312 The Book of Woodcraft 



Another woodland remedy is the syrup made by boiling 

 down the sap of the sweet birch tree. 



Cough and irritated throat: Mix a spoonful of sugar with 

 two of butter, and eat it slowly. This usually stops a 

 hacking cough that would keep the patient from sleep. 



Cough and lung remedy: A pound of iimer bark of black 

 cherry, soaked twenty-four hours in a gallon of water and 

 boiled down to one pint, makes a famous cough remedy and 

 lung balm. A tablespoonful three or four times a day. 



Diuretic: A decoction of the inner bark of elder is a 

 powerful diuretic. 



Face-ache: Heat some sand in the frying-pan, pour it 

 into a light bag and hold it against the place. The sand 

 should be as hot as can be borne. This treatment is good 

 for most aches and pains. 



Inflammation of the eyes or skin: Relieved by washing 

 with strong tea of the bark of witch hazel. 



Ink: The berries and leaves of red or staghorn sumac 

 boiled together in water make a permanent black ink. 



Lung halm: Infusion of black cherry bark, root pre- 

 ferred, is a powerful tonic for lungs and bowels. Good 

 also as a skin wash for sores. When half wilted, the leaves 

 are poisonous to cattle. 



Nose-hleed: A snuff made of the dried leaves of witch 

 hazel stops nose-bleed at once, or any bleeding. 



Nose stopped up at night: Wet the nose outside, as well 

 as in, with cold water, and prop the head up higher with 

 pillows. 



Pimples and skin rash: A valuable tonic or skin wash for 

 such troubles is strong tea made of the twigs of alder. 



Poison ivy sting, to cure: Wash every hour or two with 

 soapy water as hot as can be borne, then with hot salt 

 water. This relieves the sting, and is the best simple 

 remedy. The sure cure is washing the parts two or three 



