Household RECIPES.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1571, 29 July 1882, Page 6

Household RECIPES.

IIOW TO APPLY TIIE SODA REMEDY IN BURNS AND SCALDS. It is now many years ago (see the London Medical Gazette of March, 1844) that; the author of this paper, while engaged in some investigations as to the qualities ana effects of the alkalies in inflammations of the skin, &c, was fortunate enough to discover that a saline lotion, or saturated solution of the bicarbonatod soda in either plain water or camphorated water, if applied speedily, or as soon as possible, to a burned or scalded part, was most effectual in immediately relieving the acute burning pain ; and when the burn was only superficial, or not severe, removing all pain in,the course of a,very short time ; having also the very great advantage of cleanliness, and, if applied at once, of provonting tho usual consequences—a painful blistering of the skin, separation of the epidermis, and perhaps more or less of suppuration.^ , For this purpose, all that is necossary is to cut a piece of lint, or old soft rag, or even thick blotting paper, of a size sufficient to cover the burned or scalded parts, and to keep it constantly well wetted with the Bodaic lotion so as to prevent its drying. By this means, it usually happens that all pain ceases in fioiu a quarter to half an hour, or even in much less time. When the main part of a limb, such as the hand and forearm or the foot and leg, haa been burned, it is best, when practicable, to plunge the part at once into a jug, or pail, or other convenient vessel filled with the soda lotion, and keep it there until the pain subsides ; ov the limb may bo swathed, or encircled with a sui> geou'h cotton bandage previously soaked in the Milttralcd solution, and kept constantly wetted with it, the relief being usually immediate, provided the solution be saturated and cold. What is now usually sold as bicarbonate of soda is what I have commonly used and recommended'; although this is well known to vary much in quality according to where it is manufactured — but it will bo found to answer the purpose, although probably Howard's is most to be depended on, the common carbonate being too caustic. It is believed that a large proportion of medical practitioners are still unaware of the romarkable qualities of this easily applied remedy, which rocommends ithelf for obvions reason*. — F. Peppcrcornc in Popular Science Monthly.

To Render Boots and Shoes Waterproof. — A good composition for winter use, when it is desired to make boots proof against snow and wot, is composed of one part mutton suet and twice that quantity of beeswax, melted together. Ifc should be applied to the leather at night, and the boots wiped with a flannel next morning. Although, when the composition is first applied, the leather will not polish as well as usual when blacked, yet they vrill be susceptible of a brilliant polish after the blacking 1 has j been applied a few times. The followingcomposition not only renders the leather I capable of resisting wet, but also makes it more pliable, softer, and more durable : —Dissolve half an ouuee of Burgundy pitch in half a pint of drying oil, mixed with half an ounce of turpentine. To use i this fluid the boots should bo made I slightly warm before the fire, and then painted, over with the composition by means of a soft brush. Then allow them to dry, and paint them over again with the liquid. The boots should then be placed iv a warm and dry place until perfectly dry. Another composition of a similar kiud is made by dissolving an ounce of powdered resin in a qijarter of a pint of linseod oil, made hot over tho fire in a pipkiu. Then add two ounces of mutton suet, from the kldnoy, chopped up small, and simmer until tho materials are well mixed. This composition is applied like the last, but does not require a second application. Another receipe: — Melt over a slow fire, one quart of boiled linseed oil, one pound of mutton suet, thrco- quarters of a pound of yellow beeswax, and half a pound of common re&in, or smaller quantities iv these proportions. With this mixture siitorato the leather of new hoots and shoes, having previously made them rather warm. Mktuod oi Making Cloth Waterproof. — Boil half an ounce of isinglass in a pint of soft water till dissolved, dis- ' solve an ounce of alum iv a quart df wator, dissolve a quarter of an ounce of white soap in a pint of water; strain these solutions separately through linen, and then mix them all together. Heat the liquid till ifc simmers, and apply it with a brush to tho wrong Bide of tho cloth on a flat ,taWe. When dry brush the cloth lightly with Crater. Thia process renders the cloth impervious to water, bat not to air, and is, therefore, a healthy manner of rendering' articles waterproof. Baked Pumpkin.— Slice the pumpkin a quarter of an inch thick, peel and lay in layers in a baking pan, then a layer of sugat with a sprinkle of ground cinnamon and a piece of butter ; repeat till the pah is full ; let the top be well covered with sugar ; bake in a moderate oven until the sugar becomes like a thick syrup.