Fly=Blister. — A plaster of the ointment
of Spanish flies (cantharides) , applied to
draw a blister upon some part of the sur-
face of the body. Such a remedy is only re-
quired for a rather severe case of internal
inflammation, or for that of an eye or an
ear ; in either instance, not during the first
day or two of the attack. In serious in-
flammation of the brain, a blister to the back
of the neck, or even over a large part of the
shaven scalp, is sometimes one of the best
' of remedies.
A blister is usually made by spreading a
piece of buckskin, three or four inches
square, with cantharides ointment, covering
this with a piece of thin gauze, and laying it
upon the part. After from two to five or
six hours (according to age and delicacy of
the skin) the skin will feel very sore, and on
taking the plaster off", the outer skin will be
found to be raised in a blister. This may be
tapped with the points of a pair of scissors,
and the part may then be covered with a
rag spread thickly with simple cerate. It
will heal in a few days.
For inflamed eyes, the back of the neck is
the best place for a blister ; for severe in-
flammation of an QQ.r,just behind that ear;
the plaster being cut to fit there.
Gentian. — A flowering plant, wnose root
is used in medicine. Its extract is made
into tonic pills (compound gentian pills) for
indigestion, and its compound tincture is one
of the best tonic preparations given for
weakness of the stomach. Gentian is a
pure and simple bitter stomachic tonic.
Dose of the compound tincture, a tea-
THE FAMIL Y DOCTOR
45
spoonful, in a little water. As an appetizer
it is best taken just before each meal. If
given on account of slowness and discom-
fort in digesting food, shortly after the meal
will be the best time for it.
Compound Gentian Pills, have in each
pill one grain of extract of gentian, one
grain of rhubarb , one quarter of a grain of blue
mass, and a quarter of a drop of oil of cloves.
Geranium. — This plant has an astring-
ent root, of which a tea may be made by
boiling an ounce (about two tablespoonfuls)
in a pint and a half of water✪ Geranium Tea down to a pint.
Of this the dose is from a tablespoonful to a
wineglassful, given as a country remedy for
diarrhcea.
Ginger. — A fine spice for culinary as
well as medicinal use. Ja^naica ginger is
the most used with us. Essence of ginger is
a very good medicine to have in the house.
It is a warming stimulant to the stomach,
and aids greatly in relief of ordinary
flatulent colic. Dose of a strong preparation
of it (as Brown's essence of Jamaica ginger),
ten to thirty drops, in water. It may also
be applied outside, over the stomach and
bowels ; wetting a piece of thin flannel well
with it, laying it on, and covering it with
oiled silk to prevent too quick evaporation.
Ginger tea is an old favorite stomach-
warmer. A tablespoonful or two of the
bruised root may have a pint of boiling
water✪ Ginger Tea poured on it, then leaving it to stand
covered for an hour or so. We don't boil
arojnatic teas or other preparations, because
that would drive off their volatile oils, which
are their active principles. Of ginger tea,
the dose is one or two tablespoonfuls at a
time .
Page 176 · 2 recipe records on this page
Presented as published in 1901. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Fly=Blister. — A plaster of the ointment of Spanish flies (cantharides) , applied to draw a blister upon some part of the surface of the body. Such a remedy is only required for a rather severe case of internal inflammation, or for that of an eye or an ear ; in either instance, not during the first day or two of the attack. In serious inflammation of the brain, a blister to the back of the neck, or even over a large part of the shaven scalp, is sometimes one of the best ' of remedies.
A blister is usually made by spreading a piece of buckskin, three or four inches square, with cantharides ointment, covering this with a piece of thin gauze, and laying it upon the part. After from two to five or six hours (according to age and delicacy of the skin) the skin will feel very sore, and on taking the plaster off", the outer skin will be found to be raised in a blister. This may be tapped with the points of a pair of scissors, and the part may then be covered with a rag spread thickly with simple cerate. It will heal in a few days.
For inflamed eyes, the back of the neck is the best place for a blister ; for severe inflammation of an ear, just behind that ear; the plaster being cut to fit there.
Gentian. — A flowering plant, wnose root is used in medicine. Its extract is made into tonic pills (compound gentian pills) for indigestion, and its compound tincture is one of the best tonic preparations given for weakness of the stomach. Gentian is a pure and simple bitter stomachic tonic. Dose of the compound tincture, a tea-
spoonful, in a little water. As an appetizer it is best taken just before each meal. If given on account of slowness and discomfort in digesting food, shortly after the meal will be the best time for it.
Compound Gentian Pills, have in each pill one grain of extract of gentian, one grain of rhubarb , one quarter of a grain of blue mass, and a quarter of a drop of oil of cloves.
Geranium. — This plant has an astringent root, of which a tea may be made by boiling an ounce (about two tablespoonfuls) in a pint and a half of water down to a pint. Of this the dose is from a tablespoonful to a wineglassful, given as a country remedy for diarrhcea.
Ginger. — A fine spice for culinary as well as medicinal use. Ja^naica ginger is the most used with us. Essence of ginger is a very good medicine to have in the house. It is a warming stimulant to the stomach, and aids greatly in relief of ordinary flatulent colic. Dose of a strong preparation of it (as Brown's essence of Jamaica ginger), ten to thirty drops, in water. It may also be applied outside, over the stomach and bowels ; wetting a piece of thin flannel well with it, laying it on, and covering it with oiled silk to prevent too quick evaporation.
Ginger tea is an old favorite stomachwarmer. A tablespoonful or two of the bruised root may have a pint of boiling water poured on it, then leaving it to stand covered for an hour or so. We don't boil arojnatic teas or other preparations, because that would drive off their volatile oils, which are their active principles. Of ginger tea, the dose is one or two tablespoonfuls at a time .
Records on this page
Geranium TeaGinger Tea