ONE STORY IS GOOD UNTIL ANOTHER IS TOLD. mouth, it should be used sparingly for front teeth. A tooth should never be filled while it is aching. 2202. Rose Lipsalve.-No. i. Oil of almonds, three ounces; alkanet, half an ounce. Let them stand together in a warm place, then strain. Melt one ounce and a half of white wax and half an ounce of spermaceti with the ail; stir it till it begins to thicken, and add twelve drops of otto of roses. No. ii. White wax, one ounce; almond oil, two ounces; alkanet, one drachm; digest in a warm place, stir till sufficiently coloured, strain, and stir in six drops of otto of roses. Cost: white wax, 2s. 2d. per pound; almond oil, 1s. 6d. per pound; alkanet root, 6d. to 8d.: otto of roses, 2s. 6d. per drachm. Lipsalve is usually put into small covered pots, and sold at 6d. 2203. Ventilating Bedrooms. -A sheet of finely perforated zinc, substituted for a pane of glass in one of the upper squares of a chamber window, is the cheapest and best form of ventilator; there should not be a bedroom without it. 2204. Bedclothes.-The perfection of dress, for day or night, where warmth is the purpose, is that which confines around the body sufficient of its own warmth, while it allows escape to the exhalations of the skin. Where the body is allowed to bathe protractedly in its own vapours we must expect an unhealthy effect upon the skin. Where there is too little ventilating escape, insensible perspiration is checked, and something analogous to fever supervenes; foul tongue, ill taste, and lack of morning appetite betray the evil. 2205. Vapour Baths may be made by putting boiling water in a pan, and placing a cane-bottom chair in the pan, the patient sitting upon it, enveloped from head to foot in a blanket covering the bath. Sulphur, spirit, vapour, herbal, and other baths may be obtained in the same manner. They should not be taken except under medical advice. 2206. Hot Water.-In bruises, 313 hot water is most efficacious, both by means of insertion and fomentation, in removing pain, and totally preventing discolouration and stiffness. It has the same effect after a blow. It should be applied as quickly as possible, and as hot as it can be borne. Insertion in hot water will cure that troublesome and painful thing called a whitlow. The efficacy of hot water in preventing the ill effects of fatigue is too well known to require notice. In 2207. Thinning the Blood.Our attention ought to be directed to the means of thinning the blood, when it has been deprived, by too profuse transpiration in hot, dry winds, of its aqueous particles, and rendered thick and viscid. Water would easily supply this want of fluidity if it were capable of mingling with the blood when in this state; acid matter cannot bo ultimately combined with the blood when the body is in this state. order to find a menstruum by which water may be rendered capable of combining ultimately with the blood, of remaining long in combination with it, and of thinning it, we must mix it with a substance possessing the property of a soap, and consequently fit to dissolve viscous matters, and make them unite with water. The soap must contain but little salt, that it may not increase the thirst of the parched throat. It must not have a disagreeable taste, that we may be able to drink a considerable quantity of it: and it must be capable of recruiting the strength without overloading the stomach. Now all these qualities are to be found in the yolk of egg. Νο beverage, therefore, is more suitable (whilst it is very agreeable) for hot, dry weather than one composed of the yolk of egg beaten up with a little sugar (to taste), and mixed with a quart of cool spring or filtered water, half a glass of Moselle or any other Rhenish wine, and some lemon juice. The wine, however, may be omitted, and lemon juice alone (and rather more) used: in like manner, hartshorn shavings boiled in water may 314 THE SEA IS THE HEAVING BOSOM OF THE WORLD. be substituted for the yolk of egg. Equal quantities of beef tea and whey are good for delicate infants. 2208. SUBSTITUTE FOR THE FOREGOING. The yolk of eggs beaten up, lump sugar (to taste), Rhenish wine or not, citric acid powdered, or tartaric acid (small quantity, exact quantity soon found); one or two drops of essence of lemon on a lump of sugar, to make it mix readily with the water; one quart of water. This is really an excellent, agreeable, and, without the wine, an inexpensive beverage. 2209. Method of Ascertaining the State of the Lungs.Persons desirous of ascertaining the true state of their lungs are directed to draw in as much breath as they conveniently can; they are then to count as far as they are able, in a slow and audible voice, without drawing in more breath. The number of seconds they can continue counting must be carefully observed; in a consumption the time does not exceed ten, and is frequently less than six seconds; in pleurisy and pneumonia it ranges from nine to four seconds. When the lungs are in a sound condition, the time will range as high as from twenty to thirty-five seconds. 