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OLD c1850 NY LETTER -- WOMAN NURSING & WEANING A BABY WITH DETAILED HOME MEDICAL REMEDIES
Interesting old letter from a woman to her only sister (a new mother) with strong opinions and home remedy suggestions concerning whether to continue nursing the baby through the pain of sore nipples or to wean the child. Letter is 4 full pages and measures about 8 x 10”.

I can’t make out the writer’s name easily but it may be J. R. Wilkes. She is writing to her sister, Fanny Masters care of her husband(?) Frank R. Masters of “Buttonwood” Goshen, Orange County, New York. The letter is undated but is a Stampless Cover that would not be later than the 1850s. I small hole in letter (see scan) but otherwise good condition. Legible with interesting content as relates to women & children & home remedies.

Partial transcription follows:

“ My Beloved Fanny
I received your letter this evening and am grieved at the account you give of your suffering. I think I cannot resist the desire to write to you. I believe my dear that your system is out of order, your blood is bad and if your nipples had not been sore, you would probably had some severe illness. I would get a portion of (?), (?), and salts with a little (?) seed mixed together. Stew it for a few moments after pouring over it half a pint of water boiling hot. When cold take half the preparations going to bed at night. If it operates well once before day, do not take the rest. If it does not, take the other portion. Eat gruel, and tea on toast only the day you take it. Feed the dear boy as much as you can on bread and water, and wash your nipples with castile soap and water, two or three times a day. I do grieve at your suffering, but I do feel as if I wanted every remedy to be tried before you wean the boy. We had one brother who was brought up by hand until he was three years and a half old. In consequence of some little irregularity in his diet, he was taken ill and was SUBJECT TO FITS UNTIL HE DIED. I would think at your good druggists you might perhaps purchase one of those COW TITS SEWED ON A BIT OF IVORY, and as Willie is such a suck tit perhaps he would not mind it but suck with it on. This would be a great relief to you. May says when dear Thomas was a baby and you were here, Dr. Wilson gave you something red, a liquid which was a relief to you. If such was the case, or the Dr. fails to relieve you, let me know and I will go to Dr. Wilson for advise, and see if he has anything to propose that you have not tried. I think your anxiety and care while Lily was sick had a great deal to do with increasing your suffering, as every little thing has its effect. I also think the salts you took while here cooled your blood and helped relieve them. Do take the medicine I propose and at the same time get a paper(?) of Elder blooms(?), drink the tea and BATHE THE NIPPLE with the same. I wish I was near you I would at least try and cure you. Let Martha draw your breast occasionally if they get full, as I don’t want you to loose your milk, but keep the boy off as much as possible to keep him good. You are not the only one I am now anxious about . . .

[Further discussion about recently learning that her “precious Belle” is also sick of Intermittent Fever in far-off Michigan.]

Before I forget it let me tell you that Boiling water poured on Guinee(?) seeds and the GLUTINOUS MATTER USED ON THE NIPPLES was one of the most cooling and healing things that could be applied. Do try this. It is so easy. Be sure and take the medicine and then take a little of the Rhubarb root every night on going to bed to keep open your bowels and I do believe you will speedily get better.

My precious Lily, how her aunty misses her twenty times in the day. I wish I had her blessed mouth to mine to give her a (?) kiss. I hope she will be quite well and good as she used to be.

Good morning dear Fanny. I hope this lovely morning will find you in circumstances of more comfort than when dear Frank wrote. Do not be discouraged. Sarah Coffin suffered the same way for three months and when HER BLOOD WAS PURIFIED, she was relieved. The confluence of your bowels has a great deal to do with it. As soon as there is any green thing to be got do eat it. Dark Parsley or anything else of the sort. I wish you had a good bed of Spinach. You will not probably see any clean ones till June sometime as they will not be at prime(?) until the very last of May.

Poor Martha Masters has met with a severe affliction in the death of her Aunt Paschal, she loved her devotedly. Her mother’s only remaining sister.

Do write soon if you are any better or worse. I am so anxious and so EXTREMELY UNWILLING TO HAVE DEAR WILLIE WEANED. He might do well and he might fail immediately. A milk diet that is most(?) milk does not seem to suit your children, and there is no substitute for it for a little infant. BREAD AND WATER DOES VERY WELL WITH THE MOTHER’S MILK, BUT NO CHILD COULD LIVE ON IT ENTIRELY. I am glad dear Frank was pleased with what you got. I have a (?) maker now. I will let you hear soon what we hear from Michigan. Mr. Coffin was here at tea night before last. He said he had intended writing Frank that day but something had prevented. He will write soon. Let Frank tell me in his next letter how I am to send him the tomato and celery plants he wants from our (?) bed as they ought to go up about the eight of May. Your one Sister,
JR(?) Wilkes(?)”

Price= $95.00


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