Introduction and Background

! VALUABLE HERBAL PRESCRIPTIONS, Loty bol Heed Mow BA el Hie te Library of Ontario College of Pharmacy R.O. HURST LIBRARY PACULTY OF PHARMACY UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO A BRIEF TREATISE on VARIOUS AILMENTS AND THEIR TREATMENT BY NATURE’S REMEDIES The products of the earth being our life, Why not the products of the earth our medicine, KeGIstERED at Stationers’ Hae, Loxpox.] (Copyricu, She It will-be Seen that we have not wearied our readers with unnecessary details, having gone direct to business with the names of the ailments, their symptoms, and the remedy; the remedies being the result of 30 years’ practical experience. A mode of self-treatment at home must have been a long-felt want by all well-regulated minds, and should be found exceedingly advantageous to those who have a desire to see and know what they are swallowing ; there will also be satisfaction in know- ing that the ingredients being absolutely vegetabie, are as harmless as they are beneficial. When an ailment stands out distinctive, the most likely means of cure is by a remedy specially adapted to it. Herbalists have full permission to prescribe and sell the ingredients of the prescriptions in this book, but must understand that this book is Copyright, and proceedings would follow an infringement of its contents. A copy of this book will be given free of charge to any suffering person who cates th write for it 3 THE RIGHT HON. W. E. GLADSTONE AND BOTANY. YI ff Uh Extract from Speech made at Guy’s Hospital, London, March 26th, 1890. “The origin of the medical profession was traceable to two sources—the first was the observation of nature which produced the herbalist. He was not aware whether botany now formed a recognized branch of medical edu- cation. He could not help wishing it did, because not only was it in itself a most beautiful and interesting study, exercising the mind without fatiguing it, and 4 stimulating the imagination without leading it astray, but it led to a careful observation of nature, and to a habit of noticing the qualities of plants which were so remarkable and so powerful in their healing capacity. Perhaps his hearers would think it almost ludicrous if he told a little anecdote of his own, which, simple and slight though it was, still it illustrated what he meant. As was pretty well known, he had been given to the pursuit of wood-cutting. By pure accident he drew his finger one day along a tolerably sharp bit of the edge of his axe, and cut his finger. On searching about him he found he had no pocket handkerchief available. He wanted to staunch his little wound. He got a leaf and put it on. He was bound to say that it was not the result of botanical knowledge ; it was strictly an empirical proceeding, But the curious result was that the healing of this little breach of continuity occupied exactly half the time unas- sisted nature would have required, It was perhaps hardly worth mentioning, but he could not help thinking that there were great treasures in nature more than had hereto- fore been explored in that as in every other branch.”— Daily News, March 27th, 1890. T can readily confirm the above statement ; there is scarcely a plant that grows, but which, on being analysed, will be found to contain certain medicinal properties, which if properly applied, would have a beneficial influence upon the ailment for which it is adapted. For instance, certain plants act as purgatives, some as emetics, some induce perspiration, others expectoration, some act upon the kidneys, some upon the liver, whilst others act upon the salivary glands, the blood, skin, nerve tissues, etc.; and when a compound is compounded of harmless vegetable ingredients, may be taken 5 for any length of time, and nothing but good will attend their use: and when they have done their work will leave the system all the better for it ; such cannot always be said of minerals, of mercury never, There are many preparations I could select for the various ailments named in this book, but I confine myself to those given, in consequence of their general effectiveness during long and varied experience. In September, 1882, I received the following (unsolicited) letter from the Right Hon. W. E GLADSTONE :— 10, Downing Street, Whitehall, London. Sept. 28th, 1882. Sir, I am directed by Mr. Gladstone to thank you for recommending the cure for Catarrh. I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, G. Leveson-Gower. Using letters from grateful patients is not a weak- ness of mine, but I publish this because of the Right Hon. gentleman’s speech ; and if time, space, and the weakness, would permit, I could publish a list of testimonials every week all the year round. But 6 the price of a trial of the Prescriptions given in this book is so paltry that no ailing person can form a reasonable excuse for not testing their virtue ; besides, I do not pretend that the remedies are in- fallible, there is no such thing as an infallible