The Farmers Own Book 12

The Farmers Own Book 12

EXTEMPORE GASEOUS CHALYBEATE WATER.

 

Take of pure sulphate of iron 2 drachms, white sugar 3 drachms,

pulverize, mix and divide into 12 powders. Then take of super carbonate

of soda 2 drachms, white sugar three drachms, mix and divide into 12

powders. Mix one of each of the powders separately in half a tumblerful

of water, pour together and drink while effervescing. This is a pleasant

drink and a good tonic for a weak stomach.

 

 

GENTIAN.

 

_Medical Properties and Use._

 

Gentian possesses in a high degree the tonic properties which

characterize the simple bitters. It excites the appetite, invigorates the

powers of digestion. It may be used in all cases of disease depending

upon pure debility of the digestive organs, or requiring a general tonic

impression; as dyspepsia, gout, difficult menstruations, hysteria,

scrofula, intermittent fever, diarrhœa, and worms. It is given in the

form of infusion or tincture. The dose in infusion is a wine glassful 3

or 4 times a day. Infuse ½ ounce of the powdered root in a pint of water.

A tea spoonful of the tincture may be given as often in a little water.

 

 

RATTLEWEED ROOT.

 

This unites with a tonic power the property of stimulating the

secretions, particularly those of the skin, kidneys and mucus membrane

of the lungs. Its medical properties are found in its salutary effects

upon the nervous system, in neuralgia of the heart, in sciatica, and in

other forms of rheumatism. It is equal if not superior to the colchicum

in rheumatism, and far superior to it in neuralgia of any description. I

have used it extensively in those cases, and with the happiest effects.

I cured myself of a severe sciatica in twenty-four hours with it, but

the dose was too large, producing violent sickness, great prostration,

nausea, vomiting and profuse perspiration. I took 3 or 4 drachms of the

saturated tincture at one dose; but it effects the cure completely when

properly prepared. It acts upon the stomach and bowels powerfully, and

its full effects are not obtained until it purges freely. The following

is the best formula for its preparation.

 

½ pound powdered root,

1 pint alcohol.

 

Mix and macerate for 20 days and filter. One tea spoonful should be

taken 3 times a day, in sweetened water, which may be increased or

diminished so as to produce 3 or 4 operations on the bowels in 24 hours.

I have seen some persons that it would not purge. It sometimes produces

vertigo before it begins to operate, but these symptoms will all subside

after the purging commences, yet it will cure if it does not purge.

Several cases of Vitus’ Dance are recorded by Dr. Jesse Young, in which

it performed cures after other remedies had failed.--It is usually

administered in decoction by those living in the country. One ounce of

the powdered root is boiled in a pint of water for a few minutes, and

a small wine glassful given from 3 to 5 times a day according to its

effects.

 

 

PIPSISSEWAY OR WINTER GREEN.

 

This is an evergreen found in pine woods and in light shady soils in all

parts of the United States, which blossoms in mid summer. The whole plant

has rather a pungent and bitter taste.

 

_Medical Properties and Use._

 

It is diuretic and tonic and is useful in all eruptive forms of diseases,

especially in scrofula and cancer. A strong decoction may be made of

the leaves and twigs, and a gill taken 3 times a day. Many cures of old

ulcers, sore throats and like affections have been ascribed to the use

of the pipsisseway. A decoction made of the leaves and given in small

portions is excellent for colic in children. For grown persons it should

be put in good rye whiskey, which, if made strong will seldom fail to

cure the severest cases of colic and cramps. The pipsisseway put into

whiskey and distilled the same as Wickey’s cholera medicine is much

better. Dose for an adult is from 1 to 3 tablespoonsful, for children

from 10 drops to a teaspoonful.

 

 

TO THE CONSUMER.

 

If you want to save money never buy your castor oil by the bottle, but

buy a pint of oil of some honest druggist, and you will then be able to

perceive the difference. If put up in bottles it will cost you from 50

to 62½ cents; by the pint it may cost you 31 cents per pint. This is a

great saving, as the article is always needed in a family. Never buy any

other medicine or any thing that goes by measurement in small quantities,

and especially such articles as come into every day use. Paying from 40

to 100 per cent. more for domestic articles will amount to a considerable

sum in 5 or 10 years. Some persons may say: “I am too poor and cannot

spare the money.” That kind of argument will not hold good. By saving 50

or 100 per cent. is the means to make you able. Try the experiment and

you will soon be convinced; money is worth but 6 per cent.

 

 

FOR PICKLING PEARS.

