How They Did It In the 1870's






<PRE>
by William B. Dick

Dick's Encyclopedia of Practical Receipts and Processes or How They Did It In the 1870s.
It is 607 pages and has 6,422 entries.

5720. To Relieve Vomiting During Pregnancy.
Mix 2 ounces sweet tincture of rhubarb, and 1 ounce compound tincture of
gentian.  Dose, a teaspoonful 3 times a day.

5721. To Cure Vomiting in Pregnancy.
Mix 1 drachm carbonate of magnesia, 1/2 ounce tincture of colombo, 5 1/2
ounces peppermint water.  Take a tablespoonful 3 times a day.

5722. Citric Acid in After Pains.
Dr. J.B. CHAGNON recommends citric acid for the pains following labor, and
declares that it has never failed in his hands.   He gives 5 grains in 2 or
3 ounces of water every five hours.  It acts as a nervine, and as a
preventive of inflammation.

5730. To Cure Sore Nipples.
This painful affection of the breast, especially so during the period of
nursing, may be cured as follows: Arrest the bleeding by a slight
application of compound tincture of benzoin, carefully dry the parts with a
soft muslin handkerchief; apply a solution of gutta-percha, so as to
completely surround the nipple and cover all abrasions, giving it three or
four coatings, allowing each to dry thoroughly before repeating the
application.  During the act of suction, a boxwood shield, with calf¹s teat,
should be used, and in the course of a few days all will be well.  The
solution of gutta-percha is prepared by dissolving one drachms gutta-percha
in a bottle containing 3 drachms chloroform.  The film rapidly formed is
firm, elastic, and harmless, and should it rub off, it is very easily
replaced.  The most painless nature of the treatment, the effectual
protection from the contact of the air and irritation of the infant¹s mouth
recommend it strongly to general use.

5715. Difficult or Painful Menstruation.
The most common from of this complaint is ranged under the head of the
neuralgia, for the violent pain with which it is accompanied bears a close
resemblance to neuralgic pains experienced in other parts of the body.  In
such, if the affection is of long standing, the nervous system generally has
probably sympathized, and headache, with hysteria and many other distressing
symptoms, accompany the menstrual disorder.  Many cases of this nature are
conducted with marked constitutional derangement, more particularly with
gout and rheumatism.  For the relief to the extreme pain which accompanies
the complaint, soothing remedies are rendered indispensable, and the most
suitable medical ones will be prescribed by the medical attendant.  In his
absence, or conjoined to the medicines, the warm hip-bath may be tried,
followed by application of mustard poultices, or flannel wrung out of hot
water and sprinkled with turpentine, over the lower part of the back.  In
the general treatment, the greatest attention must be paid to diet and regimen.

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