2210. To Avoid Catching Cold. -Accustom yourself to the use of sponging with cold water every morning on first getting out of bed. It should be followed by a good deal of rubbing with a wet towel. It has considerable effect in giving tone to the skin, and maintaining a proper action in it, and thus proves a safeguard to the injurious influence of cold and sudden changes of temperature. Sir Astley Cooper said, "The methods by which I have preserved my own health are temperance, early rising, and sponging the body every morning with cold water, immediately after getting out of bed,—a | practice which I have adopted for thirty years without ever catching cold." 2211. How to prepare Sea Water. There cannot be a question that by far the simplest plan would consist in the evaporation of the sea water itself in large quantities, preserving the resulting salt in closelystopped vessels to prevent the absorption of moisture, and vending it in this form to the consumer; the proportion of this dry saline matter being fifty-six ounces to ten gallons of water less three pints. This plan was suggested by Dr. E. Schweitzer, for the extemporaneous formation of sea water for medicinal baths. Mr. H. Schweitzer writes that he has for many years made this compound, in accordance with his cousin's analysis. The proportion ordered to be used is six ounces to the gallon of water, and stirred well until dissolved. 2212. Change the Water in which Leeches are kept.-Once a month in winter, and once a week in summer, is sufficiently often, unless the water becomes discoloured or bloody, when it should be changed every day. Either clean pond water or clean rain water should be employed. 2213. Damp Linen.-We know of nothing attended with more serious consequences than the sleeping in damp linen. Persons are frequently assured that the sheets have been at a fire for many hours, but the question is as to what sort of fire, and whether they have been properly turned, so that every part has been exposed to the fire. The fear of creasing the linen, we know, prevents many from unfolding it, so as to be what we consider sufficiently aired: but health is of more importance than appearances: with gentleness there need be no fear of want of neatness. 2214. Orange Peel-dried, added to camomile flowers, in the proportion of half the quantity of the flowers, improves the tonic. 2215. Gingerbread Aperient. —Gingerbread, made with oatmeal or with barley flour, is a very agreeable aperient for children. Beware of giving children medicines too frequently. 2216. Cod Liver Oil.-Cod liver oil is neither more nor less than cod oil MUSIC IS SOUL EMBODIED IN SOUND. clarified; and consequently, two-thirds of its medicinal qualities are abstracted thereby. Cod oil can be purchased pure at any wholesale oil warehouse, at about one-thirtieth part of the price charged for the so-called cod liver oil. Many persons who have used cod oil pure as imported, have found it to answer much better than the cod liver oil purchased of a druggist. The best vehicle for taking cod liver oil in is new milk, and the disagreeable flavour of the drug can easily be covered by the addition of one drachm of orange peel to every eight ounces of the oil. 315 The following receipt for the destruction of rats has been communicated by Dr. Ure to the council of the English Agricultural Society, and is highly recommended as the best known means of getting rid of these most obnoxious and destructive vermin. It has been tried by several intelligent persons, and found perfectly effectual.-Melt hog's lard in a bottle plunged in water, heated to about 150 degrees of Fahrenheit; introduce into it half an ounce of phosphorus for every pound of lard; then add a pint of proof spirit, or whisky; cork the bottle firmly after its contents have been heated to 150 degrees, taking it at the same time out of the water, and agitate smartly till the phosphorus becomes uniformly diffused, forming a milky 2217. Camomile Flowers should be gathered on a fine day, and dried upon a tray placed in the sun; all herbs should be treated in the same manner. 2218. Decoction of Sarsapa-looking liquid. This liquid, being cooled, rilla.-Take four ounces of the root, slice it down, put the slices into four pints of water, and simmer for four hours. Take out the sarsaparilla, and beat it into a mash; put it into the liquor again, and boil down to two pints, then strain and cool the liquor. Dose, a wineglassful three times a day. Use-to purify the blood after a course of mercury; or, indeed, whenever any taint is given to the constitution, vitiating the blood, and producing eruptive affections. 