Genealogy Chat

Hi Kate, Some of the old remedies do work, but some of the ones in this book are so bizzare, that the cure seems far worse than the ailment. According to the author they are based on the "Medico-Botanical System". I suppose our medical technology will seem pretty basic in another 100 years time. Best Wishes June

Marion, Maybe June's book has some potions for catching a fella? And I hope you paid for the lettuce before you put it on your head!

Nichola, I think that sounds more like neuralgia you have. June, I didnt think I mentioned you but actually you said the same in your thread I think I said Janet was right cloves are a very good remedy for toothache, probably won't be able to get oil of cloves these days (I should put that on the thread old things you can't buy today). Should be still able to buy cloves in health food shops or deli's. Hope you feel better today Nichola. Pat x

Have got a headache myself today, can I be electrified please? I am sure that my hubby would do it for me!! Maggy

This one is for the fellas.... Baldness Rub the part morning & evening with onions, till it is red, and afterwards with honey. OR Wash it with a decoction of boxwood OR Electrify it daily. OR A drachm of the Tincture of Catharides mixed with an ounce of lard is a good application. Wonder how they electrify.......dread to think....lol

I didnt even know they had electricity in them days but it seems to be the cure for everything.

Don't think they did Lyla.....thats what got me wondering. One definition of electrify is to startle or excite....the mind boggles!! June x

For some reason I keep thinking of John Travolta..........I've got chills, its electrifying.............!

My Grandad's remedy for earache or toothache was to boil an onion then put it in an old sock and place next to the ear or tooth that was aching It did take the pain away but didn't really cure it Bren

Tincture of Cantharides is Spanish Fly!!!!! For toothache of the eye-watering, screaming with pain sort, try Boots Painkillers for Toothache (sorry, cant remember the proper name, but youll know them when you see them) they are the only thing which worked for me. I dont know whats in them but I floated!

For bladder problems, try apple cordial and lime juice together (in water as usual, but fairly strong).

Hi Nicola, Pleased you've got rid of your toothache, did you tell the dentist about the old remedies though? Nothing worse than toothache.....apart from the remedy they used for curing piles in the 1800's!!!!! Piles to cure Lightly boil the juice of nettles with a little sugar; take 2ozs. It seldom needs repeating. OR Apply warm treacle. OR A tobacco leaf steeped in water twenty four hours. OR A poultice of boiled brook-lime. It seldom fails. OR A bruised onion, skinned or roasted in ashes. OR Fumigate with vinegar, wherein red hot flints have been quenched. Think that lot gives a whole new meaning to the dance of the flaming wotnots......lol June x

Cranberry juice is for bladder problems. Honey is an antiseptic for anything that looks like it has or will become infected. Tea tree, which is another antiseptic (and honey) apparently helps clear up MRSA. Dock leaves for nettle stings. The list is seemingly endless! But can anyone come up with a cure or preventative for mouth ulcers?

Whooping cough can be cured by placing a live flat fish on the breast of the patient and letting it remain there until it dies. The blood from a live mole dropped on a lump of sugar is a good treatment for fits (Hmmm wonder if I should try that on other half?!) Cure for festive headaches - Set a dish or platter of tin upon the bare head filled with water and then drop an ounce and a half or two ounces of moulten lead therein whilst on the head.

Kate, For mouth ulcers I take zinc tablets- not expensive, & work overnight if taken at the first twinge. I always take them at bedtime, not sure why, but they work! One of the earache remedies mentioned,was to blow smoke into the ear- that's exactly what my dad used to do, when I was plagued with earache. That was before he heated up a spoon (over the gas cooker!) & put some olive oil in it, then poured the oil into my ear..... sounds cruel, but was actually very comforting. This was before antibiotics.....When they took out tonsils, earaches were less, but still suffer in the cold. Family suggest that's because there's so little to stop the draught blowing through...... Next time I'm wheezing & miserable, I'll come on here for the cure- a good laugh! God bless, sweet dreams everyone Mary

PMSL These are great Here's a few more I found Burns: Lick a lizard, then lick the burn. Chilblains: Dip the affected part in cow’s urine. Cuts: Apply cobwebs or pig’s manure. Childhood mumps: Put on a donkey’s winkers and lead the child in and out of a pigsty three times Sore throat: Put roasted salt into a sweaty sock and apply it to the throat. Thrush: Get a posthumously born child to blow his/her breath into the afflicted child’s mouth before sunset. Baldness: Fill a goat’s bladder with human urine and and hang it up a chimney until it dries out. Ground the bladder up with a raw onion. Rub on bald spot. Sore tonsils: Fill a stocking with hot potatoes and apply to the throat. Stomach upsets: Tie a sprig of mint to your wrist. Consumption: Drink boiled mullen juice, or drink ass’s milk. Head cold: Washing soda, sniffed up the nose, will encourage sneezing and ease the discomfort. Whooping cough: Put a hairy caterpillar in a stocking and tie it around your neck. If the worm crawls all the way around the neck the whooping cough will vanish Where do you find a goat's bladder when you need one, hubby'll just have to stay bald!! LOL Christine

pmsl here Christine, that cure for baldness is worse than the one I found. Cure for Nose Bleeds Use wheaten flour; it forms a good styptic; snuff it up the nose. Tighten the garters; apply ligatures to the arms, and put the feet into warm water to bring the blood downwards. To apply a cold wet cloth to the privities is effectual. OR Snuff up vinegar & water, or forment the legs and arms with it. It's a wonder anyone survived the cures let alone the ailments!! June x

little-kb I think those white things ar emouth ulcers - I get them on my tongue too sometimes. Look like it'll be zinc supplements all round.

NICHOLA, AS AN EX DENTAL NURSE AND ONE WHO HAS JUST SUFFERED AN ABCESS ON A TOOTH FOR A WHOLE WEEKEND. MY ADVICE IS OIL OF CLOVES ON A COTTON WOOL BUD, RUB ON TOOTH, THAT SHOULD SHIFT IT. NOT A VERY NICE TASTE BUT WORKS. ALSO TRY SWISHING A DROP OF WHISKEY ROUND THE TOOTH. I AM SORRY TO SAY THAT YOU MUST NEVER DESOLVE A TABLET NEAR THE TOOTH AS THIS CAN CAUSE A NASTY BURN ON CHEEK. ALSO NEVER PUT ANYTHING HOT ON YOUR FACE LIKE A HOTWATER BOTTLE AS THIS IS ALSO BAD.

BTW June, some of these old cures are still used today. The cabbage leaf one is not as daft as it sounds. When I had my four babies, I breast fed them and was told by the midwives that a cabbage leaf in you bra soothes sore boobies! I can vouch for it. It works, even if it was a bit smelly. LOL Christine