HEALTH.
Its Value, Conditions, Preservation and Restoration.
Health consists in the vigorous and normal or constitutional action of all the physical organs and functions. Life consists in precisely the same action: in proportion to the vigor of this action is the amount of both health and life, but in proportion as the physical functions are enfeebled or diseased, is health enfeebled and life diminished. But in proportion as we improve our health do we thereby increase life itself. Viewed in any and every aspect, health is life and life is health. By as much therefore as life is valuable should health be preserved if good and restored if feeble.
Health is the great seasoner or relish of all our blessings; nor is it possible to enjoy the latter except by means of the former: without health what can we be? What can we do?—What can we enjoy? For other things being equal, our capabilities of accomplishing and enjoying are proportioned to our health and diminished by disease. If we possessed all the wealth, and all the honors, and all the blessings mortals can possess, we could enjoy them only in proportion as we had health, and their value would be diminished just in proportion to its decline. Suppose we were sick and our appetite thereby destroyed, the richest food and most delicious fruits, instead of rendering us happy would nauseate us. How different if we were healthy. How a good appetite, the produce of health, would enjoy them. Well might the glutted alderman offer a ragged boy a guinea for his appetite for breakfast. The rich invalid is poor, but he who is healthy is rich, because his fund of life and his capacities for enjoyment are proportionally great. Reader, if brought to the brink of the grave, your last hour come, what would you give? What that you possessed would you not give for another year of life and its pleasures? Astor’s thirty millions would be cheap. To impair health in obtaining any amount of earthly goods is a dear exchange, since then to preserve or regain health is to preserve, prolong or regain life itself, and to impair the former is to destroy the latter and its pleasures, as well as hasten death; and since the value of life so infinitely surpasses that of all other earthly blessings, what consummate folly to trifle with health on any account. Then how much more foolish and even wicked virtually to throw it away for nothing, in our eager pursuit of those trifling objects, wealth, honors, and the like, which mainly engrosses mankind? What, sacrifice life upon the altar of mammon? For be it remembered, that no human being can impair his health at any period of his life, without proportionally shortening his days; without being brought to a strict account at the close of life, and he compelled to end it as much sooner than he otherwise would, as he has injured his health during his whole lifetime. Let me urge upon you the infinite importance of preserving your health. This effectually done, millions of money bestowed on each reader could not equally benefit you, because of the incomparable greater value of health than money. Let your own experience testify. Which of you has not, some time or some how, induced debility or pain in one portion of your system or another, which will cripple you for life. A foolish ambition breaks down the constitution of an incalculable number of our youths, unwilling to be outdone they will work at the top of their strength as long as they can stand, perhaps over heat themselves, or in a single day or week bring on some complaint which debilitates them for life, and carries them to a premature grave. An ambitious youth wishing to show his employers what a great day’s work he could do, shovelled till he lamed his side, so that for fifteen years he has been a partial invalid, cannot do any kind of work, nor more than half the amount he formerly did, besides working in almost perpetual pain. Nor is this the half; whatever enfeebles the health enfeebles the mind by weakening and disordering the brain. So perfectly are body and brain inter related, that all the conditions of either react upon each other; whatever augments the health, strengthens the body and thereby invigorates both the brain and the mind. What is the true value of the mind? How much could you afford to give for double the amount you now possess? Neither money nor any thing else can measure its value. To improve our minds is the most effectual mode possible of augmenting all the capabilities, all the pleasure, all the virtue of this life, and ripening for another, and hence should be the paramount business of our whole lives. Health allows you to be always on hand for business, from which sickness takes you and compels you to entrust its management to others, always disastrous, or cuts off your wages if a laborer, creates large doctors, nurses and a host of other incidental bills, and occasions a great variety of pecuniary losses. So measurably if any member of your family is sick, especially a wife. How many, reader, if they and their families had always been well, would have been rich who are now poor? Considered which ever way you will, to preserve the health if it be good, and if poor to regain and then preserve, should be the paramount business of life, should take precedence over all others, and be our first great concern. Come then readers one and all and let us make it our permanent business to preserve and augment our health; let us allow ourselves to do nothing that shall impair it; let us make and take time to do every thing in our power to invigorate it.
HOW TO PROLONG LIFE.
The following should be carefully perused especially by the young. Are there any among you my young friends, who desire to preserve your health and cheerfulness through life, and at length arrive at a good old age? If so listen to what I am about to tell you.
A considerable time ago I read in one of the newspapers of the day, that a man had died near London at the advanced age of 110 years, that he had never been ill, and that he had maintained through life, a cheerful, happy temperament. I wrote immediately to London to know if in the man’s treatment of himself there had been any peculiarity which had rendered his life lengthened and so happy, and the answer I received was as follows:
“He was unusually kind and obliging to every body; he quarreled with no one; he ate and drank merely that he might not suffer from hunger or thirst and never beyond what necessity required; from his earliest youth he never allowed himself to be unemployed; these were the only means he used.”
I took a note of this in a little book where I generally write all that I am anxious to remember, and very soon afterwards I observed in another paper that a woman had died near Stockholm at 115 years of age; that she never was ill, and was always of a contented disposition. I immediately wrote to Stockholm to learn what means the old woman had used for preserving her health, and now read the answer:
“She always had a great love of cleanliness, and in the daily habit of washing her face, hands and feet in cold water, and as often as opportunity offered she bathed in the same.—She never ate or drank any delicacies or sweet-meats, seldom coffee, seldom tea, and never wine.”
Of these likewise I took a note in my little book. Sometime after this I read that near St. Petersburg, a man died who had enjoyed good health until he was 120 years old. Again I took my pen and wrote to St. Petersburg, and here is the answer:
“He was an early riser, and never slept beyond seven hours at a time; he never was idle; he employed himself chiefly in the open air, and particularly in his garden; whether he walked or sat in his chair he never permitted himself to sit awry or in a bent posture, but was always perfectly straight. The luxurious and effeminate habits of citizens he held in contempt.”
