When I was small a doctors visit could break the family budget. Sure there was the 'Poor doctor' but people would avoid to go there because his bedside manners were tailored to the small amount he would receive from his patients. If a person had a fever the housewife would prepare a mixture of flour and vinegar this would be smeared between two rags, rapped around each foot of the patient a sock put over it to keep it in place and by the morning the fever would have decreased. For a sore throat a wet cloth tipped in hot water wrapped around the neck and a dry cloth over it as it was believed that sweat would relieve the pain. For a headache it would be a cold cloth tied around the head. A great variety of tea would also be in use. For an ulcerated mouth Salbei tea would be used for a rinse and a gargle. I have found a translation for Salbei and it is Sage. The blossom of the Linden tree would relieve fever. And the ever popular Camomile would feature in many remedies. Another old remedy which I was told was popular for the cure of sprains in some country areas in Austria was that to ease the pain one would urinate on a clean piece of cloth, quickly wrap it around the swollen area and cover it with a dry cloth. When I voiced my disbelief I was assured that it was often used that way. I have never seen this, but then what do I know, I was always a city dweller. Well that's about all I can drag out of my memory. But whilst reminiscing I thought of the mustard plaster, what I can't remember is how was it made and what was it used for. Lotte Evans
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