those were the days

[leratty]

What about that appalling stuff Syrup of Fig not too sure of the spelling, God that was just so bad! Milk of Magnesia & Ribena too all were dolled out by 'Matron.' Where did they get those ladies, scary almost if we had known about it at the time scary enough to make you cross to the other side of the blanket.

[Jim Brady]

Yes I spotted Dick one day and I am unble to disclose his actions on such a public site as this.

I sailed with an asst/stwd he was telling me that when he was a pantry boy they were in New Orleans I think it was.He went ashore and there was a guy sitting in a big flash car on the quay he said to the boy "Hey son I'm looking for Dick" he said (the boy)I was standing there going through all the crew trying to think who was Dick on the ship,he had to tell the guy that there wasn't anyone on this ship called Dick!!He always looks back on it and realises just how innocent and naïve that he was.
Regards.
Jim.B.

[gray_marian]

Surprised no mention of gentian violet, my husband said he spent most of his childhood covered in the stuff! He was a real country bumpkin. Me a city child ten years younger was warned by my mother to keep my distance from these children for fear of 'catching' something but the colour always attracted me. Needless to say I did not heed her advice then or later. The most I had to contend with was a trip to the " nit nurse" twice a year.

[Captain Kong]

Gentian Violet was used for Impetigo, and sometimes scabies.
Caused through the impoverished conditions we lived in before and during WW2.
All my mates in school had themselves covered in it. I was lucky, I played hookey so many times the germs couldnt catch up with me.
Cheers
Brian.

[Richard Quartermaine]

Oh yes, What about carter oil. The first tablespoon full - AAAAHHHHGG!!! - the second if perchance the first didn't work and you could pass through the eye of a needle, let alone a bodkin, without wetting the edges. I can still taste the blasted stuff.
Richard

OOps! Skould have put this under the Granny Knew Best thread.
R.

[gray_marian]

I should have mentioned before that my late mother-in-law, kept a clean house!!!!! .......It was her son who was a mucky pup.... He spent most weekends camping out, guddling, [trout tickling] shooting rabbits, skinning and frying off for supper with the odd burn from campfires. As for my own son he caught impetigo when the studs of an opponent's rugby boot tore his left nostril during a game.

[Richard Quartermaine]

It's Castor Oil - thought the spelling looked funny! Not for eating in the past tense.
Richard

[John Pruden]

being in hostpital last week the nurse came around first thing with a swab? whats that for ? sars he said we have to swab up your nose and your groin? i hope you have two swabs i said??jp

[gray_marian]

Was it just me who was banned from "The Band of Hope" aged four? All together now "My cups full and running over"...........

[Captain Kong]

You may find this hard to believe, but I was once a Little Sunbeam in the Salvation Army.
My Grandma made me join, her being a committed Salvationist. I was only a little lad of around five years old
I I had a tamborine and had to bang it against my leg at the Glad Tidings Hall. then go out selling the War Cry and Young Soldier papers from door to door.
My Grandma would go into pubs and give them all a lecture on the evils of drink. Her first husband , my Grandad, had killed himself with booze in two weeks after winning the lottery in the pub.The Landlord refused to pay him the cash and said he could have it over the Bar in drinks, two weeks later he was dead. After the funeral the Landlord went back to the pub and cut his throat.
Brian