Important: Safety Warning
This page recommends preparations containing opium, laudanum, morphine, or similar narcotics — in some cases for children. These substances are dangerously addictive, easily fatal in overdose, and strictly controlled by law today.
In addition, this page prescribes plants as medicine according to pre-modern medical theory. Several of the plants named are toxic, correct identification is difficult, and the doses given have no scientific basis. Do not ingest or apply any preparation described here.
In addition, this page presents medical treatment from an era before modern medicine. The remedies described are ineffective against the conditions named, and some of the ingredients or doses are harmful. Do not use them to treat any illness; consult a qualified medical professional.
This information has been left in for historical purposes but should not be acted upon.
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Anodyne Fomentation
White Tonic Pills. 1 scruple extract of Ignatia poppy heads, 3 ounces; elder flowers, 1/2 amara (the bean of St. Ignatius), 1½ drachms heads, 3 ounces; elder flowers, amara (the bean of St. Ignatius), 1½ drachms ounce; water, 3 pints. Boil until the liquor bromide of potassa, drachm saccharine caris reduced to of its original quantity, and strain it; 2 or 3 tea-spoonfuls tincture of opium or laudanum, and 30 drops tincture of cayenne, may in some cases be added to it.
This fomentation relaxes spasm, and relieves acute pain. 5157. Fomentation for Ordinary Occasions. Dried mallows, 1 ounce; chamomile flowers, dried, ounce; water, 1 pint. Boil for hour, and strain the liquor.