# Ask the "Household Guide -or- Domestic Cyclopedia", c1900 **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 23, 2010, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-household-guide-or-domestic-cyclopedia-c1900/540467 "2010-05-23T16:11:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 12\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2010, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-household-guide-or-domestic-cyclopedia-c1900/540467/121 "2010-06-25T02:09:22Z")
Before I forget, I should ask if everyone here got the memo about freckles. Hopefully there’s nobody who is still beleaguered by these horrid things. I’d hate to think that any of my gentle audience has a deformity such as [this](http://img.webmd.com/dtmcms/live/webmd/consumer_assets/site_images/articles/health_tools/sun_damaged_skin_slideshow/getty_rm_photo_of_smiling_young_woman_with_freckles.jpg). (WARNING: Not safe for viewing by the delicate!) That poor, disfigured woman. ☹ Anyway, here’s a general public service announcement about two very dangerous things and how to deal with them: > [@](#): > > ## **[RABIES OR HYDROPHOBIA.](http://s473.photobucket.com/albums/rr98/stabbymcshiv/Household%20Guide%20-or-%20Domestic%20Cyclopedia/?action=view¤t=mad_dog.jpg)** > > **Immediate Treatment for Mad Dog Bite.** > > If a person has been bitten by an animal suspected to be rabid, he should immediately suck the wound thoroughly. If on an extremity, bind the limb tightly between the heart and wound to encourage bleeding. Cleanse the wound with simple hot water, or a saturated solution in hot water of Boracic Acid, and dress with frequent renewals of the same, or a saturated solution of Boracic Acid in glycerine. When the wound is once thoroughly cleansed, it should be allowed to heal. Persons who have been bitten by suspected animals should understand that not more than 16 per cent of persons bitten by dogs, _actually rabid_, take the disease. The animal should be confined and watched to determine whether it is suffering from the disease, that the treatment of the victim may be decided thereby. It is best to cauterize the wound after cleansing it. > [@](#): > > **[DEATH GAS IN A WELL.](http://s473.photobucket.com/albums/rr98/stabbymcshiv/Household%20Guide%20-or-%20Domestic%20Cyclopedia/?action=view¤t=death_gas.jpg)** > > **How to Avoid it and How to Get Rid of it.** > > 1. The gas which produces death in a well is what is called carbonic acid gas. It is much heavier than air, and consequently will always accumulate in the bottom of a well; and if an unsuspecting man goes into it he is at once suffocated, gasps for breath and falls; some one not understanding the cause of the trouble goes down, and he will also become a victim. Many lives are annually lost in this way. > > 2. To find out whether gas has collected in the well, let down a light, and if it goes out there is a good deal of gas in the well; if it burns dimly when it comes near the bottom, there is sufficient gas to make it dangerous. > > 3. A very good way for a man who goes down into a well is, to take a candle or a lamp with him, as shown in the above illustration. He must hold the candle considerably below his mouth, or it will do no good. If the light goes out or becomes very dim he should stop at once, for another step might bring him down into the gas, and one breath of this poisonous gas will render him senseless. I take the proactive approach of throwing puppies into wells to check for death-gas. Win-win. ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2010, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-household-guide-or-domestic-cyclopedia-c1900/540467/122 "2010-06-25T02:41:37Z")
I’m still attached to my computer, so I suppose I should add another tidbit. I just discovered this scandalous image near the very beginning of the book: [Cliff Dwellers](http://s473.photobucket.com/albums/rr98/stabbymcshiv/Household%20Guide%20-or-%20Domestic%20Cyclopedia/?action=view¤t=cliff_dwellers.jpg) Take a close look at that picture. You can clearly see an actual, unclothéd, honest-to-god, _boob_! An undeniable _tit_! It even has a nipple. Actually there are two boobs, and we can infer a second nipple. I am as scandalized as I am titillated. This is almost as good as digging through stacks of old National Geographic magazines and finding photos of topless natives. (Don’t judge.) ---
