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Relief For Asthma


An old friend of the editor of this book writes: I have been a sufferer

from asthma for twenty-five years, and for more than a dozen years have

used the following recipe with great benefit. It is not a cure, but in

my case gives almost instant relief. Take equal parts of powdered

stramonium leaves and powdered belladonna leaves and mix thoroughly; to

each ten ounces of the mixture add one ounce of powdered saltpeter

(n
trate of potash); mix all thoroughly. I always keep some of this in a

small tin box. When I wish to use it I pour a little of the powder into

the cover of the box, light it with a match, cover the whole with a

little paper cone with the point cut off. I place the point of the cone

in my mouth, and breathe the smoke into my lungs with the air. The first

trial is very hard; it almost strangles, but if persevered in will give

great relief. This is much better than stramonium alone. The saltpeter

makes it burn freely, and also helps to give relief. When my home was in

Northern Indiana, I used to buy the leaves in Chicago already powdered.

Now I send to New York. I find it cheaper to do this than to gather and

dry the leaves. It is also almost impossible to dry and pulverize the

leaves at home. By using a paper cone and breathing through it, little

or no smoke is wasted, and the box and paper can be carried in the

pocket and used as occasion requires.



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