HEALTH HINTS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 42, 18 February 1905, Page 10

HEALTH HINTS.

HEAI-TH RECIPES. If you desire to insure your health and you have been in the habit of turning pight into day, then (says a writer in "Health") go to bed early and regularly at a certain hour, for there is no truer saying than that the evening's amusement will frequently not bear' the morning's reflections. If you have got into ttie habit of getting up late in fehe morning, then, turn over a new leaf and get up early, ana your compensation mil probably be that your difficulty of the previous night will, in the fresh quiet hours of the morning, prove easy of solution. If you have been in the habit of eating three heavy meals a day '—virtually three dinners—then cut off one, and the result will be easier digestion and more refreshing sleep. If you have worked night and day, overtaxed your brain, and worried yourself generally, then pause and consider if it is worth while to spend your health and strength in gaining that which frequently takes to itself wings, -while you are every day becoming more and more a victim of exhaustion and irritability. Reduce life to the simplest terms. Eat and drink simply, live out of doors as much as you can, and when you are inclined to -worry and to give your mind up to despondency and despair, then summon philosophy to your aid. That way health lies, and your premiums will not have been experienced in vain. HOT WATER. Under many conditions hot water is one of the most potent remedial agents that can be employed, and often, when intelligently used, it accomplishes more than drugs. But like many other things powerful for good, its abuse may prove injurious, and produce results quite opposite to what was intended. The effect of warm or moderately hot water applied to the surface oi the body is to cause the blood-vessels and tissues of the skin and underlying regions to become relaxed, and to lose for the time being their natural tone. The blood supply of the region is much increased, and the pores are opened. If the entire body has been immersed this action produces marked changes in the distribution of the blood, and a considerable portion of this fluid is taken from the interior of the body and brought close to the surface. If cold air now strikes the body a sudden chill is very likely to be the result. This explains the great ease with which one takes cold after a warm batii, particularly if this has been prolonged, and it also suggests the natural remedy. This is quickly to sponge the entire surface with cold water before using tlit towel, which should be applied briskly. In this way the relaxation is followed by prompt contraction, the circulation is made active instead of sluggish, and a delicious sense of vigour and stimulation is produced. Hot water is necessary properly fco cleanse the face and neck, and to stimulate the pores to cast off the fatty material which might otherwise stagnate less followed by a dash of cold water, however, the relaxed tissues are not stimulated to reebntract, and premature wrinkles and flabbiriess .of the skin inevitably follow. Steaming the face and throat, although apparently beneficial at the time, is sure to be followed by xe L suits disastrous to the complexion unless xotmteracted-in~this-way: - • To sponge the face and throat with hot water immediately before going out" i into the cold air is almost to invite taking a cold, but bysytematically following the hot water with cold water and brisk friction (not too vigorous on the face), the tissues become iirm and the skin grows healthy, and able to throw off all impurities. The tiny muscles of the blood-vessels become developed through active use, and are trained to act promptly, so that the tendency to colds and sore throats is greatly decreased.—"Youth's Companion."