Grok answer: Dr. A.W. Chase, the 19th-century physician behind popular household remedy books like his "Receipt Book," recommended these for expelling intestinal parasites (worms, common back then):
Pumpkin seeds: Fast overnight, eat ground seeds mixed with honey/molasses, then take castor oil as a purgative.
Herbal tinctures or strong teas: Wormwood, black walnut hull, male fern root, tansy, rue.
Small doses of spirits of turpentine mixed with sugar or castor oil.
Pulled out a copy of one of his receipt books I have. It doesn’t have the photos in the linked video, but it has several suggestions for ringworm, round worm, and tapeworm. I believe it corresponds with info in your first link starting at page 143. One story said a 16 yo girl was treated and passed a 7 meter tapeworm, with other people passing worms up to 100 ft in length. This tapeworm info is 145-146. Tapeworm Rx was ground pumpkin seed and sugar taken every 2 hours until gone. After last dose mix of castor oil and turpentine as purgative. Girl passed the worm the next morning.
There are seldom found but three varieties of worms in the human intestines.
I. The principal, or most common one, is the long, round worm, found in the small intestines.
II. The second variety is the small, round, or pin-worm, so called because scarcely ever longer or larger than a pin. These are chiefly found in the rectum, and known to be there from an intolerable itching.
III. The last, or third variety, is the tape-worm, called by physicians tcBnia solium (from icsnia, tape, and solus, alone); for, as a general thing, there is only one of them found to annoy the patient. The remedies for them, I shall give in the order in which I have mentioned them. First:
1, The Long, Round Worm. — Pink and senna were the old " standby," for the common long worm, followed by a cathartic ; but the following combination is better, as it has the cathartic in combination, and as the good old saying is, " kills two birds with one stone."
Pink root and Senna, each i^ oz. ; cream of tartar, 1 dr. (1 tea-spoonful); pulverized jalap, ^ dr. ; cardamon seeds, 1 dr. ; and ext. of licorice, or powdered licorice-root, J^ oz. Mix, and pour on J^ pt. of boiling water and steep y^ to 1 hour; and, according to the age of the child, give 1 to 2 table-spoonfuls every hour until the worms are expelled, or a brisk action of the bowels is obtained. Repeat every day or two, until you are satisfied there are no more worms present, or see that they have been expelled, as it does not always, but generally, expels them on the first trial.
Remarks. — I recently took this remedy in just this way, realizing that I, at nearly 68 years of age, had them. For the cathartic I took 2 blue papers of seidlitz powders and 1 white paper, to be sure and get quick and thorough action. It did act quickly, and brought them away. I have enjoyed better health since.
Worms, Allopathic Vermifuge for.— Santonin and white sugar (or sugar of milk), each 10 grs.; calomel and ipecac, each 1 gr. Directions — Bub the two first well together; then rub in the two last, and divide into 10 powders. Dose — For child, 1 powder, night and morning, till all are talien; then an active cathartic, unless the worms pass off freely by this time. I should give a cathartic of cream of tartar, or some mild one, at any rate. This is the favorite, of an old friend of mine, of the allopathic school.
Vermifuge or Vermicide— Extraordinary.— Dr. A. S. Sweet, of Southhold, L. I., informs the readers of the Brief ih.3X he gave Mrs. C. the following mixture as a vermifuge: Santonin, 16 grs.; fl. ex. of pink, 160 drops; simple syrup, 2 ozs. ; mix. Dose — A tea-spoonful morning and night. She gave it about equally between 4 children of her own and 1 of a neighbor's. The result was the expulsion of 67 worms. As having a possible bearing upon the question whether worms cause any special symptoms by their presence in the intestines. Dr. Sweet says that the child for which the vermifuge was particularly desired had, previous to taking it, several attacks of convulsions. They ceased with the expulsion of the worms.
Remarks. — Any person of common sense would eay the worms caused the convulsions, else their removal would not have stopped them. Dr. Sweet says nothing about giving any cathartic; but as the Brief is taken only by physicians, he leaves it to their judgment to direct it. I would say, give an active cathartic on the third or fourth day, whether any worms have passed or not. In all cases, after expulsion of worms, give a tonic to build up and strengthen the general system, which will also strengthen the bowels, and thereby make it less liable for another "crop" of worms. For, as a general thing, it is only the weakly children who are troubled with worms, although sometimes adults havo them, as in my own case.
