dry these flowers.
When people have a sore mouth, from taking calomel, or any other
cause, tea made of low-blackberry leaves is extremely beneficial.
Tea made of slippery elm is good for the piles, and for humors in the
blood; to be drank plentifully. Winter evergreen[4] is considered good
for all humors, particularly scrofula. Some call it rheumatism-weed;
because a tea made from it is supposed to check that painful disorder.
[Footnote 4: This plant resembles the poisonous kill-lamb, both in the
shape and the glossiness of the leaves: great care should be used to
distinguish them.]
An ointment of lard, sulphur, and cream-of-tartar, simmered together,
is good for the piles.
Elixir proprietatis is a useful family medicine for all cases when the
digestive powers are out of order. One ounce of saffron, one ounce of
myrrh, and one ounce of aloes. Pulverize them; let the myrrh steep
in half a pint of brandy, or N.E. rum, for four days; then add the
saffron and aloes; let it stand in the sunshine, or in some warm
place, for a fortnight; taking care to shake it well twice a day. At
the end of the fortnight, fill up the bottle (a common sized one) with
brandy, or N.E. rum, and let it stand a month. It costs six times as
much to buy it in small quantities, as it does to make it.
The constant use of malt beer, or malt in any way, is said to be a
preservative against fevers.
Black cherry-tree bark, barberry bark, mustard-seed, petty
morrel-root, and horseradish, well steeped in cider, are excellent for
the jaundice.
Cotton wool and oil are the best things for a burn. When children are
burned, it is difficult to make them endure the application of cotton
wool. I have known the inflammation of a very bad burn extracted in
one night, by the constant application of brandy, vinegar, and water,
mixed together. This feels cool and pleasant, and a few drops of
paregoric will soon put the little sufferer to sleep. The bathing
should be continued till the pain is gone.
A few drops of the oil of Cajput on cotton wool is said to be a great
relief to the tooth-ache. It occasions a smart pain for a few seconds,
when laid upon the defective tooth. Any apothecary will furnish it
ready dropped on cotton wool, for a few cents.
A poultice made of ginger or of common chickweed, that grows about
one's door in the country, has given great relief to the tooth-ache,
when applied frequently to the cheek.
A spoonful of ashes stirr
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