Part 6
“He was unusually kind and obliging to every body; he quarreled with no one; he ate and drank merely that he might not suffer from hunger or thirst and never beyond what necessity required; from his earliest youth he never allowed himself to be unemployed; these were the only means he used.”
I took a note of this in a little book where I generally write all that I am anxious to remember, and very soon afterwards I observed in another paper that a woman had died near Stockholm at 115 years of age; that she never was ill, and was always of a contented disposition. I immediately wrote to Stockholm to learn what means the old woman had used for preserving her health, and now read the answer:
“She always had a great love of cleanliness, and in the daily habit of washing her face, hands and feet in cold water, and as often as opportunity offered she bathed in the same.--She never ate or drank any delicacies or sweet-meats, seldom coffee, seldom tea, and never wine.”
Of these likewise I took a note in my little book. Sometime after this I read that near St. Petersburg, a man died who had enjoyed good health until he was 120 years old. Again I took my pen and wrote to St. Petersburg, and here is the answer:
“He was an early riser, and never slept beyond seven hours at a time; he never was idle; he employed himself chiefly in the open air, and particularly in his garden; whether he walked or sat in his chair he never permitted himself to sit awry or in a bent posture, but was always perfectly straight. The luxurious and effeminate habits of citizens he held in contempt.”
After having read all this from my little book I said to myself: “you will be a foolish man indeed not to profit by the example and experience of these old people.” I then wrote out all that I had been able to discover about these happy old people upon a card, which I suspended over my writing desk, so that I might always have it before my eyes to remind me what to do, and from what I should refrain. Every morning and evening I read over the contents of my card and obliged myself to conform to its rules.
And now my dear young readers, I can assure you on the word of an honest man, that I am much happier and in better health than I used to be. Formerly I had the headache every day and now I suffer scarcely once in three or four months. Before I began these rules I hardly dare to venture out in the rain or snow without catching cold. In former times a walk of half an hour’s length fatigued and exhausted me, now I walk miles without weariness. Imagine then the happiness I experience, for there are few feelings so cheering to the spirits as those of constant good health and vigor. But, alas! there is something in which I cannot imitate these happy old people, and that is I have not been accustomed to all this from my youth. Oh! that I were young again that I might imitate them in all things; that I might be happy and long-lived as they were.
Little children who read this, you are the fortunate ones who are able to adopt in perfection this kind of life. What then prevents your living henceforward as healthful and happily as the old woman of Stockholm or as long and useful as the old men of London and St. Petersburg.
LIQUID OPODELDOC.
Take ½ pint 95 per cent. alcohol, 1 ounce camphor, ½ pint turpentine; dissolve the camphor in the alcohol; then add the turpentine. For rheumatism, head ache, sore throat, old strains, swellings, cramps, numbness, stiffness, weakness, pains in the joints, corns, slight burns, frost bitten feet, &c.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE.
Rub it well on the part affected with your hand or a piece of muslin, night and morning, and if convenient, at noon. In obstinate cases avoid as much as possible exposure to a damp atmosphere, to the extremes of heat and cold. Keep the feet dry and comfortable, and be temperate in eating and drinking. For corns, lay a piece of flannel on them and moisten occasionally with the opodeldoc, avoid tight shoes. Travellers and families ought always to keep a bottle by them; it only requires a trial to prove its efficacy; keep the bottle closely stopped. In some cases of rheumatism and other affections, if a piece of flannel be worn over the part, relief will be obtained sooner.
DR. WICKEY’S CHOLERA MEDICINE.
Take 2 ounces Formentilla, “ 2 “ Devil Bit, “ 2 “ Bimbornella, “ 2 “ Bistorda, “ 2 “ Angelica, “ 2 “ Gentiana, “ 2 “ Zedary, “ 2 “ Valerian, “ 2 “ Elecampane, “ 2 “ Calamos, “ 2 “ Rue or other bitter herb.
