1

Citric acid alleviates the pain of cancer

First alleviate suffering

Hemp for Hydrophobia & Tetanus in Journal of Soc of Bengal Vol. 8: (p. 8112)

Pt. 2 1839

[O'Shaughnessy, W. B. 1839. Extract from a memoir on the preparations of the Indian Hemp, or Gunjah, (Cannabis Indica) their effects on the animal system in health, and their utility in the treatment of tetanus and other convulsive diseases. Journal of the Asiatic Society of Bengal 8: 732-745; (part 2:) 838-850, p. 842 (hydrophobia), p 846 (tetanus).]

[Clipping from The Times 20 October 1862:]

A Test for Arsenic

Dr. Letheby recommends the following method of detecting the presence of arsenic in wreaths and dresses:

"Put a drop of strong liquid ammonia (liquor ammonia, the druggist calls it) upon the green leaf, or dress, or paper, and if it turns blue, copper is present; and copper is rarely, if ever present in these tissues and fabrics without arsenic being also present—the green compound being arsenite of copper. I have tested papers and dresses in this manner more than a hundred times, and have never failed to discover arsenic when the ammonia changes the green into blue. It is, therefore, indirectly a very reliable test; and if every lady would carry with her, when she is shopping, a small phial of liquid ammonia, instead of the usual scent bottle, the mere touch of the wet stopper on the suspicious green would betray the arsenic poison and settle the business quickly."

[Clipping from Illustrated Usk Observer and Raglan Herald, 29 June 1861:]

The following receipt is given by the New York Tribune for making liquid glue, now so popular in America:

In a wide-mouthed bottle dissolve eight ounces of best glue in a half-pint of water, by setting it in a vessel of water, and heating it until dissolved. Then add slowly, constantly stirring, two and a half ounces of strong aquafortis (nitric acid). Keep it well corked and it will be ready for use. It is a handy and valuable composition, as it does not gelatinise, or undergo putrefaction and fermentation or become offensive, and is always ready for use.

2

Receipt to fix thills & boards

2 oz Sugar

4 oz gum

Table spoonful of ox gall, water quart liquid dissolve & strain:

add table spoonful of Starch

1/2 drach of Corrosive Sublimate [illeg] had better weigh

3

[Clipping from The Times, 23 October 1862:]

Arsenicated Articles of Dress, Paper, Confectionary, &c.

To the Editor of The Times.

Sir,

In reference to the case of poisoning by arsenic reported in yesterday's Times, I do not wish to disparage the ammonia test recommended by Dr Letheby, which is only conclusive of the reaction for copper; but as it is quite possible to make greens without arsenic (Brunswick green, for instance), it would be desirable in all cases to establish its presence, which is easily accomplished by steeping the article for a minute or so in a mixture of about a teaspoonful each of water and liquid ammonia.

Next invert a wine-glass and place on it one or two drops of the deep blue liquid; then introduce a fragment, about the size of a mustard seed, of nitrate of silver, when, if arsenic is present, a yellow spot will be obtained, which is arsenite of silver.

I am yours, &c.

John Horsley, F.C.S.

Cheltenham, Oct. 21

4

Receipt to kill Bugs   

One oz of strongest mercurial ointment with a drach of corrosive Sublimate, when used to be mixed with little turpentine.

Mr. Blunt

5

[Clipping from The Aberdare Times, 17 September 1864, p. 3:]

To kill wasps

The following remedy, first invented by a near neighbor and friend, the late Rev. W. Kirby, will be found efficient:

A hand glass, commonly used by gardeners (a square one is the best), is the instrument to be used. This has to be tightly covered at the bottom with thick white paper varnished to resist the wet. A circular hole, 6 1/2 inches in diameter, is then cut in the centre of the paper, and the glass is placed on three bricks over a plate filled with beer, sugar, and a little rum, a moderate distance from the infested spot. The effect is magical; in a few hours the glass is crammed with wasps, hornets, and flies (bees will seldom enter), which having tasted the sweets, fly upwards to the light. A common sulphur match, made by dipping brown paper into melted brimstone will destroy thousands. The constant hum of insect life inside will attract all the marauders from the fruit trees to the glass; and the scent of the rum is sure to induce the most fastidious wasp to enter, as no insect can resist its powerful attractions. With two or three of these machines in my garden I never have a peach or a grape touched by insects.

