From Houghtalings Handbook of Useful Information ©1887
The following table shows the furthest points of north latitude reached by Arctic explorers, up to and including the Greely expedition:
Year..........Explorer.........................................No. Latitude
1607 .........Hudson..........................................80d 23m 00s
1773 .........Phipps (Lord Musgrove) .................80d 48m 00s
1806 .........Scoresby ........................................81d 12m 42s
1827 .........Parry .............................................82d 45m 30s
1874 .........Meyer (on land) .............................82d 09m 00s
1875 .........Markham (Nare's expedition) ..........83d 20m 26s
1876 .........Payer .............................................83d 07m 00s
1884 .........Lockwood (Greely's party) ..............83d 24m 00s
The distance from the farthest point of polar discovery to the pole itself is 6 deg. 46 min., or, in round numbers, 460 miles. It is thirty miles less than from Chicago to Omaha, by the lines of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul railway, over which the traveler rides in twenty hours. But this polar radius, though only 460 miles in extent, is covered by ice gorges and precipices of incredible difficulty; and frost is so severe that no instrument of human invention can measure its intensity, and it blisters the skin like extreme heat.
The greatest progress that has ever been made across these wilderness of storm, of fury and desolation, was at the rate of five or six miles in a day, the explorers often necessarily resting as many days as they had before travelled miles in a single day, debarred by the obstacles that they encountered.
Showing posts with label 1827. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1827. Show all posts
Friday, December 9, 2016
Monday, October 17, 2016
19th Century Medicine Arrowroot
The Medical Companion: or family physician; treating of the diseases of the United States by James Ewell ©1827 is the source of today's pos on Arrow Root
ARROW ROOT, Marania Arundinacea—Is cultivated in the southern states. A table-spoonful makes a pint of the finest jelly in nature, which affords the most nutricious food in acute diseases for children. To persons labouring under bowel complaints, as diarrhoea and dysentery, it is of itself a remedy.
The jelly is made in the following manner—To. a table-spoonful of the powdered root, add as much cold water as will-make it into a thin paste, anfl then pour on boiling water through the spout of a kettle, stiring it at the same time briskly, till it- becomes a clear jelly, after which season it with sugar and nutmeg, and to rentier it-still more palatable, a little wine or lemon juice may be added. But to children, blending it with new milk is best.
ARROW ROOT, Marania Arundinacea—Is cultivated in the southern states. A table-spoonful makes a pint of the finest jelly in nature, which affords the most nutricious food in acute diseases for children. To persons labouring under bowel complaints, as diarrhoea and dysentery, it is of itself a remedy.
The jelly is made in the following manner—To. a table-spoonful of the powdered root, add as much cold water as will-make it into a thin paste, anfl then pour on boiling water through the spout of a kettle, stiring it at the same time briskly, till it- becomes a clear jelly, after which season it with sugar and nutmeg, and to rentier it-still more palatable, a little wine or lemon juice may be added. But to children, blending it with new milk is best.
19th Century Medicine Touchwood
The Medical Companion: or family physician; treating of the diseases of the United States by James Ewell ©1827 is the source for today's post on Touchwood:
TOUCHWOOD, Boletus Igniarius—Called also spunk. It is a spungy substance, growing on the white oak, pine, and hickory trees, generally used for catching fire with flint and steel. The heart of that which grows on the oak reduced to a powder, and, applied to violent hemorrhages from wounds is said to be an excellent application to stop the bleeding.
This little tidbit could be used in quite a few situations our characters could get in trouble with. My mind is already working on a use for one of my characters.
TOUCHWOOD, Boletus Igniarius—Called also spunk. It is a spungy substance, growing on the white oak, pine, and hickory trees, generally used for catching fire with flint and steel. The heart of that which grows on the oak reduced to a powder, and, applied to violent hemorrhages from wounds is said to be an excellent application to stop the bleeding.
This little tidbit could be used in quite a few situations our characters could get in trouble with. My mind is already working on a use for one of my characters.