After having read all this from my little book I said to myself: “you will be a foolish man indeed not to profit by the example and experience of these old people.” I then wrote out all that I had been able to discover about these happy old people upon a card, which I suspended over my writing desk, so that I might always have it before my eyes to remind me what to do, and from what I should refrain. Every morning and evening I read over the contents of my card and obliged myself to conform to its rules.
And now my dear young readers, I can assure you on the word of an honest man, that I am much happier and in better health than I used to be. Formerly I had the headache every day and now I suffer scarcely once in three or four months. Before I began these rules I hardly dare to venture out in the rain or snow without catching cold. In former times a walk of half an hour’s length fatigued and exhausted me, now I walk miles without weariness. Imagine then the happiness I experience, for there are few feelings so cheering to the spirits as those of constant good health and vigor. But, alas! there is something in which I cannot imitate these happy old people, and that is I have not been accustomed to all this from my youth. Oh! that I were young again that I might imitate them in all things; that I might be happy and long-lived as they were.
Little children who read this, you are the fortunate ones who are able to adopt in perfection this kind of life. What then prevents your living henceforward as healthful and happily as the old woman of Stockholm or as long and useful as the old men of London and St. Petersburg.
LIQUID OPODELDOC.
Take ½ pint 95 per cent. alcohol, 1 ounce camphor, ½ pint turpentine; dissolve the camphor in the alcohol; then add the turpentine. For rheumatism, head ache, sore throat, old strains, swellings, cramps, numbness, stiffness, weakness, pains in the joints, corns, slight burns, frost bitten feet, &c.
Directions for Use.
Rub it well on the part affected with your hand or a piece of muslin, night and morning, and if convenient, at noon. In obstinate cases avoid as much as possible exposure to a damp atmosphere, to the extremes of heat and cold. Keep the feet dry and comfortable, and be temperate in eating and drinking. For corns, lay a piece of flannel on them and moisten occasionally with the opodeldoc, avoid tight shoes. Travellers and families ought always to keep a bottle by them; it only requires a trial to prove its efficacy; keep the bottle closely stopped. In some cases of rheumatism and other affections, if a piece of flannel be worn over the part, relief will be obtained sooner.
Dr. WICKEY’S CHOLERA MEDICINE.
- Take 2 ounces Formentilla,
- “ 2 “ Devil Bit,
- “ 2 “ Bimbornella,
- “ 2 “ Bistorda,
- “ 2 “ Angelica,
- “ 2 “ Gentiana,
- “ 2 “ Zedary,
- “ 2 “ Valerian,
- “ 2 “ Elecampane,
- “ 2 “ Calamos,
- “ 2 “ Rue or other bitter herb.
Pulverize these as fine as possible, put them into one gallon of French brandy of the best quality, or best fourth-proof old rye whiskey; brandy is best—put the whole into a bottle or jar—a bottle is best if one can be had large enough at the top, which must be closed; then place the bottle or jar in the sand, which should be at least two inches deep at the bottom of the kettle or crock; fill in sand to come above the drugs when settled, and put under it a slow fire, so as to keep it warm but not to boil. Let it digest for fourteen days and filter the whole of it through fine flannel several times, so as to separate the drugs well; then put in each gallon 2 ounces spirits of camphor and 2 ounces spirits saffron, when it will be ready for use.
Directions for Use.
For preventing cholera: first take one tablespoonful in the morning, fasting on cold water, one at noon, and one at night. Second, for an attack or symptoms take from 2 to 3 tablespoonsful every 5, 10 or 15 minutes, as the case may require, until relieved, when the doses may be lessened, or not so often. Let the patient go to bed and keep warm and quiet as possible until relieved. Third, for the third stage or relapse, vomiting and pain in the stomach, take from 2 to 4 tablespoonsful every 5 or 10 minutes, as the case may be, until relieved or thrown into a sweat; cover up warm, and if cold apply plenty of hot bricks or bottles with hot water in, to the feet, hands, body, &c. mustard plaster on the stomach, rubbing with the hand, some stimulant, as not a moment’s time should be lost when the cold chill comes on. Fourth stage or relapse, attended with cold sweats and rice water discharges, take large doses every 3 or 5 minutes; continue until the patient becomes warm and easier. No time should be lost at this stage of the disease. Apply hot bricks, bottles, &c. as before directed; when relieved the doses may be less and not so often—say from ½ hour to 6 hours; continue 3 or 4 days as the case may require, and do not fail to keep the patient warm, &c.
For bilious or cramp colic, cholera morbus, flux, bilious fever, &c. administer doses as above. Let the patient go to bed and keep as quiet as possible until relieved. In severe cases of cholera morbus, a mustard plaster should be placed over the stomach, which must be kept on as long as it can be borne. Travellers and families should not be without this medicine, as it as considered by all who have used it to be the safest and surest remedy for the above disease ever introduced. Take a friend’s advice and never be without this remedy, as it was never known to fail in curing what it is recommended to do. Give it a fair trial, and its efficacy will soon be seen. By strictly obeying the directions it is perfectly safe and harmless; it is also good in sick stomachs, &c.
This medicine, when persevered in according to directions, will effectually cure cholera in all its stages, and all that it is recommended to do, which can be attested by certificates from many persons. By adding the tincture of cayenne you will find this medicine effectual in cramp colic; add the tincture until as strong as it can be taken.
To be more plain and simple,—in making of the cholera medicine, if in the summer you can set the bottle or jar in the sun, which should be when the sun is very warm, letting it remain some 3 or 4 weeks—the longer you distil, the better the medicine. If in the winter season, you can place your crock on the top of the stove, keeping the fire regular, so as not to boil—if you distil until reduced one-third, it will be much stronger and better.
CERTAIN REMEDY FOR RHEUMATISM.
Take of sarsaparilla root, coltsfoot root, or wild ginger root, sassafras root, dogwood root, yellow poplar root, prickley ash root, spicewood root, one handful of each, when dried, as much as you can hold in one hand; cut the bark off of the roots and pulverize as fine as you can, except the sarsaparilla, which must be cut in very small pieces; then put the whole in one gallon of best fourth-proof old rye whiskey, and let it stand for 1 or 2 weeks; but should you wish to use immediately, set the vessel containing the ingredients on the stove, and keep just warm for 2 or 3 days, when it will be fit for use.