6

Not to be kept hot, or to be exposed to strong drafts of cold air - but merely kept rather cool than otherwise - To drink as much water as they like, & to abstain from animal food as far as may be - better take a dose of Calomel - the real danger in Measles which however seldom occurs when properly managed, is the breathing becoming oppressed, and the irruption subsiding suddenly, in which case the only remedy are Leeches and loss of blood -as all sorts of Cordials given to bring back the irruption are highly injurious A child of 3 after the Measles when a bad cough

7

remains — should take 10 drops of Antimonial Wine & Henbane in equal quantities three times a day

This is a very useful Medicine after the Measles as they often have mischief in the Chest

This Medicine however loses its effects when kept mixed.

Measles come on 14 days after infection — a 3d person will probably bring — it requires like scarlet fever contact for infection - a bed will be contagious for a month.

Time of coming on doubtful in measles & scarlet fever. — In latter put child in separate rooms.

8

An Emetic, and afterwards, potash, with sugar & water sweetened to the taste

Quarter of an ounce of Carbonate of Potash in a Pint of water well sweetened with sugar (or an oz of Syrup of Tolu instead of sugar)

It shd be renewed daily, and a table spoonful taken a dozen times a day for a child of 8 years old, a teaspoonful for one of 3 & younger

To infections before the

9

Hoop - doubt a third person carrying it - infection as long as Hoop continues - change of air in old cases often very useful.

Never put a Leech on a baby under 3 months old, if it can be avoided, as it is very dangerous

When a Leech has been applied, remember to wet or rub the Leech bite for several days afterwards, especially if the child seems distressed, as the itching sometimes produces convulsions, without the cause being suspected-

10

Never to lose more than 10 ounces of blood at a time and 8 ounces would be preferable.

My father says blisters are bad to use in early stages of inflammation, and when used to infants to put Cambric handkerchief between the skin and the blister.

Never allow a young child to be blistered keep its chest constantly wet, in inflammatory cases, & put it into a warm bath, & take it out not wiping, so that it may continue moistened.

11

Let it drink water freely, and breathe steam, in cases of Croup do by putting a basin of hot water under its mouth so that the steam may ascend

In all inflammatory ailments of very young Children, three drops of Antimonial wine repeated twice a day, is usually sufficient, but in decided fever, a grain of Calomel with a little chalk may be safely given.

1 gr. of Calomel 2 gr. of Rhubarb & 1 grain of Compound Chalk.

12

It is not safe to give an emetic to young Babies, or Children of a year old, as they often will not act:

All Emetics acting in virtue of their poisonous properties should not remain in the Stomach

Antimonial Wine answers all the purposes, and if it induces sickness it is all very well

A drop of Salvolatile will sometimes compose an infant to sleep again, given at night.—

13

For a child of 5 y.rs old — a Teaspoonful of Antimonial Wine, & 20 drops in 7 tea spoonfuls of water

The Child to take a teaspoon-ful every 3 hours

For a Child of 8 months old 1 teaspoonful of Antimonial Wine, half a teaspoonful of Henbane, & 8 teaspoonfuls of Water - or it had better take the Antimonial wine alone 4 or 5 times a day. 5 drops at a time.

14

The Thrush (vulgarly so called)

For a baby of two months old with a constant cough, & soreness in the mouth, one grain of chalk with Opium, with 3 drops of Antimonial wine, to be dropped on brown sugar, on writing paper (that it may not stick to the paper) and the powder to be given twice a day. morg & eveg.

N.B. Never give Calomel, when there is anything the matter with the mouth or throat.

15

1/2 pint of Gin

4 drops oil of Peppermint well mixed

1 dr. laudanum

1 or 2 dr. muriated Tinct. Iron

Sugar (omitted).

1 1/2 pint water or quassia to make 1 qt

1/2 wine glass for a dose

Poor women weak after lying or with pains in the back.

16

Quassia              

1/2 oz Quassia chips

pint

1 1/2 pt boiling water stand 4 or 5 hours

Child about 6 years old.

5 grains of comp.d Chalk with Opium, or 8 g.rs of Comp.d Chalk without opium: and 2 g.rs of Rhubarb, in each powder, to be taken twice a day in treacle.

18

2 Ounces of Camphor

2 Ounces of the strong Liquor Ammonia

A pint of rectified Spirits of Wine

1/2 an oz of Essence of Lemon, or if preferred an oz of the last,

all mixed & kept close from the air.

