Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne, Taken from Original SourcesAshton, John
History
Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne, Taken from Original Sources
Ashton, John
Great Britain -- History -- Anne, 1702-1714; Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 18th century
'And whereas the said Mrs. Daffy is pleased to call my _Elixir_
Spurious, and Insinuates as if it were hazardous to the Lives of
Men; the numerous Instances of Good it has done, both here and
abroad, do manifestly evince the Contrary. And I appeal to all
who have taken it in this City, or elsewhere, whether they have
not found at least as much Benefit from This as from any Thing of
the like Nature they have ever taken; insomuch that I am well
assured that those who have tried mine will apply themselves to
nobody else for _Elixir Salutis_.
'JOHN HARRISON.
'From my House in Prujean's Court in the Great Old Baly (The
Original and famous Elixir Salutis) being wrote in Golden
Characters over the Door fronting the Court Gate. March the 31st,
1709.'
One doctor at least (John Pechy) made the diseases of infants and
children his study, and wrote upon the subject. I have been unable to
get his book, but a few remedies from the medical works then in vogue
will show how these diseases were then treated. Here is a recipe for a
child's cough.[9]
[Footnote 9: _Collectanea Medica_, by Wm. Salmon, M.D.]
Horehound, ℥ix; Liquorice, Maidenhair, Hyssop, Wild Thyme,
Coltsfoot, Penny royal, ana ℥iij. Aniseeds and Fennel seeds ana
℥iss. Raisins of the Sun ℥vj. Figs, Jujubes ana ℥iv.
Elecampane ℥ij, boil all in lb. vj. of water to 1/2. Strain,
and add Honey, Sugar, ana lb. j. Boil to a Syrup; and when almost cold
add Orrice, Woodlice, both in fine powder, ana ℥j.'
This mixture might not have been bad, but why add powdered _woodlice_?
Worms in children were to be treated with 'Prevotius's Oyl to kill
Worms.[10] Take--Wormwood, Carduus, Scordium, Tobacco, ana Mj, Roots
of Sow bread ℥fs, Coloquintida, ℥ij, Oyl, Vinegar, ana lb.
j: boil to the consumption of the vinegar, then add Myrrh in powder
℥j; mix, and boil to the dissolution of the Myrrh. The Title
shows the Virtues, anoint it upon the Stomach and Belly.' If this was
not effective, the child might be given some lozenges made as
follows--'Take Rhubarb, Citron seeds husked, Worm seeds, seeds of
Purslain, of Coleworts, Broom finely powdered, ana ʒiij
☿ dulcis ʒij, White Sugar ʒxvj, all being in fine pouder; mix
and incorporate with mucilage of Gum Tragacanth, made with Orange-flower
water, of which Past make Lozenges each weighing ʒj. They kill all
Worms in the Stomach and Bowels, and you may give one or two of the
lozenges at a time to a Child in the Morning fasting, but some suppose
that the best time is the last three days of the Moon.'
[Footnote 10: _Collectanea Medica._]
The Measles were simply treated--the patient only had a draught to
soothe any cough, 'Let the sick keep their bed two days after the
first coming forth of the spots.'[11]
[Footnote 11: _The Family Physitian_, by Geo. Hartman.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account