Directions for Use.
Take from 1 to 3 tablespoonsful 3 times a day, one hour before meals. It may be taken 5 or 6 times a day provided it does not affect the nerves too much. It is perfectly safe and has cured more cases of rheumatism than any other remedy introduced.
I will cite one or two cases where it effected complete cures: Mr. Joshua Deer, who had been in a most helpless condition for a long time, and had tried many other remedies in vain, was cured in five days after he commenced using it, so as to be able to take a ride on horseback, which can be certified by a number of persons living in the neighborhood. Any one doubting the above, can have it proven to their satisfaction by addressing Ezra Deer, or Henry Gross, who was cured by it in less time.
Let it be understood that there never was a preparation that would cure all cases: no, not one-fourth, therefore I have given a number of preparations, so that if one fail, others may prove efficacious, though the above remedy occupies the head of the list in our own estimation. Never give up any one remedy until you have given it a fair trial. “He that holds out faithfully shall be saved.”
This medicine can be distilled the same as the cholera medicine, bottled up and kept for years. Mr. Joshua Deer, was cured with the distilled. Henry Gross and others used it in liquor. You must keep from labor and exposure, while using the above and be careful not to eat any thing greasy, or that which will not agree with you.
FOR RHEUMATISM.
Take 1 ounce of saltpetre, 1 quart of ale—if ale cannot be had take whiskey or water—dissolve the saltpetre in the ale.
Directions for Use.
Take 1 wine glassful before breakfast, 1 before dinner, 1 before going to bed, and continue until relieved. Should the second quart do no good, stop taking it. You must keep from labor and exposure while using the above. Mr. Dill was cured by this remedy, who had suffered for more than a year constantly.
FOR RHEUMATISM.
Take 1 ounce of sulphur, 1¼ ounces of saltpetre, ½ ounce of gum guscomb, 2 nutmegs, the whole to be finely pulverized, to which add 12 ounces of molasses.
Directions for Use.
Take 1 tea spoonful every night before going to bed, but if it should act too free on the bowels, the quantity must be diminished.
LINIMENT FOR RHEUMATISM.
Take 1 ounce of spirits of camphor, 1 ounce turpentine, 1 ounce sweet oil, 1 drachm oil of juniper, 1 drachm carbonate of hartshorn, mix these perfectly, and apply three times a day, rubbing it in by the stove or fire with the palm of the hand for 15 minutes.
LINIMENT FOR RHEUMATISM
Take 2 ounces of saltpetre, 2 ounces spirits of hartshorn, 8 ounces of sweet oil. Pulverize the saltpetre as fine as possible, and mix with the spirits of hartshorn, letting it dissolve, then add the sweet oil. Bathe and rub in with the palm of the hand for 15 minutes, at the fire or stove, wrap with flannel if possible. If not strong enough you may add hartshorn, if too strong add sweet oil. This is considered the best liniment ever introduced for the purpose. Use freely.
LINIMENT FOR RHEUMATISM OR NEURALGIA.
Take 8 cayenne pepper pods, and 1 pint of whiskey, boil over a fire until it is reduced to one-half the quantity, when it will be ready for use. Bathe the parts affected with the liniment three times a day. This liniment has often relieved where other remedies have failed.
NERVE AND BONE LINIMENT.
For Swellings, Bruises, Chapped Hands, Frosted Feet, Rheumatism, Cuts, Burns, Mosquito Bites, Stings, Pains in the Limbs, Back, Chest, &c. Take 1 ounce spirits of hartshorn, 1 ounce spirits camphor, 1 ounce saltpetre, 1 tea spoonful sweet oil, 2 teaspoonsful laudanum; put all into a bottle, shake and mix well and it is ready for use. Bathe in at a fire 3 tablespoonsful 3 times a day, rubbing with the hand for 15 minutes. Put the liniment into a bottle, and keep it corked tight. Never pour out more than one table spoonful at a time, being careful to keep the bottle corked tight. This liniment is far superior to any other in use, and you can make as much for 10 cents as you generally buy for 50 cents. Try the experiment and see for yourself.
The spirits of camphor is made by mixing 1½ ounces of gum camphor with ½ pint of 95 per cent. alcohol. Put into a bottle and let them dissolve, shake occasionally, after which it will be ready for use.
The spirits of saltpetre is made by taking 2 ounces pulverized saltpetre put into a bottle, then add 2 ounces spirits of hartshorn, and let it remain half a day, shaking frequently, then add scant ½ pint 95 per cent. alcohol, shake and let it dissolve, when it will be fit for use. For rheumatism add more hartshorn, and bathe the parts affected well.
OINTMENT FOR GOUT AND RHEUMATISM.
The chloride of gold made into an ointment with lard is said to speedily relieve the pains of the gout or rheumatism. It stains the skin purple, which can be easily removed by washing it with urine.
FOR RHEUMATISM.
Take 2 balsam apples, put into ½ gallon of good fourth proof whiskey in a jug and let it stand for a week or ten days, shaking occasionally. Dose, one wine glassful three times a day. Keep from exposure while using and eat nothing greasy or that disagrees with the stomach. This has cured where other remedies have failed, and should the first ½ gallon not entirely cure, use the second immediately.
EFFECTUAL CURE FOR RHEUMATISM.
The following receipt, given by an Englishman to a respectable tradesman of Limerick, (Ireland,) who had for a considerable time labored under the most violent rheumatic pains in all his limbs and joints, having been used by him as directed but 5 or 6 times, as he states, eradicated the disease completely. Anxious that so effectual a remedy should be made publicly known we publish the recipe:
Take 1 ounce of sulphur, 1¼ ounces of saltpetre, 1½ ounces gum guscomb, 2 nutmegs; the whole to be finely powdered in a mortar and 12 ounces of molasses. A tea spoonful to be taken every night on going to bed; should it operate too much on the bowels, a smaller quantity is to be taken.