20

[Prescription for Willy: 1843]

"He thinks the Senna" is a gentler medicine for Children than Scammony, the latter medicine, is more adapted to adult people. Compound Senna does contain some Scammony. — he quite approves of your trying half an ounce or a Table spoonful of Port Wine, mixed with 3 table spoonfuls of Water to be given once a day, in the middle of the day, when you are sure that he is not feverish, & if it agrees you might give it rather less diluted after the few first days. To be very careful the Wine does not intoxicate or greatly affect Willy, & if you doubt its agreeing you had better give it up, or stop for a few days. & then repeat it after a few days. — my father very much urges, the Rust of Iron Chalk & Rhubarb being tried again; he does not quite know how

21

much Iron he takes but he might take as much as 2 or 3 g.rs of Iron, a day, perhaps the dose he now takes may require to be increased - my Father thinks it possible he may eat too much fruit

My father advises you not to consult Mr. Cockell about his Neck - but to keep it warm with a Silk handkerchief and to bathe it every day with an ounce of bay salt, in a pint of soft water: that will be a strong solution, but my father means it to be rather strong only if it makes it look inflamed, you must lower the solution.

Better keep his

22

bowels open with Rhubarb & Chalk—Chalk especially would be very useful to him - you had better mind that you yourselves do not meddle or press his neck as that often does a gt deal of mischief

The Pint will last several days, as it is only to be sprayed every day. The Chalk may gradually be increased to 8 or 10 g.rs of the compound chalk which is a medicine my father has more faith in than anything for Glandular enlargements - you had better not give Calomel.

23

8 4 oz treacle & Vinegar 4 oz vinegar mixed together
24 drops Laudanum

1 dram ipecacuanha wine or 8 g.rs of powder

1 dram tincture benzoin

2 drs. Laud

4 dr Ipec for quart

4 d. Benz

[Annotation by Darwin:] Double all this for Pint.

24

Henbane is one of the most innocent of all the tribe of Narcotics, & Tincture perhaps agrees better, than the extract, in form of pills—you can have it made into pills of 2 g.rs of Extract of Henbane in each pill with as much compound Chalk Powder.

25

10 ounces and a 1/2 of Decoction of Peruvian Bark        

1 oz and 1/2 Compound Tincture of Peruvian Bark

a dram of Sub Carbonate of Ammonia

(2 Table spoonfuls twice a day

26

1 oz of Coarse powdered Cinnamon boiled for ten minutes, or quarter of an hour, in a pint & a half of water

Then poured off with the Cinnamon in a jug to stand 12 hours & a Tea cup full warmed up when wanted

A cup taken early in the morg & again at 4 oclock in the afternoon with cream.

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Madder

Madder         1. oz [powder]

Cinnamon      1. oz [powder]

Boil Water 1 & 1/2 pint, to be boiled to one pint add soda carb. 1 drach.

brandy half a glass or spirits of wine 2 oz.

Take 2 or 3 Table spoons twice a day.

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Tinct. Cort. aurant З [drachma] xiv

Acidi Sulfur dilut: З [drachma] ii

Sulph: quinine g.r xvi

misce a teaspoonful once or twice a day.

RWD [Robert Waring Darwin]

27 December 1843

[in margin:] Henrietta Darwin: change, Tincture of Orange Peel Quinine & Sulph. Acid.

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Mr. Edwards  

Ceratum Resinae.

London; best ointment for all purposes see Duncan's Pharmacopea p. 831

Mr. E. recommends for Chaps 2 one gr. of Corrosive Sublimate to 1 oz of water.

30

Tinct Cinamm: comp: [symbol]
Potassae bicarbon з ii

misce copiat at antea sign Decoctum of Logwood

C. Darwin Esq. RWD [Robert Waring Darwin]

14 Nov 1840

"1 ounce of tincture cinnamon compound

2 drachma of potassium bicarbonate

Mix well as previously with decoction of Logwood" -

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Ligni campechensis   

Cort Cinnam: à З vi

coque es aq: font [symbol] xvi

ad colat: [symbol] XI cui adde

Tinct: cinnam: comp: [symbol] i

potassa bi carbon З ii take as before

("To a mixture of 6 drachma each of Logwood and cinnamon bark, add 16 ounces of fountain water.

Reduce this to 11 ounces. To this then add 1 ounce of tincture of cinnamon compound

2 drachma of potassium bicarbonate")

34

Recipe from Dr. Darwin for an old spare man, in good health, but with bad rheumatism at night

viz

Every night 10 gr of compound Ipecacuanha Powder (wh. contains 1 gr. of opium)

8 or 10 of Rhubarb

1/2 tea-spoon of Cream of Tartar.

