Elizabeth Ambler started compiling her household book of cures in the early eighteenth century, including historic treatments passed down over the decades. These intriguing remedies include Sir Walter Raleigh's Receipt against Plague, Viper Broth and Snail Milk Water, as well as Ginger Bread and Apricot Ratafia. In addition to traditional flowers and herbs, ingredients consist of precious stones, exotic and expensive spices, and large amounts of brandy and wine.Set against the backdrop of the family's country houses, silverware and lavish portraits, this book is much more than just a collection of curiosities: it offers a fascinating insight into the sickness and health of our Georgian ancestors, and into what really went on in their kitchens.

MARILYN YURDAN has a Master's degree from the University of Oxford and has written numerous books, including Oxford in the 1950s and'60s. NICOLA LILLIE is a descendant of Elizabeth Ambler and owner of the book of cures. She is an artist, producing murals and sculpted reliefs for interiors, and has taught Art at Oxford Brookes University.