I often see little things in the newspaper archives while I’m looking for other little things. I noticed a pattern of recipes for cold remedies, so I started compiling them. My favorite recommended the following:

“Take one wine glass of pure Brandy, Cognac or Champagne—add thereto an equal quantity of water; the whole to be swallowed at one dose. If the first proves ineffectual, the dose may be repeated every half hour until the patient feels perfectly relieved.”

The Picayune in an 1837 article

I hope you’re staying healthy through the weather extremes. I would love to know if you try any of these remedies. I think you can trust them. After all, the first licensed pharmacist practiced in New Orleans…right?

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