2219. Preston Salts.-Take of sal ammoniac and salts of tartar of each about two ounces; pound up the sal ammoniac into small bits, and mix them gently with the salts of tartar. After being well mixed, add a few drops of oil of lavender, sufficient to scent, and also a little musk; stop up in a glass bottle, and when required for use, add a few drops of water, or spirits of hartshorn, when you will immediately have strong smelling salts. The musk, being expensive, may be omitted; it will still be good. Any person can for a few pence obtain these ingredients at any druggist's, and they will make salts, which, to buy prepared, would cost, at the least, eighteen pence. 2220. Destruction of Rats. will afford a white compound of phosphorus and lard, from which the spirit spontaneously separates, and may be poured off to be used again, for none of it enters into the combination, but it merely serves to comminute the phosphorus, and diffuse it in very fine particles through the lard. This compound, on being warmed very gently, may be poured out into a mixture of wheat flour and sugar, incorporated therewith, and then flavoured with oil of rhodium, or not, at pleasure. The flavour may be varied with oil of aniseed, &c. This dough, being made into pellets, is to be laid in rat-holes. By its luminousness in the dark, it attracts their notice, and being agreeable to their palates and noses, it is readily eaten, and proves certainly fatal. 2221. To Kill Slugs.-Take a quantity of cabbage leaves, and either put them into a warm oven, or heat them before the fire till they get quite soft; then rub them with unsalted butter, or any kind of fresh dripping, and lay them in places infested with slugs. In a few hours the leaves will be found covered with snails and slugs, which may then, of course, be destroyed in any way the gardener may think fit. 2222. To Destroy Slugs. Slugs are very voracious, and their 316 OUT OF DEBT OUT OF DANGER. ravages often do considerable damage, not only to the kitchen garden, but to the flower-beds also. If, now and then, a few slices of turnip be put about the beds, on a summer or autumnal evening, the slugs will congregate thereon, and may be destroyed. 2223. To Exterminate Beetles.-i. Place a few lumps of unslaked lime where they frequent. ii. Set a dish or trap containing a little beer or syrup at the bottom, and place a few sticks slanting against its sides, so as to form a sort of gangway for the beetles to climb up by, when they will go headlong into the bait set for them. iii. Mix equal weights of red lead, sugar, and flour, and place it nightly near their haunts. This mixture, made into sheets, forms the beetle wafers sold at the oil shops. 2224. To Kill Cockroaches.A teacupful of well-bruised plaster of Paris, mixed with double the quantity of oatmeal, to which add a little sugar (the latter is not essential). Strew it on the floor, or in the chinks where they frequent. To prevent their climbing up trees, place a ring of tar about the trunk, or a circle of rag moistened occasionally with creosote. 2227. To Prevent Moths.-In the month of April or May, beat your fur garments well with a small cane or elastic stick, then wrap them up in linen, without pressing the fur too hard, and put betwixt the folds some camphor in small lumps; then put your furs in this state in boxes well closed. When the furs are wanted for use, beat them well as before, and expose them for twentyfour hours to the air, which will take away the smell of the camphor. If the fur has long hair, as bear or fox, add to the camphor an equal quantity of black pepper in powder. 2228. To get rid of Moths. -i. Procure shavings of cedar wood, and enclose in muslin bags, which should be distributed freely among the clothes. -ii. Procure shavings of camphor wood, and enclose in bags. iii. Sprinkle pimento (allspice) berries among the clothes.-iv. Sprinkle the clothes with the seeds of the musk plant.-v. To destroy the eggs, when deposited in woollen cloths, &c., use a solution of acetate of potash in spirits of rosemary, fifteen grains to the pint. 2229. Bugs.-Spirits of naphtha 2225. Earwigs are very destructive insects; their favourite food is the petals of roses, pinks, dahlias, and other flowers. They may be caught by driving stakes into the ground, and placing on each an inverted flower pot; the car-rubbed with a small painter's brush into wigs will climb up and take refuge under it, when they may be taken out and killed. Clean bowls of tobacco pipes, placed in like manner on the tops of smaller sticks, are very good traps: or very deep holes may be made in the ground with a crowbar, into which they will fall, and may be destroyed by boiling water. 2226. To Destroy Ants.