Pin Worms, Remedy. — A ' ' Mrs . C. " made inquiry in the Toledo, O., Blade, for a remedy for jnn-worms, receiving the following answers: A Mrs. "A. P. A." (a pity that so many writers are ashamed of their names), says: If "Mrs. C." will give the child a tea made of common spearmint, botlj using it as a drink and as an injection, I am confident it will suffer no more from pin-worms, as I have known a very bad case, of long standing to be cured by this remedy, when many others had been tried without success. If one tria] does not cure, repeat, as the remedy is harmless.
Remarks. — The spearmint is safe, and quite a diuretic, with its other valu* able properties.
6. A "Subscriber, of Rochester, O., gave the following answer: Tell "Mrs. C." to use the following, which I have used, in a great many cases, without failure: Carolina pink root, senna, American worm seed and manna, each % oz. ; steep for 1 hour in water, % pts. Dose — 1 gill (about 8 tablespoonfuls), once a day, in one-half as much new milk, well sweetened There is no " ifs " or " buts " about this, it will cure. I cured myself after having convulsions for over three years, and being given up by doctors; and since then it has cured many of my neighbors.
Remarks. — This writer says nothing about injecting it; but there would be no impropriety or danger in doing so, as it is for pin-worms, which mostly infest the rectum, and for which injections are the most effe^jtual. The injection should be kept in place as long as it can be borne, by holding a wad of cloth to prevent its voluntary escape, or discharge. This preparation, however, is very appropriate for the long round worm, and the author is of the opinion that it was for that, and not pin-worm, that this writer gave it.
Pin- Worms. — A solution made by soaking rasped quassia, 3^ oz.,[ia cold water, 1 pt., for 13 hours, then straining, for the purpose of injection, is very effectual to remove pin-worms. A solution of aloes, J^ oz., with carbonate of potash, 15 grs., in i^ pt. of decoction, or tea, of barley, dissolved by rubbing together, for an injection ; or an injection of simple sweet oil, says Dr. Warren, of Boston, are very effectual in removing pin-worms. Lime water (which see how to make) is also frequently used as an injection for the removal of pin-worms.
Tape Worm, Dr. TurnbuU's Successful Remedy.— Dr. R. J. Turnbull, of Duncansley, Miss., in a recent issue of the Medical and Sur* gical Reporter, says: I notice a request for a recipe for tape worm. The following prescription proved most efficacious with me in the treatment of a patient who suffered for more than 3 years with tape worm. Bark of the pomegranate root, % oz. ; peeled pumpkin seed, 3^ dr. ; ethereal ex. of male-fern (an extract made with ether), 1 dr.; powdered ergot, J^ dr.; powdered gum arable, 2 drs. ; croton oil, 3 drops. Directions — The pomegranate root and pumpkin seed must be thoroughly bruised, and, with the ergot, boiled in 8 ozs, of water, for 15 minutes (the author would saynot less than 30 minutes), then strain through coarse cloth. The croton oil must be rubbed up with the gum arabic and extract of male-fern, and then formed into an emulsion (by rubbing or thoroughly stirring), with the decoction. This is the prescription of Dr. A. J. Schafish, of Washington, D. C, who employs no preliminary provision, except forbidding the patient to take only breakfast the day on which it is intended to remove the worm, and give a large dose of Rochelle salts the night before. No unpleasant effects follow this remedy. — Brief
Remarks. — The author would say, if the croton oil does not cause a passage in 3 hours at most after taking the mixture, give 2 blue and 1 white paper of seidlitz powder to get thorough action from the bowels.
Dr. Currie, of Lebanon, N. H., gives an account in the Brief of removing a tape-worm from a girl 16 years old, by the simple articles of pump-kin seed, 1 oz. ; white sugar, ^ oz. ; the seed pounded fine, and mixed with the sugar. Dose — A tea-spoonful of the mixture every 2 hours, till all was taken: following the last dose with castor oil and spirits of turpentine. The next morning I was presented with the worm entire, 7 meters long.
Remarks. — A meter is a little less than 393^ inches, or a total length of worm equal to 23 feet, at least. They have been expelled from 60 to 100 feet in length. The proper dose of castor oil for a girl of 16 would be 1 table-spoonful, with the spirits of turpentine, 1 tea-spoonful, mixed; and to avoid nausea or its disagreeable taste, add a few drops of oil of cinnamon. Repeat the dose in 2 or 3 hours, unless a free passage is obtained before this time. Unless the worm put in an appearance, I would repeat the whole on the third day, at farthest; the second, unless the stomach was considerably disturbed, would be better. More or less, according to the age and robustness of the person, may be given.
Otlier Remedies. — Dr. Bennett says: " Of all the vermifuge remedies proposed for the expulsion of tape-worms, I have found ethereal ex. of male-fern the most effectual." (See Dr. Turnbull's remedy above.)
