Medicines

The recipes shown below are 1892 medicine recipes featuring some unusual, and some slightly horrific, ingredients.

Chlorodyne

Take of –

Sulphate of atropine……………………1 grn

Oil of peppermint………………………8 minims

Dilute hydrocyanic acid………………...160 minims

Tragacanth, in powder…………………20 grns

Hydrochlorate of morphine…………….40 grns

Liquid extract of liquorice………………1 ½ oz

Chloroform…………………………….2 oz

Rectified spirit………………………….2 oz

Treacle………………………………...4 oz (by weight)

Distilled water, to make………………..10 oz

The morphine, atropine and tragacanth are rubbed with the liquorice, and then are added the peppermint, chloroform and spirit previously mixed, and finally the other ingredients.

Dose – 5 to 20 minims; Each 10 minims contains 1/12 grain morphine hydrochlorate, 1/480 grain of atropine and 1/3 minim hydrocyanic acid.

Blood Mixture

Take of –

Solution of potash………………………..………30 minims

Iodide of potassium………………………………64 grns

Spirit of chloroform……………………………….4 drms

Comp. Decoction of sarsaparilla, concentrated…….2oz

Distilled water, up to………………………………8 oz

Mix. Dose – one to two tablespoonfuls

Children’s Cough Linctus

Take of –

Oil of aniseed……………………………40 minims

Liquid extract of liquorice………………..1/2 oz

Tincture of tolu…………………………..6 drms

Vinegar of squills………………………..10 drms

Ipecacuanha wine……………………….2 oz

Solution of acetate of ammonia, strong…..2 ½ oz

Chloroform water……………………….7 ½ oz

Distilled water…………………………..10 oz

Dark treacle…………………………….1 lb

Mix thoroughly.

Dose – From 15 drops to 2 teaspoonfuls, according to age (from 3 months upwards), in a little lukewarm water, 3 or 4 times a day.

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