Call Number:

Ms. Codex 1808

Repository:

University of Pennsylvania: Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts

Extent:

1 volume

Language:

English

Preferred Citation:

Ms. Codex 1808, Medicinal and household recipe book, 1808-1834, Kislak Center for Special Collections, Rare Books and Manuscripts, University of Pennsylvania

Date:

1808-1834 (inclusive)

Form:

Recipes, Codices (bound manuscripts), Manuscripts, English -- 19th century, Cookbooks, and Prescriptions

Abstract:

An unbound volume comprised chiefly of a collection of medicinal recipes to alleviate or cure various ailments and diseases by an unknown compiler living in England. The recipes contained in the volume span the years from 1808 to 1834.

A slim, unbound volume comprised chiefly of a collection of medicinal recipes to alleviate or cure various ailments and diseases by an unknown compiler living in England. The recipes contained in the volume span the years from 1808 to 1834. Some of the recipes have been dated and attributed to doctors, friends, or medical journals. The pages are numbered two to forty-eight with six unnumbered pages at the end of the volume. A column on the left-hand side of each page has written annotations and references to other recipes within the work. There are several prescriptions for ailments of the blood, ears, eyes, lungs, skin, and stomach. The prescriptions and remedies are for afflictions, ailments, and diseases such as asthma, cancer, colic, cholera, colds, contagions, consumption, coughs, dizziness, fevers, gout, gravel, headaches, hysterics, menstrual pain, rheumatism, scurvy, sprains, stings, and stomach aches. A couple toiletry recipes are in the volume, one is for tooth powder and the other for lip salve. In addition to medicinal recipes there are formulas for the household. Included are recipes for blacking, brass cleaner, cements, cleaning furniture, colors, dyes, fire proofing, pest control, preserving leather, waterproofing, and writing ink. Some cooking recipes in the volume include ginger beer, spruce beer, fruit preserves, preserving eggs, fish sauce, and pickling beef. Appearing on page forty is a half-page note entitled "Important to anglers." There is one clipping on the first page (p. 2) concerning the care of corns.