19th Century Medicine Cayenne Pepper
The Medical Companion: or family physician; treating of the diseases of the United States by James Ewell ©1827 is the source for today's post is on Red Pepper or Cayenne
PEPPER, RED OR CAYENNE, Capsicum Annum—It is cultivated in our gardens; it is a powerful stimulant, and has been found beneficial in chronic rheumatism.—Those who are subject to flatulence will find benefit in using it. with vegetables and soup. In cases of violent pain or cramp in the stomach, no medicine is superior to a strong infusion of red pepper, one or two pods to half a pint of spirits, in dose from a half to a wine glassful.—It is also useful, both as a medicine and gargle, in putrid sore throat, when infused in water. Steeped in spirits and applied warm to the extremities in chronic rheumatism, or low stages of nervous fever, when the circulation is languid, it has produced the most happy effects.
I have a friend who will love seeing this post, she loves just about every pepper possible and the hotter the better. To know that this pepper is helpful to body health...well, she'll be trying to get me to eat spicier foods.
PEPPER, RED OR CAYENNE, Capsicum Annum—It is cultivated in our gardens; it is a powerful stimulant, and has been found beneficial in chronic rheumatism.—Those who are subject to flatulence will find benefit in using it. with vegetables and soup. In cases of violent pain or cramp in the stomach, no medicine is superior to a strong infusion of red pepper, one or two pods to half a pint of spirits, in dose from a half to a wine glassful.—It is also useful, both as a medicine and gargle, in putrid sore throat, when infused in water. Steeped in spirits and applied warm to the extremities in chronic rheumatism, or low stages of nervous fever, when the circulation is languid, it has produced the most happy effects.
I have a friend who will love seeing this post, she loves just about every pepper possible and the hotter the better. To know that this pepper is helpful to body health...well, she'll be trying to get me to eat spicier foods.
19th Century Medicine Peppermint
The Medical Companion: or family physician; treating of the diseases of the United States by James Ewell ©1827 is the source for this post on Peppermint
PEPPERMINT, Mentha Pipcrita,—Is an excellent stomachic in flatulent colics, languors, hysteric cases and vomiting. The usual modes of administering it, are infusion, the distilled water, and the essential oil. This last, united with rectified spirits of wine, forms the essence of peppermint, so highly esteemed.
In nausea, cholera morbus, obstinate vomiting, and griping, peppermint, infused in spirits, and applied as hot as can be endured to the stomach and bowels, will be found a most valuable remedy.
A lady of Alexandria was seized with a violent fit of the colic, bringing on a weakness and irritability of the stomach, with nausea and vomiting incessantly. Two eminent physicians sent for could prescribe nothing that did any service. Dr. Craik being Called in, immediately ordered a large cataplasm of stewed, miat in spirits, to be applied as warm as it could be borne, to the pit of the stomach and abdomen. It operated like a charm. The distressing nausea and vomiting left her, the aperient medicines were then retained, and the obstinate constipated state of the bowels was speedily removed.
PEPPERMINT, Mentha Pipcrita,—Is an excellent stomachic in flatulent colics, languors, hysteric cases and vomiting. The usual modes of administering it, are infusion, the distilled water, and the essential oil. This last, united with rectified spirits of wine, forms the essence of peppermint, so highly esteemed.
In nausea, cholera morbus, obstinate vomiting, and griping, peppermint, infused in spirits, and applied as hot as can be endured to the stomach and bowels, will be found a most valuable remedy.
A lady of Alexandria was seized with a violent fit of the colic, bringing on a weakness and irritability of the stomach, with nausea and vomiting incessantly. Two eminent physicians sent for could prescribe nothing that did any service. Dr. Craik being Called in, immediately ordered a large cataplasm of stewed, miat in spirits, to be applied as warm as it could be borne, to the pit of the stomach and abdomen. It operated like a charm. The distressing nausea and vomiting left her, the aperient medicines were then retained, and the obstinate constipated state of the bowels was speedily removed.
Saturday, October 15, 2016
19th Century Medicine - Plantain
This week, I'm going to be posting various medical posts from The Medical Companion: or family physician; treating of the diseases of the United States by James Ewell ©1827
Today's post is on Plantain this is an old herb used for snake bites.
PLANTAIN, Plantago—Has long been employed as an antidote against the bites of snakes, spiders, and other venomous insects. The juice, extracted from tho whole of the plant, is generally given in doses of two table- spoonfuls every hour, or oftener, until the patient is relieved. It is sometimes given in conjunction with horehound or rue. The leaves bruised are considered by some a good application to fresh wounds.
You can read more on this herb by searching Wikipedia
I thought this might be good knowledge to have when our characters are in areas where snake bites can happen. What are some other snake bite remedies that you know of? Post them for everyone else gain from your wisdom.
