Housekeeper.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 448, 17 November 1904, Page 7

Housekeeper.

A SAND BAG FOR A SICK ROOM. MANY patients are acquainted with tho virtues of the hot water bag, but a hot sand bag is still better. Get some clean fine sand, dry it thoroughly iu a kettle on the stove, make a bag about eight inches square of flannel, fill it with the dry sand, sew the opening carefully together, and cover the baf with cotton or linen cloth. This will prevent the sand from sifting out, and also enable you to heat the bag quickly by placing it in the oven or on top of the stove. After once using this you will never again attempt to warm the feet or hands of a sick person with a bottle or a brick. The sand holds tho heat for a long time, and the bag can be tucked up to the back without hurting the invalid. GENERAL RULES FOR DEAFNESS. From whatever cause deafness arises, the following rules always followed, unless indeed it be a radical deafness occasioned by the total destruction of tho organs of hearing. This latter case is by no means so frequent as deafness arising from cither tho thickening of the membrane or hardened wax, or chronic inflammation, therefore we may say that the annexed rules may be genorally followed : Ist. Have the ears well syringed with warm water and yellow soap—or in other words, soap suds—morning and evening. 2nd. Keep the whole body, particularly the head, from cold. 3rd. Always wear firm covering at night on tho head and over the ears. -Ith. Drop a little of tho best sweet oil into the ears once or twice a day. sth. Keep the bowels from constipation. Y/ASHING FEATHERS. Thcro are many housekeepers who have feather beds and pillows which have been in constant use for years, and though the ticks may have been washed several times, the feathers have never been cleaned. Try washing the feathers as well as the ticks, and see what a nice new bed you will have. Take two old sheets, the thinner the better (if there arc no holes in them), make each into a bag, rip the tick far enough for the feathers to go through readily (say 22 or 24 inches), baste one of the bags to the opening and let out half of the feathers, put the other half in the other bag, then sew up the openings in the bags and tick. Any good method for washing will do, barring the use of very hot water, but this is one way : A tub of warm water, to which add half a bar of soap, previously dissolved, and two tablespoonfuls ammonia. Putin one hag of feathers, let it soak [for half-an-hour, then work it well with the hands or a pounder for a few minutes. Take out the bag and let it drain. Rinse in two waters, which should also be warm. Drain and lay on airing table to dry. Clean water and same process for other bag. Some wring out the water from the feathers with the clothes-wringer; this is the better way, when there are not too many feathers in the bag to prevent it going through. The best time to do this work, is on a cool, windy day in early summer, as the hot sun is not good for feathers. Turn often and shake well while drying. SWIJfIJfIING AS AN EXERCISE FOR GIRLS, The benefits of swimming are many, under the right conditions. Nearly all of thejmuscles, especially the large ones, are brought into play. The muscles of the back are used to keep the head abore water. It naturally follows that swimming is excellent training for a correct and graceful carriage. It also helps to strengthen rounu shoulders. Breathing is greatly influenced for more air than usual is taken into the lungs, which are expanded to their extreme limit. Circulation is stimulated, and the body as a whole is invigorated. The muscles of both arms and legs are actively exercised. The chest is broadened out, and put on the stretch by the extension of the spinal columu. All of the muscles of breathing are put to the test. The pressure of tho water on the chest is greater than the pressure of air, so this extra effort of resistence must be met. Breathing should correspond to the movements of swimming. When the legs arc extended the breath is expelled ; when the legs are drawn in the air is breathed into tho lungs. Never hurry when~you swim. If you do you will expend much effort for little advantage, and will not reach your goal any quicker than if you followed a 'quiet even stroke. Besides swimming on the chest, one can learn to swim on either side, as well as on the back, This last method is not so wearisome as chest swimming, neither is it so rapid. The legs are exercised most when one is swimming on the side. When you wish to rest just turn on your back and float. This is tho simplest lesson yon can learn in the water. It is well to observe several cautions; — Never swim directly before or after eating. Allow an hour and a half both beforo and after meals. Until you become an expert swimmer, always swim towards the shore —never away from it. A short stay in the water is much better than a long one. Never try to swim when you are tired. Never stay in the water when you feel cold, After your bath take a little run on tho beach before you dress.