**Author:** ![Ale](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f19dbf/32.png) [@Ale](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ale)\ **Post date:** [June 25, 2010, 3:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-household-guide-or-domestic-cyclopedia-c1900/540467/123 "2010-06-25T03:00:07Z")
I wonder what it has to say about brandy. A few months ago I read the whole Sherlock Holmes’ novels and stories back to back and it seemed to me that the whole extent of Dr. Watson’s first aid techniques was to give some brandy to the victim. > [@Smeghead](#): > > I’m struggling with a few vexatious conundra at the moment that with which you may perhaps be able to assist: > > -In considering my next computer purchase, I must decide whether to focus on hard drive space to accommodate my extensive collection of video files, or instead plan on most media moving to a streaming format, allowing me to invest my nickels elsewhere. Please advise. > -In the lab, I’m considering performing a genome-wide association study to find underlying genetic causes of an observed phenotype. Can you recommend good open-source software for such a task? > -And finally, I found a dead woodchuck in the yard. To what profitable uses can I put it? **Smeghead** is speaking in tongues again! Quick! look the chapter about home made exorcisms! ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [June 28, 2010, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-household-guide-or-domestic-cyclopedia-c1900/540467/124 "2010-06-28T23:30:02Z")
Hello again, everyone. I hope you all had as small-pox-free a weekend as I did. If not, you may find this useful: > [@](#): > > **REMEDY FOR SMALL-POX.** > > 1 grain sulphate of zinc; 1 grain foxglove (digitalis). > 1/2 teaspoon sugar. > Mix with 2 teaspoonfuls of water, add 4 oz. of water. Dose, 1 spoonful every hour, child in proportion. From experience it is known that nothing will break up this frightful disease sooner than continued and persevering bathing, with the water at a comfortable temperature. I don’t know why you’re supposed to add water twice. I guess the Guide likes water. > [@Ale](#): > > I wonder what it has to say about brandy. A few months ago I read the whole Sherlock Holmes’ novels and stories back to back and it seemed to me that the whole extent of Dr. Watson’s first aid techniques was to give some brandy to the victim. [Lemon Brandy](http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Lemon-Brandy) for felon? How elementary! I like it. But as discussed earlier in this thread, the Guide doesn’t say much about alcohol, and what it does say isn’t very positive. So it cannot (or at least does not) recommend you a brandy. However, it does have quite a bit to say about first aid. Indeed, it has such a large amount to say about first aid that I may need to break this up into multiple posts. Let’s begin with bleeding. Unlike an earlier topic in this thread, this post is about how to _stop_ bleeding. > [@](#): > > ## **Accidents and Emergencies.** > > **HOW TO STOP BLEEDING.** > > **1. Cause.** - Bleeding is the result of the rupture of an artery, vein, or other small blood vessel, and may be caused by a cut, bruise, or may take place spontaneously. > > **2. Fainting.** - If a person is fainting on account of loss of blood, do but little to rally him, as fainting tends to stop the bleeding. > > **3. Arterial Bleeding.** - If the blood is a bright scarlet color and comes out in throbbing jerks, it comes from an artery, and the fingers must be [placed](http://s473.photobucket.com/albums/rr98/stabbymcshiv/Household%20Guide%20-or-%20Domestic%20Cyclopedia/?action=view¤t=how_to_stop_bleeding.jpg) on the wound with considerable pressure till bandages can be applied, or tie a [handkerchief tightly](http://s473.photobucket.com/albums/rr98/stabbymcshiv/Household%20Guide%20-or-%20Domestic%20Cyclopedia/?action=view¤t=tourniquet.jpg) around the limb or member above the injury and place a stick in it and turn it until the pressure is sufficient to stop the flow of blood. Arterial bleeding is the most dangerous and a physician should at once be sent for. > > **4. Venous Bleeding.** - Venous blood is dark colored and flows continually. It can usually be stopped by pressure with the fingers or a piece of linen. The injured parts may be drawn together, and sticking plaster used as soon as the flow of blood ceases. > > **5. Tight Bandages.** - If the limb should become purple, loosen the bandages a little, and if the flow of blood begins against it can be tightened up so as to control it until the physician arrives. > > **6. Precaution.** - If an artery is cut, compress above the wound, and if a vein is cut, compress below. > > **7. Accidents.