This is for a translation I am doing: what does the 'drawing' part refer to? I get that this is for removing pimples/acne, but does drawing refer here to drawing something out, or what?
I've heard "Drawing Salve" talked about by some older folks, with the implication that the "drawing" referred to drawing the "ick" out of a wound, pimple, boil, as one would draw water from a well... Precisely as you thought. It's kind of an archaic term, and my understanding is that Drawing Salve in it's classic form is some fairly caustic stuff.
I've heard "Drawing Salve" talked about by some older folks, with the implication that the "drawing" referred to drawing the "ick" out of a wound, pimple, boil, as one would draw water from a well... Precisely as you thought. It's kind of an archaic term, and my understanding is that Drawing Salve in it's classic form is some fairly caustic stuff.
Guess I'm one of the old f**ts you've heard talking 'bout this stuff. Used it a lot as a kid and NO it's NOT caustic. Worked great on helping ease out deep seated slivers as opposed to digging 'em out. Stuff was usually thick and very dark.... kinda like molasses. Had an unusual smell too. Stuff is still sold in pharmacies and is available on line from folks like drugstore.com and others.
When I was a kid many years ago over here, the "Drawing Ointment" was always Magnesium Sulphate paste. You can still get it in Boots!
Gareth
It looks like Kiehl's makes a "drawing paste". The ingredients (kaolin, calendula, ZnO) suggests it acts like a clay mask.
Link