Dr. Caldwell, Baltimore, Md., claims that the Dundas, Dick & Co.'s capsules of male-fern and kamala, produced with a patient of his, the happy result of expelling a monster of some 31 feet in length, after taking 6 capsules according to printed directions accompanying them ; also relieving a cough, vomiting, and all other unpleasant symptoms attending its presence.
Tape- Worm— The Latest, Most Easily Taken, and Most Successful Remedy for. — There has been quite a stir made recently by two or three traveling physicians with the French chemist Tauret's "pellltierine," in removing tape-worms. I have seen several that have been removed here within a few months. I had known that one physician was using it here with success before, but not being of the talkative kind, very little was said about it. With this introduction, I will say: Tauret's " pelletierine " is put up in bottles containing one dose only, and retails at about $3 per bottle. Its action is to numb the worm, causing more or less giddiness, according to the nervousness of the patient. This soon passes off by the patient laying down and keeping quiet. It is perfectly safe, and but slight preparation is necessary to take it. Doze — One bottle being a full doze for a man, delicate females and youths of about 15 years would take only two-thirds; children of 10 or 12, one-half, and of 4 to 8 years, only one-third of a bottle. Directions — The day before it is to be taken, take a laxative or gentle cathartic, or a copious injection ; and, for supper, eat only a milk diet. In the morning take half a glass of water on an empty stomach; then, five minutes after, take the pellfitierine, and, immediately after, half a glass more of water, slightly sweetened. Three-fourths of an hour after take a dose of comp. tinct. of jalap; or infusion of senna (made by steeping J>^ oz.), sweetened with syrup of orange-peel. If in a few hours there are no stools, take a purgative injection or repeat the purgative medicine. The giddiness will come on in about 15 minutes after taking the pelletierine, and the worms ought to be expelled in 2 to 4 hours. I have seen one passed in IJ^ hrs. from the taking of the remedy. It is important to remember, say the instructions scut out, that the purgative must act rapidly. Don't stay in bed any longer than the giddiness lasts; then move about, to help the action of the medicines. I have taken these instructions from a pamphlet sent out by E. Fougera & Co., 30 Nortli William st, New York, who supply the article if your druggist has not got it.
This is not an advertisement for them, but to help any one to obtain it who needs it. They do not know that I have mentioned them even; but, knowing its value, I have given it, to save those needing it from paying $10 to $50, as these tramping doctors charge for their removal. The pellfitierine is made from pomegranate bark, which has been the main dependence for removing tape worms; but as it had to be made in the form of an infusion and taken in large doses of a 3^ pt. or more, often causing sickness of the stomach, this new preparation is as great a boone as quinine was over having to take the Peruvian bark in powder, as formerly ; and as the pellStierine has proved very successful, it will, undoubtedly be but a short time till our druggists will keep it, and it will enter into general use. Speaking of its success, I will mention a few cases, only to show the estimation it is held in.
Professor LahoulbSne gives 19 successes in 19 trials. Dujardin-Beametz, member of the Academy of Medicine, France, succeeded 37 times in 39 trials. Dr. Ed. Mount, of Montreal, had 4 successes out of 4 trials; one of the cases had been troubled with tape worm for 26 years. Dr. H. Wilfert, of the Cincinnati Academy succeeded also in every case.
I will mention only one case more, the worm I spoke of being removed, in one hour and a half, in the foregoing. The medicine was administered- y a boy of less than 20 years, who had been with a doctor for a short time only, and learned what was used. The man was a butcher, and was well pleased to be rid of his tormentor.
Remarks. — Certainly, with the foregoing list of remedies to select from, no one should long be permitted to suffer the presence of either variety of worms, unless it should be thought worth while to keep " His Majesty " (the tape worm) in a bottle of alcohol, as a trophy of success in his removal.
cool, thanks u/DagnyDocket, I copied the text from that section and posted it--easier to read it here on a comment than from the archived copy. Very interesting stuff! Seems like some of the text copied strangely, though, lol.
Grok answer: Dr. A.W. Chase, the 19th-century physician behind popular household remedy books like his "Receipt Book," recommended these for expelling intestinal parasites (worms, common back then):
He suggested rotating remedies based on symptoms.
Pulled out a copy of one of his receipt books I have. It doesn’t have the photos in the linked video, but it has several suggestions for ringworm, round worm, and tapeworm. I believe it corresponds with info in your first link starting at page 143. One story said a 16 yo girl was treated and passed a 7 meter tapeworm, with other people passing worms up to 100 ft in length. This tapeworm info is 145-146. Tapeworm Rx was ground pumpkin seed and sugar taken every 2 hours until gone. After last dose mix of castor oil and turpentine as purgative. Girl passed the worm the next morning.
