The Journal of the Commons House of Assembly

366 COMMONS JOURNAL, MARCH 5, 1759–APRIL 7, 1759Diet Drink.Take 6 or 8 Ounces of Sarsaparilla, the same Quantity of dried China Root split andchip’d fine, to which add an Ounce and an half or 2 Ounces of Gum Guiacum: Put theSarsparilla into an Iron Pot, to which add 8 or 10 Quarts of Water; if the Patient is strongput 8, if weak put 10 Quarts. If the Disorder is hard to be cured, I add half a Pound ofAntimony grosly powdered, and put into a Linen Bag tied loosely, and hang it in the Pot(if the Patient is weak, add a Handful or two of Buckshorn Shavings) covering the Potvery close, and pasted tight round the Brim that no Steam can come out, setting it overa gentle Fire of Coals so that it may stew or simmer for 12 Hours; then take it off theFire, and let it cool before you open it; then bottle it for Use.Give the Patient a Gill and half first in the Morning, and the same Quantitygoing to Bed at Night.The Patient must take particular Care to keep to a strict Diet, such as, WheatBread well raised, or good Bisket: Their common Drink must be, small Beer brewedwith Molasses.The above Directions to be strictly observed ’till the Patient is well, if Strengthwill permit: If the Patient is unable to bear the Diet Drink, he must quit the Diet Drink,and live upon the aforementioned Bread and Beer for 3 Days, and then he may withSafety take Nourishment.For an old Pox.Take 8 Ounces of Sarsaparilla, 8 Ounces of dried China Root chipt or split fine,2 Ounces of Gum Guiacum, 4 Ounces of the Root of a Plant or Bush known by theName of Queen’s Delight or Pock Root, to be put in a Pot as before directed with 8Quarts of Water: And the above Directions to be observed in every Particular, notforgetting to bleed and purge as before directed.To cure the Canker.Take Holly Leaves a good Quantity, and burn them to Ashes, and pulverise themvery fine, add as much Allum pulverised as there is Ashes: Take a Piece of Rag, andrub the Ashes on the Sore twice a Day; then take an Ounce of Salt and one Ounceof Allum, put in one Pint and an Half of Water, put it over the Fire ’till it is dissolved,and wash the Ashes and Allum out of the Sore with the Water, a Quarter of an Hourafter it is dress’d.Charles-Town.Joseph Howard, being duly sworn, made Oath before me, that he has made aplain and full Discovery of the Medicines and Methods used by him in the Cure of