Write Right~1888 Recipe for a Cough

I came across this cough remedy in a 1888 magazine. Wow. Talk about packing a punch!

Take equal quantities of hoarhound and liquorice root, make a strong decocotion, and to three-fourths of a pint of this liquid add the following ingredients: A drachm and a half of dried squills, half a drachm of camphor, half a drachm of pure opium, half a drachm of oil of anise-seed, half a drachm of bensoin, and two ounces of honey. Simmer in an earthen vessel until reduced to a half pint. When strained and cold add half a pint of good, old rum. Take any time the cough is troublesome.

Squill is also known as White Squill and Red Squill. The part used is the bulb, cut into slices, then dried and powdered. It is largely used for its stimulating, expectorant and diuretic properties, and is also a cardiac tonic, acting in a similar manner to digitalis, slowing and strengthening the pulse.

A drachm is a unit of apothecary weight equal to an eighth of an ounce or to 60 grains

Benzoin oil is extracted from resin of the Styrax Benzoin tree and belongs to the Stryracaceae family. It is also known as gum benzoin, luban jawi (meaning frankincense of Java), Benjamin or Styrax benzoin. Benzoin oil can be used for bronchitis, coughs, colds, wounds, acne, eczema, psoriasis, rheumatism, arthritis, scar tissue, circulation, nervous tension, stress, muscle pains, chilblains, rashes and mouth ulcers.