Pulverize these as fine as possible, put them into one gallon of French brandy of the best quality, or best fourth-proof old rye whiskey; brandy is best--put the whole into a bottle or jar--a bottle is best if one can be had large enough at the top, which must be closed; then place the bottle or jar in the sand, which should be at least two inches deep at the bottom of the kettle or crock; fill in sand to come above the drugs when settled, and put under it a slow fire, so as to keep it warm but not to boil. Let it digest for fourteen days and filter the whole of it through fine flannel several times, so as to separate the drugs well; then put in each gallon 2 ounces spirits of camphor and 2 ounces spirits saffron, when it will be ready for use.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE.
For preventing cholera: first take one tablespoonful in the morning, fasting on cold water, one at noon, and one at night. Second, for an attack or symptoms take from 2 to 3 tablespoonsful every 5, 10 or 15 minutes, as the case may require, until relieved, when the doses may be lessened, or not so often. Let the patient go to bed and keep warm and quiet as possible until relieved. Third, for the third stage or relapse, vomiting and pain in the stomach, take from 2 to 4 tablespoonsful every 5 or 10 minutes, as the case may be, until relieved or thrown into a sweat; cover up warm, and if cold apply plenty of hot bricks or bottles with hot water in, to the feet, hands, body, &c. mustard plaster on the stomach, rubbing with the hand, some stimulant, as not a moment’s time should be lost when the cold chill comes on. Fourth stage or relapse, attended with cold sweats and rice water discharges, take large doses every 3 or 5 minutes; continue until the patient becomes warm and easier. No time should be lost at this stage of the disease. Apply hot bricks, bottles, &c. as before directed; when relieved the doses may be less and not so often--say from ½ hour to 6 hours; continue 3 or 4 days as the case may require, and do not fail to keep the patient warm, &c.
For bilious or cramp colic, cholera morbus, flux, bilious fever, &c. administer doses as above. Let the patient go to bed and keep as quiet as possible until relieved. In severe cases of cholera morbus, a mustard plaster should be placed over the stomach, which must be kept on as long as it can be borne. Travellers and families should not be without this medicine, as it as considered by all who have used it to be the safest and surest remedy for the above disease ever introduced. Take a friend’s advice and never be without this remedy, as it was never known to fail in curing what it is recommended to do. Give it a fair trial, and its efficacy will soon be seen. By strictly obeying the directions it is perfectly safe and harmless; it is also good in sick stomachs, &c.
This medicine, when persevered in according to directions, will effectually cure cholera in all its stages, and all that it is recommended to do, which can be attested by certificates from many persons. By adding the tincture of cayenne you will find this medicine effectual in cramp colic; add the tincture until as strong as it can be taken.
To be more plain and simple,--in making of the cholera medicine, if in the summer you can set the bottle or jar in the sun, which should be when the sun is very warm, letting it remain some 3 or 4 weeks--the longer you distil, the better the medicine. If in the winter season, you can place your crock on the top of the stove, keeping the fire regular, so as not to boil--if you distil until reduced one-third, it will be much stronger and better.
CERTAIN REMEDY FOR RHEUMATISM.
Take of sarsaparilla root, coltsfoot root, or wild ginger root, sassafras root, dogwood root, yellow poplar root, prickley ash root, spicewood root, one handful of each, when dried, as much as you can hold in one hand; cut the bark off of the roots and pulverize as fine as you can, except the sarsaparilla, which must be cut in very small pieces; then put the whole in one gallon of best fourth-proof old rye whiskey, and let it stand for 1 or 2 weeks; but should you wish to use immediately, set the vessel containing the ingredients on the stove, and keep just warm for 2 or 3 days, when it will be fit for use.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE.
Take from 1 to 3 tablespoonsful 3 times a day, one hour before meals. It may be taken 5 or 6 times a day provided it does not affect the nerves too much. It is perfectly safe and has cured more cases of rheumatism than any other remedy introduced.
I will cite one or two cases where it effected complete cures: Mr. Joshua Deer, who had been in a most helpless condition for a long time, and had tried many other remedies in vain, was cured in five days after he commenced using it, so as to be able to take a ride on horseback, which can be certified by a number of persons living in the neighborhood. Any one doubting the above, can have it proven to their satisfaction by addressing Ezra Deer, or Henry Gross, who was cured by it in less time.