Afterwards to take 1 gr. pill of opium every night, keeping bowels open with rhubarb.

to wear flannel, night & day, next to skin.

36

Tonic for C. Darwin

Citrate of iron 1 drachma

Cinnamon Water 1 & 1/2 oz.

Tak a drachma daily.

Cinnamon water to contain one drop of cinnamon oil to 1 & 1/2 oz of water with a little spirits of Vine.

38

Recipt from Dr. Darwin & Mr. Fr. Blunt for sore nipples

2 drachma Borax

2 oz Oil of Almonds

2 oz. Water. (Well mixed)

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Diluted Muriatic Acid 15 drops        
Nitric   15

Water  2 oz

Dr. [Trout] twice a day one hour before meals.

[Annotation by Darwin:] I think 10 drops enough

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Effervescing mixture 

Carbonate of Soda 25 grs in one oz. of water
Citric Acid 25 grs in do

for stomach add 20 drops of Sal. Volatile.

Feverish cold & cough. —    
Mr. Williams

Antimonial Wine        1 drachma
Tincture of Squill       do
Sweet Spirit of Nitre  2 drachma
Soft Water              6 oz.
Two table-spoonfuls every four hours.

Susans admirable Cough & bad Cold mixture—probatum est. grown up person

Sweet Spirits of Nitre          24 drops

Antimonial Wine        12

Sal Volatile              12

Every 3 or 4 hours.   48

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Camphor "Julep"      

Tinct. of Myrh 1 drach

Tinct of Camphor 3 drach }  4 drach to 2 parts of water.

For weakly girls of 15 or 16.

Tea spoonful & 1/2 of muriated Iron in a quart bottle of soft water

1/2 a tea cup full every morning before breakfast.

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Carb. of Soda 1/2 oz.

Sal Volatile     1/2 oz
Water           12 oz.

Citric Acid      2 3 drach.

Water           6 9 oz.

1 1/2 oz. of alkaline

1 oz of Acid.

4 drops of Prussic acid twice a day, to be added to the acid

or 3 drops every four hours for 24 hours for one day

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With Diarrhoea at once give 3 gr. of calomel & 1/2 of opium.

in 2 hours rhubarb & magnesia & peppermint Water.

Arnic gargle
Alum 2 drachma to pint of water

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Cough Mixture          Eras D

Comp. Tinc.
Benz.                     1 oz
Syrup Poppies alb:    1 oz

Oxymel Squills aa     з iSs

1 tea spoonful 3 times a day

Antimonie Wine
2 gr. to Tartar Emetic to 2 oz of Water

45

Mr. Atkins receipt against continued sickness, used by his children.

15 gr. magnesia

4 oz Lime Water

1 drop of essential of Cinnamon or Cassia

a table-spoon-full to be repeated in 1/2 an hour, if needful.

46

If you boil Castor Oil with an equal quantity of milk, sweeten with a little sugar, and stir it well and give it when cold, children will never suspect it to be medecine, but will like it almost as well as custard.

Mrs. Seymour Hill.

Bunions Laudanum & goulard in equal quantities weakened with a little water, kept on the joint with lint & oilskin

47

Erysipelas is made instantly easy by Collodion, which makes artificial skin

48

Prescription of Sir B. Brodie  for Sophy, which Susan has fd very good for dull headaches

Quinae disulph.         gr. xvi
Acid Nit. dilut           З Ss

Tinct. Aurantii           З xvSs

1 drach per diem (or 2, I shd think might be taken)

49

Dr. Darwin's Soap Pill         

2 g.rs Calomel,

2 g.rs Antim. Pow.

1 Soap Pill (i.e. 1/5 of Opium)

50

Mr. Engleheart for a cold [Stephen Paul Engleheart was a surgeon in Down.]

5 gr. of nitre with 1 gr. of Ipecacuanha 3 or 2 times a day.

Made Emma reach 2d dose did.

Aperient for do        

5 gr. Rhubarb

5 gr. of Jalap

5 gr. of Sulph. of Potash

51

Soothing Ointment

1 oz Oxide Lard Zinc

6 oz Lard

1 oz Glycerine

mix thoroughly

52

Acetate Morphia 10 12 g—  

a few drops of acetic acid

6 oz water

1 or 2 tea spoonfuls

Mrs. Brooks

Dr. Willey on Diptheria [Henry Willey (1839-1923) at Heathfield, Bromley, Kent, who treated Darwin. He is recorded in Emma Darwin's Diary (DAR242) as "Dr Willy".]
equal parts of Tinct Steel & Glycerine & paint the throat

53

Cough Mixture F. Darwin

Tinct Benzoin           2 oz
Tinct Myrrh              1 oz
Oxymel Squills          1 oz
Laudanum               1 1/2 dram
dose 1 dram

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Dr. Moore on Croupe

There is often a spurious sort which sounds just like the real.