** - When an accident happens there is usually not much time to decide what is best to be done. Help, to be effectual, must be prompt, and often delay implies further injury or loss of life. > > It is well to fix in the mind a few general principles of treatment in the more common accidents. When the emergency arises these are recalled instinctively and form the basis of action. The means by which they are to be carried into effect follow naturally and the necessity is met. > > For simple, superficial cuts nothing more than cold water and lint will be required, the patient remaining quiet. In a lacerated wound, with small streams of blood issuing from several points, lint, cold water and ice dripped into the wound, together with a slight pressure over the region from which the blood issues, will be sufficient. > > Binding a bunch of cobwebs or a handful of flour on the wound, or bathing it in strong vinegar, is sometimes effectual. With healthcare costs rising at alarming rates, it’s good to know that my dryer and / or belly button can supply me with a cheap and effective medicinal agent. But we’re nowhere near the end of this topic. Light your pipe or inject some cocaine; we’ve a long way to go yet. > [@](#): > > **8. Hemorrhage** from the lungs is always alarming, but unless it is very violent, seldom threatens life immediately. Raise the head and shoulders slightly with pillows. Fill a pitcher with boiling water, pour in a teaspoonful of spirits of turpentine, and let the fumes be inhaled. Give small pieces of ice and enforce perfect quiet. Blood from the lungs is bright red and frothy, and is coughed or spit up. > > **9. The Stomache.** - Blood from the stomach is dark, mixed with particles of food, and comes in the act of vomiting. The person should be kept perfectly quiet, lying down, and ice wrapped in a cloth or ice bag placed over the stomach. > > **10. Nose Bleeding.** - Epistaxis, or bleeding from the nose is sometimes very troublesome. Keep the head thrown back, holding a wet cloth or sponge to receive the blood, at the same time raising the arms above the head. Press the fingers firmly on each side of the nose where it joins the upper lip. Place some cold substance, as a lump of ice, at the back of the neck or on the forehead at the bridge of the nose. If these remedies are ineffectual, have a little find salt or alum sniffed into the nostrils. > > **11. Ordinary Nose Bleeding** may be stopped by snuffing cold water up the bleeding nostril. If this fails after a few trials, place a little salt into the water. Filling the nose with a corner of the handkerchief for a few moments is a good remedy; or grasping the nose with the thumb and forefinger, and holding it firmly closed for a few moments, will generally cure the severest cases in a very short time. “Hemorrhage from the lungs is always alarming” has joined “More and more the Americans are becoming known as a bathing people” as a sentence I try to work into everyday conversations. Next up: Cuts and Wounds! ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-household-guide-or-domestic-cyclopedia-c1900/540467/125 "2010-06-29T00:35:10Z")
There’s still a lot of ground to cover. I may need to start editing. I don’t like to leave much out, but once you eliminate the banal, whatever remains, no matter how quaint, must surely be interesting. > [@](#): > > **CUTS AND WOUNDS.** > > **1. Clean the Wound.** - In case of a wound first clean it and wash it thoroughly with warm water, and when the bleeding ceases, bring the edges together, either fastening them with a bandage or court plaster. > > **2. [Sewing a Wound](http://s473.photobucket.com/albums/rr98/stabbymcshiv/Household%20Guide%20-or-%20Domestic%20Cyclopedia/?action=view¤t=sewing_a_wound.jpg).**- If the wound is very wide a few stitches may be necessary. Take a needle and silk thread and oil both needle and thread thoroughly with vaseline or pure lard. Each stitch should be tied into a knot, and should be left at least twenty-four hours before removing. > > **3. Pieces Cut Out.** - If a patch or portion is cut completely away, quickly clean the portion cut away and replace it and keep it in the exact position by court plaster or bandages. No time must be lost in the treatment of a case of this kind. > > **4. Stabs.** - Stabs are more dangerous than common wounds, and the wound must be kept open and never be closed up until it heals naturally. … > > **5. Gun Shot Wounds.** - All wounds of this character are serious and a physician should be promptly summoned. > > **6. Sprains.** - … The injured member should be kept very quiet and bandaged with warm water. Then apply freely Arnica, Pond’s Extract or the like. As you may have guessed, the Guide does not stop there. Its wisdom is not limited to the alarm of lung hemmorhage nor to the prudence of physician consultation regarding gun shot wounds. We continue on with **Unusual Emergencies**. > [@](#): > > **[UNUSUAL EMERGENCIES.](http://s473.photobucket.com/albums/rr98/stabbymcshiv/Household%20Guide%20-or-%20Domestic%20Cyclopedia/?action=view¤t=an_unusual_emergency.jpg)** > > **1. Poisoning.** - When poison is swallowed, an excellent remedy is to mix one heaped tea-spoonful of salt and one heaped tea-spoonful of mustard in a glass of water and drink immediately. Then give the whites of two eggs in a cup of coffee. Give the eggs alone if the coffee cannot be readily secured. > > **2. Treatment of Poisoned Wounds.