Treating Typhoid?

Excerpts from the Journal of Prescriptions, Maitland Gaol

Treatment of prisoner William Cheesborough who died in Maitland Gaol of typhoid endemic fever on 23rd December 1882

11th December 1882 Liquor Pot. Sod Carb...three times a day

Oatmeal and stewed meat & blue powder 1 every night

13th December Oil if required and Calomel… Corn Flour 1 pint milk 14th December ...add bromide 1 tablespoon every three hours Light soup Fly blister right side 17th December ...give beef tea

18th December Add to meds bromide and fly blister back 19th December ...small dose oil and chlorodyne

22th December Port wine and brandy

23rd December Linseed P on body

What is a Fly Blister? A fly blister is a plaster of the ointment of Spanish flies (cantharides), applied to create a blister upon some part of the body.