Earache Remedies
Take a small piece of cotton wool; make a depression in the center and fill with black pepper; gather into a ball and tie up; dip it in sweet oil and insert it into the ear. Almost instant relief will be experienced. Tie a flannel bandage over the head.
Juice from a roasted onion is good.
A piece of salt pork cut in a pointed strip inserted in the ear will give relief.
--from the 20th Century Cookbook--