Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million: Containing Four Thousand Five Hundred and Forty-five Receipts, Facts, Directions, etc. in the Useful, Ornamental, and Domestic Arts — John Stuart Mill — John Shaqi
Mrs. Hale's Receipts for the Million: Containing Four Thousand Five Hundred and Forty-five Receipts, Facts, Directions, etc. in the Useful, Ornamental, and Domestic Arts
John Stuart Mill · en
889. _Plasters and Poultices--Mustard Plasters._--Take a sufficient
quantity of bread crumbs finely rubbed, add mustard in proportion to
the required strength; form a poultice of the proper consistency,
by adding vinegar or water. Dr. Wood thinks water preferable, as
he is of the opinion that vinegar destroys an essential property
of the mustard. Mustard employed for this purpose should be whole
grain, fresh as can be procured, and bruised or mashed in a mortar,
or by any other convenient means. When mustard cannot be procured,
horse radish leaves may be substituted; they must be rolled with a
rolling-pin, to mash and make soft the hard stems, and withered by
pouring over them a little scalding water.
After they have been applied, the feet must be frequently examined
to see that they do not get cold. Often more harm than good is done
by the nurse neglecting this part of her duty. Burdock and cabbage
leaves are frequently directed to be applied to the feet; they are
prepared in the same manner, and require the same attention.
890. _Spice Plaster._--Pulverized cloves, cinnamon, and Cayenne
pepper, half an ounce each; mix, and add flour and wine of galls, or
diluted spirits, to form this plaster; lay it hot on the region of
the stomach. It is excellent for pains and spasms.
891. _Alum Cataplasm._--Take any quantity of the white of eggs;
agitate it with a large lump of alum, till it be coagulated.
892. _Cataplasm of common Salt._--Take crumbs of bread, and linseed
meal, of each equal parts; water, saturated with salt, a sufficient
quantity to give it a proper consistency.
This poultice may be applied to the indolent swellings of the glands,
in scrofulous habits, where the patient is deprived of the benefit
of the sea air and water. A constant use of it will frequently
occasion great inflammation of the skin, requiring a suspension of
its use for a few days; but as soon as the inflammation subsides, it
should be repeated. By the use of this poultice, strumous humors,
and scrofulous enlargements, of a chronic nature, have been totally
dispersed.
893. _Cerate of Cantharides._--Take of spermaceti ointment, six
drachms; cantharides, in fine powder, one drachm. Mix them together.
This is the proper application to keep up a constant discharge from
the part to which a blister has been applied.
894. _Bark Poultice._--Take of Peruvian bark, one ounce: sprinkle it
over a piece of thick muslin of the required size; take another piece
of the same size; lay it over the bark, and quilt them together,
to keep the bark to its place; moisten it with brandy or vinegar.
Some of the aromatics may be used in conjunction with the bark, if
indicated.
Let it be worn over the stomach and bowels. It has proved singularly
beneficial in cases of obstinate intermittents, and debility arising
therefrom.