Today's post is on Plantain this is an old herb used for snake bites.
PLANTAIN, Plantago—Has long been employed as an antidote against the bites of snakes, spiders, and other venomous insects. The juice, extracted from tho whole of the plant, is generally given in doses of two table- spoonfuls every hour, or oftener, until the patient is relieved. It is sometimes given in conjunction with horehound or rue. The leaves bruised are considered by some a good application to fresh wounds.
You can read more on this herb by searching Wikipedia
I thought this might be good knowledge to have when our characters are in areas where snake bites can happen. What are some other snake bite remedies that you know of? Post them for everyone else gain from your wisdom.
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Mardi Gras
The first Mardi Gras was February 27, 1827 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Early French settlers practiced Mardi Gras in other areas before New Orleans but it by the end of the 17th century Spanish Governors put an end to the celebration. AFter Louisiana became a state the residents of New Orleans managed to have the ban on wearing masks and dancing/partying in the streets.
The original Mardi Gras was a group of students, who had returned from school in Paris, wore masks and costumes and danced through the streets on the last day of Carnival season. Also known as Fat Tuesday because it was the day before Ash Wednesday.
Ten years later in 1837 the first "organized' Mardi Gras parade was started. It was reported in 1839 that there was only one float but people marveled at the parade and it was considered a successful event.
In 1872 Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff from Russia attended the parade. It was through his presence and influence that the traditional colors of Mardi Gras were adopted. Purple as the symbol of Justice, green as the symbol of faith and gold as the symbol of power.
The original Mardi Gras was a group of students, who had returned from school in Paris, wore masks and costumes and danced through the streets on the last day of Carnival season. Also known as Fat Tuesday because it was the day before Ash Wednesday.
Ten years later in 1837 the first "organized' Mardi Gras parade was started. It was reported in 1839 that there was only one float but people marveled at the parade and it was considered a successful event.
In 1872 Grand Duke Alexis Romanoff from Russia attended the parade. It was through his presence and influence that the traditional colors of Mardi Gras were adopted. Purple as the symbol of Justice, green as the symbol of faith and gold as the symbol of power.
Saturday, August 6, 2016
Matches, Strikables & Flexibles
While working on a historical novel, I believe it was "Raining Fire" set in 1833, I started to write that the hero took out a match to light the fire. I paused wondering if a match had been invented by then. Well, they had but they hadn't made there way to a woodsman in America. Here's a brief account of the history of a match during the 1800's.
In 1827, John Walker, English chemist and apothecary, discovered that if he coated the end of a stick with certain chemicals and let them dry, he could start a fire by striking the stick anywhere. These were the first friction matches. He called them strikables.
In 1830, the French chemist, Charles Sauria, created a match made with white phosphorous. White phosphorous is poisonous.
In 1855, safety matches were patented by Johan Edvard Lundstrom of Sweden. Lundstrom put red phosphorus on the sandpaper outside the box and the other ingredients on the match head.
In 1889, Joshua Pusey invented the matchbook, he called his matchbook matches "Flexibles".
And just to fill out a bit the remainder of the history I'm including a couple events in the 1900's.
In 1910, the Diamond Match Company patented the first nonpoisonous match in the U.S.
January 28, 1911 United States President William H. Taft publicly asked Diamond Match to release their patent for the good of mankind. They did then congress placed a high tax on matches made with white phosphorous.
In 1827, John Walker, English chemist and apothecary, discovered that if he coated the end of a stick with certain chemicals and let them dry, he could start a fire by striking the stick anywhere. These were the first friction matches. He called them strikables.
In 1830, the French chemist, Charles Sauria, created a match made with white phosphorous. White phosphorous is poisonous.
In 1855, safety matches were patented by Johan Edvard Lundstrom of Sweden. Lundstrom put red phosphorus on the sandpaper outside the box and the other ingredients on the match head.
In 1889, Joshua Pusey invented the matchbook, he called his matchbook matches "Flexibles".
And just to fill out a bit the remainder of the history I'm including a couple events in the 1900's.
In 1910, the Diamond Match Company patented the first nonpoisonous match in the U.S.
January 28, 1911 United States President William H. Taft publicly asked Diamond Match to release their patent for the good of mankind. They did then congress placed a high tax on matches made with white phosphorous.
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