Monday, October 17, 2016

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.

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