** - Suck poisoned wounds, unless the mouth is sore; enlarge the wound, or if very serious cut out the part without delay, or cauterize with a hot iron. “… coffee cannot be readily secured.” Can you imagine such a world? Truly we’ve come a long way since 1900. That’s not all the Guide has to say about treating poisoning. The very next page addresses the subject in detail, leading me to question just how “unusual” this all was. > [@](#): > > **OTHER REMEDIES FOR POISONING.** > > In poisoning by opium strong coffee should be given, the victim being kept roused and awake, if possible, until medical aid be obtained. … Carbolic acid: Give a tablespoonful of Epsom salts stirred in water, and repeat. … Oxalic acid: Give chalk, lime, lime-water or magnesia freely. Corrosive Sublimate: White of egg and milk in quantities. > > In poisoning by an acid the use of alkalis is indicated, as soda, magnesia, chalk, lime and soapsuds. When mischief has been wrought by strong alkalis acid must be used, as vinegar, lemon juice or hard cider. > > When the mucous membrane of the mouth is much inflamed or destroyed give raw eggs, flour stirred in water, flaxseed tea, arrowroot, or any soothing drink. … Alcoholic stimulant should be administered very cautiously. > > **Fainting** is caused by an interruption of the supply of blood to the brain. The head should be lowered immediately. Often laying the person down will revive her without other measures. … Open a window or outer door to admit plenty of fresh air, unfasten the clothing to permit free circulation. In severe cases when unconsciousness is prolonged, a mustard paste must be placed over the heart; if the breathing stops artificial respiration can be begun. > … I hope you’re all paying attention. Imagine your embarrassment should a woman pass out in your vicinity, and you forget to lay her down, loosen her clothing, and apply mouth-to-mouth. Observers might think you lack good breeding. Also, the keen-eyed among you will have noted that hard cider is an effective treatment for accidental ingestion of strong alkalis. (Although even here, the Cyclopedia is careful to recommend caution with regards to alcohol.) It’s not Doctor Watson’s brandy, but it’s close. As you may have deduced, there’s even more to come. The next topic we will cover is “Foreign Bodies in Ear, Nose, or Throat.” Unfortunately, this will have to wait until tomorrow. I know this is dangerous, as it may occur that one of you will befall some accident which will lodge an item in your ear, nose or throat, and yet lack the knowledge of what to do. I can only offer my apologies, and hopes that any accidents you encounter result only in poisoning and gun shot wounds. ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [June 29, 2010, 1:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-household-guide-or-domestic-cyclopedia-c1900/540467/126 "2010-06-29T01:04:52Z")
It May Make Your Whites Whiter … [New and Scientific Methods For Taking Out all Kinds of Grease Spots, Fruit or Ink Stains, Paints, Oils, Etc.](http://s473.photobucket.com/albums/rr98/stabbymcshiv/Household%20Guide%20-or-%20Domestic%20Cyclopedia/?action=view¤t=new_and_scientific_methods_for_remo.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2010, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-household-guide-or-domestic-cyclopedia-c1900/540467/127 "2010-06-30T01:10:56Z")
Today, we learn how to deal with emergencies resulting from an object stuck in an ear, nose, or throat. Parents of young children will find parts of this section extremely relevant. > [@](#): > > **FOREIGN BODIES IN EAR, NOSE OR THROAT.** > … > > **Foreign Bodies in the Ear.** - These do not usually occasion much discomfort for a time, and as the passage of the outer ear is closed at the end by a membrane they cannot penetrate farther, and may safely be left until they can be removed by a competent person. When an insect has entered turn the head on one side with the affected ear uppermost and gently pour in a little warm water. When this runs out the drowned intruder comes with it. > > Water should not be used when a pea or bean has been introduced, because they swell when moist. > > **Foreign Bodies in the Nose.** - These may sometimes be drawn out with a bent hairpin. If not easily removed in this way they should not be poked at. A little snuff or pepper may be sniffed in, or the opposite nostril tickled with a straw. The act of sneezing will probably dislodge the substance; if not it should be left for a surgeon to extract. > > **Foreign Bodies in the Throat.