More than forty years ago, when it was found that prevention for the
Asiatic cholera was easier than cure, the learned doctors of both
hemispheres drew up a prescription, which was published (for working
people) in The New York Sun, and took the name of "The Sun Cholera
Mixture." It is found to be the best remedy for looseness of the
bowels ever yet devised. It is to be commended for several reasons. It
is not to be mixed with liquor, and therefore will not be used as an
alcoholic beverage. Its ingredients are well known among all the
common people, and it will have no prejudice to combat; each of the
materials is in equal proportions to the others, and it may therefore
be compounded without professional skill; and as the dose is so very
small, it may be carried in a tiny phial in the waistcoat pocket, and
be always at hand. It is:--
Take equal parts of tincture of cayenne, tincture of opium, tincture
of rhubarb, essence of peppermint and spirits of camphor. Mix well.
Dose fifteen to thirty drops in a wine-glass of water, according to
age and violence of the attack. Repeat every fifteen or twenty minutes
until relief is obtained. No one who takes it in time will ever have
the cholera. Even when no cholera is anticipated, it is a valuable
remedy for ordinary summer complaints, and should always be kept in
readiness.