Let it be understood that there never was a preparation that would cure all cases: no, not one-fourth, therefore I have given a number of preparations, so that if one fail, others may prove efficacious, though the above remedy occupies the head of the list in our own estimation. Never give up any one remedy until you have given it a fair trial. “He that holds out faithfully shall be saved.”
This medicine can be distilled the same as the cholera medicine, bottled up and kept for years. Mr. Joshua Deer, was cured with the distilled. Henry Gross and others used it in liquor. You must keep from labor and exposure, while using the above and be careful not to eat any thing greasy, or that which will not agree with you.
FOR RHEUMATISM.
Take 1 ounce of saltpetre, 1 quart of ale--if ale cannot be had take whiskey or water--dissolve the saltpetre in the ale.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE.
Take 1 wine glassful before breakfast, 1 before dinner, 1 before going to bed, and continue until relieved. Should the second quart do no good, stop taking it. You must keep from labor and exposure while using the above. Mr. Dill was cured by this remedy, who had suffered for more than a year constantly.
FOR RHEUMATISM.
Take 1 ounce of sulphur, 1¼ ounces of saltpetre, ½ ounce of gum guscomb, 2 nutmegs, the whole to be finely pulverized, to which add 12 ounces of molasses.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE.
Take 1 tea spoonful every night before going to bed, but if it should act too free on the bowels, the quantity must be diminished.
LINIMENT FOR RHEUMATISM.
Take 1 ounce of spirits of camphor, 1 ounce turpentine, 1 ounce sweet oil, 1 drachm oil of juniper, 1 drachm carbonate of hartshorn, mix these perfectly, and apply three times a day, rubbing it in by the stove or fire with the palm of the hand for 15 minutes.
LINIMENT FOR RHEUMATISM
Take 2 ounces of saltpetre, 2 ounces spirits of hartshorn, 8 ounces of sweet oil. Pulverize the saltpetre as fine as possible, and mix with the spirits of hartshorn, letting it dissolve, then add the sweet oil. Bathe and rub in with the palm of the hand for 15 minutes, at the fire or stove, wrap with flannel if possible. If not strong enough you may add hartshorn, if too strong add sweet oil. This is considered the best liniment ever introduced for the purpose. Use freely.
LINIMENT FOR RHEUMATISM OR NEURALGIA.
Take 8 cayenne pepper pods, and 1 pint of whiskey, boil over a fire until it is reduced to one-half the quantity, when it will be ready for use. Bathe the parts affected with the liniment three times a day. This liniment has often relieved where other remedies have failed.
NERVE AND BONE LINIMENT.
For Swellings, Bruises, Chapped Hands, Frosted Feet, Rheumatism, Cuts, Burns, Mosquito Bites, Stings, Pains in the Limbs, Back, Chest, &c. Take 1 ounce spirits of hartshorn, 1 ounce spirits camphor, 1 ounce saltpetre, 1 tea spoonful sweet oil, 2 teaspoonsful laudanum; put all into a bottle, shake and mix well and it is ready for use. Bathe in at a fire 3 tablespoonsful 3 times a day, rubbing with the hand for 15 minutes. Put the liniment into a bottle, and keep it corked tight. Never pour out more than one table spoonful at a time, being careful to keep the bottle corked tight. This liniment is far superior to any other in use, and you can make as much for 10 cents as you generally buy for 50 cents. Try the experiment and see for yourself.
The spirits of camphor is made by mixing 1½ ounces of gum camphor with ½ pint of 95 per cent. alcohol. Put into a bottle and let them dissolve, shake occasionally, after which it will be ready for use.
The spirits of saltpetre is made by taking 2 ounces pulverized saltpetre put into a bottle, then add 2 ounces spirits of hartshorn, and let it remain half a day, shaking frequently, then add scant ½ pint 95 per cent. alcohol, shake and let it dissolve, when it will be fit for use. For rheumatism add more hartshorn, and bathe the parts affected well.
OINTMENT FOR GOUT AND RHEUMATISM.
The chloride of gold made into an ointment with lard is said to speedily relieve the pains of the gout or rheumatism. It stains the skin purple, which can be easily removed by washing it with urine.
FOR RHEUMATISM.
