How to Cure the Plague: And Other Curious Remedies

Today we are used to reaching for a painkiller when we get a headache, we take anesthetics 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 19th century. Examples: 19th-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 wetting 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."