I recently took a step back in time while reading one of the first guides to home health care. It was an enlightening (and sometimes amusing) guide to the principles of nursing and the folk remedies that were being used at that time.

"The Family Nurse; or Companion of the American Frugal Housewife" was written by Lydia Maria Child and first published in Boston in 1837. It very quickly became the standard for home health care during the pre-Civil War era.

Mrs. Child prefaces her work by saying, "this book merely contains elements of nursing and is by no means intended to supersede the advice of a physician. It is simply a household friend, which the inexperienced may consult …"

"In delegating to a stranger the sacred office of a nurse; be careful that she is a healthy woman, under 35 years of age, free from humors, from intemperate or gluttonous habits, and not violent in her temper." ("Humors" refers to the ancient medical belief that there were fluids that affected the human body: blood, phlegm, black bile, and yellow bile) "The first and most important duty of the nurse is to follow scrupulously and exactly the directions of the physician. Let no facts be concealed from him, or half told. If you think of anything which seems an improvement upon his practice, suggest it to him and mention your reasons".

Now lets take a look at some of the advice contained in this household reference book.

"Rise early and retire to rest in good season. Regularity in food and sleep is a great preservative of health."

"Very many humors and diseases originate in a want of personal cleanliness. Wash your whole person thoroughly, at least once or twice a week, and rub yourself with a coarse crash towel or brush, till the surface glows. Many a consumption might be prevented by proper regard to this suggestion."

"A feather bed is the safest place in a severe thunderstorm."

"Keep the chamber well aired. The only precaution that is necessary is to keep your patient out of the current of it, and away from damp walls."

"Wash your hands frequently, and use your fingers as little as possible in preparing food or medicine."

"Do everything as quietly as possible. Step lightly and gently and avoid creaking shoes."

"Use no snuff, or any article of food, the smell of which may be offensive to weak nerves."

"Ask no unnecessary questions."

"Be careful to get exact directions of the food and medicine to be taken during the night. It is prudent to make a memorandum of them."

"Be scrupulous in measuring medicines. The physician should see the size of the spoon you intend to use."

"It is well to keep a record of what occurs between the physicians visits, that he may accurately know the progress of the disease."

"In preparing medicines, remove sticks, pods, other seeds, and dirt from roots and all mouldy or musty parts from herbs."

"A really good nurse must have a tender conscience, as well as a feeling heart. She must realize that the slightest deviation from the truth, even to screen herself from blame, is not only a violation of the trust reposed in her, but is a sin against God."

"When infants are fretful, she must beware of the temptation to administer opiates."

"Children who always sleep on one side of the bed, or sit in one position at a writing desk or table, are apt to grow one-sided."

"Girls of twelve years old should be candidly told of an approaching change in their constitution, which makes it very hazardous for them to wet their feet, or stand in damp, cold places; particularly after they have been exercising. Thousands of victims are sacrificed to the false delicacy of their mothers."

"Bathing freely in sweet oil and covering the burn with cotton wool is considered an excellent thing to do to take the fire out."

"When a patient complains of being chilly, free doses of Laudanum (a tincture of opium) should be given, and the atmosphere be kept of a moderate temperature."

"All stimulating liquor and animal food should be carefully withheld. Sometimes even bleeding and purging are necessary."

"It is always desirable to have physicians perform vaccinations but if parents are so situated that a doctor cannot be called, they may perform the operation without the least risk."

"Obtain matter by opening one of the pustules with the point of a needle on the 8^th or 9^th day. Slightly scratch the upper part of the arm or leg (of the child to be vaccinated) in two places so as to bring blood; apply the matter on a little lint and bind it on. It will produce an eruption in 3 to 4 days. When children are vaccinated, they should be entirely free of eruptions of the skin."

"Cotton wool, wet with sweet oil and paregoric, relieves the earache."

"A small tapering wedge of salt pork, toasted a little, and put into the ear as far as convenient, has a similar effect. This has been known to cure some kinds of deafness."

"An earache that follows the measles is soon relieved by filling the ear with quite hot milk. Then let it drain out and repeat the process."

"As a general rule, two leeches are applied when they wish to draw a fluid ounce of blood. American leeches do not make so deep an incision as the European, and draw less blood."

"Applied by inexperienced hands, they sometimes bite the arteries, or veins, and the risk may be great."

"Pills made of old soap are a safe and good remedy for the jaundice. Castile is generally preferred. Three or four may be taken in the course of the day."

"Common clay moistened with water forms one of the best healing plasters to apply to stings."

"Soak the feet in warm water; bind upon them sliced onions well heated; take half a pint of strong penny-royal, or calamint tea, at night; have your bed thoroughly warmed; and you will be almost sure to cure a cold, if taken in season."

"A good quantity of very old cheese is an approved remedy when the stomach is oppressed with too much fruit or other food."

As medicine and home health care continues to evolve over the next century what will the future generations think of the methods of care and treatment that we are using today?

If you found this material interesting and would like to read more or if you would like to read other old books on various subjects, you can get a free catalog by writing to Applewood Books, PO Box 365, Bedford MA 01730.