Some Old-Timey "Cures" from CA Bogardus

I have been enjoying exploring the old books contained in the Project Gutenberg catalog, when I stumbled across this little gem, published in 1907:

ONE THOUSAND SECRETS OF WISE AND RICH MEN REVEALED by C. A. BOGARDUS, Champion Quick Shot of the World

Here are a few excepts I hope you enjoy (and, obviously, DO NOT TRY THESE REMEDIES - THEY ARE DANGEROUS!):


DROPS OF LIFE.
One oz. Gum Opium (hhhm!), one drm. Gum Kino (an astringent), forty grs. Gum Camphor (now extracted from turpentine, and considered poisonous if taken internally), one-half ounce Nutmeg powdered, one pint French Brandy. Let stand from one to ten days. Dose, from 30 to 40 drops for an adult; children, half doses. This is one of the most valuable preparations in the Materia Medica, and will in some dangerous hours, when all hope is fled, and the system is racked with pain, be the soothing balm which cures the most dangerous disease to which the human body is liable--flux, dysentery and all summer complaints.

CURE FOR SORE THROAT IN ALL ITS DIFFERENT FORMS.
Two ozs. Cayenne Pepper, one oz. common Salt, one-half pint of Vinegar. Warm over a slow fire and gargle the throat and mouth every hour. Garlic and Onion poultice applied to the outside. Castor Oil, one spoonful to keep the bowels open.

EYE WATER.
Table Salt and White Vitriol (zinc sulfate), each one teaspoonful. Heat them on earthen dish until dry. Now add them to soft water one-half pint. White Sugar one teaspoonful, Blue Vitriol (copper sulfate - toxic!) a piece as large as a common pea. Should this be too strong add a little more water. Apply to the eye 3 or 4 times a day.

A SURE CURE FOR SMALL POX.
A gentleman contributes to the Chicago News the following as a sure and never failing cure for small pox: One ounce Cream of Tartar dissolved in pint of boiling water, to be drank when cold at intervals. It can be taken at any time, and as a preventive as well as a curative. It is known to have cured in thousands of cases without a failure.

A CURE FOR CANCER (AS USED BY A NEW YORK PHYSICIAN WITH GREAT SUCCESS).
Take Red Oak Bark, and boil it to the thickness of molasses, then mix with sheep's tallow of equal proportion. Spread it on leaves of Linnwood green, and keep the plaster over the ulcer. Change once in eight hours.

Now We Are Six by AA Milne

A special birthday post for wee niece, Madison - who is SIX!

When I was one, I had just begun.



When I was two, I was nearly new.



When I was three, I was hardly me.



When I was four, I was not much more.


When I was five, I was just alive.



But now I am six, I'm as clever as clever.



So I think I'll be six now and forever.

There are moments you remember all your life...

Yesterday, I had the momentous pleasure of introducing my 21 year old son to his 25 year old sister. After 7 1/2 hours were were still laughing and talking, so I believe it was a successful first meeting.

Twenty-five years ago, I had my beliefs and convictions put to a hard test. At the time, I believed a woman should have "choice" if she found herself inconveniently pregnant. But I believed that I personally would never choose to "terminate" (what a euphemism) a pregnancy. When I found myself pregnant at 19, with a boyfriend who honestly believed he was "doing the right thing" by me by simply offering to pay for an abortion, I have to admit that I was tempted. He wasn't an evil man - just weak. And I was young, afraid of the huge responsibility I had just created, afraid of the disappointment my parents would feel, afraid of censure, and so very alone.

The decision was in my hands, and had to be made by me alone. 

No one could make it for me, and no one could share the weight of it - or the consequences. So I chose the only option I could live with. I chose to love my baby - and I chose to give her parents who were older and wiser than I - wonderful parents who could not be parents without her. A lovely couple who adopted her and raised her with love - and the stability I could not provide. And do not think this is a choice made lightly - carrying a beloved child and giving birth knowing that you are choosing a different life for this child is a deeply painful and traumatic experience - akin to loosing a child to death. It is not the "easy" option many pro-life picketers paint it to be. But then again, abortion isn't the "easy" option many pro-choice picketers paint it as either...

Any decision involving a life is a serious decision, with life-long consequences.

So I made my choice - and for 25 years I wondered, "Did I do the right thing? Does she understand? Is she happy? What sort of person is she? Will I ever see her again?" and much, much more. Her new mom sent me letters and photos, and the adoption agency allowed this anomaly for a few years. So when I read horror stories about adoptive families who abuse their new children, I prayed for those children, knowing in my heart that my own daughter was safe. And when I read about adopted children seeking out their birth parents and being rejected, by heart bled for them, knowing that I would welcome my daughter with open arms should that day ever come. And when I read of adopted children rejecting their birth parents, I silently feared my own rejection.

For years I grieved in secret and in silence. I went on to have my beautiful son, and to raise him "alone" with the help of family and dear friends. And all the while, I waited. Wondering how I would explain all of this to my son. Wondering if there would ever be the need.

And then one day I found her ... and I drummed up the courage to communicate.

As hard as it was, as painful as it was, I did make the right decision all those years ago. Life and love are always the right choice!