The Flux

The flux was a dreaded ailment in the North Carolina backcountry. The following is from Poulson’s Town and Country Almanac for the Year of our Lord, 1797, printed in Philadelphia, "printed and sold by Zachariah Poulson, Junior, No. 80 Chestnut Street, eight Doors below Third Street."

Useful hints for persons in the country concerning the Bloody Flux..

It sometimes happens that Dysentery or Bloody Flux occurs without much fever. This kind may be cured, by taking a tablespoonfull of Castor oil or a drop of Glauber’s salts every morning, and thirty or forty drops of liquid Landanum every night, for four or five times successively; but it is most common for this disease to be attended with fever; in this case, beside the above mentioned treatment, it will be necessary to bleed two or three times, and if the disorder does not quickly yield, ten or twelve grains of Jalip or Rhubard, and six or eight grains of Calomel, instead of the oil or salts every day. Blisters must be applied to the wrists and ancles: Rennet-whey is the most proper drink—Heating remedies must be avoided, and the patient’s bed and room well aired and often changed—the stools must be removed immediately—We have been more particular on this disorder as it is so often fatal in the country.