Try the temperature: If raised it is the real disorder & give at once 10 g.

Ipecac: If not raised it is the spurious & is not dangerous.

176

Lead for roof Lewis says is about 23S to 112 lb.

thickest sheet about 7 lb to square foot.

50S to 100 square feet of one Lewis says so on guess inch thick planking

Hurdles 23S per dozen, each six foot long

To wash printed dresses

Take about a pint bran, tie it in a muslin bag boil it in a pail full of soft water and

177

when the dresses have been washed in this liquor—, which should not be used scalding hot—very little if any soap will be found necessary, yellow soap should not on any account be used nor soda.

178

[Clipping from The Times, 18 June 1868:]

Country Wells

Sir, —The fearful epidemic now raging at the village of Terling, near Witham, in Essex, seems to have resulted mainly from well water poisoned by sewage. By the latest accounts the fever has struck down 180 persons out of 900, the fatal cases being 16. These figures should awaken in the mind of every country householder an interest in the situation and condition of his wells. The water supply of London and the large provincial towns has received much attention, and commissioners are looking after our rivers as sources of potable water; but wells, on which the majority of us depend for daily drink, have never obtained effective public notice, and as a consequence, are still generally sunk where most liable to contamination, still often receive the contributions of sewers, &c., carelessly laid within a few feet or inches of the well wall.

Every well is but a reservoir for rainfall, an underground cistern into which rain naturally drains after having run a longer or shorter journey through the ground; how important, then, that it should be sunk where nothing but rain can enter, and where the soil in its vicinity can be jealously guarded from intrusion of anything coming under the denomination of sewage. Yet what is the fact?

A builder reflects that the time and labour of servants will be economized if the pump be placed within or close to the house, that waste of pipe will be avoided if the well be close to the pump; under the pump-spout he must necessarily have a sink and drain, and down the drain will all sorts of refuse be thrown. Sooner or later the drain leaks, and fouling of the well follows. Let the pump drain and kitchen keep company by all means, but sink the well far from the house, far from any drain, cesspool, pigsty, or other possible source of pollution.

Mineral matter dissolved from the soil is comparatively harmless; animal and vegetable matter may be harmless, but may be poisonous, and must, therefore, be kept out by every precaution. Good soil is here our best friend, Nature's own purifier, entirely destroying the substances last mentioned, if only allowed to have fair play; but its power for good is limited, its power for harm terrible, when saturated by drainage from adjacent accumulations of filth.

Polluted water does not generally betray its condition till possessed of a strong odour; earlier intimation may, however, be obtained by the following tests:

Half fill a common water-bottle, cover its mouth with the hand, violently shake for a minute, and quickly apply the nose. If nothing unpleasant is detected, tightly cork the bottle, set it aside in a warm place at about the temperature of one's body for a couple or three days, and repeat the shaking, &c. Water of very bad quality may thus be recognised without the trouble and expense of analysis.

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

John Attfield, Professor of Practical

Chymistry to the Pharmaceutical Society.

17, Bloomsbury-square.

179

Two Engravings in Henslow's Possession

Foret du Bresil. Dep. par M. Rugendas public par Rittner

Foret vierge du Bresil par Le Compte de Clarac. Fortier Sandpret

181

Quick lime just slacked, mixed with white of Egg, a white good cement for glass.

E. Cresy Jun.

Test for Lead [in Emma Darwin's handwriting]

 

[Clipping from The Times 22 August 1865, p. 20:]

"There is an easily applied test for lead in water. Take two tumblers; fill one with water which is known not to have been in contact with lead; fill the other with the suspected water. Dissolve in each about as much bichromate of potash as will stand on a groat.

By daylight the water in each tumbler will be of the colour of pale sherry and water. Cover the tumblers so as to keep out dust, and let them stand in a warm place in a room with a fire in it for 24 hours. If the suspected water be free from lead it will still have the same colour as the other; but if there be lead in the water it will have a more or less opalescent tint, as if a drop or more milk had been put into it. If there be a great quantity of lead in the water a very slight film of lead will be deposited on the glass. Bichromate of potash can be got of good druggists, and a few drachma will be enough to test many samples of water."