Latvian medical advice from 100 years ago

Take note – story published 4 years ago

The calendar was never a mere a list of days, but also an encyclopedia and a compendium of advice on various matters of living, the specialists of the National Library of Latvia (LNB) told Latvian Radio on June 27. For example, the “Household Calendar of 1923” includes a list of medical treatments.

"Indispensable medical advice”:

  • Even the acutest toothache can be relieved by heating the teeth.This could be done by putting a lukewarm compress on the cheek and weighing it down with a brick as hot as can be tolerated. Of course, you have to be patient, and this will protect you from any more aching teeth for several years!

  • Many nervous, anaemic and older people complain about cold feet, because of which they have trouble falling asleep at night. The solution for this would be to briefly dip the feet in cold water immediately upon waking up in the morning, then dry them as fast as possible, put on a pair of woollen socks and walk around the room for 5 minutes. 

  • A very effective and quick remedy for cuts and other wounds is aloe juice. That is why every home ought to have aloe vera, from which by necessity a small branch should be cut, its juices squeezed out and rubbed on the wound and bandaged to keep it clean.

  • Cold, even chronic, can be cured, by briefly, upon waking, wrapping oneself in a wet blanket, which should be preferred the night before and placed on some surface close to the bed, and then quickly dress. Whoever will continue doing this for three months straight will ward off the cold for many years. It is best to begin the cure in autumn. 


 

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