remedy, to make the assertion means quackery ; but I do assert that they are well worth a trial, and if you or yours fareas well as the majority you will have little to complain of, and much to be grateful for. R I am continually receiving letters asking ques- tions on the subject of physical culture as a curative agent, the following is my opinion : Puystcat CuLTURE will make the strong stronger. PuysicaL Curture would be beneficial to people of sedentary occupation. PuysicaL CULTURE cannot cure disease. PrysicaL CuLTureE cannot take the place of medicine. Puysicat CULTURE injudiciously indulged in can do much injury. Weight-lifting is not an advisable pastime, it may be all right for a man of herculean strength who knows himself master of the weights he is going to handle, but for the average man this occupation can only be attended with much danger of producing rupture. No man even at his work should attempt to lift anything he thinks is beyond his strength, he will act wisely in asking a mate to give him a hand. People whose employment is laborious (or fairly active) need no phys’ al exercise. RHEUMATISM. The joints and muscles are the parts affected, the movement of the same causing pain, in severe cases the joints swell and become very much in- flamed. When in the joints it is described simply as Rheumatism or Rheumatics, when in the muscles it is described as Muscular Rheumatisin. Causes.—Taking alcoholic drinks to excess, getting the clothes wet through, sleeping in damp beds, lying on damp grass, getting one cold on top of another, etc. TREATMENT.—Have a vapour or Turkish bath every week if possible, and guard against chill. Prepare the following : Agrimony .. for. Bogbean mae Om Raspberry Leaves... $02. Arctium Lappa . $oz. Achille Millefolium, the herb $0z. Boil in a quart of water slowly for 5 minutes, strain, and when cold take a wineglassful three times aday ; and at bedtime take a pill of the following :— Lobelia Herb ‘ .. 2drachms, Gum Arabic... .,_ 2. drachms, Capsicum su. Tdrachm, Mix with Gum Mucilage, and make into 4 grain pills. Dose.—One pill at bedtime. Any herbalist should be able to supply the above, or we will send the herbs (and pills to serve 7 days), postage paid on receipt of Postal Order for one shilling, or 12 penny stamps. Three lots sent post paid for 2s. 9d. We do not supply part of a prescription, only the pre- scription complete. Letters should be addressed as per page 48. DoG's GRASS. AUSTRALIAN FIELD GRASS. ‘A very valuable Herb in cases of Very pretty when in bloom, flowers helio. Kidney trouble. trope and vermilion-tint,—of no medicinal virtue, SCIATICA. Causes.—Taking cold, general debility, impaired vitality, ete. Symptoms.—Acute pain in the hip, and some- times extending from the hip to the knee, in ad- vanced cases extending to the foot. It is some- times tedious of cure. TREATMENT.—Populus Tremuloids, the bark 1 oz. Juniper Berries. . 102. Myrica Cerifera fo. Ginger wee Fn Boil in a quart of water (slowly) for 5 minutes, strain, and when cold take a wineglassful 3 or 4 times a day The medicine must be kept in a cold place. Lotion.—Spirits of Hartshorn .. 1 02. Sweet Oil ‘ ve BOR: Tincture of Myrrh... r oz. SHAKE WELL THE Botte and gently but perseveringly rub into the affected parts twice a day. Any herbalist should be able to supply the above, or we will send a supply complete (Herbs and Lotion) for Postal Order for one shilling. Four penny stamps must be enclosed for packing and postage. We do not supply part of the ingredients, only the whole. Three lots would be sent post paid for 3s. 3d. All letters to be addressed as per page 48. The herbs, roots and barks (as supplied by us) being at all times fresh, are guaranteed to contain their full medicinal virtue, * HOLY GRASS. Sacred gtuss, used for strewing in Churches, KIDNEY AND BLADDER TROUBLE, Symptoms.—Heaviness, drowsiness, pains at the bottom of the back, sometimes a shooting pain, at other times a dull pain, dizziness in the head, variable action of the heart, scanty urine with frequent desire to pass same, etc. When dropsical swellings take place the disease is advanced, and is then styled Bright's Disease. Eat sparingly; let your diet be plain but substantial ; avoid that men- tioned on page 17. TREATMENT.—Dog’s Grass. . . for. Pellitory of the Wall. . Foz. Clivers.. } Janiperus Communiastheberry uz. Alchemilla Arvens oz. Boil slowly in a quart of water 5 minutes, strain, and when cold take a wineglassful 3 or 4 times a day, indulge as much in open air as possible. The medicine must be kept in a cold place. One pill at bedtime. The same pill as for Nervous Debility, see page 14. Any herbalist should be able to supply the above, or we will send the herbs, with pills to serve a week, postage paid, on receipt of Postal Order for one shilling, or 12 penny stamps. We do not supply part of the ingredients, only the prescription complete. Three lots would be sent postage paid for as. od. Letters should be addressed as per page 48. MARITIMA, Excels in nothing beyond its beauty of dower, cream tinted with a red centre, 10 SORE EYES. Keep the eyelids clean, and night and morning foment the same a minute or so with equal parts milk and water, warm; and afterwards rub in gently a little of the following ointment : OINTMENT.