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
449. _Sulphur Ointment._--This is made by rubbing well together three
ounces of flowers of sulphur and half a pound of hog's lard. This
ointment, if properly applied, is a certain cure for that nastiest
of all nasty, and most easily-caught disease, the itch, which,
although generally found among poor people, occasionally steals into
the houses of the wealthy. The proper mode of managing it is, for
the infected to rub himself well all over with the ointment, night
and morning, for three days, during which time he must wear, without
change, some old body-linen, stockings, and gloves, and lie in a
pair of old sheets or blankets. Washing in the least degree is to
be carefully avoided as the plague, for it will protract the cure.
On the fourth day let him go into a warm bath, wash himself clean,
and he will then be found quite well. Everything which had been worn
during the cure should be burnt, sheets and all; but the blankets may
be scoured.
PLASTERS, BLISTERS, OINTMENTS, &c.
450. The beneficial influence obtained from all such local
applications depends upon the change of temperature they are capable
of producing. Their results will vary with constitutions. Most
patients, who suffer from chronic disease, point to a particular spot
as the locality where they are most incommoded with "cold chills."
This is the point for the application of the galbanum or other "warm
plaster." A plaster of this kind to the loins has enabled me to cure
a host of diseases that had previously resisted every other mode
of treatment. The same application to the chest, when the patient
complained of chilliness in that particular part, has materially
aided me in the treatment of many cases of phthisis. In both
instances, where _heat_ was the more general complaint, cold sponging
has been allowed by an equally beneficial effect.
The ingredients of plasters, blisters, ointments, lotions, &c., what
are they but combinations of the agents with which we combat fever?
Their beneficial influence depends upon the change of motion and
temperature which they produce by their electrical or chemical action
on the nerves of the part to which they are directed. Cantharides
will not blister the dead--they have very little effect even on a
dying man!--_Dr. Dickson's Lectures._
451. _Liquid Opodeldoc._--Dissolve one ounce of camphor in a little
spirits of wine, and two ounces of soft soap in a little water; put
these into a bottle, add half a drachm of oil of rosemary and the
same of oil of thyme; shake them well together; add three-quarters of
a pint of spirits of wine, and a quarter of a pint of water; set it
in a warm place, and shake it occasionally, for a few days. This is
an excellent remedy for bruises, sprains, chilblains, &c.