Take 2 balsam apples, put into ½ gallon of good fourth proof whiskey in a jug and let it stand for a week or ten days, shaking occasionally. Dose, one wine glassful three times a day. Keep from exposure while using and eat nothing greasy or that disagrees with the stomach. This has cured where other remedies have failed, and should the first ½ gallon not entirely cure, use the second immediately.
EFFECTUAL CURE FOR RHEUMATISM.
The following receipt, given by an Englishman to a respectable tradesman of Limerick, (Ireland,) who had for a considerable time labored under the most violent rheumatic pains in all his limbs and joints, having been used by him as directed but 5 or 6 times, as he states, eradicated the disease completely. Anxious that so effectual a remedy should be made publicly known we publish the recipe:
Take 1 ounce of sulphur, 1¼ ounces of saltpetre, 1½ ounces gum guscomb, 2 nutmegs; the whole to be finely powdered in a mortar and 12 ounces of molasses. A tea spoonful to be taken every night on going to bed; should it operate too much on the bowels, a smaller quantity is to be taken.
PLASTER FOR RHEUMATISM.
Or Pains in the Back, &c. It is said to be a certain cure. Take 1 pound of rosin and melt it over a slow fire, then add ½ pint of tar pouring in slowly, stirring all the time; when it is well mixed pour all into cold water, and work it well with your hands. As soon as it is cool and stiff enough, spread it on a linen rag and apply it to the affected part. The plaster should be a little larger than the pain extends--if you put the plaster on sheep skin it will be better. This is sure to give relief.
TO MAKE HONEY WITHOUT BEES.
Take 8 pounds best brown sugar, 1½ pounds rendered honey, 1 ounce cream of tartar, 4 drops essence of wintergreen, 2 drops essence of peppermint, 2 ounces best molasses, 3 parts of a pint pure cold water, dissolve the cream of tartar, then put all in a tin or bell metal vessel, let boil gently 6 or 8 minutes, stirring and mixing occasionally; then beat up the white of 2 eggs into a foam, and stir them in, and when nearly cool stir in 2 pounds more of bees honey; skim off whatever may rise to the top. If you want it nice and clean, strain it through a coarse cloth as soon as you have the eggs stirred in.--If you strain it put in the 2 lbs. of honey after it is strained. This makes an excellent honey. The addition of the eggs is simply to give it the appearance of having combs in it, but can be left out if you wish. The same honey may be used for the second making.
JUDKIN’S OINTMENT.
Take 1 pound of red lead, ¾ pound rosin, 1 pint linseed oil, 3 tablespoonsful lamp black, 2 ounces British oil, ½ ounce sugar of lead finely pulverized. Boil this over a slow fire one hour, then add 1 pint more of linseed oil, and boil another hour, when done add ½ pint of turpentine while cooling off, stir and mix well, do not put the turpentine in when first taken off the fire. Let it cool 5 minutes, then pour in the turpentine slowly, stirring well. Should it catch on fire while pouring in the turpentine, put a lid or cover over the vessel immediately to smother the fire. There is no danger in making if careful, as it will be easily smothered. Pour out into a new earthen crock, let cool off, and when cool put into a jar or tin box. There is nothing better than this preparation for wounds, fresh or old boils, and cannot be surpassed for scalds, burns, &c.
DIRECTIONS FOR USE.
Spread a thin coat of the ointment on a piece of linen rag large enough to cover the scald or burn, which should be renewed twice a day.--Scrape the old ointment off, and the rag may be used again with another coat of fresh ointment. For boils cut a hole in the rag so as to give it room to open and discharge its contents; renew the ointment three times a day. This is considered one of the best ointments of the age. Give it a trial and its effects will soon be felt.
REMEDY FOR THE BITE OF A SNAKE.
Take the spirits of camphor made of whiskey and apply it to the bite, turning the bottle which contains it over the bite and let it remain on until all the poison is drawn out. The bottle used should have a large mouth so that it may cover the wound entirely. Drink freely of the whiskey until you begin to feel its effects. This done in time has never failed.
FOR THE PILES.
Take the kernel of three peach seeds, mash them well, then add hog’s lard or fresh butter, not salted, enough to form a salve and rub this between two butter plates until it becomes of a bluish color, grease with it and take enough rhubarb to keep the bowels open.