PLASTER FOR RHEUMATISM.
Or Pains in the Back, &c. It is said to be a certain cure. Take 1 pound of rosin and melt it over a slow fire, then add ½ pint of tar pouring in slowly, stirring all the time; when it is well mixed pour all into cold water, and work it well with your hands. As soon as it is cool and stiff enough, spread it on a linen rag and apply it to the affected part. The plaster should be a little larger than the pain extends—if you put the plaster on sheep skin it will be better. This is sure to give relief.
TO MAKE HONEY WITHOUT BEES.
Take 8 pounds best brown sugar, 1½ pounds rendered honey, 1 ounce cream of tartar, 4 drops essence of wintergreen, 2 drops essence of peppermint, 2 ounces best molasses, 3 parts of a pint pure cold water, dissolve the cream of tartar, then put all in a tin or bell metal vessel, let boil gently 6 or 8 minutes, stirring and mixing occasionally; then beat up the white of 2 eggs into a foam, and stir them in, and when nearly cool stir in 2 pounds more of bees honey; skim off whatever may rise to the top. If you want it nice and clean, strain it through a coarse cloth as soon as you have the eggs stirred in.—If you strain it put in the 2 lbs. of honey after it is strained. This makes an excellent honey. The addition of the eggs is simply to give it the appearance of having combs in it, but can be left out if you wish. The same honey may be used for the second making.
JUDKIN’S OINTMENT.
Take 1 pound of red lead, ¾ pound rosin, 1 pint linseed oil, 3 tablespoonsful lamp black, 2 ounces British oil, ½ ounce sugar of lead finely pulverized. Boil this over a slow fire one hour, then add 1 pint more of linseed oil, and boil another hour, when done add ½ pint of turpentine while cooling off, stir and mix well, do not put the turpentine in when first taken off the fire. Let it cool 5 minutes, then pour in the turpentine slowly, stirring well. Should it catch on fire while pouring in the turpentine, put a lid or cover over the vessel immediately to smother the fire. There is no danger in making if careful, as it will be easily smothered. Pour out into a new earthen crock, let cool off, and when cool put into a jar or tin box. There is nothing better than this preparation for wounds, fresh or old boils, and cannot be surpassed for scalds, burns, &c.
Directions for Use.
Spread a thin coat of the ointment on a piece of linen rag large enough to cover the scald or burn, which should be renewed twice a day.—Scrape the old ointment off, and the rag may be used again with another coat of fresh ointment. For boils cut a hole in the rag so as to give it room to open and discharge its contents; renew the ointment three times a day. This is considered one of the best ointments of the age. Give it a trial and its effects will soon be felt.
REMEDY FOR THE BITE OF A SNAKE.
Take the spirits of camphor made of whiskey and apply it to the bite, turning the bottle which contains it over the bite and let it remain on until all the poison is drawn out. The bottle used should have a large mouth so that it may cover the wound entirely. Drink freely of the whiskey until you begin to feel its effects. This done in time has never failed.
FOR THE PILES.
Take the kernel of three peach seeds, mash them well, then add hog’s lard or fresh butter, not salted, enough to form a salve and rub this between two butter plates until it becomes of a bluish color, grease with it and take enough rhubarb to keep the bowels open.
CERTAIN CURE FOR CANCER.
Take 1 pint of strong ley and boil down till it forms a salve, then apply every 15 minutes until seven plasters have been applied, and as soon as it begins to bleed stop the applications, then work the core out and grease with hog’s lard to kill it; heal with ointment or some good salve. When the ley has been boiled down, should the substance that remains become hard, work it into a salve. This is also good for the cure of fistula or poll evil in horses.
FOR WHITE SWELLINGS.
Take 1 handful of mullin leaves and ½ pint of old rye whiskey; boil these together and strain, then add 1 gill of turpentine and 2 gills of spirits of camphor. Bathe well until all the swelling and soreness has left, wrap with flannel which should he dampened with the lotion; this is a certain remedy.
TO KEEP CIDER SWEET.
Make the cider as late in the fall as possible from solid apples, without using any water, put away immediately from the press, and lay it in some place where it may remain quiet, let the place be as cool as possible. Fill the barrel up full, take the bung out and leave it out for four days, filling it up occasionally as it settles or works out. Should the cider stop working under 4 days, rack it off carefully from the dregs, which should be done as soon as the cider stops working, then put your cider into a clean sweet barrel—it should be a barrel that has had whiskey or brandy in it—if not, rinse with water until perfectly clean, then sweetened by putting in a small quantity of whiskey. If this cannot be done soak your barrels well so that they may be sweet and clean. After having racked your cider off from the dregs carefully, put in the whites of 6 eggs, battered light, and a scant ½ pint of mustard seed. Bung up and in 5 or 6 weeks rack it off again carefully from the dregs. Cleanse the barrel well and put in the same barrel—½ gallon of old rye whiskey will add considerably to its flavor. If your cider is very sour, add from 3 to 5 lbs. white sugar; to insure its preservation it should be strained through a cloth from the press. By being careful—cider put up in this way will keep for 5 years.
FOR BOILED CIDER.
Make the cider late in the fall, using none but sound apples, not even those with small specks in, without any water. Take it right from the press and put it in a copper kettle; boil it one hour from the time it commences; skim it off as the skum arises as clean as you can; then pour into a clean, sweet whiskey barrel, put into a bag scant ½ pint of mustard seed; let the bag down through the bung hole by a string, making the string fast to the barrel so as it can be drawn out again conveniently. It may be flavored with ground cinnamon or cloves if you fancy the taste. Cider put up in this way will keep a long time and makes an excellent drink, by adding ½ gallon of old rye whiskey it may be kept a number of years. Cider, either from the press or boiled, put into bottles or jugs, corked up tight and sealed over with sealing-wax; it can be kept many years, and makes a delicious drink.
CHERRY BRANDY.
