Frugality gone too far, circa 1832

I've enjoyed loading my PDA with several books from manybooks.net and Project Gutenberg; among them, The American Frugal Housewife, by Lydia M. Child, and Isabella Beeton's The Book of Household Management. I didn't imagine I'd be able to apply much of what I learned from them; rather, I wanted them for their entertainment and historical value. The Beeton book is an encyclopedic work that will take some time to get through, but the Child book was a quick, enjoyable read. My stomach took a turn upon reading this "tip," however:

EAR-WAX.—Nothing is better than ear-wax to prevent the painful effects resulting from a wound by a nail, skewer, &c. It should be put on as soon as possible. Those who are troubled with cracked lips have found this remedy successful when others have failed. It is one of those sorts of cures, which are very likely to be laughed at; but I know of its having produced very beneficial results.

Blech! Bet you wouldn't win many kisses putting that tip to use!

She also includes various remedies for "the piles," which I gather are hemorrhoids.