-Drop some quicklime on the mouth of their nest, and wash it in with boiling water; or dissolve some camphor in spirits of wine, then mix with water, and pour into their haunts; or tobacco water, which has been found effectual. They are averse to strong scents. Camphor will prevent their infesting a cupboard, or a sponge saturated with creosote. every part of a bedstead is a certain way of getting rid of bugs. The mattress and binding of the bed should be examined, and the same process attended to, as they generally harbour more these parts than in the bedstead. Three pennyworth of naphtha is sufficient for one bed. 2230. Bug Poison.-Proof spirit, one pint; camphor, two ounces; oil of turpentine, four ounces; corrosive sublimate, one ounce. Mix. Cost: proof spirit, 1s. 10d. per pint; camphor, 2s. 8d. per pound; oil of turpentine, 8d. per pint; corrosive sublimate, 3s. 6d. per pound. A correspondent says, "I have been for a long time troubled with bugs, and never could get rid of them by any clean and expeditious method, A GAMBLER AND A SWINDLER ARE NEAR NEIGHBOURS. until a friend told me to suspend a small bag of camphor to the bed, just in the centre, overhead. I did so, and the enemy was most effectually repulsed, and has not made his appearance since--not even for a reconnaissance!" We therefore give the information upon this method of getting rid of bugs, our informant being most confident of its success in every case. 2231. Mixture for Destroying Flies.-Infusion of quassia, one pint; brown sugar, four ounces; ground pepper, two ounces. To be well mixed together, and put in small shallow dishes when required. 2232. To Destroy Flies in a room, take half a teaspoonful of black pepper in powder, one teaspoonful of brown sugar, and one tablespoonful of cream, mix them well together, and place them in the room on a plate, where the flies are troublesome, and they will soon disappear. 2233. Flies.-Cold green tea, very strong, and sweetened with sugar, will, when set about the room in saucers, attract flies and destroy them. 2234. Inks.-There are many receipts published for making ink; the following is as useful and economical a mode of producing good ink as any of them :· 2235. DR. URE'S INK. For twelve gallons of ink take twelve pounds of bruised galls, five pounds of gum, five pounds of green sulphate of iron, and twelve gallons of rain water. Boil the galls with nine gallons of the water for three hours, adding fresh water to supply that lost in vapour; let the decoction settle, and draw off the clear liquor. Add to it the gum, previously dissolved in one and a half gallon of water; dissolve the green vitriol separately in one and a half gallon of water, and mix the whole. Cost of preparation: gall, 1s. 4d. per pound; gum, 8d. per pound; green sulphate of iron, 1d. per pound. 2236. INK POWDER is formed of the dry ingredients for ink, powdered and mixed. Powdered galls, two pounds; 317 powdered green vitriol, one pound; powdered gum, eight ounces. This should be put up in two-ounce packets, each of which will make one pint of ink. Cost: galls, 1s. 4d. per pound; green vitriol, 1d. per pound; powdered gum, 1s. 5d. per pound. 2237. RED WRITING INK. -- Best ground Brazil wood, four ounces; diluted acetic acid, one pint; alum, half an ounce. Boil them slowly in an enamelled vessel for one hour, strain, and add an ounce of gum. Brazil wood, 1s. per pound; diluted acetic acid, 3d. per pint; alum, 2d. per pound; ground gum, 1s. 6d. per pound. 2238. MARKING INK WITHOUT PREPARATION. There are several receipts for this ink, but the following by Mr. Redwood is rapidly superseding all the others:- Dissolve, separately, one ounce of nitrate of silver (4s. 6d. per ounce), and one and a half ounce of sub-carbonate soda (best washing soda), in distilled or rain water. Mix the solutions, and collect and wash the precipitate in a filter; whilst still moist, rub it up in a marble or wedgwood mortar with three drachms of tartaric acid; add two ounees of distilled water, mix six drachms of white sugar, and ten drachms of powdered gum arabic, half an ounce of archil, and water to make up six ounces in measure. one ounce of nitrate of silver, 4s. 6d.; soda, tartaric acid, sugar, and gum, 3d.; archil, 10d. per pint. It is usually put up in one or two-drachm bottles, labelled, and sold at 8d. The above quantity would make 24 two-drachm bottles.Bottles from 8d. to 10d. per dozen. Cost: 2239. INK FOR ZINC GARDEN LABELS.- Verdigris, one ounce; sal ammoniac, one ounce; lamp black, half an ounce; water, half a pint. Mix in an earthenware mortar, without using a metal spatula. Should be put up in small one-ounce bottles ready for sale. Directions.-To be shaken before use, and used with a clean quill pen, on bright zinc. Cost: verdigris, 3d. per ounce; sal ammoniac, 8d. per pound; lamp black, 4d. per pound. Note. |