How to Cure the Plague And Other Curious Remedies |
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| Author:
| Walker, Julian |
| ISBN: | 978-0-7123-5701-2 |
| Publication Date: | Feb 2014 |
| Publisher: | British Library, The
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| Book Format: | Hardback |
| List Price: | USD $17.00 |
Book Description:
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Today we are used to reaching for a painkiller when we get a headache, we take anaesthetics and antibiotics for granted, and we would not dream of making our own medicines. But until a century ago that was far from the case, and people had to seek their own remedies or depend on far-from-reliable doctors and apothecaries for everything from an ingrown toenail to amputation.
How to Cure the Plague presents a stark reminder of the days when remedies were based on guesswork or...
More DescriptionToday we are used to reaching for a painkiller when we get a headache, we take anaesthetics and antibiotics for granted, and we would not dream of making our own medicines. But until a century ago that was far from the case, and people had to seek their own remedies or depend on far-from-reliable doctors and apothecaries for everything from an ingrown toenail to amputation. How to Cure the Plague presents a stark reminder of the days when remedies were based on guesswork or superstition, and people swallowed bizarre or revolting mixtures; yet it was not all 'toads and brandy’ - many herb-based treatments formed the basis of modern medicines. This new book presents a fascinating illustrated compilation of some of the most curious and disturbing cures from history, from the Middle Ages to the nineteenth century.
Examples:
Eighteenth-century treatment for asthma:
Live a fortnight on boiled carrots only. It seldom fails.
An Anglo-Saxon treatment for warts:
For warts take hound’s urine and mouse’s blood, mixed together, anoint the warts with it, they will soon go away.
How to stop hiccups in 1607:
Take thy finger ends, and stop both thine ears very hard, and the hiccup will cease immediately.
A Tudor remedy for bedwetting:
A mouse rotted and given to children to eat remedieth pissing the bed.
Eighteenth-century first aid:
Take ripe puff-balls. Break them warily and save the powder. Strew this on the wound and bind it on. This will absolutely stop the bleeding of an amputated limb without any cautery.