EYE WATER
One part of good brandy, to six of clean rain or distilled water, makes an
admirable eye water for most cases of sore eyes.

503. FOR CHRONIC GOUT AND RHEUMATISM
Take of bicarbonate of potash 1/2 drachm, tincture of orange 2 drachms,
compound decoction of aloes 8 oz., mix. Dose, a wine glass full whenever
the fit is expected. This is Sir A. Cooper's prescription.

504. FOR SICKNESS AND VOMITING
Take of creosote 16 drops, acetic acid 16 drops, compound spirit of
juniper 1 oz., syrup 1 oz., water 14 oz.; mix the creosote with the acid,
add gradually the water, and lastly the syrup and spirit. Dose from two to
four tablespoonsful.

505. LAXATIVE PILL
Take of powdered aloes 1 drachm, gamboge 10 grains, Castile soap and water
sufficient to make a pill mass; mix and divide into 34 pills. Dose, one
two, or three, to be given when necessary, for torpid bowels.

506. FOR HEADACHE
In case of a severe attack of headache the best remedy is, generally, to
take a good strong physic of salts and senna. If this does not relieve it,
or where the person is very frequently troubled with headache, apply a
blister to the back of the neck, you will find it an excellent remedy.

507. ANTIDOTES FOR POISONS
The antidotes for poisoning with the strong mineral acids, such as nitric,
muriatic, sulphuric, or oxalic acids are magnesia, chalk, whiting, in milk
or water; mucilaginous or soapy liquids. When sulphuric acid has been
taken, use very little water if any. Irritate the throat with a feather to
produce vomiting.
The antidote for poisoning with corrosive sublimate or any other
preparation of mercury, is albumen, as whites of eggs, in large quantity,
flour and water, and milk. The whites of eggs are best.

The antidotes for poisoning by opium, or any of its preparations, as
morphia, laudanum, &c., are the stomach pump if it can be had; emetic of
tartar emetic, 2 to 5 grains, or sulphate of zinc, 15 to 30 grains, or
sulphate of copper, 12 to 15 grs., for an adult. The sulphates of zinc or
copper are best, because they act quicker. External excitation, keep in
motion, mechanical excitement of respiration, cold effusion to the head
and face, feet in hot water, electro-magnetism, internal stimulants, as
bicarbonate of ammonia, 5 to 25 grains in water, carbonate of ammonia, 5
to 15 grains, in water, coffee and vegetable acids. Some propose as an
antidote for every case of poisoning, half a pint of bland oil, as sweet
oil, fresh butter melted to oil, &c., to be drank at once, for an adult.

508. TREATMENT OF DROWNING
If respiration has ceased when the body is taken out of the water, it
should instantly be commenced artificially, by putting a pipe into one
nostril, and closing the mouth and the other nostril, and very gently
blowing through it about 15 times in a minute; but it is a better plan to
use a small pair of bellows, putting its muzzle into the nostril, at the
same time the body should be wiped dry, and be assiduously rubbed with hot
cloths; hot bricks and bottles of hot water should be put into the armpit,
between the thighs, and to the feet; the head should be raised, the
nostrils irritated with a feather, or the fumes of hartshorn, and a warm
injection of turpentine, made as follows, may be thrown up - oil of
turpentine, 3 drachms; gruel, 1/2 pint; and the yolk of 1 egg. Incorporate
the turpentine with the egg, then add the gruel. Galvanism should be
resorted to, if respiration is not quickly restored. As soon as the
patient can swallow, he should have some weak wine and water; and soon
afterwards an emetic of a large tablespoonful of mustard, mixed with 6
ozs. of water, to clear the stomach of the water which he has swallowed,
and to restore the circulation by the impetus of vomiting. After some
hours he will suffer from severe headache and fever, which must be
relieved by bleeding, purgatives, &c., which will be attended to by a
physician, who will be present by this time. A case is related in which
life was restored by the most persevering friction, which was kept up for
eight hours before the humanity of the surgeon, Dr. Douglass, of Havre,
was rewarded by a return of respiration.

509. GOOD SAMARITAN OR PAIN-KILLER
Take of 95 percent alcohol 2 quarts, and add to it the following articles:
oils of sarsafras and hemlock, spirits of turpentine, balsam of fir,
chloriform, tincture of catechu and guaiacum, of each 1 oz., oil of
origanum 2 oz., oil of wintergreen 1/2 oz., and gum of camphor, 1/2 oz.
Let it all be well incorporated and you have the most excellent pain
killer that was ever made. It is good for rheumatism, headache, neuralgia,
cuts, sprains, burns, bruises, spinal affections, ear-ache, tooth-ache,
sore throat, &c. This is used internally and externally, the dose
internally is 10 drops; take on sugar.
***