Press out the juice and add 1 gallon of water to 12 gallons of the juice; then dissolve in the juice 1 pound of white sugar to the gallon; boil slowly in a copper kettle, and skim off what rises to the top. Do not boil too long or it will get thick; when the skum stops rising freely pour it into some vessel to cool. Do not allow it to stand in the kettle to cool. When it has become cool put into whatever vessel you wish to keep it in, and add as much old rye whiskey as may suit your taste, say from 1 to 3 gallons. The better the whiskey is the better your brandy will be. Black heart cherries are the best if they can be had. This makes a much better drink than port wine.
BLACK OR DEWBERRY CORDIAL.
For diarrhœa or summer complaint. This is made by adding 1 pound of white sugar to 3 pounds of black or dewberries, allowing them to stand for twelve hours, then pressing out the juice and strain well, adding 1 third part good french brandy and 1 tea spoonful of finely pulverized allspice in every part of the cordial, which is ready for use at once. This cordial cannot be surpassed for children and weak stomachs, &c.
BLACK OR DEWBERRY WINE.
An excellent wine and a valuable medicine for home use. To make a wine equal to port wine, take ripe blackberries, or dewberries are best; press out the juice, let it stand thirty-six hours to ferment, skim off whatever rises to the top, then to every gallon of the juice add one quart of water and 3 pounds of white sugar. Let this stand in open vessels for 24 hours, skim and strain it, then barrel it up until March, when it should be racked off carefully from the dregs, and bottled up for use.
GAS BEER.
For 8 gallon vessel—take three pints of fresh yeast, 3 pints of New Orleans molasses, put into your keg, then add 3 gallons of fresh water, bung up, and shake to mix well. Then take a tin bucket and put in one tea spoonful of ground cinnamon, 1 of ground cloves, 3 tablespoonsful of ground allspice, 1 of ginger, 3 pints of molasses, then pour on it hot water and mix well; let this stand some 10 or 15 minutes, then pour it into the keg and fill up with fresh water, bung up tight; put something over the bung to keep it from working out—use a strong keg for this purpose. This makes an excellent cooling drink in summer. Lay your keg in the sun several hours or until it commences to work.—In cold weather lay your keg close to the fire—in fifteen or twenty hours it will be fit for use.
SILVER TOP DRINK.
Take 1 quart of water, 3 pounds of sugar, 1 tea spoonful of lemon oil; 1 table spoonful of flour, with the white of 5 eggs well beat up, mix the above well together, then divide the syrup and add 4 ounces of carbonate acid in the other, and bottle for use. Pour about a gill out of one bottle into a tumbler and the same quantity out of the other bottle into another glass, add a little water if you choose, pour the two together and drink while effervescing.
BLACK INK.
Take 4 ounces of the extract of log wood, ¼ ounce of bycromate of pot ash, 1 pint boiling water, stir well until all is dissolved—if the ink is not black enough, add a little more of bycromate of pot ash. This preparation will also answer for coloring goods, &c.
RED INK.
Take of spirits of hartshorn 1 pint, pure carmine ½ drachm, put into a bottle and shake well and it is fit for use.
INDELLIBLE INK.
Take of lunar caustic 100 grains, gum arabic 100 grains, make both fine and pour water enough over to dissolve it, put into a phial and stop tightly.
To make the preparation to be used before writing on the linen, take 2 drachms of salts of tartar; 2 drachms gum arabic, dissolve these in 1 ounce of rain water. Before using the ink, wet whatever article you wish to mark with this last preparation and dry with a smooth iron, then wash the gum out and you have the name indellibly fixed.
ANOTHER BLACK INK.
Take 1 pound logwood, 1 gallon soft water, boil it 1 hour and add 25 grains of bycromate of pot ash, 12 grains of prusiate of pot ash, stir a few minutes over the fire, take it off, and when settled strain it.
WASHING FLUID.
Take 1 gallon of soft soap, 4 ounces of sal soda, ½ gallon soft water, and ½ gill of spirits of turpentine, place them all into a pot over a fire and allow the mixture to boil a few minutes, it is then ready for use and can be kept in an earthen or stone vessel. In using this fluid the clothes intended to be washed should be soaked in water 10 or 12 hours, say over night, and then to a 10 or 12 gallon boiler or kettle full of clothes, covered with water, add 1 pint of fluid, boil briskly for fifteen minutes, and then wring them out in fresh water. It will be found that little or no rubbing will be necessary.—This preparation will save a great deal of hard rubbing and labor—it is truly worth trying.
TRANSPARENT SOAP.
Take 3 pounds of best rosin soap, 1 quart of best alcohol, 1 ounce of venice turpentine, 1 ounce of oil of sassafras, or you may use bergamot or the oil of lemon, or cinnamon, either of which will answer. Cut the soap into thin shavings, put into a pan the alcohol and soap, melt over a slow fire so as just to keep from boiling; when all is dissolved let it boil a minute or two, you must be careful not to let the blaze of the fire get to it or it will catch on fire; it is best to put it on a stove where there will be no danger, keep stirring slowly until all is melted, then add your venice turpentine, stirring and mixing for a minute or so, then take your pan off the fire and put in your oil of sassafras immediately, or whatever oil you intend using, the oil of sassafras is however the best. This soap cannot be surpassed for shaving, washing, and is excellent for sore or rough hands. Try it and you will be surprised—the rosin soap used must be clear.
PROF. BIDDLE’S CELEBRATED PREPARATION FOR THE HAIR AND HEAD.
To make 1 quart, take nearly one half a pint of cold pressed castor oil and fill it nearly full of 95 per cent. alcohol, then add ½ ounce of spirits of hartshorn, ½ ounce of tincture of cantharides, 40 drops oil of bergamot, which gives it an elegant perfume—shake well and it is ready for use.
Directions for Use.