** - … Send for the doctor at once, as he may have to open the windpipe to save the victim’s life. Meantime slap the sufferer on the back between the shoulders. … Turn the person’s head downward and slap the back forcibly. > > If breathing ceases the patient should be [laid on the back](http://s473.photobucket.com/albums/rr98/stabbymcshiv/Household%20Guide%20-or-%20Domestic%20Cyclopedia/?action=view¤t=retrograde_wheelbarrow.jpg), the arms pulled upward, the hands resting on the top of the head, then brought down and pressed on the chest, repeating the movements sixteen times in a minute. > > **Strangulation.** - When a person is strangling, make him swallow the white of an egg, but do not beat it. This will almost certainly dislodge the obstruction, unless lodged in the trachea. > > **3. Choking.** - If badly choked, get upon all fours and cough. > > **4. Fish Bone in the Throat.** - Press the tongue down with a spoon handle so as to be able to look down the throat and with a pair of tweezers remove the bone. If this cannot be done, swallow the whites of several eggs (one at a time), or take a big bite of bread and swallow it; if this fails, send for a good surgeon at once. > > **5. Sunstroke.** - Remove the patient in the shade, and apply cold water to the head and neck, and a mustard plaster to the feet. Administer strong stimulants. > > **6. Coal Gas Suffocation.** - If the patient does not breathe, produce artificial respiration; place the patient on his face and turn the body gently, but completely, one side and a little beyond; then again on the face and so on alternately. Repeat these movements deliberately and perseveringly, fifteen times only in a minute. You’ll note that the items suddenly begin being numbered partway through, starting with “3. Choking”. That’s not a mistake on my part. They’re just suddenly and inexplicably numbered that way in the text. (They aren’t numbered on one page, but on the other side of that page they are. There are no missing pages; just missing numbers.) Also, what you do in the privacy of your homes while choking is your business. Me? I’m sticking with Heimlich. But there’s a common class of emergency we haven’t even considered yet: Burns. > [@](#): > > **BURNS.** > > There is no accident more terrible than severe injuries from fire. All well-instructed persons know that when a woman’s dress is in flames water is almost useless to extinguish it unless she could be plunged under it. … > > **Baking Soda.** - The pain from slight burns is very great. An excellent applications is a thick paste of common baking soda moistened with water, spread on a piece of linen or cotton, and bound on the part. … > > **Starch.** - A thick coating of starch can be used instead of the soda, or wheat-flour if nothing better can be had, but neither should be applied if the skin is broken. … > > **Blisters** should be pricked and the fluid absorbed with a soft cloth before applying a dressing. … When the injury is extensive the sufferer will be prostrated and may die from the shock. Heat should be applied to the extremeties and over the heart, and hot drinks given until the doctor comes. > > **Burns From Acid.** - In burns from a strong acid the part should be covered with dry baking soda or lime, as the alkali will neutralize the acid. .. When the burn has been caused by an alkali an acid must be used. A person recovering from the effects of a burn requires very nourishing food. > > **White of Eggs.** - A soothing application for burns is to cover them with the white of an egg. This forms a coating over the injured flesh and protects it from the air. > > **Another Remedy.** - Some think there is nothing that can equal lime and lard. … > > **Magic Cure.** - Loose cotton, slightly moistened with linseed oil, has almost a magical effect in relieving the pains of severe burns. Next we begin to tread old ground. I’ve already mentioned, in passing, how to deal with a broken bone. (See post #71.) But if the shoulder-bone is the broken part, you should “place the arm on the injured side across the chest, the hand touching the opposite shoulder, and fasten it in place by passing a broad bandage around the body.” If, instead, it’s your ribs that are the problem, then I hope you know where your towel is at - “ **Fracture of the Ribs.** - In fracture of the ribs pin a towel around the body until the doctor comes.” Finally, there’s a short description of how dislocation, simple fracture, and compound fracture differ. “Hot applications” are recommended for dislocation if a doctor cannot be had immediately. There is still more information falling under the broad heading of “first aid” contained in the Cyclopedia’s burgeoning pages of knowledge. But we’ve covered a lot of ground already, and some of it starts to blur from “first aid” into “home remedies for cholera” and such. Also, we’ve already seen what to do about mad dog bite or exposure to death gas in a mine. So I’ll just cover a few more sub-topics, the first one very short: > [@](#): > > **FOR BARB WIRE CUTS.