Thank you so much for digging up the links!
ORMS-REMEDIES, VERMIFUGES.
There are seldom found but three varieties of worms in the human intestines.
I. The principal, or most common one, is the long, round worm, found in the small intestines.
II. The second variety is the small, round, or pin-worm, so called because scarcely ever longer or larger than a pin. These are chiefly found in the rectum, and known to be there from an intolerable itching.
III. The last, or third variety, is the tape-worm, called by physicians tcBnia solium (from icsnia, tape, and solus, alone); for, as a general thing, there is only one of them found to annoy the patient. The remedies for them, I shall give in the order in which I have mentioned them. First:
1, The Long, Round Worm. — Pink and senna were the old " standby," for the common long worm, followed by a cathartic ; but the following combination is better, as it has the cathartic in combination, and as the good old saying is, " kills two birds with one stone."
Pink root and Senna, each i^ oz. ; cream of tartar, 1 dr. (1 tea-spoonful); pulverized jalap, ^ dr. ; cardamon seeds, 1 dr. ; and ext. of licorice, or powdered licorice-root, J^ oz. Mix, and pour on J^ pt. of boiling water and steep y^ to 1 hour; and, according to the age of the child, give 1 to 2 table-spoonfuls every hour until the worms are expelled, or a brisk action of the bowels is obtained. Repeat every day or two, until you are satisfied there are no more worms present, or see that they have been expelled, as it does not always, but generally, expels them on the first trial.
Remarks. — I recently took this remedy in just this way, realizing that I, at nearly 68 years of age, had them. For the cathartic I took 2 blue papers of seidlitz powders and 1 white paper, to be sure and get quick and thorough action. It did act quickly, and brought them away. I have enjoyed better health since.
Worms, Allopathic Vermifuge for.— Santonin and white sugar (or sugar of milk), each 10 grs.; calomel and ipecac, each 1 gr. Directions — Bub the two first well together; then rub in the two last, and divide into 10 powders. Dose — For child, 1 powder, night and morning, till all are talien; then an active cathartic, unless the worms pass off freely by this time. I should give a cathartic of cream of tartar, or some mild one, at any rate. This is the favorite, of an old friend of mine, of the allopathic school.
Vermifuge or Vermicide— Extraordinary.— Dr. A. S. Sweet, of Southhold, L. I., informs the readers of the Brief ih.3X he gave Mrs. C. the following mixture as a vermifuge: Santonin, 16 grs.; fl. ex. of pink, 160 drops; simple syrup, 2 ozs. ; mix. Dose — A tea-spoonful morning and night. She gave it about equally between 4 children of her own and 1 of a neighbor's. The result was the expulsion of 67 worms. As having a possible bearing upon the question whether worms cause any special symptoms by their presence in the intestines. Dr. Sweet says that the child for which the vermifuge was particularly desired had, previous to taking it, several attacks of convulsions. They ceased with the expulsion of the worms.
Remarks. — Any person of common sense would eay the worms caused the convulsions, else their removal would not have stopped them. Dr. Sweet says nothing about giving any cathartic; but as the Brief is taken only by physicians, he leaves it to their judgment to direct it. I would say, give an active cathartic on the third or fourth day, whether any worms have passed or not. In all cases, after expulsion of worms, give a tonic to build up and strengthen the general system, which will also strengthen the bowels, and thereby make it less liable for another "crop" of worms. For, as a general thing, it is only the weakly children who are troubled with worms, although sometimes adults havo them, as in my own case.
Remarks. — The spearmint is safe, and quite a diuretic, with its other valu* able properties. 6. A "Subscriber, of Rochester, O., gave the following answer: Tell "Mrs. C." to use the following, which I have used, in a great many cases, without failure: Carolina pink root, senna, American worm seed and manna, each % oz. ; steep for 1 hour in water, % pts. Dose — 1 gill (about 8 tablespoonfuls), once a day, in one-half as much new milk, well sweetened There is no " ifs " or " buts " about this, it will cure. I cured myself after having convulsions for over three years, and being given up by doctors; and since then it has cured many of my neighbors.
Remarks. — This writer says nothing about injecting it; but there would be no impropriety or danger in doing so, as it is for pin-worms, which mostly infest the rectum, and for which injections are the most effe^jtual. The injection should be kept in place as long as it can be borne, by holding a wad of cloth to prevent its voluntary escape, or discharge. This preparation, however, is very appropriate for the long round worm, and the author is of the opinion that it was for that, and not pin-worm, that this writer gave it.
