Most Accidents Occur at the Homestead
First Aid 101
Cuts and bruises were frequent in "accident waiting to happen" workshops, homes and farms, so naturally there were many fool proof first aid tips available.

To stop the bleeding, sole-leather scraped like coarse lint, soot, or unglazed brown butcher paper applied to the wound were deemed successful.

Nosebleeds were halted by tying a piece of string tightly around the little finger, or pouring cold water from a heightened position onto the back of the neck, or vigorous motion of the jaws; were all said to stop the flow.
One of the oldest methods for healing a cut, and one which my father swore by,  came from the first Canadians.  My dad called it "Nature's Band-aid", but it is more commonly known as a cobweb.  The intricate and strong lace, placed over a cut, was said to heal it in no time.
To Restore From a Stroke of Lightening, the Every-Day Cook Book instructed the victim to "Shower with cold water for two hours; if the patient does not show signs of life, put salt in the water, and continue to shower one hour longer." It doesn't say what to do after that, but I'll bet it was to get hold of the undertaker. 
All ulcers, cankers and sores were referred to as cancers, and were treated with methods also handed down from the first Canadians.  Included were corn cob ashes, boiled bark of the red or white oak, and pitch pine.  Eczema, known as Salt Rheum, was treated with a lotion made from creosote and lard.

Light on Dark Corners published in Toronto in 1894; had a few other first aid treatments:
FOR BURNS AND SORES -
Pitch burgundy, 2 pounds
Bee's Wax, 1 pound,
Hog's Lard, 1 pound

Mix all together and simmer over a slow fire until the whole are well mixed together; then stir it until cold.  Apply on muslin to the parts affected.
BLEEDING - Very hot water is a prompt checker of bleeding, besides, if it is clean, as it should be, it aids in sterilizing our wound.  A drop or two of creosite on a cut will also stop the bleeding.

TREATMENT FOR CRAMP - Whenever friction can be conveniently applied, heat will be generated by it, and the muscles again reduced to a natural condition; but if the pains proceed from the contaction of some muscle located internally, burnt brandy is an excellent remedy.  A severe attack which will not yield to this simple treatment may be conquered by administering a small dose of laudunum or ether, best given under medical supervision.
TREATMENT FOR STABS - A wound made by thrusting a dagger or other oblong instrument into the flesh, is best treated, if no artery has been severed, by applying lint scraped from a linen cloth, which serves as an obstruction, allowing and assisting, coagulation.  Meanwhile cold water should be applied to the parts adjoining the wound.
TREATMENT FOR POISON OAK, POISON IVY AND POSION SUMACH - As a soverign remedy, frequent bathing of the affected parts, in water as hot as can be borne.  If used immediately after exposure, it may prevent the eruption appearing.  If later, it allays the itching, and gradually dries up the swellings, though they are very stubborn after they have once appeared.  But an application every few hours keeps down the intolerable itching, which is the most annoying feature of sumach poisoning.  In addition to this, the ordinary astringent ointments are useful, as is also the sovereign lotion - "lead-water and laudunum".
BITES AND STINGS OF INSECTS -  Wash with a solution of ammonia water.
BURNS - Make a paste of common baking soda and water, and apply it promptly to the burn.  It will quickly check the pain and inflammation.
SPRAINED ANKLE OR WRIST - Wash the ankle very frequently with cold salt and water, which is far better than warm vinegar or decotions of herbs.  Keep the foot as cool as possible to prevent inflammation, and sit with it elevated on a high cushion.  Live on a low diet, and take every morning some cooling medicine, such as Epsom salts.  It cures in a few days.

CHILBLAINS, SPRAINS, ETC. - One raw egg well beaten, half a pint of vinegar, one ounce spirits of turpentine, a quarter of an ounce spirit of wine, a quarter of an ounce of camphor. These ingredients to be beaten together, then put in a bottle and shaken for ten minutes, after which, to be corked down tightly to exclude air.  In half an hour it is fit to use.  To be well rubbed in, two, three, or four times a day.  For rheumatism in the head (?), to be rubbed at the back of the neck and behind the ears.  In chilblains this remedy is to be used before they are broken.
CUT OR BRUISE - Apply the moist surface of the inside coating or skin of the shell of a raw egg.  It wil adhere of itself, leave no scar, and heal without pain.
BLEEDING FROM THE NOSE - from wahtever cause - may generally be stopped by putting a plug of lint into the nostril; if this does not do, apply a cold lotion to the forehead; raise the head and place both arms over the head, so that it will rest on both hands; dip the lint plug, slightly moistoned, in some gum arabic, and plug the nostrils again; or dip the plug into equal parts of gum arabic and alum.  An easier and simpler method is to place a piece of writing paper on the gums of the upper jaw, under the upper lip, and let it remain there for a few minutes.
A Few Other First Aid Tips From a Variety of Sources
FOR RUPTURE:  (The Ladies Indispensable Assistant- 1851) "Rub on angle-worm ointment, morning and evening, make a plaster of the yolk of three eggs, mixed with a gill of brandy, simmer together, and use it as a plaster; at the same time drink freely of white oak bark tea and keep up your rupture with a good truss."
POISON IVY:  (The Economical Cookbook) "The shop water of a blacksmith's trough is a sure cure."

GRAVEL (Kidney Stones) (The Economical Housekeeper - 1845)  "A gentleman says he was relieved of this complaint, of a number of years' standing, by sweetening his tea with half honey and half sugar."

SUNSTOKE: (The White House Cookbook - Toronto 1899) "Put cold bandages to the head, wet and salty ones on the back of the neck, dry salt behind the ears and mustard plasters to the calves and soles. This is an effectual remedy."

TRAVEL SICKNESS - (Searchlight on Health - Toronto 1894) "Take a sheet of writing- paper, large enough to cover both the chest and stomach, and put it on under the clothing, next to the person. If one sheet is not large enough paste the edges of two or three together, for the chest and stomach must be well-covered.  Wear the paper thus as long as you are traveling, and change it every day if your. journey is a long one.  Those who have tried it say it is the perfect defence."
E-MAIL ME
Home Remedies Main Page
Patent Medicines
Uniquely Canadian Site Map
Victorian Canada Home Page