Class _JIXiil_ Book J^iX Copyright N° COPyRIGHT DEPOSm J^(y^M/S^ (A^^ uJjlr-y^r''y'fYiiiit^'^ ^ UBSARY of OONaKESsl iwo Copies rifcCfciivjJ 1 APi^ 2B 1908 'Y 3. I X. Copyright 1908 by The Prnn Publishing Company Introduction The "best ways of doing things" are often contrib- uted to periodicals by practical men and women who have worked out the problems in their own experience. It is, however, difficult to preserve them in convenient form for reference. This book is a systematic compila- tion from reliable sources of receipts and remedies that will be invaluable to the mother and housekeeper, and also to any man or woman who wishes to maintain per- sonal appearance, health and comfort, in the most effect- ive and economical way. Every suggestion is based upon competent knowledge, and has been tested by ex- perience. The book covers such general subjects as : Diseases and Disorders, Housekeeping in all its phases, except cooking, Personal Health and Beauty, Hygiene, Cloth- ing, including washing, bleaching, dyeing, removing stains. Accidents and how to treat them. Care of Chil- dren, etc. For convenience in reference, however, the book has been arranged alphabetically with frequent cross-refer- ences. Thus remedies for breaking up a Cold are given on pages 62, d^, 64, 65, and at the end of that section a 3 4 INTRODUCTION reference is also made to Coughs^ which will be found on page 73. Many remedies are often given under one general heading, as for instance, those under Face, page 102, and Hair, page 137. This convenient arrangement of the book has made an Index unnecessary. Receipts and Remedies Abrasions. — i. An abrasion of the skin should be washed and then covered with pliable collodion, which forms an artificial skin over the spot. Take of collodion, one ounce; castor oil and soft turpentine, each eight grains. Apply this with a camel's hair brush, putting on two or three times. The coats dry and form a protective cover- ing over the sore. 2. A healing lotion for abrasions, scratches and little cuts is made of : Spirits of camphor, one ounce ; glycerine, one-fourth drachm ; borax, one-eighth drachm ; carbolic acid, five grains. Apply to the sore twice a day. 3. If much skin has been lost and the part bleeds freely, a paste of glycerine and boric acid, or one of glycerine and subnitrate of bismuth may be laid on and covered with collodion. Acid Burns. — Strong acids such as sulphuric, nitric and muriatic applied to, or coming in contact with the skin cause great pain and destroy the tissues. Dilute ammonia, chalk, carbonate of magnesia or some other alkali should be applied at once to neutralize the acid. After an hour or so the following should be applied on 5 6 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES soft cloth : Olive oil, two ounces ; lime water, two ounces ; carbolic acid, fifteen drops. Wet soft cloth with this mixture and apply, changing two or three times a day, if necessary. Linseed oil may be used instead of olive. For burns from carbolic acid, apply olive oil alone. Acne. — One who is affected with acne should keep the skin perfectly clean. At night the face should be washed in hot water and steamed well. Then a little eau de cologne should be thoroughly rubbed into the skin. Tea and coffee should be avoided, cocoa and warm milk being used instead. Pastry, cheese, sauces and highly seasoned foods should not be eaten ; but fruit, tomatoes, and well- cooked green vegetables should be eaten freely. See Pimples. Air. — I. A simple, safe and inexpensive way to ob- tain pure air in a room. A board four inches wide and as long as the width of the lower sash is fitted so perfectly to the bottom of the lower sash as to be a part of it. Thus, through the opening between the upper and lower windows at the center no draught is felt, and there is a constant current of outgoing and incoming air day and night. 2. To purify the air in a sick room there is nothing better than the burning of brown paper, previously soaked in saltpeter water and dried, with a handful of lav- ender leaves laid upon it. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 7 Alabaster Ornaments. — i. To clean such orna- ments wash them in strong white soap-suds to which has been added one tablespoonful of washing soda or of borax for each gallon of suds. Rinse in clear water. 2. Another way to clean them is to immerse them for some time in milk of lime made of slaked lime and water, then wash them in clean water and when dry dust them with a little French chalk. "Aniline Stains may be removed from the hands by washing with strong alcohol, or by washing with a little bleaching-powder, then with alcohol. A teaspoonful of permanganate of potash slightly moistened in the palm of the hand, thoroughly rubbed into the hands and washed, then using bisulphite of soda freely to remove it, removes with it all stains made by inks, blackings, etc., leaving the hands soft and white, without the slightest injury to the skin. Antiseptics. — i. For general use carbolic acid is one of the best antiseptics that can be used. Dissolve one teaspoonful in a pint of water. This solution can be used for washing cuts, wounds, bruises, sores and affec- tions of the skin. 2. An excellent antiseptic lotion for cuts, wounds and sores is made of forty parts of listerine or glycerine to one part of carbolic acid. 3. A boracic acid solution is also good. 4. Bichloride of mercury (corrosive sublimate) is an 8 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES efficient antiseptic, but one that must be used with caution, as it is a deadly poison if taken internally. Seven and a half grains dissolved in a quart of water makes a lotion of proper strength. Use the same as carbolic acid. 5. Another excellent lotion for sores, wounds, bruises, inflammation and skin diseases is : Pure carbolic acid, one ounce ; powdered camphor, two ounces ; absolute alcohol, two and a half drachms. Saturate absorbent cotton with this lotion and apply to the part, covering it with a bandage. 6. And still another one is : Spirits of camphor, one ounce ; glycerine, one-fourth drachm ; borax, one-eighth drachm ; carbolic acid, five grains. Apply this twice a day. 7. Boro-Glycerine is very useful for washing cuts, wounds, burns, bruises and irritations of the skin. It is made by adding to ten parts of pure glycerine, five parts by weight of pure powdered boric, warm, and stir until the boric is dissolved. Ants. — I. A remedy that is effectual in one case is ineffective in another. Among the best means of exter- minating the pests are the following : 2. Sprinkle the infested places with oil of penny- royal ; or strew fresh pennyroyal about the places. The strong odor will drive them away. 3. Sometimes the odor of tar or of leaves of worm- wood will drive ants away. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 9 4. Green walnuts scattered about are sometimes effectual. They should be cracked open. 5. Put into the closet or cupboard a pan containing a few live coals. Sprinkle over the coals about two table- spoonfuls of powdered gum camphor, close the door and allow the fumes of the camphor to saturate the closet. Two or three of such fumigations may be necessary be- fore all the ants are exterminated. 6. Ants may be trapped in either of the following two ways : Cover plates with a thin coat of lard, and set them in the places infested by the insects. Place little sticks or toothpicks at the side on which the ants can mount to the plates. When the plates are filled with the insects drop them into a pan of boiling water. Or, wet sponges with sweetened water and place them about. When they are full of ants drop them into hot water. 7. Powdered cloves and powdered borax are said to drive ants away. A few drops of oil of cedar, on bits of cotton, is sometimes effective. 8. Whenever possible ants should be traced to their home or nest. When the nest is found, if it is in the house, saturate it with kerosene oil or with boiling water. If the nest is in the ground press a long sharp-pointed stick into the nest, remove quickly, and pour about two ounces of disulphide of carbon into the hole; close at once by pressing the foot on the hole. Proceed in this manner until six holes are made, filled and closed. The fumes lo RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES of the disulphide of carbon will penetrate to every part of the nest, destroying all life. One must be careful not to breathe the fumes of the chemical, and not to have light nor fire near when using it. A lighted cigar or pipe may cause an explosion. Kerosene may sometimes be used instead of the disulphide. lo. When ants are troublesome about the grounds, nearly fill small bottles with water, and pour a little sweet oil on top of the water. Sink the bottles in the earth in the infested locality. The ants will enter the bottles in search of the oil and be drowned. Some benefit may be derived from the application of coal oil, borax, or dried tansy leaves. Arms. — I. When the arms are pink and it is desired to have the skin soft and of a pleasing white appearance, the following treatment is suggested : Bathe the arms every morning in very hot rice water, in which a tea- spoonful of borax and two tablespoonfuls of pulverized starch have been dissolved. At night massage with cream. When going out to a party mix equal parts of lemon juice and glycerine. Dab this gently over the arms, wipe almost dry, then powder with starch, after which rub the arms all over with lump magnesia, which is also good for pimples and marks on the skin. 2. Bathing the arms with a fine lather of soap, twice a day, then drying them and rubbing them vigorously improves their condition and appearance. Rubbing RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES ii with a soft chamois leather makes the skin smooth and soft and also cures eruptive disorders, pimples, etc. 3. To reduce the flesh of the arms massage with a mixture of Castile soap, iodide of potassium, alcohol and essence of lemon. Have each arm massaged twenty minutes. After the massage wash the arms with tepid water, then rub them hard with a crash glove and this mixture : Borax, two drachms ; potassium carbonate, forty grains ; rose water, fifteen ounces ; cologne water, four drachms ; talcum powder, one and a half ounces ; glycerine, five drachms ; tincture of benzoin, three drachms. This diminishes the flesh and makes the arms smooth and white. Barrels. — i. It is sometimes necessary to cleanse barrels and other wooden vessels so that they can be used to hold cider, wine or food. A solution of sal soda should be used. The barrel should be filled half full of water, and a solution of about two pounds of the soda in a gallon of water poured in and the liquids thoroughly mixed by shaking the barrel which should then be filled to the bung with water and allowed to re- main twelve hours or longer, then the barrel should be emptied, filled with pure water, left a {q^n' hours, and then thoroughly rinsed, when it will be ready for use. 2. Another way to cleanse a barrel is to put a few pounds of unslaked hme into it, add water and cover. After a few hours add more water and roll the barrel. Rinse with clean water. 12 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES Bath. — I. Hints ofi bathing. If you want good health, a clear complexion and a well-toned system, take a cold water hand bath every day in the year. The water should be of a temperature to suit the body. If you are of a vigorous constitution, or wish to be, have the water cold — that is, if you have sufficient vitality for the reaction; if not, begin with luke-warm water and have it less warm each day as the body gradually be- comes accustomed to it. Rub the body vigorously while bathing. Too vigor- ous rubbing after the bath is not wise, as it causes one to perspire and then to become chilled after dressing. Put a handful of salt (sea salt is preferable) in the basin of water. It will make you less liable to catch cold, and is a good tonic for the skin. Do not take a tub bath of hot water more than once a week, not once a month if you are of nervous tempera- ment. The fibrous nerves terminate at every part of the body and thereby conduct the vital force off whenever they are thus excited. Magnetism is wasted and the ends of the nerves are thrown into a state of excitement. Always end a hot water bath by a quick rinsing of the body with cold water. One should feel neither too chilled nor too warm when leaving the bath, especially if one must go directly into the open air. 2. The cold water towel bath. This bath, if taken every morning immediately after getting out of bed, says a doctor, will produce great vigor and strength, if RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 13 it is done with sufficient vim to prevent chilling. It should be done in this manner. On getting out of bed remove your night clothes, first wash your neck and face thoroughly with cold water, then take a large rough towel, wring it loosely out of cold water, and with both hands rub the breast, sides, abdomen and arms hard ; again dipping the towel into the water, take it by the edge and throw it over the head in such a way as to spread it out on the back ; then reaching back with both hands, quickly seesaw it over the back down over the hips, and then reversing it over the shoulders, seesaw it down the back ; again wringing it out of the water, rub one leg, again wet it and rub the other leg. Wipe quickly and vigorously with a rough dry towel, and in the same order and way that the wet towel was used. The whole operation should not take over two or three minutes. Persons of ordinary health and resolution can take this morning cold water bath without chilling and when through with it be warm and feel fifty per cent. better. 