Housekeeper.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 450, 1 December 1904, Page 7

Housekeeper.

AMETHYSTS, AMETHYSTS are in fashion again, after having been quite neglected for many years. They are now worn in the form of long neckchains, hatpins, amutlets, and finger-rings. The round, uncut bead, strung on a gold link-chain (or chain composed of tiny gold beads) and interspersed with pearls, is highly effective and elegant. Of course, in wearing amethysts you- have, to choose your dress in harmony. They are seen to the best advantage on white, Team, mauve, lilac, or pale mulberry. The Queen woro amethysts with a mauve gown at one of the recent Courts, and Her Majesty having started the fashion, it will assuredly be followed up. FRUITS AS HEALTH GIVERS Now that fruit is plentiful, many people will, no doubt, be glad to take the opportunity of beginning the day with a fruit meal. Most doctors agree that a raw apple taken the first thing in the morning has a very salutary effect on the health generally, and the digestion in particular. Whilo strawberries and raspberries are in season they should be made much of, and later on grapes should be freely partaken of—always remembering that fruit, to be of real use to the system, should be taken on an empty stomach. The grape cure, which has become quite famous, is a sufficient testimony to the medicinal value of grapes. A ripe pear is also a very wholsome fruit, cooling and refreshing; and as regards vegetables, tbe tomato is held in high esteem for its medicinal value. AIDS TO HEALTH. The health value of the daily bath depends to a certain extent on the temperature of the water. - It is not all who can bear the chill of quite cold water, but when the cold bath can be taken beneficially it is the finest tonic possible. It should be followed by friction, and the rubbingmay be dry or wet. Dry rubbing should be performed with a horsehair glove or indiarubber brush ; wet rubbing is done with aromatic vinegar, eau de Cologne, or other spirits. Five or ten minutes given to gymnastics are also an excellent supplement to the bath. The application of a tonic, such as mild aromatic vinegar, helps, to keep the flesh firm and healthy, and invigorate the .system. Baths, fresh air and exercise are cheap and excellent physicians. USEFUL HINTS. The process of washing hair-brushes in hot water is inclined to soften the bristles too much, unless the brush is afterwards put under the cold tap and the water poured freely upon it. An excellent plan is to rinse the brushes in a little cold salt-and-water. An easy way to clean gloves at home is with benzoline. After they have been washed in the spirit, wring them out, pull tbem into shape, and hang them in the air. The best way to wash them is to put the gloves on + .he hands, pour about half a pint of benzoline into a basin, . and proceed as if wa'shing the hands inthe ordinary way. Let the gloves hang in the air until the strong scent of the benzoline has gone off ; and be careful not 4o allow the benzoline to approach a fire or open flame. SUNSHINE AND HEALTH. All those unhappy persons who lie awake counting the hours of the night, and unfortunately there are many such, should court the sun. The very worst soporific is laudanum, and the best is sunshine. It is evident, therefore, that poor sleepers should pass as many hours as possible in the sunshine and as few as possible in the shade. Many women, with a devotion worthy of a better cause, make themselves victims, and they really do not know it. They wear veils, carry parasols, pull down the blinds when the sun is shining (as if the-possible harm to carpets or furniture is at all to be compared to the injury to health this shutting out of sunshine means), and do all they possibly can to keep off the potent influence which is intended to give them strength and beauty, and that great blessing, cheerfulness. If women particularly desire to be blooming and strong they will find that the sunlight is a potent influence in this transformation.