—White Wax .. 1 oz. Olive Oil +. 2 drachms, Mutton Suet .. 2 drachms. Oil of Roses .. 1 drachm. Melt the mutton suet and wax, add the oil and roses, and stir until cold, If vitiated blood be the cause take also the follow- ing medicine : Rubus Strigosus, the leaves Galium Aperine Ground Ivy ‘ 2 3 Child's Powder... 0... Hz. Boil ina quart of water slowly for 3 minutes, strain, and when cold take a wineglassful 3 times a day. The medicine must be kept in a cold place. It may be sweetened with sugar if desired ; dose for children must be reduced accord- ingly. Open air exercise should be indulged in as much as possible. Inherited sore eyes can seldom be cured, but even in these cases this treatment should prove very beneficial. Any herbalist should be able to supply the above, or we will send the herbs, and a box of ointment, postage paid, on receipt of Postal Order for one shilling, or 12 penny stamps. Three lots would be sent postage paid for 2s. 9d. All letters should be addressed as per page 48. SAFFRON. Flower pale pink with a scart centre, An exceptionally valuable herb in many cases of fever ULCERATED THROAT. Causes.—Working or living in an impure atmos- phere, unwholesome food, neglected cleanliness, ete. TREATMENT.—Agrimony .. .. doz. Raspberry Leaves .. $02. Galium Aperine .. doz. Gentian Root 2. Foz. Cassia 1. doz. Boil in a quart of water slowly for 5 minutes, strain, and when cold take a wineglassful three times a day. The medicine must be kept in a cold place. Gargle.—1 part Tincture of Myrrh to 7 parts water, and add 15 drops Tincture of Cayenne; with this gargle the throat 3 or 4 timesa day. And keep the bowels nicely regular if not already so. Any herbalist should be able to supply the above, or we will forward the same, and bottle of gargle complete, on receipt of Postal Order for one shilling and sixpence, or 18 penny stamps. We do not supply part of a prescription, only the prescription complete. All letters should be addressed as per page 48. ‘The herbs, roots and barks as supplied by us being always fresh, are guaranteed to contain their full medicinal virtue, GALIUM APERINE. Commonly known as CLivers, a very valuable gras ja skin disease when correctly blended with other alteratives. 12 ULCERATED STOMACH. CausEs.—Long continued stomach derangement, unwholesome food, debility, excess in alcohol drink- ing, etc. Symptoms.—Dull heavy sensation at the pit of the stomach, occasional swelling of the same with occasional cramp feeling, sickly feeling with some- times a tendency to vomit, restlessness and variable pulse, depressed in spirit, temporary absence of strength, if the disease be advanced the tongue also becomes somewhat ulcerated. TREATMENT.—Clivers .. s+ Foz. Arctium Lappa, the root oz. Raspberry Leaves... $oz. Boil in a quart of water (slowly) for 5 minutes, strain, fill up to a quart and when cold take a wineglassful 3 or 4 times a day, The medicine must be kept in a cold place. And at bedtime 2 pills composed as follows :— Solid Extract Cascara.. 2 drachms. Capsicum .. .. 1 drachm, Extract of Chamomilla .. 2 drachms. Mix with Gum Mucilage. Make into 4 grain pills. Any herbalist should be able to supply the above, or we would send the herbs, and pills to serve a week, postage paid, on receipt of Postal Order for one shilling, or 2 penny stamps. Three lots would be sent postage paid for 2s. od. Letters must be addressed as per page 48. ELDER. Elder plant and berries, medicinal properties of the flower, Emollient, Diaphoretic ; colour of the flower, pale lemon tint. Any grandmother will tell you how to make elderberry wine; and the best judges will tell you not to forget to add a few raisins and a little brandy. 13 HEADACHE, Cavses.—The causes are too numerous to mention: constipation, obstructed blood circulation in the head, over-eating, brain worry, disordered stomach, in females obstruction of the menses is a com- case see page 29. etc. mon cause, in this TREATMENT. Scullcap Rosemary... Taraxacum, the herb Menthe Viride Verbena Herb Pree Boil slowly in a quart of water 3 minutes, strain, and when cold take a wineglassful three times a day. The medicine must be kept in a cold place. Keep the bowels nicely regular with the following pills : Solid Extract Cascara 2 drachms. Lobelia Herb .. 2 drachms. Turkey Rhubarb... 2 drachms. Extract of Dock 2 drachms. Form into pill mass, make into 4 grain pills. Dose.