CERTAIN CURE FOR CANCER.
Take 1 pint of strong ley and boil down till it forms a salve, then apply every 15 minutes until seven plasters have been applied, and as soon as it begins to bleed stop the applications, then work the core out and grease with hog’s lard to kill it; heal with ointment or some good salve. When the ley has been boiled down, should the substance that remains become hard, work it into a salve. This is also good for the cure of fistula or poll evil in horses.
FOR WHITE SWELLINGS.
Take 1 handful of mullin leaves and ½ pint of old rye whiskey; boil these together and strain, then add 1 gill of turpentine and 2 gills of spirits of camphor. Bathe well until all the swelling and soreness has left, wrap with flannel which should he dampened with the lotion; this is a certain remedy.
TO KEEP CIDER SWEET.
Make the cider as late in the fall as possible from solid apples, without using any water, put away immediately from the press, and lay it in some place where it may remain quiet, let the place be as cool as possible. Fill the barrel up full, take the bung out and leave it out for four days, filling it up occasionally as it settles or works out. Should the cider stop working under 4 days, rack it off carefully from the dregs, which should be done as soon as the cider stops working, then put your cider into a clean sweet barrel--it should be a barrel that has had whiskey or brandy in it--if not, rinse with water until perfectly clean, then sweetened by putting in a small quantity of whiskey. If this cannot be done soak your barrels well so that they may be sweet and clean. After having racked your cider off from the dregs carefully, put in the whites of 6 eggs, battered light, and a scant ½ pint of mustard seed. Bung up and in 5 or 6 weeks rack it off again carefully from the dregs. Cleanse the barrel well and put in the same barrel--½ gallon of old rye whiskey will add considerably to its flavor. If your cider is very sour, add from 3 to 5 lbs. white sugar; to insure its preservation it should be strained through a cloth from the press. By being careful--cider put up in this way will keep for 5 years.
FOR BOILED CIDER.
Make the cider late in the fall, using none but sound apples, not even those with small specks in, without any water. Take it right from the press and put it in a copper kettle; boil it one hour from the time it commences; skim it off as the skum arises as clean as you can; then pour into a clean, sweet whiskey barrel, put into a bag scant ½ pint of mustard seed; let the bag down through the bung hole by a string, making the string fast to the barrel so as it can be drawn out again conveniently. It may be flavored with ground cinnamon or cloves if you fancy the taste. Cider put up in this way will keep a long time and makes an excellent drink, by adding ½ gallon of old rye whiskey it may be kept a number of years. Cider, either from the press or boiled, put into bottles or jugs, corked up tight and sealed over with sealing-wax; it can be kept many years, and makes a delicious drink.
CHERRY BRANDY.
Press out the juice and add 1 gallon of water to 12 gallons of the juice; then dissolve in the juice 1 pound of white sugar to the gallon; boil slowly in a copper kettle, and skim off what rises to the top. Do not boil too long or it will get thick; when the skum stops rising freely pour it into some vessel to cool. Do not allow it to stand in the kettle to cool. When it has become cool put into whatever vessel you wish to keep it in, and add as much old rye whiskey as may suit your taste, say from 1 to 3 gallons. The better the whiskey is the better your brandy will be. Black heart cherries are the best if they can be had. This makes a much better drink than port wine.
BLACK OR DEWBERRY CORDIAL.
For diarrhœa or summer complaint. This is made by adding 1 pound of white sugar to 3 pounds of black or dewberries, allowing them to stand for twelve hours, then pressing out the juice and strain well, adding 1 third part good french brandy and 1 tea spoonful of finely pulverized allspice in every part of the cordial, which is ready for use at once. This cordial cannot be surpassed for children and weak stomachs, &c.
BLACK OR DEWBERRY WINE.
An excellent wine and a valuable medicine for home use. To make a wine equal to port wine, take ripe blackberries, or dewberries are best; press out the juice, let it stand thirty-six hours to ferment, skim off whatever rises to the top, then to every gallon of the juice add one quart of water and 3 pounds of white sugar. Let this stand in open vessels for 24 hours, skim and strain it, then barrel it up until March, when it should be racked off carefully from the dregs, and bottled up for use.
GAS BEER.