3. A simple method of 7naking a beauty bath is to boil two pounds of bran in a little water for three hours, then strain off the bran and add the liquor to the bath. This not only softens the water but also the skin, and costs only a cent or two. To scent this bath add a few drops of oil of lavender. 4. Another way to prepare a beauty bath is to sew a pound of oatmeal into a muslin bag, and, after steep- 14 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES ing this in boiling water for a few minutes, to throw both water and bag into the bath, together with half a teacup- ful of orange-flower water. 5. Bath- Bags. The use of bran or corn-meal bags in the bath is very good for the skin. Cheese-cloth is the best material of which to make the bags, which may be any size desired. A bag should not be used more than twice, for it soon sours. An excellent bath-bag is made as follows : Make a bag from cheese-cloth and put a running-string in it. Save all pieces of toilet soap, and when perfectly dry pound to a powder. Mix four tablespoon fuls of borax with four ounces of the soap, and stir this mixture into four quarts of bran. When about to take a bath put half a pint of this mixture in the bag and tie firmly. Use the bag as a wash -cloth. It will soften and whiten the skin. 6. A refreshing bath to be taken when one is fatigued or for overstrung nerves is made by simply mixing an ounce of ammonia in the water; but this bath should not be frequently used as ammonia, for all its tonic and refreshing powers, is not conducive to the beauty of the skin. Immediately after a bath let the body be sharply rubbed with a soft towel and then powdered all over with a little plain rice or starch powder. A ball of medicated wool, costing about six cents, can be used in place of the large and expensive powder puff. 7. To prevent taking cold^ warm baths should be. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 15 taken just before retiring. If taken during the day, exercise for a few moments vigorously. The cold bath in the morning is an invigorator for the entire day. Bath-tubs and Wash-bo'wls. — i. Porcelain bath- tubs can be kept free from stains and discolorations by using borax while bathing. When cleansing the tub, wring a cloth out of strong suds, rub soap over this and sprinkle with borax. 2. When the enafnel of the bath is dirty and dis- colored, take some paraffin, dip a piece of flannel in it, and keep rubbing the bath gently until the dirt is re- moved ; then wash with warm water and soap. 3. To remove dirt from bath-tubs and wash-bowls, dampen a woolen cloth with gasoline and rub over the places. The dirt will instantly disappear, leaving the surface clean and polished. 4. Stains on bath-tubs^ marble basins^ etc. that other cleansers will not touch may be removed with muriatic acid. The acid should be applied with a small rag upon the end of a stick ; the stain disappears instantaneously. The vessel should, then be immediately scrubbed with soap and water and flushed to remove all traces of the acid. Care should be used to prevent the acid from dropping upon the plumbing attachments, as it will eff'ace silver- plating and the like ; and it should not be allowed to touch either hands or clothes. 5. The pipes leading from sinks, bath-tubs and lava- i6 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES tories should be thoroughly flushed every day and cleansed with hot soda water or dissolved copperas about once a week. The soda solution (sal soda and water) should be boiling hot. It cleans out all greasy matter and prevents unpleasant odors. Bedbugs. — i. Naphtha is a most effective extermi- nator of bedbugs. It may be sprayed into the cracks in the walls and woodwork and all places where the bugs are. A spring-bottom oil can should be used and all the places saturated with the naphtha. Also wet the ledges over- the doors and windows, the top of picture mould- ing, and every crack in the bed, which should previously have been taken apart, the mattress, pillows, etc. Every place where the bugs are hidden should be saturated with the naphtha. There should be no fire nor light in the room as the naphtha is very inflammable, and the win- dows must be kept open for several hours that all the gas may escape. 2. The following preparation is a most excellent one to use in getting rid of bedbugs. The bottle should be plainly marked and also labeled ''Poison." Mix to- gether in a large bottle half an ounce of corrosive subli- mate, half an ounce of powdered camphor, half a pint of wood alcohol and half a pint of turpentine. Apply this to every spot, cracks, grooves, etc., with a brush. 3. Corrosive sublimate, one-fourth ounce ; spirits of turpentine, one-half pint ; dissolved and applied with a RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 17 brush to every crevice, is also death to bedbugs. Repeat the process two or three times, two weeks apart. 4. Another remedy is oil of cedar. Dip a feather or small brush in the oil and brush over the cracks and crevices. Shut up the room for several days. 5. Fumigating with sulphur is a very effective method of ridding a room of bedbugs. The furniture should be taken out of the room, the windows and doors closed, and about an ounce of powdered sulphur on a pan of hot coals placed in the middle of the floor. After the sulphur has burned out, paint all the cracks with a strong solution of corrosive sublimate and wood alcohol, and treat the furniture to the same before replacing it. Brass must be greased or otherwise protected, as the sulphur fumes will blacken it. Bites. — I. To relieve the irritation and pain caused by the bites of insects, ants, spiders, bedbugs, mosquitoes, etc., use: Carbolic acid, one-half drachm; glycerine, three drachms; rose-water, sufficient to make three ounces. Mix, and apply freely to the bite or sting. 2. Mosquito bites are often rank poison, especially upon the delicate flesh of children. Discomfort is obviated by rubbing the exposed parts with a mixture of one part of oil of sassafras with five parts of proof alcohol. Every three or four hours a slight rubbing must be repeated. 3. The bites of insects and spiders, unless of an un- i8 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES usually virulent type, can be relieved by an immediate application of a paste of baking soda and water. Salt will answer in most cases, and listerine is good. Should the bitten part seem angry and swollen diluted carbolic acid will antidote the poison. 4. The irritation that is caused in some persons by mosquito bites may be relieved by the application of ipecacuanha, either the vinum or the powdered root, made into a paste with water or vinegar, being used. 5. Weak ammonia water, oil, salt water or iodine are other remedies for insect bites. 6. Mad dog or snake bite. Tie a cord tightly above the wound around the member bitten, so as to cut off the flow of blood to the heart. Suck the wound and make it larger with a clean sharp knife so as to cause the blood to flow freely, then pour in the wound a strong solution of permanganate of potash, one ounce to a pint of water, or strong spirits of ammonia. Whiskey, brandy or other stimulant should be given freely. After a while the cord should be loosened a little. 7. A liniment to apply to snake and other bites is made of : Oil of turpentine, one pint ; camphor, three ounces; sulphuric acid, four drachms; nitric acid, four drachms ; olive oil, four drachms. Mix the ingredients, and apply freely to the bite and swollen parts. 8. No fir drug treatment for snake bite is as follows : Patient should be kept warm if necessary by placing feet in hot water and wrapping up with warm blankets. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 19 Every means should be adopted to cleanse the system of all foreign matter. Colon flushing treatment, using from three to four quarts of water, should be given very thoroughly. Patient should drink several quarts of hot water. If numb, he should exercise or be given massage and artificial respiration should be employed if it seems necessary. As a constitutional stimulant, alternate hot and cold applications to the spine, in quick succession, are more effective than whiskey and not so injurious. Pure air to breathe is imperative, and no food should be allowed until all symptoms have disappeared. If the bite is a very severe one and not treated at once, per- haps nothing will be of avail, but the above treatment will cure if anything will. Black mousseline de sole and other thin black materials may be restored to stiffness by laying over the goods a cloth previously dipped in gum arable water. Cover the ironing board with old black cloth and use black to dip into the gum water. Pin the cloth to be stiffened smoothly to the board, lay over it the piece dipped in the gum water and a dry cloth over that. Iron with a hot iron ; and the goods will be nicely re- stored to stiffness. Black Eye. — i. To prevent an eye from becoming discolored from a blow or bruise mix well together the following ingredients : Ammonium chloride, one-half ounce , tincture of arnica, one ounce ; dilute acetic acid, 20 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES two and a half ounces ; water, two and a half ounces. Apply at once after the blow has been received, and continuously afterward, and no discoloration will ap- pear. 2. An effective poultice for a discolored or bruised eye is made of bread and vinegar. Soak small pieces of bread in a little cold vinegar and then beat it with a small stick to a smooth paste. Apply as a poultice, ty- ing it on well. Blackheads. — i. Blackheads are a most unsightly complexion ailment. They are formed by the accumula- tion of dirt and the solid matter of the perspiration in the pores of the skin. A daily bath in warm water con- taining borax helps to prevent them by cleaning out the pores. Bathe the face also at night, using only pure white soap • dry without friction and apply a little cold cream containing borax. 2. Vapor baths and friction and the use of a mild lotion removes blackheads and prevents their re-forming. Steam the face, then gently press the blackheads out and rub in a sulphur ointment or, in mild cases, cold cream. An excellent ointment is made of flowers of sulphur, one teaspoonful ; rose-water, one pint ; glycerine, one tea- spoonful. Rub this in well. If the spots are very obstinate and hard to remove, the following preparation should be used: Liquid ammonia, twenty drops ; ether, one drachm ; soft soap, one ounce. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 21 Bathe the face with hot water and rub in a little of the ointment. Then wash it off with hot water. 3. Alcohol, ninety per cent., applied by means of a piece of chamois skin will give tone to the skin, and re- move dirt and dust, at the same time stimulating the small glands and removing, by constant use, the black- heads. 4. Soften the skin by applying soft cloths wrung out of warm water ; do this until the face is pink and the skin very soft. Press out the blackheads very gently, without bruising the skin, and only a few at a time.. Apply a drop of diluted alcohol to each pore as you press out the contents (a teaspoonful of alcohol and one of water is the proportion). Then wash the face in warm water, and a pure, unscented soap, using plenty of both. 5. A simple and sure remedy for blackheads is the bathing of one's face every night with hot borax water, drying it with a soft towel, and then rubbing in gently some face cream. In the morning wash the face well with hot water and soap, and then give it a rinsing in tepid water, to remove the soap. 6. An effective lotion for blackheads is made of : Car- bonate of magnesia, and zinc oxide, each one drachm ; rose-water, four ounces. Shake well and mop on the spots. Blankets. — i. Blankets require careful washing. The best way to wash them is in the following manner : 22 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES Dissolve one pound of white soap in a quart of water, and to this add two ounces of borax dissolved in half a pint of boiling water. Have the tubs half filled with tepid water ; put half the soap mixture in each tub. Shake the dust from the blankets and examine carefully to see if there are any dirt spots. If there are, spread on a clean board or table ; dip a soft brush in the suds and rub gently until the soil is removed. Put the blankets in one tub of suds, and sop and squeeze to work out the dirt. Never rub or wring woolens with the hands. Press out as much suds as possible, and put the blankets in a (It second suds and wash as before. Next, rinse in one or two waters, having a suggestion of soap in the last water. Press out as much water as possible, using a wringer if you have one. Hang on the lines and when dry fold in a sheet and put under a weight. Have all the waters in which the blankets are washed and rinsed of the same temperature. Should the water be very hard, soften it with borax dissolved in boiling water, two tablespoonfuls of the powder for each tubful of water. Yellow soap contains resin and should not be used to wash woolens. Use pure white wool or ivory soap. The pound of soap and two ounces of borax are for a pair of good-sized blankets. Do the work on a clear, windy day. Do not rub soap on the goods ; do not hang out on a very cold day, and do not hang close to a hot fire or stove. 