—One or two pills at bedtime three nights a week. Indulge in open air as much as possible, and also follow instructions in bedroom ventilating (if possible) given on page 38. Any herbalist should be able to supply the above, or we will forward the herbs (and pills (to serve one week) complete, postage paid on receipt of Postal Order for one shilling, or 12 penny stamps. Three lots would be sent postage paid for 2s. 9d. All letters should be addressed as per page 48. FOREIGN GRASSES. Stately and pretty foreign grasses bearing bloom ; the one on the left bears a pretty pale helio. ower, the one on the right bears a cream-tinted flower, of no medicinal virtue, 14 NERVOUS DEBILITY (Constitutional). Nervous debility is so well known that it scarcely needs describing, and shows itself in a dozen different ways. Fears (groundless), tremors, dread of coming evil, lack of courage, startled at the least unexpected sound, buzzing noises in the head, ringing in the head, restlessness, shy of company, lacking confidence in one’s everyday work ; in advanced cases trembling (or shakiness) of the hands, etc.; at the commencement of the ailment one or two of the symptoms only may be present, followed by the rest as the debility advances. Treatment—Sculleap .. .. Foz. Mistletoe .. 9... oz. Menyanthes .. Gentian es o t Boil in a quart of water (slowly) for 5 minutes, strain, and when cold take a wineglassful 3 times a day. The medicine must be kept in a cold place. Pills as follows :—Lobelia Herb .. 2 drachms. Gum Arabic... 2 drachms. Capsicum =... r drachm. Mix with Gum Mucilage and make into 4 grain pills. Dose.—One pill at bedtime. Any herbalist should be able to supply the above, or we will forward the herbs (and pills to serve one week) complete, postage paid, on receipt of Postal Order for one shilling, or 12 penny stamps. Three lots would be sent postage paid for 2s. od. All letters must be addressed as per page 48. ‘The herbs, roots, and barks as supplied by us being always fresh, are guaranteed to contain their full inedicinal’ virtue, COMFREY. A very valuable medicinal plant, the leaves being astringent, the root demulceat ; itis also a pretty plant, bearing a lovely blue flower. 15 BLOOD DISEASES (Constitutional). Causes.—Living in thickly populated districts, closely confined rooms, working in vitiated atmos- phere, free use of malt alcohol, eating tainted food ; it is sometimes left in the train of scarlet fever, measles, etc., and is often inherited. For acquired blood or skin disease read page 49. Symptoms.—The symptoms are too well known and too numerous to need describing. TREATMENT.—Sassafras Bark oz. Achille }o02 Sarsaparilla .. Loz. Arctium Lappa 4 07. Galium Aperine dos. Guiacum Raspings .. } oz. Astragalus (the root) 6 drachms. Boil the lot in a quart of water slowly for 15 minutes, then strain, boil the same a second time in a pint of water 5 minutes, strain, add to the other, and when cold add the juice of a large lemon, and take a large wineglassful (or a half-tumblerful) three times a day. Keep this medi- cine in a cold place. Sponge the body with equal parts vinegar and cold water, rub briskly until thoroughly dry with a coarse bath towel, this may be done every other day if possible, it is not absolutely necessary but highly bene- ficial. A vegetable diet is good, also lean beef, lean mutton, or fish; avoid fat, coffee, cheese, pork, stew, sausage, all highly seasoned dishes, jams, and pickles. When procurable an occasional Turkish bath is highly beneficial, Spend plenty of time in the cooling room and guard against chill on leaving the baths. Any herbalist should be able to supply the above, or we will send the same to any address, postage paid, on t of Postal Order for one shilling, or r2 penny stamps. Three lots would be sent postage paid for 2s. 9d. All letters should be addressed as per page 48. HYSSOP. Tonic and Stimulant, Grandmothers can tell you all the virtues of byssop tea, The plant bears a lovely blue dower. 16 PILES. Piles come under two classes, bleeding and blind. There are numerous causes : wine drinking, excessive purging with pills containing aloes, pills containing mercury, highly seasoned food, thoughtlessly sitting on cold or damp stone, etc. In others the disease is inherited, in inherited cases there is no certainty of a permanent cure, when cured it is liable to return at any time. TreatMent.—Pile Powder... .. 102. Honey ‘ <2 gon. Mix into a soft paste and take a teaspoonful 4 or 5 times a day. Boil 1 oz, Marshmallow Root in a quart of Milk slowly for two minutes (carefully watch it or it will instantly boil over and you will lose the lot), drink freely of this as often as you please ; if too cloggy composed of all milk, use equal parts milk and water ; this must be kept in a cold place. Night and morning wash the seat (anus) and sponge a few minutes with cold water, dry with a cloth, and gently but perseveringly rub in a little Pile Ointment composed of Gall, d for Keep the bowels easy with ‘Turkey Rhubarb adv Constipation, see page 30. Any herbalist should be able to suppy these ingredients, or we will send the Pile Powder, the Marshmallows, and the I Ointment, postage paid, on receipt of Postal Order for one shilling, or 12 penny stamps. Three lots sent postage paid for 2s. 9d. Letter