 

Take 1 pound of sugar to one quart of vinegar; 6 pounds of pears, peeled

and quartered; ½ ounce of cinnamon bark, broken in small pieces; ½

ounce of cloves. Dissolve the sugar in the vinegar, then put the pears,

cinnamon and cloves into a pot or crock, pour over the vinegar and

boil all together until the pears become soft, and you have a pickel

far superior to any preserves. This is worth giving a trial. Should the

pears be too sweet, add a little vinegar at any time, heating after the

addition.

 

 

ON THE PRESERVATION OF HEALTH.

 

As this work is designed for the benefit of families as well as other

purposes, it is hoped that a chapter on the preservation of the health

of young girls will not be out of place. What we design to say in this

chapter, will be applicable to the girl of ten years and upwards. It

is the duty of the mother or guardian so to direct the conduct of

the daughter that she may enjoy the blessings of life, and become a

useful member of society. But in order to lay the foundation of future

usefulness, the health should be well guarded in early life. Much of

course depends upon a good constitution, and strict attention should

be paid to its development and preservation. The child at an early age

should be guarded against all that would tend to weaken or derange this

desirable attribute of the human system.

 

Exposure is one of the principal sources of injury to the constitution,

and therefore the clothing should always be adapted to the season of

the year, and the temperature of the air, whether children are at home

or abroad. Girls are generally clothed sufficiently warm while at home,

but when they are going from home, they change their warm apparel for

thinner and cooler garments. They are often allowed to expose themselves

to the chilling blasts of winter, with their arms naked, their breasts

and shoulders exposed, and their feet clad with thin stockings and

shoes, in the place of those just laid aside, which were warm and

comfortable.--This is a practice that cannot be too much deprecated,

being one of the great evils of dress and fashion, upon whose altar

thousands have been sacrificed. How many do we find in these days with

enlarged tonsils and broken croaking voices, the fruits of exposure and

nothing else?

 

The practice of tight lacing is another fruitful cause of destruction

of health and broken-down constitutions. Young girls should not lace at

all--an easy smooth jacket to make the dress fit smoothly is all they

should wear. Are we asked why lacing is injurious? We answer, first, the

ribs are soft and very elastic and the cartilages that join them to the

breast bone are softer than the ribs. If then a jacket or corset be laced

around the ribs or chest, so as to prevent a free and full play of the

ribs at every inspiration, in the same proportion is the cavity of the

chest diminished, and consequently the lungs are deprived of a certain

amount of atmospheric air, in proportion to the contraction of the ribs,

produced by the laced jacket or corset. Thus the order of nature is

deranged and the system is deprived of that due proportion of oxygen

which is necessary to health, the vitality of blood and the vigor and

proper proportions of the system. One of the consequences of tight lacing

therefore is, that the lungs are prevented from discharging a due portion

of carbonic acid gas from the blood, and receiving in lieu therefor of

due proportion of oxygen from the atmosphere. Hence the person looks

pale, the lips assume a blue or purplish color, the breathing is labored,

the breast heaves and the circulation is prevented from going on as

freely as it should. The small air vessels of the lungs are partially

obliterated, they become diseased in their action and tubercles form in

them or the lungs; these remain to become in a few years the seeds of an

incurable consumption.

 

Again: The free action of the heat is prevented by tight lacing and the

consequence is it labors like a dying man, but in vain--it cannot get

relieved from its fetters. The blood is prevented from flowing with that

freedom and ease which are essential to the well being of the system,

and the violent exertions which the heart must make in order to carry

on the circulation, become the cause of disease in that organ, which

perhaps can never be cured. Another evil of lacing: The stomach is always

included in the deadly grasp of the corset. The lower floating ribs are

forced to take the place the stomach should occupy in part; the skirts

are compelled to grow too narrow, the liver is also pressed too closely

and the stomach is bound as with a cord. The gastric juice is partly

prevented from secreting and that which is secreted is unhealthy, the

ducts of the liver and pancreatic gland are prevented from performing

their healthy functions and consequently the food is not taken in due

quantity to nourish the system, and what is taken is not properly

digested, for the want of a free and healthy action of the digestive

functions. Dyspepsia is the result,--a feeble and finally a destroyed

constitution. For all the powers of nature must act freely and naturally,

or a sound constitution and good health can never be enjoyed.

 

Nothing is so fascinating to an intellectual young man as a well

cultivated mind, a rosy cheek, an intellectual eye, and a corresponding

__EXPRESSION__ of countenance; these you cannot have if you suppress any of

the healthy functions of the system. Exercise is another essential item

to promote the health of girls, and this they should be allowed to take

freely. At an early age, let them run and play, jump the rope, throw

the hoop, leap and skip; for free exercise gives freedom to the muscles

and joints and strengthens the nerves, all of which are necessary for