Turpentine, Oil or Spirit of. — Used
occasionally by physicians as a medicine
internally, in ten-drop doses, in typhoid
fever (as an alternative to the diseased
bowel) and in c/wonic rhciunatism ; in larger
quantities, even a teaspoonful or more, in
cases of tapewoi'iii, and as an antidote for
phosphorus poisoning . Oil of turpentine is
very heating, and had better not be taken
internally without medical advice.
Exte^nially , it is a good warming appli-
cation (half and half with sweet oil, if the
skin of the patient be delicate) for soi-e
throaty pain in the side or back, etc. It may
cause some soreness and a slight eruption,
which, however, will soon pass away.
Valerian. — The root of an herb native to
the Old World, of which the tincture and
pinid extract are most used. It is a mild
nervous stimulant and antispasmodic (com-
posing agent). In hysterical ca.SQS, and in
some cases of delirium tremens, it is very
serviceable. Dose of the tincture, a teaspoon-
ful ; of the fluid extract, the same ; either
being diluted with water when taken.
Valerianate or Ammonia is often given,
in the form of an elixir, in teaspoonful
doses, to promote sleep in cases of restless-
ness at night. Valerianate of zinc is a
nerve-tonic ; sometimes prescribed by phy-
sicians, in one-grain doses, for epilepsy.
Vichy Water. — An alkaline (antacid)
mineral water of France, more agreeable be-
cause of its containing some free carbonic
acid gas. It is recommended for dyspepsia
with sour stomach; for gravel, and for go?it ;
especially when the last named affects the
stomach and digestion. Vi^hy lozenges are
sold by apothecaries, being intended to imi-
tate vichy water when dissolved. They are
often found serviceable to persons subject to
sourness of stomach after eating.
Warner's Cordial. — Tincture of Rhubarb
and Senna this is, by composition. It is a
warming, stimulating laxative to the bowels ;
good in gouty cases, and many others. Dose,
one or two teaspoonfuls, in water.
Watermelon=Seed Tea is an old remedy
for dropsy. It is a diuretic, of considerable
power, and quite safe, if it does not always
524
cure. A couple of tablespoonfuls of the
seeds may be infused in a pint of hot water,
and left covered for an hour or two. It is
least disagreeable when taken cold ; dose, a
wineglass ful✪ Watermelon-Seed Tea (or less, if the stomach be
weak) three or four times a day.
Wild Cherry Bark. — One of our native
American medicines, of real value. Like the
fruit and leaves of the wild cherry tree, and
like peach leaves and fruit-stones, this bark
contains principles which, when water is
added, make a small quantity of Prussic
(Cyanohydric or Hydrocyanic) Acid. This
is a decided sedative to the blood-circulation,
while wild cherry bark has also somewhat
of the tonic property which is more largely
possessed by the vegetable bitters. It is,
'OcLQ.r^for^, 2i sedative tonic. It is adapted to
cases of bro?ichial infiammation, especially
in rather feeble persons. I have known it
to do good even in consumption of the lungs.
A cold infusion (tea) may be made by soak-
ing pieces of the bark in cold water over
night. This may be drunk freely, so long
as the stomach is not oppressed by it. But
more convenient are the syrup and fluid
extract of wild cherry bark. The syrup is
an excellent cough-medicine, at any stage
of a cough, having a particularly soothing
and quieting influence upon the air-passages.
Page 196 · 1 recipe record on this page
Presented as published in 1901. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Turpentine, Oil or Spirit of. — Used occasionally by physicians as a medicine internally, in ten-drop doses, in typhoid fever (as an alternative to the diseased bowel) and in c/wonic rhciunatism ; in larger quantities, even a teaspoonful or more, in cases of tapewoi'iii, and as an antidote for phosphorus poisoning . Oil of turpentine is very heating, and had better not be taken internally without medical advice.
Externally , it is a good warming application (half and half with sweet oil, if the skin of the patient be delicate) for soi-e throaty pain in the side or back, etc. It may cause some soreness and a slight eruption, which, however, will soon pass away.
Valerian. — The root of an herb native to the Old World, of which the tincture and pinid extract are most used. It is a mild nervous stimulant and antispasmodic (composing agent). In hysterical cases, and in some cases of delirium tremens, it is very serviceable. Dose of the tincture, a teaspoonful ; of the fluid extract, the same ; either being diluted with water when taken.
Valerianate or Ammonia is often given, in the form of an elixir, in teaspoonful doses, to promote sleep in cases of restlessness at night. Valerianate of zinc is a nerve-tonic ; sometimes prescribed by physicians, in one-grain doses, for epilepsy.
Vichy Water. — An alkaline (antacid) mineral water of France, more agreeable because of its containing some free carbonic acid gas. It is recommended for dyspepsia with sour stomach; for gravel, and for gout ; especially when the last named affects the stomach and digestion. Vichy lozenges are sold by apothecaries, being intended to imitate vichy water when dissolved. They are often found serviceable to persons subject to sourness of stomach after eating.
Warner's Cordial. — Tincture of Rhubarb and Senna this is, by composition. It is a warming, stimulating laxative to the bowels ; good in gouty cases, and many others. Dose, one or two teaspoonfuls, in water.
Watermelon=Seed Tea is an old remedy for dropsy. It is a diuretic, of considerable power, and quite safe, if it does not always
cure. A couple of tablespoonfuls of the seeds may be infused in a pint of hot water, and left covered for an hour or two. It is least disagreeable when taken cold ; dose, a wineglass ful (or less, if the stomach be weak) three or four times a day.
Wild Cherry Bark. — One of our native American medicines, of real value. Like the fruit and leaves of the wild cherry tree, and like peach leaves and fruit-stones, this bark contains principles which, when water is added, make a small quantity of Prussic (Cyanohydric or Hydrocyanic) Acid. This is a decided sedative to the blood-circulation, while wild cherry bark has also somewhat of the tonic property which is more largely possessed by the vegetable bitters. It is, therefore, 2i sedative tonic. It is adapted to cases of bronchial infiammation, especially in rather feeble persons. I have known it to do good even in consumption of the lungs. A cold infusion (tea) may be made by soaking pieces of the bark in cold water over night. This may be drunk freely, so long as the stomach is not oppressed by it. But more convenient are the syrup and fluid extract of wild cherry bark. The syrup is an excellent cough-medicine, at any stage of a cough, having a particularly soothing and quieting influence upon the air-passages.
Records on this page
Watermelon-Seed Tea