Genealogy Chat

Roll Up!!!! Roll Up!!!!...........I am in possession of a book called ''Medical Experiments: or a Collection of Choice and Safe Remedies''.........''For the most part Simple, and easily Prepared: Useful in Families and very Serviceable to Country people''...........By the Honorable R Boyle Esq, Fellow of the Royal Society. The first edition was printed 18th Nov 1691 and my copy is a second edition, 1693. It belonged to one of my ancestors, but I'm not sure who??? ..........If you would like to tell me how you are suffering, I will endeavour to supply you with a remarkable cure from this little book!!!! All sorts of conditions are included ............To start us of, I thought I would give you a cure for failing eyesight, seeing as we all spend far too much time staring at this little screen!!........See below in a mo.........Merry x

You're right Merry - my eyesight's so bad I can't see your message at all LOL!

An Experienc'd Medicine for Strengthening a Weak Sight. Take of Eye-Bright, sweet Fennel Seeds, and fine Sugar, all reduc'e to Pouder, of each an Ounce, Nutmeg also pulveriz'd, one Dram (at most) Mix these very well together, and take of the Compositon from a Dram to two or more, from time to time. There.....Can you see better yet??????? Watch out, I might do ''Strengthen the Bowels'' or ''Lungs Stuffed'' next!! Merry

Well, lets see, shall we Sue!! For Strengthening the Bowels. Take Cloves or Chives (not Bulbs) of Garlick, and let the Patient from time to time swallow one or two, without chewing. There.....that's better, isn't it??! Merry

Merry whats in your book to cure an ex smokers breathing problems? sick of bieng poked and prodded (don't give me arsenic )MOE!

Moe......This should fix it! An Experienc'd Medicine for Coughs. Boil good Turnips in Water, and having exprest the Juice, mix with it as much finely pouder'd Sugar-candy as will bring it into a kind of syrup, of which let the Patient swallow a little as slowly as he [or she??!!] can from time to time. Yummmm!! Merry (cough, cough)

turnips are on the boil i will just add a few carrots...maybe a few spuds....a couple of oxos.....a 1lb of stew beef ....onions anyone?....this is begining to look like a pan of scouse that will do me fine COUGH !!!!!SPLUTTER!!!!! feel better now...MOE

Moe, Bet you can't swallow it slowly??! Merry

Oooh....this is more like it!!: An uncommon, but Experienc'd Remedy for Dysenterical Fluxes. Take the Bone of the Thigh of a hang'd Man. Calcine it to whiteness, and having purg'd the Patient with an Antimonial Medicine, give him one Dram of this white Pouder for one Dose, in some good Cordial, whether Conserve or Liquor. Personally, I think I'll stick to the Cordial by itself, thanks! (anyway, I don't think Tesco would stock all the ingredients??!) Merry

merry i am going the asda soon i will look for you!! shall i ask the assistants for help? ha!...MOE

Yes please Moe......... Tell them Tesco don't have the main ingredient......! Merry

Here are some other dreadful cures from Eunice who sent me a PM!!!! She says they are only about 80 years old..........Medicine has come a long way in the last 80 years then! Hi Merry, How about these 'remedies' printed about 80 odd years ago 1.For whooping cough:Catch either a spider or a caterpillar,put it in a bag & hang it on a clothes line. 2 For measles:Pour boiling water on Marigold flowers & drink the infusion. 3 For insomnia:Roll up a cobweb into a pill & eat it. 4 For earache:Roast a small onion,wrap in muslin & place against the ear. 5 For an open cut:: Cover with a cobweb to stop the bleeding. 6 Homemade ointment:Eucalyptus,vaseline.auger,green or swallow oil & beeswax,put in a jar & stand it in hot water until melted. 7 A homemade pill:2 drams of castile soap,2 drams of compound rhubarb,2 drams of jollop?.Melt together.Bits should be broken off & swallowed as a pill. 8 A homemade liniment:1 pint of methylated spirits & 2oz.Cayenne pepper.. 9 For Rheumatism:1:Chop up young Dandelion leaves,mix with vinegar & eat or: Thrash the affected part with stinging nettles.. Which one will you try? Merry

Hi Doc, how about relief of bowels? i have tried bottles of syrup of figs for breakfast and cascara for lunch. NOTHING! XX

Oooh, I love all this stuff. Cobwebs for a cut would work - cobwebs contain small amounts of penicillin and also a clotting agent. Turnips have magical and medicinal properties, which is why I am so fond of them (LOL - those were the days). My dear old FIL, sadly long gone, had a terrible ulcer on his leg which refused to heal. The District Nurse came in daily to dress it, but it just got worse. In desperation, she asked him if she might try an old fashioned remedy - he said yes, he would try anything. She liberally drenched the ulcer with icing sugar. After a week of this, it started to heal and after a month it had completely gone. Olde Crone

OOOOOHHhhh - Just come on line - munching cheese + crackers (all I've had time for today as I've got my little granddaughter for the weekend and have JUST put her to bed) - What do I find to put me off my food - people munching spiders + cobwebs !!!!!! UUUrrrrrggghhhh - I'd much rather have Moe's 'Tatter Ash' (as we call it in Lancashire). Dea x

Olde crone....I've heard of honey for an infected wound or ulcer, but never icing sugar! Amazing!! Ellen,.....Oh dear, hope you are OK?? Here's your patent relief: To make a good Purging Drink: Take two ounces of Rhubarb, four ounces of Gentian, and a quart of good Aniseed water. Let the Roots infuse along in it, and give the Patient about two spoonfuls at a time as often as need requires. Let me know how you are tomorrow! Merry

Merry I doubt if Ellen will be able to get on here until about Thursday week if she takes two ounces of Rhubarb!!!! Olde Crone

Come on OC - soaked in a quart of water and only two spoons at a time.......Shall we suggest that's teaspoons! Merry

If it's too much then........... A Slight but often try'd Medicine for the Griping of the Guts. (I might try this, though my guts are fine thanks!) Take about a quarter of a Pint of Brandy, and having made a Toast of Bread (not too fine and white) throw it in very hot into the Liquor, and as soon as 'tis thorowly drencht let the Patient take it out, and eat it hot; and this may be repeated, if there be need, two or three times a day. (and if that doesn't work, just drink the brandy!!) merry

Thanks Merry, I can try rhubarb with Pernod but gentian? isnt that the purple stuff they used to paint the next doors kids hair with when they had 'visitors'? Cheers Ellen XX