Polite Dissent

The Treatment of Cough, as recommended by Every Man His Own Doctor, or The Poor Planter’s Physician, written and published in 1736. Punctuation, spelling, emphasis and capitalization are all reproduced faithfully from the original text.

I SHALL begin with a Cough, which is the Foundation of many bad Distempers, and Therefore should be taken care of assoon as possible. It may be cured in the Beginning with riding moderately on Horseback every Day, and only taking a little Ground Ivy Tea sweetn’d with Syrrup of Horehound, at Night when you go to Bed. But in case it be violent it will be proper to bleed Eight Ounces, and be constant in the Use of the other Remedies. In the mean while, you must use a spare and cooling Diet, without either Flesh or strong Drink. Nor should you stove your self up in a warm Room, but Breathe as much as possible in the open Air. And to prevent this Mischief, don’t make your self tender, but wash your Head every Day in cold Water, and very often your Feet.

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NOTES:

1. Ground Ivy (also known as Alehoof) is a common ground cover considered by most to be a weed.
   • A brief entry on Ground Ivy from InfoPlease.
   • Botanical information (and pictures) from the fine folks at Virginia Tech.
   • The entry on Ground Ivy from A Modern Herbal (publsihed in the modern year of 1931).
   • More information on the reputed medicinal (and magical) uses of Ground Ivy.
2. Horehound can still be found in old-time candy and coughdrops. It has a taste somewhat reminiscent of root beer (but closer to Jägermeister).
   • Pictures of Horehound.
   • Information on Horehound from the Food Reference Website.
   • Horehound, according to the previously mentioned A Modern Herbal.
3. Bloodletting was a common practice in medicine through the 19th century.
   • A brief but excellent article on “Bloodletting and the Four Humors.” Good illustrations and explanations.
   • An even shorter article on Bloodletting.
   • George Washington died due to bloodletting.

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Disclaimer: This book was written nearly three centuries ago, long before such modern ideas as hygiene and germ theory. As a physician, I in no way recommend the treatment suggested above. If you have a worrisome cough, see a doctor. This excerpt is presented merely for interest and entertainment.