Housekeeper.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 440, 18 August 1904, Page 3

Housekeeper.

SICK-ROOM ETIQUETTE/TBK [

IT is only m extreme cases and at inopportune times that visitors are excluded from the sick-room—the tedium of confinement is relieved so much by the smiling countenance and "cheery word of a friend. It may seem almost superflous to offer any suggestions as to the means of making a call upon the sick acceptable, yet ' oftentimes we do offend where most we wish to please.' How many, even among those who arc the promptest to discharge their duty in such cases, are so welcome that their return is awaited with eagerness ? The failure, or partial failure, of such wellmeaning persons may arise from the fact that the sense of duty which has prompted the visit is allowed to make itself too apparent. Calling upon the sick is by no means the pleasantest of tasks, and it is not to be wondered *t, perhaps, if the duty is sometimes put oi! until" delay is no longer excusable. "If so much hesitancy is felt, a delicate dish, or a few choice flowers, accompanied by a note kindly worded and delivered in person, will relieve the embarrassment and show the good wishes of the caller. It is hardly necessary to say that in the sich-room itself sympathy ought not to be carried to the point of evident anxiety. Courage and hope for a better day are what the sick one most requires, and the face of the visitor is sure to be scanned for a trace of disappointment or alarm. It is easy to inspire confidence by the look and grasp of the hand, and no medicine is better. There is an easy manner, also, which is admirable in itself, and which relieves the constraint that the sick one may naturally feel in not being able properly to care for guests. The outer wraps have, of course, been removed before entering the room, and it is not imperative to wait for an invitation to bo seated. Above all. be seated comfortably. For a visitor to be, or to seem, uncomfortable is to ensure the discomfort of others in the room. It is never admissablc to sit on the edge of the bed, or to touch the bed.in any way. The nervous organism is made oversensitive by disease, and every jar is intensified. Let the visitor draw as near the bed as possible without being in contact with it; sit whore the features may be seen easily, listen attentively to every remark, sympathise with every complaint, and spin a bit of gossip or tell a little story. Then when ten minutes have gone, let her pas's softly out with a cheery good-bye and a gentle caress, and there is every probability that the visit will prove a blessing and its repetition be eagerly awaited.

YARIOUS USES FOR AMMONIA. A little ammonia in tepid water will soften and cleanse the skin. Spirits of ammonia inhaled will often relieve a severe headache. Doorplates should be cleaned by rubbing with a cloth wet in ammonia and water. One or two tablespoonfuls of ammonia added to a pail of water will clean windows better than soap. A few drops in a cupful of warm water, applied carefully, will remove, spots from paintings and chromos. When acid of any kind;' ; ets on clothing spirits of ammonia will "kill it. Apply chloroform to restore the colour. Keep nickel-silver ornaments and mounts bright by rubbing with woollen cloth saturated in spirits of ammonia. Grease spots may be taken out with weak ammonia in water. Lay soft, white paper over, and iron with a hot iron. Ammonia applied two or three times on a fresh cold sore will kill it. It will drive it away if used when the cold sore is first felt. Old brass may be cleaned to look like new by pouring strong ammonia on it, and scrubbing with a scrub-brush, rinse in clear water. „. .- A tablespoonful of ammonia in a gallon of warm water will often restore colours in carpets; it will often remove whitewash from them. . - . Yellow stains, left by sewing-machine oil, on white may be removed by rubbing the spot wet with a cloth wet with ammonia, before washing with soap. Equal parts of ammonia and turpentine will take paint out of clothing, even if it be hard and dry. Saturate the spot as often as necessary, and wash out in soapsuds. Put a teaspoonful of ammonia in a quart of water, wash your brushes and combs in this, and all grease and dirt will disappear. Einse, shake, and dry in the sun, or by the fire.

Flannels and blankets may be soaked in a pail of water containing* one tablespoonful of ammonia and a little suds. Rub as little as possible and they will be white and clean, and will not shrink. If the colour has been taken out of silks by fruit stains ammonia will usually restore the colour. To brighten carpets wipe them with warm water in which has been poured a few drops of ammonia. If those who perspire freely, would use a little ammonia in the water they bathe in every day, it would keep their flesh sweet and clean, doing away with any disagreeable odour.

One teaspoonful of ammonia to a tcacupful of water will clean gold or silver jewellery; a few drops of clear aqua ammonia poured on the underside of diamonds will clean them immediately, making them very brilliant.