Dr. Goodenough Favorite Receipt Book Cure for Alcoholism

Dr. Josephus Goodenough circa 1902

Dr. Josephus Goodenough
Dr. Josephus Goodenough published his book of "remedies" in 1903. It may be tempting to make fun of the seeming foolishness of the formula's used by the medical community in the early 20th century, but it must be remembered that modern medicine was only in it's infancy.

 

Dr. Goodenough's Cure for Alcoholism
Chronic Alcoholism.—The continued indulgence in alcoholic drinks brings about morbid changes in the various organs and tissues of the body. Dyspepsia, diseases of the heart, liver and kidneys, organic brain diseases and epilepsy may be brought about through this cause.
Symptoms.—Dyspepsia, usually vomiting in the morning, sleeplessness, restlessness, and an increasing muscular tremor. All the functions of the mind become perverted, and the individual comes in time to have an imbecile expression added to bloated and repulsive features.
TREATMENTS.—
A. Continue the use of liquor, for a time at least, but restrict to a certain amount. Take perhaps two ounces a day, in the form of sling, and the balance of the time, or whenever there is a desire for liquor, drink Scullcap tea (see chapter on herbs) freely. If this is continued, the nerves will become toned up and the taste for alcoholic drinks will gradually die out.
It is also claimed that the dried root of Angelica (see chapter on herbs), taken in doses of 15 to 20 grains, will cause a disgust for all spirituous liquors.
A tea made from Stramonium (see chapter on herbs) leaves is claimed not only to cure or relieve the appetite for alcohol, but also for tobacco. This tea may be given in ordinary tea or coffee, oftentimes without the patient's knowledge.
B. Those wishing to Stop the use of intoxicating drinks will find the following a most excellent substitute. It will relieve the catarrhal condition of the stomach, aid digestion, and give vigor and tone to a weakened or shattered nervous system:
Strychnine Sulphate..................... 1 grain.
Fowler's Solution......................... 2 drachms.
Lloyd's Hydrastus........................ 4 "
Tincture Chloride of Iron.............. 3 "
Glycerine................................... 2 ounces.
Add enough water to make 4 ounces. Mix, and take one teaspoonful before or after each meal.
C. Aromatic Spirits of Ammonia, a teaspoonful or two in a glass of water, helps to sober up and overcome the depression following excesses. May be repeated in half an hour or an hour. (14.)
D. Hot bath daily; bowels kept open by the use of salts;
Aromatic Spirits of Ammonia, a teaspoonsful in a little milk every two or three hours.
E. Bromidia in teaspoonful doses in water every hour. To produce sleep and quiet nervousness, 0.25 grain of Morphine Sulphate by hypodermic injection is good if some one can be depended upon to give it. Do not tell the patient he is being given Morphine. Note.—Morphine is only to help the patient to get sobered, and is not to be continued.
Bromide of Soda........................... 10 grains.
Bromide of Potash ....................... 10 "
Bromide of Ammonia..................... 10 "
Mix.—Dissolve in water and take every two or three hours until relieved.
G. Total abstinence, with 20-grain doses of Bromide of Potash every three hours more or less often as needed to control the nervous, system.
H. Celerina (proprietary).............. 3 ounces.
Comp, Tincture Cinchona......... 3 "
Tincture Nux Vomica................ 2 "
Fowler's Solution.................... 1 drachms.
Dose.—Teaspoonful in water three times a day, before meals. or, Peacock's Bromides........................ 4 ounces
Dose.—Teaspoonful in water three times a day; between meals and at bedtime. 
I. Sulphate of Iron.......................... I drachm.
Magnesia................................... 2 "
Peppermint Water....................... 12 "
Nutmeg .................................... 12 "
Dose.—Two teaspoonsful, twice daily, after breakfast and supper. This is a tonic and stimulant, and has proven beneficial in numerous cases. Note.—Dr. Burns states, in giving this remedy,, that it cured of drunkeness the father of no less a personage than the celebrated divine, Rev. Newman Hall.
Dutchman's Temperance Lecture—Short, but Sound Common Sense.—"I shall tell you how it vas I drunk my lager; den I put mine hand on my head, and dere vas one pain. Den I puts mine hand on my body, and dere vas pain. Den I puts my hand on my pocket, and dere vas netting. So I jinemit de Demperance. Now dere is no pain in my head, and de pain in my body vas all gone away. I put mine hand on mine pocket, and dere vas 20 dollars. So I stay mit de -Demperance beeples."

Dr. Goodenough's Favorite Medical Receipt Book and Home Doctor