2. Another good way to wash flannel blankets is carried out as follows : Put the soiled blankets to soak RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 23 for thirty minutes in plain, soft, warm water. Prepare a soft jelly with white laundry soap and boiling water. Pour this into a tub of warm water, let it melt and lather it up well with the hand. Wring the blankets from the soaking tub, and throw them into the lather ; stir them about and leave to soak ten minutes, then hand rub every inch of the blankets, paying especial attention to stains. Take them out and wring, then rinse in warm water twice. Dry well, but do not expose them to great heat. When dry stretch them in every direction, and rub all over with a piece of clean rough flannel to make them fluffy and soft. A little borax helps in getting the dirt out, but no soda or bleaching powder should ever be used. Bleaching. — i. Among the bleachers used in the laundries borax and turpentine are the mildest and are especially good for whitening cotton and linen without injuring the fabric. Sal soda is a great cleanser ; it softens the dirt and makes its removal easy, but if used too strong and not removed by rinsing it rots the fabric and gives it a bad color. Ammonia also makes the clothing yellow. Borax makes them white. Javelle water and chloride of lime are used only to remove stains or discolorations. If these chemicals are used very strong the articles treated should be rinsed in ammonia water to neutralize the acid. A good way to bleach white goods is to wash them well, then spread them on clean grass. The sunlight 24 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES and oxygen of the air accomplish what many bleaching materials do not accomplish. When a chemical is used for a bleacher it is put in the water in which the cloth- ing is boiled. When employed to soften the dirt it is put in the water in which the clothing is soaked. For a tub- ful or a boilerful of clothes use a tablespoonful of liquid soda (one pound of soda dissolved in a quart of boiling water), or two tablespoonfuls of liquid ammonia, or one tablespoonful of powdered borax, dissolved in boiling water. If turpentine is used, one tablespoonful. Clothing must always be thoroughly rinsed or the color will be bad. Bluing should be dissolved carefully and added to the last rinsing water before the clothes are put into the tubs. 2. Lijien that has become yellow can be bleached in this manner : Make a strong suds with soap and hot water. Soak the articles in this for a few hours and then spread on the grass in the sun. When they become dry dip again in the suds. It may take several days and nights to whiten them. If you have no place to spread the articles hang them on the line. 3. Muslin is very nicely bleached in the following manner : Into eight quarts of warm soft water put one pound of chloride of lime, stir with a stick a few minutes, then strain through coarse muslin, stirring it well to dis- solve it thoroughly. Put five pailfuls of warm water in a tub, stir in the chloride water and put in the muslin, which has been previously moistened with water. Let it RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 25 remain in one hour, turning it over occasionally, that every part may be thoroughly bleached. When taken out rinse thoroughly and dry the cloth. This quantity will bleach twenty-five yards of yard-wide muslin. Spreading on the grass is a good way to dry it. 4. FlamielSy particularly children^ s flannels that have become yellow may be bleached with sulphur. Wet the flannels and place them upon a stick over the top of a barrel, in the bottom of which is an old pan with some burning coals, and sprinkle on the fire some small pieces of sulphur and cover with a piece of carpet to retain the smoke. 5. Bleaching with an alkali and an acidic done in this way : Dissolve half a pound of chloride of lime in two gallons of water. Let it settle and pour off the clear liquid. Soak the articles to be bleached in this for about an hour, stirring them often. Make an acid bath by pouring very gradually four tablespoonfuls of sul- phuric acid into one gallon of water. Rinse the articles from the chloride of lime water and put them in the acid bath for an hour. Stir frequently, keeping the fabric under the water. If any part is exposed to the air it will be injured. From the acid bath rinse the goods thor- oughly, then dry them. 6. Small articles such as pocket handkerchief s and articles of lace can be bleached as described in para- graph 5, also in the following manner: Soak them for a few hours in warm soapy water, then rub them and press 26 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES them between the hands, and rub on plenty of good white soap. Let the articles lie in the soap over night ; in the morning pour on a kettleful of boiling water — be sure it is boiling. Cover the dish so that the steam is kept in for thirty minutes ; then wash the articles very thoroughly and rinse them in plenty of warm water. To further bleach them spread them while wet upon a large platter and place in the sun. Sprinkle them with cold water several times during the day and they will bleach snow-white. If necessary keep this going for two or three days ; then wash again with boiling water. Lace articles should not be starched j they can be crisped by putting them in cold water in which two or three lumps of sugar are dissolved. They can be pulled out while wet and dried flat on a towel upon abed. Bleeding. — When one is bleeding from slight wounds, bandage firmly, first covering the wound with clean gauze or cotton. The blood in the veins is dark and flows toward the heart. In the arteries it is bright red and flows from the heart. It is important to have this in mind when one is endeavoring to stop the flow of blood by pressure. If the blood is dark colored and flows steadily it is from a vein. Lay the person down, and press on the wound with clean gauze or cotton. A piece of ice over the wound will at times prove ef- fective. In stubborn cases use a tight bandage near the wound on side farthest from the heart. Ice, or very RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 27 hot water applied with a sponge or cloth, will check bleeding when it comes from a number of small points. The blood from the arteries comes in spurts, is a bright re3, and there is great danger, so a doctor should be sent for. at once, and no effort spared to check the flow quickly. Cut away clothing, elevate the wounded limb, and immediately apply pressure near the wound on side nearest the heart, having first covered the finger or thumb with clean towel or gauze. Replace this by in- serting gauze into the wound, secured with a tight bandage. It is sometimes necessary to put a tight bandage instead of the pressure of the fingers. A place as near the wound as possible should be selected. If the bleeding is from a leg or arm, elevate it, tie a knot in a handkerchief or suspender or cloth. Place the knot over the main artery, and twist it with a stick until the artery is closed. Do not attempt to remove dirt from the wound until the bleeding is stopped. Pick out the gravel or other foreign matter and then wash the wound and adjoining parts. If possible put a little carbolic acid in the water, one teaspoonful to the pint, or add two or three teaspoonfuls of table salt. When the flesh is torn the parts must be replaced as nearly as possible before the edges are brought together. Cold or hot cloths, wrung out of water containing antiseptic should be applied. Then bandage the parts firmly. The wounded part, whenever possible, should be raised so the blood will flow away from it toward the 28 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES heart. Binding a bunch of cobwebs or a handful of flour on the wound, or bathing it in strong vinegar is sometimes effectual. Bleeding stops when the blood becomes coagulated or clotted. Every effort should be directed toward helping it to accomplish this by every available means. Bleed- ing (hemorrhage) from the lungs is always alarming, but unless it is very violent seldom threatens life immediately. Raise the head and shoulders slightly with pillows. Fill a pitcher with boiling water, pour in a teaspoonful of spirits of turpentine and let the fumes be inhaled. Give small pieces of ice and enforce perfect quiet. Blood from the lungs is bright red and frothy, and is coughed or spit up. Blood from the stomach is dark, mixed with particles of food and comes in the act of vomiting. The person should be kept perfectly quiet, lying down, and ice wrapped in a cloth or ice bag placed over the stomach. See also Wounds. Blisters. — i. To remove a blister 07i the foot ^d^ss a bit of vaselined thread through it. If the blister is on the sole of the foot where the skin is thick, take a fine white thread and grease it well with boricated or pure vaseline, then thread a rather coarse needle, and pass it through the blister from one end to the other. Then cut the thread on each side. Cover the spot under the stocking with a bit of muslin dipped in vaseline and the RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 29 next day draw the thread out. You will find the blister gone. 2. Blisters on the hands should be pricked with a needle and then covered with a layer of collodion. Collodion, one ounce ; castor oil, eight grains ; soft turpentine, eight grains. Apply with a fine brush. Two or three coats are required. Bloodstains. — i. Blood spots may be removed from linen and clothing by dropping cold water quickly on the stains, and then covering with a thick layer of common laundry starch, finely powdered. When this is dry it should be brushed off and the stain will be gone. This must be applied at once. 2. Soak the spots in cold salt water ; then wash in warm water with plenty of soap ; afterward boil. Boils. — I. When the soreness is first felt a mixture or camphor and spirits of turpentine will give relief. Pour the turpentine on lumps of gum camphor and bathe the part with the liquid. When there is much inflammation, a flaxseed poultice will give rehef. 2. A good treatment for boils is, if just beginning, to paint the sore and swollen part with tincture of iodine. Paint the surface well and then apply this mixture : Oil of turpentine, olive oil, laudanum, equal parts of each mixed together. 30 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 3. Another good treatment is : Stypticin, twenty-five grains; lanolin, one ounce. Apply night and morn- ing. If the boil is large the center or core should be pressed out. Calcium sulphide in one-half grain doses four times a day is recommended to prevent boils. A good tonic should also be taken. Bones. — i. When one has broken a bone a physician should be sent for at once, and the patient made as comfortable as possible. A broken bone need not be set immediately. The parts should, however, be put in as comfortable a position as possible and most nearly corre- sponding to the natural one. It is necessary to give sup- port above and below the break. Handle the injured part very carefully not to force the rough ends through the skin. Improvise splints of some kind — two strips of wood, a couple of stout book covers, a piece of pasteboard, barrel staves, canes, umbrellas, broomsticks, anything con- venient may be used. Be sure to have the splints longer than the limb. Put a splint on each side of the limb and bind them on with handkerchiefs or bandages. Put pads or cushions around the limb before putting on splints. If necessary to move the patient a stretcher should be used ; never carry the patient in the arms. Simple fractures are those where the bone is broken, but does not pierce through the flesh. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 31 A compound fracture is the case where a broken bone sticks out through the flesh, making a wound. In simple |"ractures it is necessary only to put the limb in splints. Patient should not be moved until this is done. Remove the clothing first and bind up the wound. If it is a compound fracture put gauze next to the wound, cover with clean cotton. Pad well and bandage before putting in splints. Bottles. — I. Water bottles, decanters, vinegar and oil bottles often become discolored and require special treatment. It sometimes happens that the stains cannot be removed from the inside of a bottle by washing with soap and water. In such cases there are numerous materials that can be used. Muriatic and sulphuric acid are good cleaners. Fill the bottle with water and add a small quantity of the acid, say two tablespoonfuls of the acid to from one-half to a pint of water. Cork the bot- tle and let it stand for several hours, then turn out the acid water -and wash the bottle with soap and water. Bottles may be cleaned more quickly by this process than by any other method. The acid will also remove stains when soap and water will not. More or less acid may be used as the circumstance requires. When the acid water is turned into the sink water should be allowed to flow freely through the pipes to protect them from the effects of the acid. Either muriatic or sulphuric acid may be used. 32 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 2. If no acid is at hand, dissolve a tablespoonful of washing soda in a pint of water, and, when the mixture has partially cooled, pour it into the bottles ; then tear some soft paper into bits and put them into the be stand an hour or more, finally shaking vigorously, empty- ing and rinsing in cold water. Other methods of clean- ing bottles are : 3. Crush some egg-shells and put them into the bot- tles with hot suds ; shake vigorously, turn out the suds and rinse with cold water. 4. An easy way to clean bottles is to put fine coal ashes into them and shake well, either with or without water, according to the substance that soils the bottle. 5. Put about a gill of water and two tablespoonfuls of household ammonia into the bottle, and after shaking well and emptying, rinse with clean water. 