HOME REMEDIES

One area of concern about which the early settlers often possessed a wealth of knowledge was home remedies and cures. The scarcity of both doctors and medicine meant that minor ills were often treated at home. What was considered to be minor depended greatly on the present financial situation.

The cures were no doubt based on remedies brought from the homeland, seasoned by some Indian folklore, and adapted to fit the materials available. Use of local herbs and barks were soon included in the measures taken, as was use of everyday household products.

There is no doubt that some of the cures did have a positive effect. Others possibly did more harm than good.

The cold winters took their toll on the health of the people and many cures were devised to allay its effect. A common cold was treated by such measures as drinking the juice of onions, lemons, or soda boiled with molasses or white sugar; by eating a mixture of sulphur and molasses, raw onions, or a lump of borax; or by the rubbing of goosegrease or turpentine on the chest. A strong tea of elder flowers, sweetened with honey was also used. Although these treatments may sound primitive to our modern ears, humility forces us to admit that all efforts of science still can not cure the common cold.

A sore throat required the inhalation of sulphur fumes. Drinking the juice of boiled cherry tree bark also had a soothing effect.

A definite fear in dealing with colds was that it would develop into a more serious disease. Before penicillin was introduced, the flu often reached epidemic proportions, taking the lives of as many as two or three family members. The Flanders Flu, prevalent after World War i, took many lives in this area.

Pneumonia also took many victims. it was often treated by the application

of mustard or onion poultices. These hot poultices had to be changed to avoid burning of the skin.

If the patient developed a fever, he was often washed in alcohol or a mixture of baking soda and water. Drinking cream of tarter was also reputed to lower a

fever. If chills accompanied the outbreak, a bath in hot mustard or a drink of lemon juice was administered.

Diseases that today are controlled by vaccine and antibiotics often wiped

out entire familes. During the sweep of a diptheria outbreak it was noted that one resident —

About a fortnight ago a young man. twenty year old son of Donald Clark of Grand River, Lot 55 went home Saturday with Diptheria —— buried the next Saturday. Since then five of the family had died — one little girl left. Mr. Clark is now seriously ill. Twice in a week Mr. Clark had to drive to the graveyard alone to bury his children. Some years ago the same family lost five children to an epidemic.

from P.E.|. Public Archives

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