Old Fashioned Poultice

by Mary
(Canada)

When I was a child poultices were commonly used for pimples, boils or cuts. the main one used by our parents, grandparents and brought from the UK was simple - I know it worked for me as well as my brothers & sisters. I had a major boil on my wrist - I was treated with a poultice made from bread, hot water and household soap. The bread was stale, about 2 inches square -laid flat in a dish boiling water was poured over it - just enough to enable the bar of soap to be applied generously and immediately put on the wrist and wrapped with a clean piece of cloth - this was held to the "pimple" or boil for about 10 minutes and then taken off - in most cases the pimple or boil was pressed or squeezed to satisfaction. The area was then washed with hot water and soap and a bandaid or bandage depending on the size was applied. I and all members of the family were treated with this remedy from time to time to our complete satisfaction and with no harm to anyone.