Leta's home remedies

It seems to me that Leta was a practical and pragmatic person. She was not a pack rat. Of the few things she left after she passed on, I received her Bible, which she must have received in the late 1940s. It includes the information of her marriage to Claud Bassett, husband number five (in 1948). It also includes a list of birth dates of her family members down to her great-granddaughter Jennifer (born in 1965 or after; there’s no date on that one).

In addition, she included a few notes, written on scattered pages. These notes include some home remedies that someone must have shared with her. Perhaps having nothing else to write on, she found a little spot to record such things as a wart remedy: “rub bacon rind on wart; throw it over left shoulder. Wart will disappear.” I believe the note indicates that after rubbing the bacon on the wart, the bacon should be thrown over the left shoulder. (I guess one did this outside or immediately after picked up the used bacon to dispose of. I can’t quite imagine that she left bacon lying on the kitchen floor.)

Another note is actually a recipe for liniment, which, according to her directions, could be used for sprains or rheumatism:

“1/2 pint of turpentine

1/2 pint vinegar

2 crushed egg shells

Beat with an egg beater until frothy.

Bottle.

Rub in well.

Put on hot wet rags. Wrap in dry towel.”

This is actually written under a note separated by a line that says: “Hanson’s Disease is Leprosy.” I am telling myself that she wrote this note while in a Bible study about the Savior and his Apostles healing lepers. I really haven’t figured that one out yet.

She has two notes on burns:

“1.       In case you have burnt the tip of your finger, tightly grip your ear lobe.

 2.       Cut a piece of onion and keep it over the burnt area. Very effective. Provides instant relief.” (But what about the smell?)

Perhaps she had dandruff, for she includes a remedy for that: “Combine two tablespoons of vinegar and six tablespoons of hot water. Apply with cotton ball to the scalp. Keep this overnight and wash off your hair next morning.”

She also writes that the best way to clean a comb is ammonia water.