Strengthening Fomentation.
Take of oak bark, one ounce; granate peel, half an ounce; alum, two drachms; smith's forge water, three pints. Boil the water with the bark and peel to the consumption of one third; then strain the remaining decoction, and dissolve it in alum.
This astringent liquor is employed as an external fomentation to weak parts; it may also be used internally
William Buchan
Domestic Medicine 2nd edition 1785