6. Nursing bottles should be cared for in the follow- ing manner : After each feeding the nipples should be thoroughly rinsed in cold water and kept in a solution of boric acid between feedings. Once or twice each day they should be turned inside out and scrubbed with hot water and a brush. Bottles should be carefully rinsed with cold water as soon as they are emptied, and then filled with cold water in which is a little cooking soda, and allowed to stand for some time. Before the food is bottled in the morning the bottles should be washed thoroughly with pure soap and hot water, using a bottle brush, then boil them for half an hour. Bottles should RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 33 never be left standing even for five minutes with food left in them. Food left after a meal should not be wanned over but thrown away. '"*'■ Bi:^^s. — I. A solution of oxalic acid rubbed over tarnished brass removes the tarnish, rendering the metal bright. Wash the acid off with water and soap, and the brass rubbed with rottenstone and sweet oil, whiting or any other polishing compound on the market. Vinegar and salt also are good to remove tarnish from brass. 2. Brass ornaments may be easily cleaned by washing them over with strong ammonia. The fancy parts should be well scrubbed with a brush dipped in the ammonia. Rinse in clear water, wipe dry and polish with chamois skin. Whiting wet with aqua ammonia is also good for cleaning brass. 3. To clean brass instruments. If the instruments are very much oxidized or covered with green rust first wash them with strong soda and water. Then apply a mixture of one part sulphuric acid and twelve parts of water, mixed in an earthen vessel. After this has been done polish with oil and rottenstone. If the brass has become greasy, it should be first dipped in a strong solu- tion of potash and soda in warm water ; this cuts the grease so that the acid has free power to act. 4. A good lacquer for brass is made as follows : Put into a quart jar one ounce of pale shellac, one-fourth of an ounce of Cape aloes, one-eighth of an ounce of 34 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES powdered gamboge and a pint of alcohol. When dis- solved, strain through cheese-cloth. The brass must be perfectly clean and if possible slightly warm. Apply the lacquer with a soft varnish brush. Brass Bedsteads should ordinarily be kept clean and bright by being rubbed occasionally with a piece of chamois or a piece of cheese-cloth. If the brass requires cleaning and polishing, take a piece of flannel moistened in salt and vinegar, and slightly touch the spots, then with a clean flannel rub the entire surface of the brass, using a little whiting on a dry piece of flannel as a final polish. Brass bedsteads may also be polished with sweet oil and whiting, or sweet oil and finely powdered tripoli. Breath. — i. Persons afflicted with offensive breath, (hie to stomach disturbances, should take one teaspoon- fiil of sulphate of soda in a glass of hot water about one hour before breakfast every morning. 2. Licorice is one of the best sweeteners of the breath and possesses the advantage of having but little odor of its own. It may be chipped into small pieces and kept on the dressing table for occasional or constant use. It is said, too, that a bit of myrrh or burnt alum taken at night will answer the same purpose. Charcoal tablets are also good. Bronze. — To clean bronzes ^ash with strong soap-suds or aqua ammonia, rinse thoroughly and rub until per- fectly dry. Valuable pieces may be rebronzed. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 35 Bronze is cleaned by being first carefully dusted, then wiped with a soft cloth slightly moistened with swet-t oil, and then polished with a very soft chamois skin. Brooms. — To preserve brooms, dip them for a minute or two in boiling suds once a week. This makes the broom tough and pliable and it will last twice as long. A carpet also wears longer if swept with a broom cared for in this manner. Brooms and brushes are also cleaned by being washed briskly in strong ammonia water, dip- ping them in and out of the water until clean. Then dry as quickly as possible. Bruises. — i. A bruise may be treated either with heat or cold, since both act in much the same way, caus- ing the blood vessels to close, and preventing the blood from escaping under the skin, which makes the black and bhie discoloration. Apply flannels wrung out of boiling water, or pieces of ice wrapped in cotton, as soon as pos- sible after the injury, and continue the application for half an hour, repeating it if necessary. 2. If a bruised spot is treated at once and continu- ously for a time after being bruised, there will be no dis- coloration. Use ammonium chloride, one-half ounce ; tincture of arnica, one ounce; dilute acetic acid, two and a half ounces ; water, two and a half ounces. Mix and apply. 3. A bread and vinegar poultice is good for bruises. Crumb the bread and soak it in a little cold vinegar, then 36 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES beat it with a stick to a smooth paste. Apply as a poultice. 4. The appearance of a bruise may be somewhat dis- guised by first covering it with a paste made of chalk and glycerine. This should be gently worked into the part and the excess worked off. Over it a layer of flexible collodion should be spread. This makes the part of a white color. 5. First cleanse the bruise, then until pain is re- lieved, apply cloths wet with cold water, to which laudanum may be added. After the pain has subsided hot water dressings will hasten the removal of the dis- coloration, swelling and soreness. Brushes. — To wash brushes, dissolve a piece of soda the size of a walnut in a quart of hot water. Put the water into a basin, and after combing out the hair from the brushes, dip them, bristles downward, into the water and out again, keeping the backs and handles as free from the water as possible. Repeat this until the bristles look clean ; then rinse in cold water, wipe the handles and backs with a towel, and set the brushes near the fire or in the sun to dry. Wiping the bristles makes them soft, as does also the use of soap. Bubbles. — An excellent soap for bubbles. Dissolve castile soap in strong alcohol, let it settle or filter, and take the clear solution and evaporate the alcohol from it. To the resulting solid residue add its weight in glycerine, RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 37 and water to make the proper consistency. The beauty and strength of the bubbles will compensate for all the trouble. Bugs. — See Insects. Bunion. — i. An excellent lotion for bunions con- sists of :" Glycerine, two drachms ; carbolic acid, two drachms ; tincture of iodine, two drachms. Apply to the bunions every day with a camel's hair brush. A daily hot foot-bath often relieves the pain from corns and bunions. The portion of the shoe which presses upon the bunion should be cut away and replaced by an in- visible patch. This removal of the cause, and the daily application of the lotion or a few drops of sweet oil, will effect a cure. Other treatments are as follows : 2. Mix one part of tincture of aconite root and three parts of tincture of iodine. Paint the bunion several times a day, using a small camel's hair brush. 3. Bind a fine linen band tightly around the foot and over the bunion ; wet this frequently in strong borax water. 4. Cannabis indica and glycerine, equal parts, painted on the bunion and bound around with flannel, adding a few drops of the liquid to the flannel, where it comes in contact with the bunion, will soon effect a cure. See also Corns. Burns. — i. If one has received a shght burn and the skin is not broken, dry baking soda (bicarbonate of soda), 38 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES should be spread on the part and then a clean bandage applied. The injured part should be moistened, then the dry soda, finely powdered, should be spread upon it to entirely cover the injury, and the whole wrapped with a wet cloth. The relief is often instantaneous. Linen cloths saturated with a solution of the soda are also good. They are wrapped carefully around the in- jured part. 2. When the flesh is broken some oily substance must be used ; this must be perfectly clean and all air should be excluded from the wound. Clean olive oil or vaseline (it is better if carbolized) is usually at hand, and old linen should be soaked in one of these and gently wrapped around the part. 3. Burns can also be treated as follows : Bathe at once with a solution of boric acid, then touch the wound with oil of peppermint, if the skin has not been broken, and bind on absorbent cotton. If the burn is a severe one, while the physician is being sent for, bathe with boric solution. It is needful that an antiseptic be used at once. More than that, boric is cooling and healing. 4. If the fingers or toes are burned, they should be most carefully separated and each one wrapped by itself, otherwise they may stick together and cause great pain. Over this a layer of cotton should be placed to exclude all air and the whole be held in place with a bandage. Linen soaked in olive oil or in carbolized vaseline should be used for wrapping. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 39 5. Wash the injured parts with water containing two tablespoonfuls of cooking soda to the pint, theu apply : Linseed oil, two ounces; lime water, two ounces; car- bolic acid, fifteen drops. Wet soft cloths with this mix- ture and apply ; change two or three times a day if necessary. 6. Lard mixed with flour is a good cure for burns and scalds. 7. If the air is excluded from a burn the pain is les- sened. A little carbolic acid in the water in which burns are washed, lessens the soreness. Turpentine ap- plied to a burn where the skin is not -broken gives quick relief. 8. A soft salve for burns is made of : Carbonate of lime, two ounces ; oxide of zinc, one ounce ; olive oil or cotton seed oil, two ounces ; lime water, two ounces ; ichthyol, one-half ounce. Mix. Wash the burned part with soda solution, then either apply this paste direct or smear it on cloths and apply. Repeat as often as necessary. 9. When one has been burned by gun powder and the powder is imbedded in the skin a poultice made of molasses and wheat flour is an efficacious remedy. The poultice should be made soft enough to spread on a piece of linen or cotton. Apply it to the burn ; remove it twice a day and wash the wound with a shaving brush and warm water before applying a fresh poultice. 10. If clothing adheres to the burned surface, soften 40 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES with water before trying to remove it. Wet tlie injured part wi^h water and apply baking soda. Lard oil, tal- low, molasses, moist flour will do in an emergency. Afterward mix soda, glycerine and water to make a thin paste, adding a little carbolic acid. Wash away the first application and spread on. Cover the surface with soft linen or cotton cloth. Acid burns may be treated in the same way, after the acid has been washed away. 11. White lead paint is said to be a good remedy for burns. Mix as for painting, but considerably thicker, and apply with a brush. A neat and satisfactory dressing for burns consists in coating the surface with mucilage and then covering it with powdered lycopodium. 12. In burns from a strong acid the part should be covered with dry baking soda, chalk or lime, to neu- tralize the acid ; dilute ammonia also is good. After an hour or so apply equal parts of olive oil and lime water on lint. A burn caused by strong alkali should be treated with an acid, as vinegar. 13. Any mild soap scraped or sliced and dissolved in four times its weight of boiling water, and the solution thickened with bread crumbs or linseed meal makes a good poultice for burns and scalds. Bust. — The best treatment to enlarge the bust is ex- ternal and consists of daily massage and a good skin RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 41 food ; this, for instance : Petrolatum (white) fourteen ounces ; paraffin wax, one ounce ; lanolin, four ounces ; water, six ounces ; oil of rose, five drops ; vanillin, four grains ; alcohol, two drachms. The massage should last about fifteen minutes for each side and be very gentle. After the massage, wash with tepid water and a little soap. Then bathe with cold water and a little alum, a teaspoonful to a big glass of water. After this, apply a little of the following mixture : Tincture of myrrh, one- fourth ounce; pimpernel water, four ounces; elder flower water, four ounces ; musk, on-e grain ; rectified spirit of wine, six ounces. Butter. — I. Butter washed with an aqueous solution of salicylic acid (four drachms or five teaspoonfuls of acid to a gallon of water), or kept in it or wrapped in cloths soaked in this water, keeps fresh for a long time. Butter already rancid can be improved by a thorough washing and kneading with a stronger solution (eight drachms or ten teaspoonfuls of acid per gallon of warm water, followed by washing with pure cold wafer. 2. A simple method of treating rancid butter is to wash it with some good new milk, and next with cold spring or well water. Calcimine. — Take four pounds of Paris white, put it in a pail, cover it with cold water and let it stand over night. Put into a kettle four ounces of glue, and cover it also with cold water. In the morning set the glue on 42 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES the stove and add enough warm water to make one quart ; stir it until dissolved. Add the glue to the Paris white, and pour in warm water until the pail is three-quarters full. Then add bluing, a little at a time, stirring it well until the mixture is slightly bluish. Use a good brush, and go over one spot on the wall until it is thoroughly wet. If the brush dries quickly, add more warm water, as the mixture is too thick. The brush must be kept wet. Camphor Ice. — For chapped hands and lips. I. Two ounces of refined lamb tallow and a piece of gum camphor as large as a good-sized walnut. Melt together. 