Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

The following Letter from Doctor L. B. may possibly benefit the Public, if generally known.

Many years ago (when I lived at Yeovill, in Someretshire) my advice was desired for a poor man's child, a boy of about eight or nine years of age, one of whose legs was contracted more than when a man is sitting in a chair; He could not stretch it out, or move it; neither could it be extended by any other, without an injury to the part affected.

I prescribed a relaxing liniment, of which currier's oil was one chief ingredient, and ordered the parts affected to be gently rubbed with it; but it was of no service.

The probable consequences of this poor boy's living without the use of that limb, very much moved my pity; and, while I was considering what further might be done for his relief, it came into my mind that the glovers of the town brought their lamb and kid skins (which were dry, stiff and hard) to be soft and supple as gloves, by rubbing them with a liquor made with the yolk of eggs and water.

Hereupon I reasoned thus with myself, viz.

Since this egg-liquor is so efficacious in removing contractions from the parts of dead animal fibres, vessels and membranes (by art made stiff, dry and hard) why may it not be as effectual when sufficiently applied to living animal fibres, vessels and membranes, in a state of contraction? And I resolved to try its efficacy in the case of this poor boy.

I ordered the contracted parts of his leg to be gently rubbed two or three times a day with the egg liquor, and by this means he easily recovered the use of his leg.

This egg-liquor I advise to be made in the following manner, viz.

Take the yolk of a new-laid egg, let it be beaten with a spoon to the greatest thinness; then, by a spoonful at a time, add three ounces of pure water, agitating the mixture continually, thus the egg and water may be well incorporated.

This liquor may be applied to the parts contracted, cold or only milk warm, by a gentle friction for a few minutes, three or four times a day.

This remedy I have since advised in like cases, and with the like happy success, and others, to whom I have communicated it, have found the same advantage from it in such cases.