While you will probably want to stick with medications found in the drug stores, these are excellent for history events. Several of these remedies make very good accessories for the Haversack or doctor's supplies to use after battle reenactments.
Based on recipes from Peterson's, October 1864.
A small piece of resin, dipped in the water which is placed in a vessel on the stove, will add a peculiar property to the atmosphere of the room, which will give great relief to persons troubled with cough. The heat of the water is sufficient to throw off the aroma of resin.
Based on recipes from Peterson's, October 1864.
Softening and Removing Corns
- Take equal parts of mercurial and galbanum ointments; mix them well together
- Spread on a piece of soft leather, and apply it to the corns morning and evening.
In a few days benefit will be derived.
Universal Liniment
The following liniment is useful for rheumatism, lumbago, sprains, bruises, unbroken chilblains [a cold sore], and insect bites:
- One raw egg, well beaten
- Half a pint of vinegar
- One ounce of spirits of turpentine
- One quarter of an ounce of spirits of wine,
- One quarter of an ounce of camphor.
- Beat these ingredients well up together and put them in a bottle
- Cork it, and shake ten minutes, or till they are thoroughly mixed.
- Cork very tightly, in order to exclude the air
- Rub on the parts affected
A small piece of resin, dipped in the water which is placed in a vessel on the stove, will add a peculiar property to the atmosphere of the room, which will give great relief to persons troubled with cough. The heat of the water is sufficient to throw off the aroma of resin.
Gargle for Sore Throats
- Half a pint of rose-leaf tea
- One wine glass of good vinegar
- Honey enough to sweeten it
- Very little cayenne pepper
- Mix well together and simmer in a closed vessel
- Gargle the throat with a little of it at bed-time, or oftener if the throat is very sore.
And if those don't work, a good strong drink will.
Ginger Beer
Two gallons of ginger beer may be made as follows:
- Put two gallons of cold water into a pot and place it upon the fire
- Add to it two ounces of good ginger bruised
- Add two pounds of white or brown sugar.
- Boil, and continue boiling for about half an hour
- Skim the liquor and pour it into a jar, with one sliced lemon and half an ounce of cream of tartar
- When nearly cold, put in a teacupful of yeast to cause the liquor to work
- The beer is now made and after it has worked for two days, strain it and bottle it for use
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