2. Mutton or lamb tallow, six ounces ; spermaceti, three drachms ; white wax, two and a half drachms ; powdered camphor, one and a half ounces. Melt the first three by gentle heat, then add the camphor ; stir well as the mixture begins to cool ; continuing until it is about ready to set ; then pour into large-mouthed bottles or tin boxes, and allow to harden. Carafe. — To clean a glass carafe, fill it with strong ammonia water and some small pieces of potato peel, shake vigorously and rinse with clear water. Cut glass carafes need much care to keep them looking bright. Carbolic Acid. — i. The best and safest antiseptic solution for general use is carbolic acid. One teaspoon- ful to the pint of water stirred well makes a satisfactory RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 43 wash. This can be used for washing cuts, wounds, sores, ulcers and all skin affections. 2. Carbolic acid is very useful to use about the house. Two tablespoonfuls of the liquid acid added to half a pailful of water makes a good wash for woodwork, closets, floors, etc., insuring freedom from insects. A tablespoonful in a quart of water makes a good disinfect- ant for rinsing garbage pails, sinks, etc., and the same strength may be used for flushing the plumbing. Two ounces of the crystals dissolved by means of heat or a hot water bath should be added to a little less than a pint of water in a bottle. This liquid may be added in any proportion to water. Carbolic acid is poisonous. Carpet. — i. An experienced chemist says the follow- ing recipe is warranted to remove soil and spots from the most delicate carpets without injuring them. Make a suds with a good white soap and hot water, and add fuller's earth to this until it is of the consistency of thin cream. Have plenty of clean drying cloth, a small scrubbing brush, a large sponge and a pail of fresh water. Put some of the cleaning mixture in a bowl and dip a brush in it ; brush a small piece of the carpet with this ; then wash with the sponge and cold water. Dry as much as possible with the sponge, and finally rub with dry cloths. Continue this until you are sure that all the carpet is clean ; then let it dry. 2. The following mixture is also good for cleaning 44 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES carpets : Dissolve one pound of the best laundry soap in four gallons of hot water ; add two ounces of sal soda, one ounce of borax, one ounce of fuller's earth ; mix thoroughly. Then add four gallons of cold water and stand aside. Have the carpet removed from the floor, thoroughly shaken, the floor cleaned and the carpet relaid. Then take a little of the mixture and spread it over a space not more than three feet square. Take an ordinary scrubbing brush and scrub the mixture thoroughly into the nap. Have at hand a pail of clear warm water to which you have added a few drops of ammonia. Wash the mixture off with this water, then with a dry cloth rub the carpet for a monient until the carpet seems quite clean. 3. An excellent soap for cleatiing carpets : Dissolve five pounds of soap in three quarts of water. Take from the fire and add a half pint of ox-gall, two ounces each of turpentine and benzine, and one gill of household ammonia ; stir frequently until cool, then pour into glass jars and cover tightly. When ready to clean carpets dissolve some of the soap in warm water and proceed as directed in paragraphs i and 2. The carpet should be free from dust before the cleaning is begun. 4. To wash and freshen up a carpet on the floor, put two tablespoonfuls of ammonia in one gallon of warm water, and with a sponge or soft broom go all over the carpet and you will be surprised to see how bright it will look after this treatment. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 45 5. Another way to brighten a carpet is to first sweep it clean, then wipe it over with a soft cloth that has been wrung out of ammonia water — one gill of household ammonia to a gallon of water. Another method is to wipe it with water and ox-gall — one pint of ox-gall to three gallons of water. 6. A handful or so of salt sprinkled on a carpet be- fore sweeping will carry the dust along with it and make the carpet look bright and clean. 7. Grease spots on carpets may be taken out by covering them with fuller's earth, wet with spirits of turpentine. Let it stand until the earth is a fine, dry powder. Another method is to place blotting paper under the grease spot, wet the place with spirits of turpen- tine, place a piece of blotting paper over it, and on the upper blotting paper set a hot flatiron. 8. Grease may be removed from a carpet by the use of naphtha. Use it only in the daytime, not allowing any light or fire in the room for some time after, as the naphtha is extremely inflammable. 9. Grape and fruit staiiis may be removed by wash- ing with warm soap-suds and a little ammonia water. 10. Tar spots may be removed with spirits of turpen- tine. Apply generously and remove with a flannel cloth. Castor Oil. — i. A little glycerine (half the amount of the castor oil) mixed with the oil, and five to ten drops of any of the aromatic oils, as sassafras, winter- 46 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES green, etc. ; put into the dose, the natural taste of the oil will scarcely be perceived ; or, 2. Take the juice of a lemon or two, put a few drops of essence of cinnamon into it. Heat the oil and stir into the lemon juice, which forms an emulsion, and almost wholly covers the taste of the oil. Catarrh. — i. A teaspoonful of boracic acid powder dissolved with a teaspoonful of salt in a half pint of boil- ing water is a certain relief for nasal catarrh. Use this lukewarm three times a day, pouring a little into the palm of the hand and snuffing up into the nostrils. 2. Another good remedy is : One-fourth teaspoonful of borax, and one-fourth teaspoonful of soda, dissolved in one cup of warm water. Use with a douche or nose cup, or snuff up into the nostrils. 3. An alkaline antiseptic liquid made as follows will be found beneficial in catarrh of the nose and throat : Sodium benzoate, five grains ; carbolic acid, one drop ; glycerine, one drachm ; water, one ounce. Mix. Use by spraying or snuffing two or three times a day. Ceilings that are unpapered, when they begin to look rough and manifest a tendency to peel should be gone over with a solution of one ounce alum to one quart water. This improves the appearance of the ceiling. Whiting mixed with glue, water or calcined plaster and water makes a good putty for filling cracks in plastered ceilings. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 47 Cellar. — i. A tub of charcoal and another of lime are excellent things to keep in the cellar. They make the cellar sweeter and dryer, and the charcoal is convenient to have on hand for fuel. The unslaked lime should be put in a tub or barrel, with space for it to ex- pand to twice its bulk. It slacks in the air and expands rapidly during the process. 2. To purify the air of the cellar and destroy parasit- ical growth, place some roll brimstone in a pan, set fire to it, close the doors and windows as tightly as possible for two or three hours ; repeat every three months. Cement. — i. A cement that is very useful for mending broken chi?ta is made of powdered asbestos and silicate of soda (liquid glass). Mix the asbestos with the silicate of soda until the mixture is like thick cream. Cover the broken edges with a coating of this and press together, fastening or holding the parts together for at least an hour. When possible use a rubber band. The article should then stand several days to allow the cement to harden. Articles mended with this cement may be washed, if washed quickly, but must not be allowed to remain wet for any length of time. 2. Dissolve half an ounce of gum arabic in a wine- glassful of boiling water, and stir into it sufficient plaster of Paris to make a thick paste. Apply with a soft brush to the edges of the broken article, holding them in 48 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES place for several minutes. This cement is most satis- factory. 3. A strong and easily applied cement for household use is the white of an egg, beaten up with an equal quantity of water, adding enough slaked lime or plaster of Paris to make a paste. Apply immediately. Chafing. — I. To relieve chafing, rub the chafed parts with compound stearate of zinc. Rub the powder in well. 2. Chafing of the skin of a baby is more easily pre- vented than cured. The skin must be kept clean, but strong soap should not be used, neither should the skin be rubbed too harshly. Some bland absorbent powder like starch or talcum powder should be used after each bath in all the folds of the skin, in the neck, under the arms, groins and in the folds of the thighs. If plain water for bathing produces an undue amount of irritation, the bran or salt bath should be tried. The bran bath is made as follows : Put one quart of ordinary wheat bran in a bag made of cheese-cloth, and place this in four or five gallons of warm water. The bran bag should be frequently squeezed and moved about until the bath water resembles a thin porridge. The temperature of the bath should be about ninety-five degrees, and it should be given every evening. Chamois skin. — i. To wash chamois skins: Put six tablespoon fuls of household ammonia into a basin or RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 49 bowl with a quart of lukewarm water. Soak the chamois in this for one hour. Work it about with a spoon, press- ing out as much of the dirt as possible ; then lift into a basin of tepid water and wash well with the hands. Rinse the skin well and dry in the shade ; then rub be- tween the hands to soften. This is for chamois that has been used in cleaning silver, brass, etc. For chamois jackets put two quarts of water with the six spoonfuls of ammonia. 2. Use a weak solution of soda or borax and warm water, rub plenty of soap into the leather, and allow it to remain in soak for two hours, then wash it with the hands and rinse in a weak solution of warm water, soda and soap. Water alone hardens it. After rinsing, wring out in a rough towel, and dry quickly, rub it be- tween the hands and brush it well. Chaps. — I. The following lotion is recommended for chapped hands : Salicylate of soda, one drachm ; balsam of peru, one-half ounce ; glycerine, one and a half ounces ; rose-water, six ounces. Mix well, and apply to the hands night and morning. 2. Camphor ice is an effective remedy for chapped hands and lips. 3. A cream for chapped hands and lips is made of: One ounce of white wax, melted; four ounces of glycerine; four or five drops of oil of rose or other perfume to suit. 50 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 4. Glycerine lotion for chapped hands and lips : Mix one and a half ounces of glycerine ; four drachms of borax, and one and a half pints of water. Chenille. — To thoroughly cleanse a chenille table- cover or portiere, shake it free from dust and put it into a bucket containing two quarts of boiling water and two quarts of benzine. Cover and allow it to stand for fifteen minutes. Remove the cover, shake up and down in the water, wring, shake and hang on the line to dry. If it is not sufficiently clean repeat the process. There should be no light nor fire in the room at the time. Chenille portieres may also be cleaned by washing in gasoline or naphtha, according to the directions given for cleaning silk. Chiffon. — To revive chiffon, have some very hot irons. Spread a wet cloth over the iron and hold the chiffon over the steam until it is free from wrinkles. Renew the wet cloth and hot iron as soon as the steam flows feebly. Spread the chiffon where it will dry quickly. Chilblains. — i. To cure chilblains, which in winter affect some people, take equal parts of white vinegar, spirits of turpentine and an egg and shake them well to- gether in a bottle. Then rub this on gently. This is for unbroken ones. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 51 2. For broken chilblains an ointment to be applied night and morning may be made from benzoate of zinc, one scruple, mixed well with one ounce of fresh lard. 3. A sure cure for chilblains is : Olive oil, spirits of turpentme, aqua ammonia, and oil of peppermint, each one-fourth ounce. Mix, and anoint night and morning. 