Pin- Worms. — A solution made by soaking rasped quassia, 3^ oz.,[ia cold water, 1 pt., for 13 hours, then straining, for the purpose of injection, is very effectual to remove pin-worms. A solution of aloes, J^ oz., with carbonate of potash, 15 grs., in i^ pt. of decoction, or tea, of barley, dissolved by rubbing together, for an injection ; or an injection of simple sweet oil, says Dr. Warren, of Boston, are very effectual in removing pin-worms. Lime water (which see how to make) is also frequently used as an injection for the removal of pin-worms.
Tape Worm, Dr. TurnbuU's Successful Remedy.— Dr. R. J. Turnbull, of Duncansley, Miss., in a recent issue of the Medical and Sur* gical Reporter, says: I notice a request for a recipe for tape worm. The following prescription proved most efficacious with me in the treatment of a patient who suffered for more than 3 years with tape worm. Bark of the pomegranate root, % oz. ; peeled pumpkin seed, 3^ dr. ; ethereal ex. of male-fern (an extract made with ether), 1 dr.; powdered ergot, J^ dr.; powdered gum arable, 2 drs. ; croton oil, 3 drops. Directions — The pomegranate root and pumpkin seed must be thoroughly bruised, and, with the ergot, boiled in 8 ozs, of water, for 15 minutes (the author would saynot less than 30 minutes), then strain through coarse cloth. The croton oil must be rubbed up with the gum arabic and extract of male-fern, and then formed into an emulsion (by rubbing or thoroughly stirring), with the decoction. This is the prescription of Dr. A. J. Schafish, of Washington, D. C, who employs no preliminary provision, except forbidding the patient to take only breakfast the day on which it is intended to remove the worm, and give a large dose of Rochelle salts the night before. No unpleasant effects follow this remedy. — Brief
Remarks. — The author would say, if the croton oil does not cause a passage in 3 hours at most after taking the mixture, give 2 blue and 1 white paper of seidlitz powder to get thorough action from the bowels.
Remarks. — A meter is a little less than 393^ inches, or a total length of worm equal to 23 feet, at least. They have been expelled from 60 to 100 feet in length. The proper dose of castor oil for a girl of 16 would be 1 table-spoonful, with the spirits of turpentine, 1 tea-spoonful, mixed; and to avoid nausea or its disagreeable taste, add a few drops of oil of cinnamon. Repeat the dose in 2 or 3 hours, unless a free passage is obtained before this time. Unless the worm put in an appearance, I would repeat the whole on the third day, at farthest; the second, unless the stomach was considerably disturbed, would be better. More or less, according to the age and robustness of the person, may be given.
Dr. Caldwell, Baltimore, Md., claims that the Dundas, Dick & Co.'s capsules of male-fern and kamala, produced with a patient of his, the happy result of expelling a monster of some 31 feet in length, after taking 6 capsules according to printed directions accompanying them ; also relieving a cough, vomiting, and all other unpleasant symptoms attending its presence.
This is not an advertisement for them, but to help any one to obtain it who needs it. They do not know that I have mentioned them even; but, knowing its value, I have given it, to save those needing it from paying $10 to $50, as these tramping doctors charge for their removal. The pellfitierine is made from pomegranate bark, which has been the main dependence for removing tape worms; but as it had to be made in the form of an infusion and taken in large doses of a 3^ pt. or more, often causing sickness of the stomach, this new preparation is as great a boone as quinine was over having to take the Peruvian bark in powder, as formerly ; and as the pellStierine has proved very successful, it will, undoubtedly be but a short time till our druggists will keep it, and it will enter into general use. Speaking of its success, I will mention a few cases, only to show the estimation it is held in.
Professor LahoulbSne gives 19 successes in 19 trials. Dujardin-Beametz, member of the Academy of Medicine, France, succeeded 37 times in 39 trials. Dr. Ed. Mount, of Montreal, had 4 successes out of 4 trials; one of the cases had been troubled with tape worm for 26 years. Dr. H. Wilfert, of the Cincinnati Academy succeeded also in every case.
I will mention only one case more, the worm I spoke of being removed, in one hour and a half, in the foregoing. The medicine was administered- y a boy of less than 20 years, who had been with a doctor for a short time only, and learned what was used. The man was a butcher, and was well pleased to be rid of his tormentor.
Remarks. — Certainly, with the foregoing list of remedies to select from, no one should long be permitted to suffer the presence of either variety of worms, unless it should be thought worth while to keep " His Majesty " (the tape worm) in a bottle of alcohol, as a trophy of success in his removal.
cool, thanks u/DagnyDocket, I copied the text from that section and posted it--easier to read it here on a comment than from the archived copy. Very interesting stuff! Seems like some of the text copied strangely, though, lol.