(FOR THE HEART BURN Magnesia and rhubarb prepared chalk or Peruvian bark one teaspoonfull in a glass of water with about five drops of elixir of vitriol will yield speedy relief )
This receipt for a heartburn medicine appeared in the October 1808 issue of The Lady’s Monthly Museum. I am hoping vitriol doesn’t, in this case, refer to sulphuric acid. Peruvian bark contains quinine, which was used to treat malaria. Chewing on rhubarb was apparently a method by which American Indians relieved heartburn (http://www.savor-the-rhubarb.com/acid-reflux-diet.html).
I found an interesting paper on the Historical Perspectives on the Treament of Gastroesophaegeal Reflux Disease details late Georgian treatment included chewing green tea while a Victorian era treatment was for chalk or magnesia, which is similar to many over the counter treatments today.