4. Keep the feet dry and warm and avoid sudden changes of temperature. When feet are very cold do not warm them at the fire or place them in hot water, but bathe them with cold water, then rub them dry with cold towels. This will tend to prevent chilblains. Chills and Fever. — Many acute diseases begin with a chill followed by fever, which subsides after a time, and is followed by a second chill. The doctor usually pre- scribes doses of quinine. The nurse must try to promote a reaction during the chill, by hot bottles or hot water bags at the feet and un- der the arms, covering the patient with warm flannels and giving warm drinks, warm lemonade, hot milk, etc., but no stimulant without the doctor's permission. When the fever comes on ice and cold water may be given. A cooling laxative is usually ordered, as citrate of magnesia. The body may be sponged if the temperature is very high. A cloth wet in alcohol and bound on the forehead will help to relieve the headache, wetting it without removing it when it becomes dry. When the fever decreases the invalid begins to perspire profusely. The whole person 52 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES should be gently dried from time to time, a flannel night- dress put on, the room darkened and the sufferer allowed to sleep. The doctor should be consulted, as proper treatment is necessary to prevent, if possible, a recurrence of the attack. His directions should be faithfully carried out. Chimney. — When a chimney is burning out, shut all the doors of the room so as to prevent any current of air up the chimney, then throw a few handfuls of common salt upon the fire in the grate or stove. This will ex- tinguish the fire in the chimney. In the process of burn- ing the salt, muriatic acid gas is evolved, which is a good extinguisher of fire. China. — To have brilliant china : Fill the dish pan with hot water, add soap and a tablespoon ful of borax. This will make a fine suds. Take a dish mop and with- out touching the hands in the water wash the dishes clean and well. Rinse with hot water and dry quickly, using a clean towel. Choking — In bad choking where the patient turns dark in the face no time is to be lost. Send for the doc- tor at once, as he may have to open the windpipe to save the victim's life. Meanwhile slap the sufferer on the back between the shoulders. Open the mouth and insert the finger as far down as possible to try to grasp the ob- struction and remove it. Turn the person head down- RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 53 ward and slap the back forcibly. If this does not suc- ceed, you may, by pressing the hinder portion of the tongue, bring on vomiting, and so secure relief. A good plan is sometimes tried with children, viz., that of pressing the chest and stomach against something hard, as a table or a chair, then slapping or thumping the back between the shoulder-blades. In this way air is driven from the lungs through the windpipe so forcibly as often to expel the obstacle. When the obstruction consists of a coin, a good plan is at once to take the chijd up by the heels, and at the same time give it a shake or slap its back. Fish bones can sometimes be gotten rid of by swallowing a mouthful of bread. If these remedies fail the doctor must be depended on. Cholera Morbus. — i. Apply heat in the form of hot water bags or bottles, plates, bags of hot salt or a large mustard plaster over the seat of the pain to relieve the pain and vomiting. Hot baths are sometimes useful. A physician prescribes the following treatment : Tinc- ture of opium, one ounce; tincture of capsicum, one ounce; spirits of camphor, one ounce; chloroform, three drachms; alcohol, sufficient to make five ounces. To be taken after a dose of castor oil. Teaspoonful in a little water every twenty to forty minutes until relieved. Cider. — Professional cider makers often use calcium sulphite (sulphite of lime) to keep cider sweet. To use it, it is simply necessary to add one-eighth to one-fourth 54 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES of an ounce of the sulphite to each gallon of cider in the barrel, first mixing the powder in about a quart of the cider, then pouring it back into the barrel, and giving the latter a thorough shaking or rolling. After standing bunged several days, the cider may be bottled off. The article is sulphite of lime, not sulphate. Too much must be guarded against or it will impart a slight sulphurous taste to the cider. A little cinnamon, wintergreen or sassafras, etc., is sometimes added to sweet cider in the bottle together with a drachm or so of bicarbonate of soda at the moment of driving the stopper. This helps to neutralize the acids, and renders the liquid effervescent when unstoppered ; but if used in excess it may affect the taste. Cistern. — When the cistern begins to make its presence felt by impure odors, it is a sanitary measure to drop a few pounds of charcoal, tied up in a bag, into it. When the cistern becomes infested with vermin, go to the nearest pond or river, and with a small net (a piece of mosquito netting will do), collect a dozen or more min- nows, and put them in the cistern, and in a short time the water will be clear, the wiggletails and bugs or lice being gobbled up by the fishes. Cleaning. — i. A cleansing fluid that is very highly recommended is made as follows : One gallon of gaso- line, one teaspoonful of ether, one teaspoonful of chloro- form, two teaspoonfuls of ammonia, one gill of alcohol ; RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 55 mix well, and be very careful not to use near a fire or in a closed room. Do not use the last half cupful if clean- ing delicate colors, as the ammonia settles and will dis- color light fabrics. Buy the last four drugs in quantities of an ounce and keep for future use what is not needed at once. This fluid will clean silk and woolen materials without causing the fabric to shrink. It will not yellow white goods. It may be used on the most delicate colors and fabrics. Pour out sufficient of the fluid to cover the articles to be cleaned, using a china wash bowl or new tin pan ; put the articles in and wash as you would in water, rubbing the soiled spots especially with an old soft tooth-brush on a flat surface. Wring out from this and rinse in a second portion of the liquid; wring out again and hang in a draft until the fluid evaporates. Save the fluid thus used, as it can be used the second time on dark materials like men's clothes, black dresses, carpets, etc. If the article is too large to put in the fluid use a sponge or cloth similar in color to the soiled fabric. The fore- going fluid is a very effective cleanser and remover of grease spots, etc. 2. To remove grease spots and otherwise clean soiled fabrics the following is also good : Benzine or gasoline, one pint ; chloroform, one-half ounce ; ether, one drachm ; oil of bergamot, ten drops. Moisten a small piece of cloth or sponge and apply to the grease spot. Do not work near a fire or light, as the fluid is explosive. 3. Black goods, such as serge, cheviot, cashmere, 56 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES etc., are easily cleaned. Grease spots should first be removed,' and the cloth then washed. Make a lather of warm water and a good soap, and a teaspoonful of borax to every two quarts of water. Into this dip the goods up and down and wash between the hands ; then wring gently and pat partly dry ; hang in the shade, and when nearly dry iron on the wrong side with a moderately warm iron. Always rinse once in lukewarm water, and iron until the material is perfectly dry. Do not rub the cloth on the wash board and do not wring it tightly. After using gasoline or naphtha rub vaseline or cream into the hands and it is also well to wear old gloves while doing the work. Another way to clean these materials is not to dip the goods in the tub, but to use the suds with a wad of the material as a sponge, rubbing the suds well into the cloth on the right side after placing it on a clean board. Al- paca may be washed in the suds, a little gum arable be- ing dissolved and added to the rinsing water. 4. Grease can be removed from colored cashmere with French chalk : Rub it on the spot, then let it re- main all night and in the morning brush it off ; if neces- sary repeat the treatment. Colored cashmeres can be washed in warm water, with one tablespoonful each of ammonia and beefs gall to a pail of water. Wash quickly and rinse in water in which there is a little beef's gall. Never rub soap on black or colored woolen goods. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 57 Grease may be removed by rubbing the spot with a lump of wet magnesia, and after it is dry by brushing off the powder. Remove all grease spots before washing silk or woolen goods. In sponging any fabric always do it with downward strokes. 5. French sateens may be cleaned by putting them in a lather of lukewarm soap-suds in which there has been a cup of salt dissolved ; rinse in water also having salt in it ; dip in very thin starch and roll up in a clean sheet j in two hours iron on the wrong side. 6. Clean black and navy blue lawns and batistes by washing in hot suds, containing a cup of salt ; rinse in very blue water and dry in the shade ; then dip in very blue and thin starch, and, when nearly dry, iron with a moderately warm iron on the wrong side. 7. To clean slightly soiled white felt cover with warm white flour. Allow it to remain covered for twenty-four hours, then shake well. If badly soiled rub thoroughly with French chalk or magnesia instead of flour. 8. White crepon, cashmere, albatross, etc., may be dry-cleaned with hot, dry flour or corn-meal, rubbing the goods in a large bowl as though the flour were water ; brush ofl" the flour, shake well and repeat the process if necessary. Then iron on the wrong side .if the fabric needs it, but hanging in the evening air will remove or- dinary wrinkles. 9. When black materials begin to look gray or rusty, they may be brightened by sponging on the right side 58 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES with equal parts of alcohol and water, and, while damp, ironing on the wrong side. ID. Thin black material may be restored to stiffness by laying over the goods a cloth previously dipped in gum-arabic water. Cover the ironing board with old black cloth and use a wad of black to dip into the gum water, as white leaves lint on the goods. Pin the cloth to be stiffened smoothly to the board, lay over it the piece which has been dipped in the gum water and a dry cloth over that. Iron with a hot iron. 11. When pages of books, magazines or drawi?tgs be- come soiled from handling, dust or soot, one of the most satisfactory methods of cleaning them is by rubbing with stale bread. This is what many artists use when working with charcoal. Take only a small piece of bread at a time, changing it as soon as it becomes soiled or dis- colored. 12. White kid gloves, white slippers, wall paper and numerous other articles, when not deeply soiled, may be cleaned with stale bread or dry bread crumbs. 13. Clothing may be cleaned with the cleaning fluids described in paragraphs i and 2 ; also with the fol- lowing : One and one-quarter bars ivory soap j one- eighth pint ammonia ; four ounces borax ; one and a half ounces soap bark. Shave the soap fine, boil untjl dissolved in one and a half pints water ; add the borax, boil ten minutes ; steep the soap bark in one pint water for thirty minutes. Add RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 59 ammonia and one pint cold water, mix together and add water to make three gallons. This is a valuable cleaning compound for clothing, draperies, carpets, etc. 14. The following soap is unexcelled for the purpose of cleaning and renovating clothing of all kinds : Good white soap, one-fourth pound ; alcohol, one ounce ; beef's gall, two ounces ; saltpeter, borax, honey, sul- phuric ether and spirits of turpentine, of each one-fourth ounce ; camphor gum, three drachms ; pipe clay, one drachm ; common salt, one small teaspoonful. Put the camphor into the alcohol, the powdered pipe clay into the beef's gall, pulverize the saltpeter and put it, the borax and the salt into the honey. After two or three hours slice the soap into a kettle, with the gall mixture, and place over a slow fire, stirring till melted ; take off and let stand until a little cool ; then add all the other articles, stir well together and put into a fruit jar as soon as possible ; then screw on the top to prevent the evapora- tion of the strength and keep it in a dark closet. When ready to use this soap take a rounding table- spoonful and dissolve it in a quart of boiling water. Keep it hot while using it. The article to be cleaned should be thoroughly bruslied free of all dust ; and the soap solution thoroughly brushed into the whole garment. After going over the garment in this way, dry it in the open air. Paint, tar, pitch, ink, grease spots, etc., can be re- moved by rubbing a little of the soap into the spots, let 6o RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES it remain a few minutes, then scrape off and cleanse with ammonia water. Closet. — I. A damp closet can be made sweet and dry by using charcoal or unslaked hme. Put half a bucket of quicklime in the closet ; in a week or so it will have become slaked and will have so expanded as nearly to fill the bucket. Throw this lime away and put fresh quicklime in the closet. This lime will do service twice : sweeten and dry your closet and sweeten the ground where it is afterward scattered. Instead of the lime a pan of charcoal may be used ; it will absorb moisture and sweeten the atmosphere. 2. Wherever there is an earth closet or privy, dry copperas or unslaked lime should be sprinkled in it in abundance. Copperas is an efficient disinfectant of closet pipes. It should be dissolved in water and poured into the pipes. See Disinfectants. Cockroaches. — i. Absolute cleanliness is the only safeguard against these troublesome insects. Not a par- ticle of garbage should be left in the kitchen over night. Turpentine added to the water when washing around the sink and cupboards and a little poured into the drain- pipes is a preventive. Many of the insect powders will kill them. Borax is the best non-poisonous exterminator. Sprinkle it freely about the infested parts and it will ef- fectually drive the roaches away. As the salt is perfectly RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 6i harmless to human beings it is to be preferred to the poisonous substances commonly used. 2. Cucumber parings, it is said, will also drive the cockroaches away. 3. Corrosive sublimate sprinkled around the infested places will kill the cockroaches almost instantly. Be careful, however, with this substance, as it is a deadly poison. 4. A good powder to exterminate cockroaches: Wheat flour, four ounces ; powdered sugar, eight ounces ; powdered borax, two ounces; unslaked lime, two ounces. Mix and keep dry. Scatter this powder about on papers ; and leave no vessels containing liquids un- covered, as the poisoned roaches will get into them when trying to get water. Coffee Pot. — I. Every few days the coffee pot should be boiled out with a strong borax solution. This will keep it clean on the inside. 