** > Take carbolic acid 1 ounce, water 1 pint; mix. Apply this to the cut three or four times a day until the cavity gets nearly full with new flesh, and then apply mutton tallow. Only now do I realize that I’ve already uploaded a picture of this section! Apparently I scanned it for the amusing picture, then uploaded it and forgot about it. Anyway, [here](http://s473.photobucket.com/albums/rr98/stabbymcshiv/Household%20Guide%20-or-%20Domestic%20Cyclopedia/?action=view¤t=broken_bones_drowning_snake_bites_e.jpg) it is: > [@](#): > > **How to Treat a Drowning Person.** > > Place the patient with face downward, and wrist under his forehead, so that the water can run out of his mouth and throat. Then restore breathing by turning the patient on his right side, and excite the nostrils with ammonia or snuff. Dash cold water upon the face and chest. If this is not effectual, turn the patient first upon his face and then upon his back gently, at the same time pressing the back between the shoulder blades gently with the hand. This assists forcing the air out of the lungs, and will stimulate respiration. As soon as breathing is established, apply warm flannels and bottles of hot water to the stomach and feet. Hot water bags can be used instead of hot bottles, if it is convenient. > > * * * > > **HOW TO CURE A SNAKE BITE.** > > The part bitten swells to enormous proportions immediately, and assumes various colors, and the person bitten will pass from nausea and vomiting to delirium and unconsciousness. … > _Treatment :_- Suck the wound vigorously to withdraw the poison, and stop the circulation with a handkerchief and stick as shown on [page 88](http://s473.photobucket.com/albums/rr98/stabbymcshiv/Household%20Guide%20-or-%20Domestic%20Cyclopedia/?action=view¤t=tourniquet.jpg). In all instances large and frequent drinks of brandy or whiskey with a free application of kerosene oil to the wound will prove an effectual remedy. Keep the wound tied up with a bandage soaked in kerosene oil. Give the patient all the liquor he can drink. It is always best to consult a physician as soon as possible. ! !! Dr. Watson, you have been vindicated. ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2010, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-household-guide-or-domestic-cyclopedia-c1900/540467/128 "2010-06-30T01:29:29Z")
It May Inform … **[How to Cure the Itch](http://s473.photobucket.com/albums/rr98/stabbymcshiv/Household%20Guide%20-or-%20Domestic%20Cyclopedia/?action=view¤t=how_to_cure_the_itch.jpg)** ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2010, 1:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-household-guide-or-domestic-cyclopedia-c1900/540467/129 "2010-06-30T01:35:44Z")
Another random tidbit: > [@](#): > > **ASTHMA.** > > The following is Dr. Coffin’s celebrated method of treating asthma: To moderate the severity of the paroxysm inhale warm steam from an inhaler or the spout of a teapot. The treatment consists in giving a strong decoction of valerian root with cayenne, made very fine and well sweetened; immerse the feet of the patient in warm water, into which you may put a little mustard. Let him drink freely of a strong tea of yarrow; after which give him half a teaspoonful of lobelia with a small quantity of cayenne pepper and half a teaspoonful of valerian; let this be repeated till the patient vomits freely, which seldom fails to give relief. That strikes me as a somewhat questionable treatment, but I’m not sure I’d expect anything different from a Dr. Coffin. ---
**Author:** ![alicorn2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ecae2f/32.png) [@alicorn2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/alicorn2)\ **Post date:** [June 30, 2010, 6:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-household-guide-or-domestic-cyclopedia-c1900/540467/130 "2010-06-30T06:33:44Z")
Wow, it’s interesting to see which parts of first aid haven’t been improved upon, and which ones are totally different. That page about how to remove stains might actually be helpful to me… my toddler came home from daycare last week with her brand-new clothes covered in “washable” paint, that isn’t. (Note, never send a toddler to daycare in brand-new clothes.) Not sure what citric acid would be exactly (or where to buy it I suppose) but I didn’t try ammonia on it… off to ask The All-Knowing Google about c.a. ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-household-guide-or-domestic-cyclopedia-c1900/540467/131 "2010-07-01T01:44:08Z")
