Historical Whooping Cough Remedy (Not for Modern Use)

Ingredients

• 1 scruple (approximately 1.3 grams or 1/4 teaspoon) Potassium carbonate (salts of tartar) (Historical ingredient - do not use for medical purposes)
• 0.25 pint (approximately 1/2 cup or 120ml) Water (For dissolving the mixture)
• 10 grains (approximately 0.65 grams or 1/8 teaspoon) Cochineal (carmine red dye) (Natural red dye from insects, used historically as coloring)
• 1 tablespoon Sugar (To sweeten the mixture)

Instructions

1. 1Measure 1 scruple (approximately 1/4 teaspoon) of potassium carbonate (salts of tartar) and dissolve it completely in 1/4 pint (1/2 cup or 120ml) of water, stirring until fully dissolved
2. 2Add 10 grains (approximately 1/8 teaspoon) of cochineal powder to the dissolved mixture and stir well to incorporate the coloring agent
3. 3Add approximately 1 tablespoon of sugar to the mixture and stir until completely dissolved to make the remedy palatable
4. 4Historical dosage was: for infants, 1/4 tablespoon four times daily; for two-year-olds, 1/2 tablespoon four times daily; for children four years and older, 1 tablespoon four times daily. WARNING: This is historical information only. Do not administer this remedy. Whooping cough (pertussis) is a serious bacterial infection requiring modern medical treatment including antibiotics and supportive care. Consult a physician immediately if whooping cough is suspected.