2. When the inside of a coffee pot has become dis- colored from long use, fill it nearly full of soft water, put in a small piece of hard soap and boil it one hour ; then scald and rinse well and the work will be done. Coffee Stains. — i. Soak the stained fabric in cold water; wring; spread out and pour a few drops of glycerine on each spot. Let it stand several hours ; then wash with cold water and soap. 2. Soap should not be allowed to touch the spot until 62 . RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES the stain is removed. Spread the stained part over a basin, and pour clean, boiling water through it. If the stain proves obstinate rub in a little oxalic acid, pour on more boiling water, and place the article to soak. 3. Coffee stains may be removed from a white dress with the yolk of an egg mixed with twenty drops of glycerine ; wash off with warm water and iron on the wrong side. 4. Glycerine rubbed over coffee stains will remove them from woolen and other materials. Wash the place afterward with lukewarm water and iron on the wrong side until it is dry. Cold I. To break up a recent cold nothing is better than the following treatment : First -take a draught of saline laxative to relieve the system. Follow this with a hot foot-bath. Or a hot sponge bath is very effectual, the patient allowing the steam to rise over him while he sits enveloped with blankets which fall over the sides of the Lath, and then is rubbed quite dry with Turkish towels and is put to bed. He should also drink copiously of hot lemonade either just before or after getting into bed. It is also well to put a bottle of hot water or a hot flatiron to the feet, and to cover up with an extra amount of clothing. After these things have been done one's chances to break up the cold are as good as it is possible to make them. Nothing better can be advised. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 63 To make a foot-bath most effective, fill the foot tub or bucket three-fourths full of as hot water as can be borne. Mustard and salt are advantageously added to the water. Place by your side a teakettle full of boiling water, a tincup and a bucket three-fourths full of cold water. Put your feet into the bucket containing the hot water. As soon as you can bear the water a little warmer, pour some of the boiling water into the bucket, in such a manner as not to come in immediate contact with the feet. In a few minutes more boiling water should be added, and the feet kept in the water for forty-five minutes. Then take one foot out of the hot water and dip it into the cold water, and quickly take it out and wipe it dry, and put on a dry, warm woolen stocking. Do the same with the other foot and go to bed, removing the stockings after you have been in bed a few minutes. This is the proper way to take a foot-bath for the pur- pose of obtaining relief from a cold. 2. When children have a cold they should be given a tablespoonful of castor oil, then a mustard foot-bath, a glass of very hot and ^strong lemonade, put to bed, and kept indoors the next day. If they cough let them inhale the steam from a boiling teakettle, being careful not to burn them. 3. Hot lemonade taken in connection with a hot foot- bath is one of the best remedies for a cold. Roll a good- sized lemon, cut it up in a bowl, put on two or three 64 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES tablespoonfuls of sugar, beat and press out the juice and then pour on two-thirds of a pint of boiling water, stir it well and drink as hot as can be borne, preferably after you are in bed ; then cover up warm. 4. A good remedy to help to stop a cold is : Am- monium carbonate, twenty grains ; morphine sulphate, one- sixth grain ; almond emulsion, four ounces. Mix. Take two tablespoonfuls every three hours. 5. For a cold in the head the drawing of hot water morning and evening into the nostrils and blowing it out again several times cleanses and strengthens the mem- branes. Salt and water employed in the same way also afford relief. 6. For a cold in the head the following is recom- mended : One-half ounce of pulverized sugar, one- fourth ounce of powdered borax; one-fourth ounce of common salt ; four drops of oil of peppermint. Use as a snuff. 7. Camphor in liquid form is said to be a certain remedy for a cold in the head. It may easily be used in the following manner : Fill a cup about one- third full of strong camphor, add to this enough boiling water to make it steam, then inhale it in the nostrils, drawing as long breaths as possible. At first it will seem un- bearable, but one must persevere to have the cure effec- tual. Keep it up five or ten minutes, and repeat in three or four hours. Also grease the bridge of the nose and the forehead with camphorated oil, letting it dry in. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 65 Then put a tablespoonful of sugar in a goblet, add a tablespoonful of camphor, stir it, fill the glass half- full of water, and take a tablespoonful every half-hour. 8. For a stitnmer cold in the head, get an ounce of menthol crystals, put a teaspoonful in a basin and pour over them a quart of boiling water. Inhale the steam as it rises from the menthol. See also Cough. Colic. — For colic in children : Sodium bicarbonate, fifty grains; aromatic spirits of ammonia, two drachms; peppermint water, three ounces; camphor water, one ounce. Mix. Dose, one teaspoonful repeated in one hour if necessary. Cologne. — I. A fine cologne is made of: Oil of bergamot, two drachms ; oil of lemon grass, two drachms ; orange, one drachm ; rosemary, one-half drachm ; neroli, three-fourths drachm ; essence ambergis and musk, each four drops ; cologne alcohol, one pint. Mix and shake occasionally. 2. Oil of lavender, two drachms ; oil of rosemary, one drachm ; orange, lemon and bergamot, one drachm each of the oil ; essence of musk, two drachms ; attar of roses, ten drops ; proof spirit, one pint. Shake all to- gether three times a day for a week. 3. Oils of lavender and bergamot, each one and a half drachms ; oil of rosemary, one-half drachm ; oil of cinnamon* two drops ; essence of lemon, one and a half 66 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES drachms ; cologne alcohol, one pint. Mix all thoroughly together. Color. — I. Many of the delicate colors that have been changed or faded by the use of soap may be restored by the use of an acid. Acetic acid in the rinsing water will nearly always revive blues, pinks and grays. If the acetic acid is not convenient a good cider vinegar will answer. Lemon juice will sometimes restore the color when acetic acid has failed, particularly in delicate gray and pinks. The water should be only slightly acid. It is always best to try a small piece of the goods first. 2. A tablespoonful of sal soda in a gallon of cold rinsing water will brighten blue and purple lawns, while a teacup of vinegar to a gallon of water will improve green and pink shades. 3. If the color has been taken out of a linen waist by careless washing it is claimed that it may be restored by dipping the article in a solution of one part of acetic acid to twelve parts of water. 4. The color in cotton goods may be fixed by solu- tions of alum or salt used before the cloth is washed. Alum is the better material to use, but salt is the cheaper and more convenient. Dissolve a pint of salt in four gallons of water and soak the garments or cloth in this for an hour. If alum is used allow one ounce to each half gallon of water. The solutions should be cold when the articles are soaked in them. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 67 5. Before washing black and white, stone, slate or maroon colored cotton goods, soak them in a solution of salt and water prepared as above or by dissolving two cupfuls of salt in ten quarts of cold water, and hang them in a shady place to dry. The salt sets the colors. When dry, wash in a light suds in the usual way. Do not use hot suds ; water moderately warm is best. A little salt in the rinsing water is beneficial. 6. Blue, stone and slate-colored articles may be made to retain their color perfectly by adding sugar of lead to the water in which they are washed for tiie first time. Dissolve one ounce of sugar of lead in a pailful of hot water; stir carefully until it is thoroughly dissolved, and let the solution cool. When about milk-warm put in the articles and let them remain an hour. Hang up to dry before washing. When dry, wash in bran water. Sugar of lead is poisonous, but there is no danger in this way of using it. 7. Washing in bran water is also good to set colors. Mix two cupfuls of wheat bran in cold water, making a smooth paste ; then stir it into one quart of soft boiling water. Let it boil one hour, then strain into five or six quarts of soft warm water. No soap is necessary as bran has cleansing properties of its own. A tablespoonful of salt should be added if the color is apt to run. Rinse thoroughly in warm water. This way of washing is good for garments or cloth previously soaked in salt or alum water. 68 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 8. When color on a fabric has been destroyed by acid, ammonia is applied to neutralize the same, after which an application of chloroform will, in many cases, restore the original color. Complexion. — i. A buttermilk lotion for bleaching and beautifying the skin is made of : Lactic acid, two drachms ; glycerine, one-half ounce ; essence of white rose, one and a half drachms 3 tincture of benzoin, one drachm ; water, sufficient to make six ounces. Mix the acid and glycerine with the water, and add the other in- gredients, previously mixed. Apply to the face twice daily. 2. An elegant preparation called French Milk of Roses for beautifying the complexion : Tincture of benzoin, four drachms ; tincture of storax, two drachms ; spirit of rose, two drachms ; alcohol, two and a half ounces; rose-water, sixteen and a half ounces. Apply night and morning. 3. A harmless and reliable complexion powder is made of : Best zinc oxide, four ounces ; rice powder, seven ounces ; precipitated chalk, two ounces ; talcum powder, one ounce ; orris root powder, one ounce ; oil of rose, three drops. Reduce ingredients to a fine powder, mix, sift several times, adding perfume last. This can be tinted with a suggestion of powdered carmine. Cream powder is made by adding a trace of cadmium yellow or chrome yellow. See Face, Creams and Skin. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 69 Constipation. — i. The most serious of the minor ail- ments is constipation. * Most persons who lead a seden- tary life, and many who do not, suffer from it either oc- casionally or habitually. There is one cardinal principle to be laid down for its treatment. Do not rely upon medicine to relieve it. Unless judiciously administered in connection with other measures it only aggravates the trouble. Regulate the diet, being careful to avoid eating as much meat as usual, substituting for it vegetables, stewed or fresh fruit, particularly apples, tomatoes, prunes and figs. Oatmeal, Indian and rye meal porridge are bene- ficial, the more so if they are eaten with molasses in- stead of milk. Coarse bread, as graham, oatmeal or brown bread, is to be preferred to that made from fine wheat flour. Drink coffee without sugar and eschew tea, cocoa and milk. Plenty of water should be taken dur- ing the day. Sometimes a glass of cold water before breakfast is a sufficient aperient. 2. Saline laxatives are very effective to relieve con- stipation, and are the least objectionable of the remedies that can be used. An excellent formula is : Bicarbon- ate of soda, eight ounces; tartaric acid, seven ounces; Rochelle salts, two and a half ounces ; sulphate of mag- nesia, three ounces. Mix. For laxative effect, take one tablespoonful ; for cathartic effect, take one tablespoonful. Put the salt in a dry glass, fill two-thirds with water and drink at once. ^o RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 3. Hunyadi-Janos or Carlsbad laxative waters are very efficacious. Artificial Carltbad salt can be made at home and used instead of the imported water. It con- tains : Sodium chloride, one ounce ; sodium bicarbonate, two ounces; sodium sulphate, four ounces. Mix. Take two tablespoonfuls in warm water before breakfast. 4. A laxative for infants is made of: Syrup of senna, one ounce; manna, one-half ounce; syrup of orange, to make three ounces. Mix. Dose : One tea- spoonful at bedtime or oftener if necessary. Convulsions in children proceed from a variety of causes. A fit of indigestion or the irritation from cutting teeth may produce them. The possible cause should be looked for and remedied. While it is best to send for the doctor, there is generally no cause for immediate alarm. The child is rigid for a moment, with fixed eyes, clenched hands and contracted face. Then the muscles relax and the little patient falls into a heavy sleep. A physician says that the child should be placed in a hot bath as quickly as possible, a tablespoonful of mustard being added to the water. A cloth wrung out of cold water should be wrapped around the head and changed as it becomes warm. After being immersed he should be lifted out, wrapped in a blanket and left to sleep. If there is another convulsion the bath should be repeated. Placing the child into ice-cold water and then rubbing vigorously is recommended. ^ RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 71 Copper. — The following mixture will be found the best thing for cleaning copper: Whiting, pulverized rottenstone, and soft soap, each one pound ; vinegar, one cup ; as much water as makes it a thick paste ; spirits of turpentine, one-half pint. Let it boil ten minutes, and when nearly cold, add the turpentine and put in suitable jars or cans. Put a little on a rag and rub the article until it becomes bright. Polish with soft leather dipped in bath brick. Corns. — I. A good treatment consists in applying castor oil. Wet a piece of linen with the oil and lay it on the corn. A bread and vinegar poqltice is also good. All sorts of remedies for corns are to be found every- where. Collodion is generally an ingredient of the best remedies. Here are a few practical recipes that are known to be good. 2. Before applying any remedy the corn should be soaked in hot water and softened, then cut or scrape away as much of the hard tissue as possible, then apply the remedy. 