Wash your head first with whiskey, then apply the hair oil freely, pour it on the head gently and rub with the hand or stiff brush. For children only use the hair oil. To remove the dandruff, comb the head well with a fine comb, do this every time you use the preparation. This oil should be applied twice a week, which will loosen the dandruff so that it may be easily removed. A great and valuable discovery for the hair and head, two or three applications of which will remove every particle of dandruff, purify the skin and prevent the hair from coming out, giving new life and vigor to every hair on the head, and changing light or sandy hair to a beautiful dark lustre; also curing dizzy or nervous headache. No one should be without this valuable preparation, especially those who are subject to dandruff eruptions of the skin, falling off of the hair, dizzy or nervous headache. If it should make the head tender, only use half the tincture of cantharides. The alcohol must be strictly 95 per cent.—you can add hartshorn if not strong enough, also bergamot for perfume to suit. It is good for tetter on the head. Every ingredient can be had at almost any of the drug stores.
TO RESTORE THE HAIR IN BALDNESS.
Take of cold pressed castor oil 2 ounces, tincture of cantharides ½ ounce, acetic acid ½ ounce, strong water of amonia 1½ ounces, oil of nutmegs ½ drachm, oil of lavender ½ drachm, put this in a bottle, make into a lotion, when it will be ready for use.
Directions for Use.
The head should be perfectly cleaned of all dirt and dandruff, with castile soap and warm water, and the lotion applied freely and rubbed in with a stiff hair brush once a day; in a week or two its good effects will be manifested. This is the best preparation for baldness yet introduced—give it a fair trial and you will not be disappointed. The drugs of this preparation can be had at any of the drug stores.
TOOTHACHE BALSAM.
Take of creosote 1 drachm, oil of cloves 1 drachm, tincture of camphor 2 drachms, oil of petroleum 2 drachms, mix them thoroughly and cork tight for use. A few drops of this mixture on cotton and applied to the nerve of the tooth will relieve the pain.
TOOTH POWDER.
Take of supercarbonate of soda 1 ounce, pulverized orris root ½ an ounce, cream of tartar ½ ounce, oil of roses 10 drops, mix them properly. This may be used with the finger, rag or soft tooth brush.
ANOTHER TOOTH POWDER.
Carbonate of magnesia any quantity, perfumed with the oil of cinnamon or neroli. This is the best tooth powder for children—the teeth should always be cleaned after eating, if you wish to keep the breath sweet.
COLOGNE WATER No. 1.
Take of oil of bergamot 1 ounce, oil of lavender ½ ounce, oil of neroli 1 drachm, oil of roses 15 drops, oil of cloves 30 drops, new milk 1 pint, pure alcohol 1 gallon, digest 1 day and filter through close flannel several times.
COLOGNE WATER No. 2.
Take of oil of bergamot 1 ounce, oil of lemon 1 ounce, oil of lavender 3 ounces, tincture of muck 1 drachm, pure alcohol 7 pints, rose water 1 pint, gum camphor 20 grains, mix and digest 1 day and filter—cork up tight for use.
COLOGNE WATER No. 3.
Take oil of roses 5 drops, oil of bergamot 1 ounce, oil of lemon 1 ounce, oil of lavender 2½ ounces, oil of rosemary ½ ounce, oil of cinnamon 10 drops, pure alcohol 7 pints, new milk 1 pint. Let the mixture stand one day and filter. All preparations of cologne should be kept closely stopped, otherwise they will lose their fine flavor.
TOOTHACHE DROPS.
Take of 95 per cent. alcohol 1 pint, oil of origanum 2 ounces, gum camphor 2 ounces, tartaric acid ½ ounce. Digest 1 day and mix well, when it will be ready for use—cork up tight.—A few drops of this mixture on cotton applied to the nerve, and the gums well rubbed with it will soon relieve the pain. This is harmless and pleasant. If you cannot get any cotton to the nerve, bathe the tooth and gums well with it.
FOR DYSPEPSIA.
Take of 1½ pounds of white mustard seed from 1 tea spoonful to 1 table spoonful, between meals—the whole seeds in cold water.
TO PRESERVE BUTTER No. 1.
Take saltpetre and loaf sugar of an equal proportion and make a liquid. After packing the butter in a jar or sweet keg, pour over enough of the liquid to cover the butter an inch or two. If you should wish to re-pack the butter, pour off the liquid, which if sweet, may be used again when you have done packing.
TO PRESERVE BUTTER No. 2.
Reduce separately to a fine powder, in a dry mortar, 2 pounds of the best common salt, 1 pound of saltpetre and 1 pound of loaf sugar; sift one of them over the other on a sheet of paper, then mix them well together and they are ready for use. 1 ounce of the preparation is enough, to a pound of butter, and if well worked in will preserve it sweet for three years. This is worth giving a trial.
TO PICKEL CUCUMBERS.
Let your cucumbers be small, fresh gathered and free from spots; then make a pickel of salt and water, strong enough to bear up an egg; boil the pickel in a copper kettle if convenient; and skim it well; then pour it upon the cucumbers and tie them down for 24 hours, strain out through a colander and dry off well with a cloth.
Take the best wine or cider vinegar, cloves, mace, nutmegs, pepper and race ginger, boil them together and put the cucumbers in with a little salt, as soon as they begin to turn their color, put them into jars, crocks or tight barrels; when cold tie on a bladder or leather. This is excellent and worthy attention.
SOFT GINGER BREAD.
Four cups of molasses, 2 of butter, 2 of milk, eight eggs, two teaspoonsful of pearlash, ginger, and sufficient flour to make it stiff as pound cake.
TO PRESERVE PEACHES.
Take ripe free stone peaches—pare, stone and quarter them; to six pounds of the cut peaches allow three pounds of the best brown sugar; stew the sugar and peaches together, and set them away in a covered vessel; next morning put them into a preserving kettle and boil it slowly about an hour and three quarters, skimming it well.
TO PRESERVE PLUMBS, &c.
A pound of sugar to a pound of fruit; the sugar should be melted over a fire, moderate enough not to scorch it when melted. It should be skimmed clean and the fruit dropped in to simmer until it is soft. Put them in jars and cover carefully from the air. Glass is much better than earthen for preserves—they are not so apt to ferment.
SOAP TO TAKE GREASE OUT OF CLOTH, SATINS, SILKS, &c.