**A Poetical Interlude …** No questions answered tonight. Instead, I give you this brief [parlor recitation.](http://s473.photobucket.com/albums/rr98/stabbymcshiv/Household%20Guide%20-or-%20Domestic%20Cyclopedia/?action=view¤t=giving_a_parlor_recitation.jpg) _clears throat_ From page 56, just before the pages about why so many people die before their time, we have the following: > [@](#): > > **AS I GROW OLD.** > > If need be, take my friends, my dole of wealth, > Take faith, and love, and hope, take youth and health; > But while I live, dear God, blight not the flower > Of reason in my brain! Leave me the power > To string together, on fine threads of gold, > My fairest thoughts, as I grow gray and old. Well, that’s a bit of a downer. Let’s recite something a bit more uplifting. From page 52, under the heading “Charity, Happiness, and Length of Days” we have these bits of verse from authors you may have heard of: > [@](#): > > Gently to hear, kindly to judge. – Shakespeare > > He hath a tear for pity, and a hand > Open as day for melting Charity. > – Shakespeare > > Then gently scan your brother man, > Still gentler, sister woman; > Though they may gang a kennin’ wrang, > To step aside is human. > – Burns. I admit I have no idea what “may gang a kennin’ wrang” means, but it’s got a beat and you can dance to it. The last three recitations come from the section titled “Woman”. Let’s start with a stirring rendition of: > [@](#): > > **THIS SWEET LITTLE WOMAN O’ MINE.** > > She ain’t any bit of a angel - > This sweet little woman o’ mine; > She’s jest a plain woman, > An’ purty much human - > This sweet little woman o’ mine. > > For what would I do with a angel > When I looked fer the firelight’s shine? > When six little sinners > Air wantin’ their dinners? > No! Give me this woman o’ mine! > > I’ve hearn lots o’ woman called “angels,” > An’ lots o’ ‘em thought it wuz fine; > But give ‘em the feathers, > An’ me, in all weathers, > This sweet little woman o’ mine! > > I jest ain’t got nuthin’ ag’in em - > These angels - they’re good in their line; > But they’re sorter above me! > Thank God that she’ll love me - > This dear little woman o’ mine! _catches breath while the servants distribute refreshments_ My penultimate performance tonight is simply titled “Mother”: > [@](#): > > **MOTHER.** > > To her care have been intrusted > All the heroes of all lands; > Still the fate of church and nation > Holds she in her slender hands, > Guiding willful feet and faltering > On through childhood’s happy years, > On through youth with its temptations, > With its hopes, its doubts, its fears; > Cultivating all that’s noble, > Gently chiding all that’s wrong, > Till her children gather round her, > Men and woman, pure and strong. > By the quiet ministrations, > In the little realm of home, > For the structure of the ages, > She hath laid the corner-stone. _pauses briefly for the gentle applause I’m sure to receive from my audience_ This last entertainment for the evening requires a brief introduction. Quoting from the Guide: > [@](#): > > **WOMAN.** > The organization of the home depends, for the most part, upon woman. > … > > **Her Power.** - It is generally in woman’s power to make home a true home, where comfort and happiness are supreme. True, men whose nobler powers are blunted and whose appetites are in control may be able to defeat much of woman’s work. And yet where there is any manhood left, there will be something at least to recognize and encourage the work of the faithful housewife. Men are only apparently leaders. Close scrutiny will generally reveal a woman’s power, a woman’s encouragement, a woman’s love behind them. In her hands rests the power to uplift man from moral degradation. And so we close tonight’s entertainments with this classic [bit of verse](http://s473.photobucket.com/albums/rr98/stabbymcshiv/Household%20Guide%20-or-%20Domestic%20Cyclopedia/?action=view¤t=the_hand_that_rocks_the_cradle.jpg): > [@](#): > > “They say that man is mighty, > He governs land and sea, > He wields a mighty sceptre, > O’er lesser powers that be; > But a mightier power and stronger > Man from his throne has hurled, > And the hand that rocks the cradle > Is the hand that rules the world.” _bow_ Interestingly, this appears to be a bastardized version of the [original](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Hand_That_Rocks_the_Cradle_%28poem%29). Or maybe the author didn’t want to violate Wallace’s copyright. ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [July 1, 2010, 1:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-household-guide-or-domestic-cyclopedia-c1900/540467/132 "2010-07-01T01:53:59Z")
And speaking of copyrights … [The Cyclopedia’s copyright page.](http://s473.photobucket.com/albums/rr98/stabbymcshiv/Household%20Guide%20-or-%20Domestic%20Cyclopedia/?action=view¤t=copyright_1897.jpg) [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/ask-the-household-guide-or-domestic-cyclopedia-c1900/540467.md?page=6)