doesn't sound good to me

[lauradi7dw]

in 1990 historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich took the diaries of 18th century rural Maine midwife Martha Ballard, added interpretation, and wrote a book that became well known, was dramatized in a film, and has been serialized daily on Twitter.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15594.A_Midwife_s_Tale
Ms. Ballard delivered a lot of healthy babies and did other medical care, but today's entry seems like an anomaly to me - something that I don't believe actually would be helpful.

>>6 Nov 1798. Cloudy. mrss Livermore Came to mr Dingleys for me to go and See her Sick Dagt. I find Patty very Sick. I put Black wool, wet with Brandy & pepper, in her Ears which gave her present relief.<<

I don't know what Patty's problem was, but how could that help? It's not likely to be mentioned on Pubmd.

Comments

[nosrednayduj]

ear infection? brandy would dry it out and kill germs. pepper might also help kill the germs, and could be an irritant that draws blood to help fight infection, like ben-gay works for sore muscles.

[sovay]

I don't know what Patty's problem was, but how could that help? It's not likely to be mentioned on Pubmd.

I had an external ear infection once for which I was literally dropping vinegar into my ears per doctor's orders. (It was terrible. Do not recommend. I mean, it worked, but it was not a pleasant experience.)