Medical Value of Asparagus. — A medical correspondent of an English journal says that the advantages of asparagus are not suffi- ciently appreciated by those who suffer with rheumatism and gout. Slight cases of rheumatism are cured in a few days by feeding on this delicious 'esculent; and more chronic cases are much relieved, especially if the patient avoids all acids, whether in food or beverage. The Jerusalem artichoke has also a similar effect in relieving rheuma- tism. The heads may be eaten in the usual way, but tea made from the leaves of the stalk and taken three or four times a day is a cer- tain remedy, though not equally agreeable. Sticking-Plaster. — An excellent sticking-plaster for fresh cuts or cracked hands is made of three pounds of rosin, a quarter of a pound of beeswax, a quarter of a pound of mutton tallow. When well melted and dissolved together, remove from the fire and keep stirring till it is about as cool as it will pour; then add one table- spoonful of spirits of turpentine ; then pour the whole into a pail of cold water, and when cool enough take it out and work it as a shoe- maker does his wax. When sufficiently worked, roll it out in small sticks. This is equal to any plaster ever bought. Keep the hands greased, to prevent it from sticking to them while working it. Diphtheria. — Dissolve one tablespoonful of sulphur in a glass of cold water ; gargle the throat six or eight times a day. Cook salt pork in vinegar and bind on the throat ; when the paroxysms come on soak the hands and feet in just as hot water as the patient will 2IO THE hearthstone; or, life at home. bear, with a tablespoon of baking soda thrown in. Rubbing the hmbs and body will assist greatly in throwing off the disease. The simple sulphur remedy is very effectual in common sore throat. Mustard Plaster. — By using syrup or molasses for mustard plasters they will keep soft and flexible, and not dry up and become hard, as when mixed with water. A thin paper or fine cloth should come between the plaster and the skin. The strength of the plaster is varied by the addition of more or less flour. To Stop Bleeding at the Nose. — A French surgeon says the simple elevation of a person's arm will stop bleeding at the nose. He explains the fact physiologically, and declares it a positive remedy. It is certainly easy of trial. Or, a strong solution of alum water, snuffed up the nostril, will cure in most cases, without any- thing further. To Cure Colic. — For the violent internal agony 'termed colic, take a teaspoonful of salt in a pint of cold water ; drink it and go to bed. It is one of the speediest remedies known. The same will re- vive a person who seems almost dead from a heavy fall. Cure for Hoarseness. — Take the whites of two eggs and beat them with two teaspoonfuls of white sugar, grate in a little nutmeg, then add a pint of lukewarm water ; stir well, drink often, and it will cure the most obstinate case of hoarseness in a short time. Gargle for Sore Throat. — Take one teaspoonful of cayenne pepper, one teaspoonful of salt, one pint of water, two tablespoonfuls of vinegar ; sweeten to taste with honey or loaf sugar✪ Gargle for Sore Throat. Mix to- gether and bottle.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

Medical Value of Asparagus. — A medical correspondent of an English journal says that the advantages of asparagus are not sufficiently appreciated by those who suffer with rheumatism and gout. Slight cases of rheumatism are cured in a few days by feeding on this delicious 'esculent; and more chronic cases are much relieved, especially if the patient avoids all acids, whether in food or beverage. The Jerusalem artichoke has also a similar effect in relieving rheumatism. The heads may be eaten in the usual way, but tea made from the leaves of the stalk and taken three or four times a day is a certain remedy, though not equally agreeable. Sticking-Plaster. — An excellent sticking-plaster for fresh cuts or cracked hands is made of three pounds of rosin, a quarter of a pound of beeswax, a quarter of a pound of mutton tallow. When well melted and dissolved together, remove from the fire and keep stirring till it is about as cool as it will pour; then add one tablespoonful of spirits of turpentine ; then pour the whole into a pail of cold water, and when cool enough take it out and work it as a shoemaker does his wax. When sufficiently worked, roll it out in small sticks. This is equal to any plaster ever bought. Keep the hands greased, to prevent it from sticking to them while working it. Diphtheria. — Dissolve one tablespoonful of sulphur in a glass of cold water ; gargle the throat six or eight times a day. Cook salt pork in vinegar and bind on the throat ; when the paroxysms come on soak the hands and feet in just as hot water as the patient will 2IO THE hearthstone; or, life at home. bear, with a tablespoon of baking soda thrown in. Rubbing the limbs and body will assist greatly in throwing off the disease. The simple sulphur remedy is very effectual in common sore throat. Mustard Plaster. — By using syrup or molasses for mustard plasters they will keep soft and flexible, and not dry up and become hard, as when mixed with water. A thin paper or fine cloth should come between the plaster and the skin. The strength of the plaster is varied by the addition of more or less flour. To Stop Bleeding at the Nose. — A French surgeon says the simple elevation of a person's arm will stop bleeding at the nose. He explains the fact physiologically, and declares it a positive remedy. It is certainly easy of trial. Or, a strong solution of alum water, snuffed up the nostril, will cure in most cases, without anything further. To Cure Colic. — For the violent internal agony 'termed colic, take a teaspoonful of salt in a pint of cold water ; drink it and go to bed. It is one of the speediest remedies known. The same will revive a person who seems almost dead from a heavy fall. Cure for Hoarseness. — Take the whites of two eggs and beat them with two teaspoonfuls of white sugar, grate in a little nutmeg, then add a pint of lukewarm water ; stir well, drink often, and it will cure the most obstinate case of hoarseness in a short time. Gargle for Sore Throat. — Take one teaspoonful of cayenne pepper, one teaspoonful of salt, one pint of water, two tablespoonfuls of vinegar ; sweeten to taste with honey or loaf sugar. Mix together and bottle.

Records on this page

Gargle for Sore Throat

The hearthstone; or, Life at home