Take 4 pounds of white bar soap, 1½ pints 95 per cent. alcohol, 1½ ounces of nitric acid, 2 do. of saltpetre, 2 ounces soda, ¾ ounce camphor; cut the bar soap into thin shavings, put all the above ingredients in a crock, then boil over a slow fire, with very little blaze; pulverize your camphor as fine as possible and when all is properly dissolved, which will take 1 hour or so then take the pot off the fire and when cooled add 1½ ounces spirits of amonia, pour in slowly stirring all the time; should it catch on fire smother it with a cover or by throwing a cloth over the pot. Stir while boiling, and scent with ½ ounce of oil of cinnamon. This will remove grease spots from cloth, silks, &c., by taking a tooth brush—dip into water and make a lather with the soap, rub the grease spot well with the brush and lather, then wash it out twice in cold water, rinsing and squeezing the soap out as clean as possible—let it be clean water each time. This will take grease, paint, tar, oil, &c., out of any kind of goods when properly applied. By pouring it in a flat pan you can cut your soap into cakes of any size.
SOAP FOR GREASE, TAR, PAINT, &c.
Take 1 quart 95 per cent. alcohol, 2¾ pounds best home made soap; cut the soap into thin shavings, then put the soap and alcohol into a pan or vessel over a slow fire, and let all dissolve before it boils; when dissolved boil a few minutes, then pour the soap into a pan, and when cooled off cut into cakes. This preparation is excellent for washing dirty clothes and will not require near the labor that the common soap does. For cloth, silks, &c., you may take less soap. It may be used in the same manner directed for the other soap.
REMEDY FOR ITCH No. 1
Take broad dock roots and lard sufficient to form a mixture, boil it until it forms a salve.—Bury the salve in the ground for 24 hours, then grease 2 or 3 times every evening before going to bed, dry in by the stove and shift the clothes. It never fails. Take sulphor of brimstone several days before applying the salve. This plant is not the burdock nor the narrowdock, which it resembles, except that the leaves of the broad dock are broader and the stocks do not grow near so high.
REMEDY FOR ITCH No. 2.
Take 4 ounces of venice turpentine, 4 ounces of red precipitate, 1 pound of unwashed butter. The turpentine must be washed 9 times in fresh spring water, then mix all the ingredients thoroughly. Apply several times of an evening before going to bed and dry in at the stove, after which put on clean clothes. Avoid getting wet while using this salve. Take sulphor and cream of tartar 2 or 3 days before applying.
REMEDY FOR ITCH No. 3.
Take narrow dock and grate it, then add sweet milk or cream and fry them together and grease with it 3 or 4 times every evening, drying in at the stove, then dress with clean clothes. Take ½ tea spoonful of sulphor twice a day several days before and after. This is a certain cure.
PILLS BY DR. W. B. YOUNG.
Take calomel, jalap, aloes and rhubarb, equal portions, mix all together and add a little water at a time, and mix until you cannot see the calomel grains, roll in powdered helebore or epicac. Dose from 1 to 3 pills once a day in the evening. Roll the mixture out in rolls and cut up to make the regular sizes. These are an excellent domestic pill.
FRENCH PATENT OIL VARNISH.
For Boots, Shoes, Harness and Carriages:—Take 1 gallon alcohol, 1¼ pounds gum shellac, 8 ounces of white turpentine, 4 ounces of rosin, 4 ounces of venice turpentine, 4 ounces oil of lavender, 1 ounce lamp black to color with; put the gum shellac and alcohol into a jug and shake, let it stand a day or two to dissolve, then add the other ingredients and shake well until all is dissolved, when it is ready for use. In applying this polish use a sponge or brush, lightly and briskly, and it will make a beautiful polish. It will render leather water proof, but if used regularly a small quantity of oil should be applied occasionally.
COX’S HIVE SYRUP.
Take of bruised squills 10 drachms, seneca snake root 10 drachms; add the squills and snake root to 1 pint of water that has been first boiled, settled and poured off and simmer slowly until you have but half a pint of water, then strain it off and add clarified sugar 1 pound, and simmer until all are well mixed, then add tartar emetic 22 grains, salts of tartar 22 grains, stir and mix properly while the fluid is warm, stop it up tight for use. This syrup is good in coughs, croup or bad colds in children, in 10 or 15 drop doses—no family should do without it one day. If you do not wish to be troubled making it, buy some and always keep it in your house. It is a sure and safe remedy for croup, in which little larger doses should be administered often until it vomits pretty freely—continue with the syrup until the tightness is broken, then use occasionally, not enough to vomit so often. By keeping this remedy at hand you may save some one of your family, and a large amount of trouble and expense. In croup put a mustard plaster on the breast and throat immediately, as no time is to be lost. Mustard plaster is made with ground mustard and wheat flour equal parts; mix them together and wet with warm vinegar, greasing the throat and breast with turpentine or good liniment; putting flannel around the neck is very good.—Young parents should be on their guard when not acquainted with the disease.
DOMESTIC COUGH SYRUP.
Take of cumfrey root one ounce, elecampane root 1 ounce, nettle root 1 ounce, hoarhound leaves 1 ounce, spikenard root ½ ounce, pulverize all fine and boil them in a quart of water down to a pint, strain the liquor off and when settled pour off again; add to it 1 pint of strained honey, and simmer down slowly to a pint and a half; add to it scant ½ ounce juice of indian turnip; take a green turnip and beat and squeeze the juice out, add to the syrup when milk warm; if put in while hot it will lose its medical properties. A table spoonful or less may be taken from 4 to 6 times a day, in cases of bad cough, it is healing and strengthening to the lungs; it may be made with or without the indian turnip juice. The indian turnip is an excellent of itself.
GREAT SALVE FOR WOUNDS, &c.
Take 1 pound sheep tallow, 1 pound beeswax, ½ pound rosin elder inside bark, 1 pound balm of gillead leaves or flowers, put into a pan and fry over a slow fire to a salve, spread thin on a linen rag and apply 2 or 3 times a day.
SODA POWDERS.
