The information presented on this page is for historical and educational purposes only. It reflects past beliefs and practices and should not be interpreted as medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns.
***
Whilst visiting my partner’s family, I noticed that they had a copy of The People’s Home Library. I asked to take a look at it, and found that a large portion of it is dedicated to home treatments for various medical ailments. The book was dated to 1925, so I of course went on a quest to find more historical treatments for teething.
Whilst the treatments for teething were nothing special, I came across the concept of Corn Sweat as a medical treatment. The details of it are as follows:
Corn Sweat. One of the best ways of causing profuse sweating is by the aid of ears of corn and is known as the “corn sweat.” Put 20 ears of corn into a boiler of hot water, boil thoroughly for half an hour or until the boiled-corn smell is noticed; then take them out and wrap in five large towels using four ears for each towel. Put an ear in the end of a towel, give one or two wraps to cover it then put in another ear in the same way till you have a pack of four ears. Make the other four packs in the same way. Put one pack at the feet, two at the hips (one on each side) and one under each arm and then cover the patient up to the neck and stay by the bed and hold the covers there if necessary. In a short time the patient will feel uncomfortable from the heat but soon there will be moisture and comfort. This sweat is not especially debilitating. The patient will sweat for a few hours and then the sweating will gradually decrease when you should quickly give a warm sponge bath over the entire body. Be careful not to let the patient take cold. Put a new night dress on the patient and well-aired bedding on the bed. If given in time the corn sweat will break up many diseases. It is also good in diseases where the system has become clogged. It must then be given carefully or it will weaken the patient. In such cases give stimulants.
In giving the full sweat the packs of corn are not to be taken away while they are still hot but are to be allowed to cool gradually and then they may be taken away without stopping the sweating too suddenly. Should the full sweat not be desired you can first take the packs from under the arms and after awhile from the hips then later from the feet. In this way the sweating is not checked suddenly.
According to the book, corn sweat can be used to treat a range of ailments, including:
- Dropsy (oedema)
- Grip (influenza)
- Bronchitis
- Pneumonia
- Pleurisy
- Inflammation of the small intestines
- Inflammation of the kidneys
- Sore throat
Sadly it doesn’t seem to be recommended for use in teething, but perhaps next time I get flu I’ll demand someone give me the corn sweats!