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the red berries of sumac, both apparently efficacious. They 

 fought so against the bitterest medicines, that a mild tonic of 

 sarsaparilla root was given (Aralia nudicaulis) in the spring. 

 "Saffron tea" was considered helpful in jaundice of infants or 

 to "bring out the measles." Sweet flag was used as a vermifuge, 

 aided by pumpkin seeds, which were used as a diuretic as well. 

 In adults juniper berries were used as a diuretic in urinary diffi- 

 culties. "Chamomile tea" was made sometimes from Anthemis 

 Cotula (to take which was a terrible ordeal). Nose-bleed was 

 treated by yarrow {A. millefolium) which has in homeopathic 

 medicine a legitimate use in hemorrhage. In kidney troubles, 

 cleavers was given {G. asprellum — and this was also used to fill 

 straw beds.) Slippery-elm bark and cherry bark were valued 

 ingredients of cough-syrup, to which was sometimes added 

 concentrated syrup of beet juice. My mother made a cough 

 syrup famous in the community, much in demand for asthma 

 and chronic bronchitis, of which Lobelia inflata was an impor- 

 tant element and sometimes mullein and horehound. (Lobelia 

 was collected in August or September after the capsules were 

 inflated, these and the root being the most powerful, though all 

 parts are used in medicine. The U. S. Dispensatory gives it as 

 valuable in asthma and spasmodic bronchitis.) However as a 

 rule mullein was used in a so-called "bath" (fomentation) which 

 meant that a flannel bag of several thicknesses was filled with 

 mullein leaves first'heated, "steeped" in vinegar, then applied 

 to the painful part, generally the abdomen, in cramps, colics 

 and stomach aches. Tansy and hops were used in the same way 

 and the moist heat certainly relaxed and soon relieved ordinary 

 pain. Warts on our youthful hands sometimes disappeared 

 by magic when white oak chips were steeped and the liquid ap- 

 plied. This was at times used when an astringent efi^ect was 

 needed on "sores" and ulcers. 



"Pine pitch" was wonderfully healing and was used alone 

 or with hot "mutton taller" and beeswax on cracks of the hands 

 and chronic ulcers with great relief. Witch hazel, also balm of 

 Gilead buds in rum were used on bruises and superficial cuts. 

 There was always a bottle of these buds in rum. Wormwood 

 was used for sprained ankles or muscular soreness, an excellent 

 remedy. In fevers, horse-radish leaves with or without vinegar 

 were applied to the soles of the feet, burdock and plantain leaves 