To make these powders put 1 tea spoonful of carbonate of soda into a glass nearly half full of water, and ½ tea spoonful of tartaric acid in the other, and add enough sugar and lemon syrup or lemon juice to suit the taste; stir and dissolve the powders and sugar, then pour one into the other and drink while effervescing. This is a very pleasant and cooling drink.
PATENT BLACK JAPAN.
For iron or wood carriages, &c. Take 1 gallon of turpentine, 2¼ pounds asphaltum, put them into an iron pot over a charcoal fire and let remain until dissolved, then strain it—if it becomes too thick when cold add spirits of turpentine. For wood or canvass add while hot, to every gallon 1 pint of copal varnish and ½ pint of linseed oil. This is a good and cheap paint or varnish, used by a great many coach-makers, blacksmiths, &c.
TO MAKE SOFT SOAP.
Take 10 pounds of common yellow or rosin soap, such as is purchased here for 4 or 6 cents per pound, 6 pounds sal-soda, 10 gallons soft or rain water; cut the soap into small thin pieces and put the whole over a fire, bring the water nearly to a boiling point and allow it to remain at that temperature until the soap is thoroughly dissolved; it may then be taken off. If the soap made with these ingredients is found to be too strong add cold water until it becomes of the proper consistency and strength.
FURNITURE POLISH.
Take ¼ pound beeswax, separate into shavings, put in a pan and add ½ gallon of spirits of turpentine and 1 pint linseed oil; let it remain for 12 hours, then stir it well with a stick into a liquid; while stirring add ¼ pound shellac varnish and 1 ounce alkinet root. Put this mixture into a gallon jar and stand it before a fire or in an oven for a week, just to keep it warm, shaking it up 3 or 4 times a day, then strain it through a hair sieve or fine flannel. In using pour a tea spoonful on a wad of baize or flannel, and go lightly over the face or other parts of the mahogany furniture, then apply a similar dry wad briskly and in three minutes it will produce a dark brilliant polish, unequalled and of great value. The shellac varnish is made by taking ¼ pound good gum shellac and pouring alcohol enough over to dissolve it, say as much as to cover the shellac.
ESSENCE OF LEMON.
Take 1 pint alcohol, ½ ounce of oil of lemon, color with tincture of tamarisk. To make these essences for family use you should take 95 per cent. alcohol and the quantity of oil named in the receipt, which will save you three hundred per cent. paying you for your labor. If you wish to make a pint, get a glass bottle that will hold a little more than a pint and put your alcohol and oil in, shake and mix them well, then color to suit.
To make 1 gallon of the essences for sale, take 1 gallon of common alcohol and 2 ounces of the oil—color as in the others.
ESSENCE OF PEPPERMINT.
Take 1 pint alcohol, ½ ounce of oil of peppermint, and if you wish it colored add in small quantities the tincture of tamarisk, stirring it, until you have the color to suit your taste. This is excellent for cramp colic in man or horse.
EYE WATER.
Take 40 grains sulphate of zinc to ½ pint of warm soft water, shake until well dissolved and cork up tightly. In using pour out about 1 tea spoonful into a cup and bathe the eyes with it. Never use by dipping your finger into the bottle, but pour a small quantity out into a vessel of some kind. This is the best eye water yet introduced and will be certain to relieve the inflamed eye. Try it and its efficacy will soon be manifested. Always bathe the eye of an evening, just before going to bed—if it is used during the day you should keep out of the air. If too strong add a little water. The cost of this preparation is but 6¼ cents, and cannot be surpassed.
ESSENCE OF CINNAMON.
Take 1 pint of alcohol, ½ ounce of oil of cinnamon, color with the tincture of red sanders, and mix as above. This is excellent in diarrhœa, summer complaints or looseness of the bowels.
CERTAIN CURE FOR FELON.
We have known instances of the most intense suffering, neither rest by day or sleep at night, in which this process has effected cures. As soon as it becomes apparent that a felon is making its appearance, which is known by a constant soreness and pain proceeding from the bone, take a strong cord of any kind and wrap it about the afflicted part, as tightly as can be borne; keep it in this condition until the pain can be endured no longer. Now loose the cords and soon as the pain, caused by the cording subsides, tighten it again. Continue this for several days or until the felon is completely blackened and killed.—We have known several persons who have been afflicted with felons to try this remedy with success—in fact we have never known it to fail. The cording stops the circulation and then the sore has nothing to feed upon, when it soon dies of starvation. We have faith in this remedy, even after a felon has made considerable progress. If the felon has commenced at the bone the sooner you have it cut the better; there is no application that will burst or open the skin that is next to the bone, it should be cut if the above remedy fails.—Clipper.
CURE FOR BRONCHITIS.
Croton oil it is said will entirely remove this complaint. A minister of the gospel who had been laid aside from his pastoral office by the bronchitis, for three years, has entirely recovered his voice by the application of croton oil to the surface of the throat, against the organ affected, one drop daily rubbed over the surface produced a singular but powerful eruption of the skin, which as it progressed restored his voice to its full tone and vigor.
RECEIPT FOR HOGS.
That have lost their appetite. Put urine in the slop, or when you can conveniently, urinate in the trough as you pass along. This is excellent, but a small quantity of ashes put in their slop cannot be surpassed for restoring the appetite, and also very good for the kidneys, worms, &c. Give it a trial and be convinced of its efficacy.
GREASE FOR CARRIAGES, &c.
Take 1 pound of beeswax, ½ pint of lamp black, mix well while hot, and when cooling off, add oil until it becomes of a proper consistency. In the winter season add more oil. This makes a lasting grease, which cannot be surpassed for carriages, &c.
FOR PLAGUE BLISTER.
Take sassafras leaves and dip them in warm water, then take castile soap and make a thick lather, and apply with a soft brush as far as the sore or inflammation extends, then apply the sassafras leaves, warm 3 or 4 thick, tie it up loosely, renew every 8 hours. This cannot be surpassed for inflammation of this nature. Give it a trial and its effects will soon be felt. Use none but castile soap.
The following certificate attests the value of this simple cure:—