3. Extract of cannabis indica (Indian hemp) six grains ; salicylic acid, one drachm ; oil of turpentine, one-half drachm ; collodion, one ounce ; acetic acid, glacial, twelve drops. Mix the first three ingredients thoroughly, add the collodion and mix until dissolved, then add the acetic acid. The bottle should be kept tightly corked. Apply to the corns, using the cork to 72 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES apply it with. Be sure to use the Indian * hemp and not the American article ; the latter is not easily soluble. 4. Salicylic acid, one drachm ; lactic acid, one drachm ; lard, one ounce. Apply to corn night and morning. After the corn is softened it may be lifted out with a sharp-pointed knife blade. 5. Soak the corns in warm water, shave them and apply a little acetic acid occasionally. Put a thin plaster over the corn to prevent chafing after the acid has been put on. 6. For a soft corn dip a piece of linen cloth in tur- pentine and wrap it around the toe on which the corn is, every night and morning. It will prove an immediate relief to the pain and soreness, and the corn will disap- pear after a few days. An easily tried remedy is to tie a slice of castile or any other pure soap upon the soft corn when going to bed. A piece of absorbent cotton placed between the toes affords some relief from a soft corn. It is also well to soak the foot in hot water, then to paint a corn with a solution of one drachm of salicylic acid in one ounce of collodion. If the corn is very tender a small corn-plaster may be worn, which will avoid all pressure on the sore part. The corn should be carefully pared before it is dressed. This last remedy is particularly suited to chil- dren. \ 7. When the feet become callous, try rubbing the RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 73 callous part with pumice stone, and then paint it with a solution of salicylic acid and alcohol. Cough. — I. There are few disorders more irritating to the sufferer and to those about him than a cough. A slight, hacking cough is often a bad habit ; when it is at all under the control of the will it should be sternly re- pressed. Sometimes the uvula, the pendulous part of the soft palate, at the back of the mouth, becomes relaxed, the point touches the tongue, producing a tickling sensa- tion, which requires a cough to relieve it. A little dry tannic acid put in a quill and blown on the uvula will contract it, or half a teaspoonful of the powder mixed with two teaspoonfuls of glycerine, stirred into half a glass of warm water and used as a gargle. When a cold has been taken and there is cough with soreness of the chest, bed should be prescribed for fear of a severe attack of bronchitis. Soak the feet in a pail of hot water in which is dissolved three tablespoonfuls of mustard, and rub the chest with warm camphorated oil. 2. A sudden and wearing attack of coughing often needs immediate attention. In an emergency that ever useful remedy, hot water, will often prove effective. Water almost boiling should be sipped when a paroxysm comes on. A cough resulting from irritation is relieved by hot water through the promotion of secretion which moistens the irritated surfaces. Hot water also promotes expectoration and so relieves the dry cough. 74 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 3. A paroxysm of coughing may often be arrested by sipping a tablespoonful of glycerine in a wineglassful of hot milk or water. 4. A very valuable and effective cough syrup for recent colds is made of the following ingredients : Pare- goric, one and a half ounces ; tincture of capsicum, one drachm ; tincture of tolu, three ounces. The dose is a teaspoonful in a little water every three hours. 5. A cough medicine that is particularly suitable for children is made of: Syrup of squills, one fluid drachm ; gum acacia, powdered, one-half fluid drachm ; ammo- nium chloride, eight grains; peppermint water, enough to make two fluid ounces. A teaspoonful every two hours is the dose for a child. 6. In severe paroxysms of coughing, either in coughs, colds or consumptives, one or two tablespoon fuls of pure glycerine in pure rye whiskey or hot rich cream will aflbrd almost immediate relief; and to the consumptive a panacea is found by daily use of glycerine internally, with the proportion of one part of powdered willow char- coal and two parts of pure glycerine. 7. Roast a lemon, taking care not to burn it; when thoroughly roasted, cut into halves and squeeze the juice upon three tablespoonfuls of powdered sugar. Mix, and take a teaspoonful whenever the cough or tickling of the throat troubles you. This is good as well as pleasant, even for children. \ 8. Home-made cough syrup. Get two ounces of RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 75 Iceland moss at the drug store. Take four large poppy heads, seeds and all, and one tablespoonful of whole barley. Add to all this three pints of water, which should be slowly boiled down to two pints, then strain. Add to this one pound of rock candy. The old-fashioned brown rock candy is preferable, but the ordinary white rock candy can be used. Keep in a cool place. The dose is a tablespoonful for adults. It may be taken as often as once an hour if the cough is very troublesome. For children, the dose is one teaspoon ful ; for infants, half a teaspoonful. This remedy is good for coughs that are accompanied by tickling in the throat, and it also modifies the terrible coughing spells that sometimes occur during the course of whooping cough. Cracks. — i. If you need to use plaster of paris for stopping cracks, mix it with vinegar. Vinegar prevents it settling too quickly and makes it easy of manipulation. 2. An excellent cement to stop cracks or flaws in wood is made as follows : Put any quantity of fine saw- dust of the same kind of wood into an earthen vessel and pour boiling water on it ; stir it well, and let it remain for a week or ten days, occasionally stirring it ; then boil it for some time, and it will be of the consistence of pulp or paste. Put it into a coarse cloth and squeeze all the moisture from it. Keep for use and when wanted mix a sufficient quantity of thin glue to make it into a paste ; 76 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES rub it well into the cracks or fill up the holes with it. When quite hard and dry clean the work off and the im- perfection will be scarcely discernible. See also under Floors. Cramps. — i . The following remedy is recommended for cramps, colic and cholera morbus : Oil of pepper- mint, two drops ; oil of anise, two drops ; oil of cinna- mon, four drops; tincture of catechu, one-half ounce; aromatic tincture, one ounce ; chloroform, twenty drops ; spirits of ether, two and a half ounces ; alcohol, four ounces. Mix. The dose is one-half to two teaspoonfuls in a little water every one-half to three hours. 2. An old and well-known remedy for cramps, cholera morbus, etc., is: Tincture of capsicum, one part; tinc- ture of opium, one part ; tincture of rhubarb, one part ; spirits of peppermint, one part ; spirits of camphor, one part. Mix. Dose, fifteen to thirty drops. 3. Oil of cloves, cinnamon, anise and peppermint, each forty-five drops ; laudanum, one ounce ; ether, one ounce ; chloroform, one-half ounce ; tincture of cayenne, one-fourth ounce ; alcohol, three ounces. Mix. The dose for an adult is a teaspoonful in two table- spoonfuls of sweetened water ; repeat in one-half hour or sooner according to the severity of the pain. For children the dose is from one-eighth to one-half teaspoonful according to age. See also under Pain. Crape. — i. An English receipt for renovating crape RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 'jy is a handful of fig leaves boiled in two quarts of water until reduced to a pint, sponging the material with this and hanging it up until it is dry. 2. To renovate crape pieces or veils, rip out the hems, brush off the dust with an old silk handkerchief, and wind as many thicknesses as you have smoothly around a clean broom handle or clothes stick. Have your wash-boiler half full of boiling water and lay the broomstick length- wise over this, the ends resting on the edge. Keep the water boiling and allow the crape to steam for the better part of a day, turning it so that all will get the same steaming. Then put the broom away until the crape is perfectly dry, say for twenty-four hours, when the crape may be unpinned, and it will be found clean, a good black and with the crisp feeling it had when new. Crape should not be worn in the rain, as moisture makes it limp and dull looking. 3. Skimmed milk and water, with a little bit of glue in it, made scalding hot, is excellent to restore rusty crape. If clapped and pulled dry like muslin it will look as good as new. Creams. — Nothing is better for the skin than a good cold cream. For roughness and redness of the skin, chapped hands or face, sunburn, tan, etc., and to make the skin soft, smooth and white, a good cream gives quick and refreshing relief. The following formulas are among the best that can be used. All are perfectly harmless. 78 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 1. A good cream, which is recommended by a phy- sician who makes a specialty of treating the skin, and one which he says will whiten, soften and refine the skin, and even cure severe cases of pimples, is made by melting to- gether, and then beating until perfectly cold and creamy, the following ingredients : One ounce each of white wax, spermaceti, almond oil, olive oil and benzoated lard. Before using this or any other cream, wash the face thoroughly with hot water and soap. Dry gently, and while the face is still warm apply the cream by taking a little on the fingers and rubbing over the face and neck for fifteen or twenty minutes, until the skin partially, if not entirely, absorbs the cream. 2. To soften and refine the skin and to eradicate ivri7ikles. One ounce of spermaceti ; one ounce of white wax; five ounces of best oil of sweet almonds; one and one-half ounces of rose-water ; half an ounce of pure pow- dered borax. Dissolve the borax in the rose-water, and, if the weather is cold, set the bottle in a pan of moder- ately warm water. Melt wax and spermaceti by putting the dish containing them into a saucepan of boiling water ; add the almond oil ; remove from fire and pour in rose-water quickly. Beat to a foam with an egg-beater. When partially solid add two drops of oil of rose. Cease beating before the mass is firm. Pour into little porcelain jars and keep in a cool place. 3. Almond cold cream. Spermaceti, one ounce ; white wax, one ounce ; sweet almond oil, seven ounces ; RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 79 distilled water, four ounces ; powdered borax, thirty grains ; couniarin, one-fourth grain ; oil of bergamot, twelve drops ; oil of rose, three drops ; oil of bitter almond, four drops ; tincture of ambergris, three drops. Melt the wax and spermaceti ; add the almond oil, then carefully add the water in which the borax has previously been dissolved ; stir until cool, then add the other in- gredients and continue stirring rapidly until cold. It will then be soft and creamy. 4. Avery fine witch hazel cream. White petrolatum, nine ounces \ white wax, one and a half ounces ; sper- maceti, one and a half ounces ; distilled extract of witch hazel, three ounces ; oil of rose geranium, ten drops. 5. Glycerine cream. Spermaceti, four drachms ; white wax, one drachm ; oil of almonds, two troy ounces ; glycerine, one troy ounce. Melt the spermaceti, wax and oil together, and when cooling put in the glycerine and perfume to suit. 6. Tincture of benzoin, two and a half drachms; rose-water, two ounces ; glycerine, one and a half ounces. Add the rose-water to the tincture of benzoin, stirring briskly, then add the glycerine. 7. Good cucumber cream is expensive to buy but can be easily and cheaply made at home. Carefully wipe two large or three small cucumbers, and, without remov- ing the rind, cut into blocks about an inch square. Put six ounces sweet almond oil into a double saucepan, fill- ing the outer saucepan with cold water. Put the pieces 8o RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES of cucumber into the oil, and heat very slowly to the boiling point. Move the saucepan back and let simmer, not boil, for four or five hours. Strain, pressing out as much juice from the cucumber as you can ; and to each six ounces of the strained liquid add one ounce white wax and one ounce cocoa butter. Put in the saucepan again and heat, stirring constantly until thoroughly mixed. Then remove from the fire, and beat gently with an egg-beater until cold, adding during the beating process two teaspoonfuls simple tincture of benzoin. The quantities could, of course, be halved. Put into jars and cover. 8. A pleasant healing cream for the face is made of: Spermaceti, one ounce ; white wax, one ounce ; almond oil, three ounces ; lanolin, one ounce. Melt together and when cool add three ounces of water, one ounce of witch hazel and about half a teaspoonful of tincture of benzoin. This makes a good lotion for a sore skin. 9. A menthol toilet cream to itse after shaving or to protect the face from sunburn is made of : Tragacanth powder, forty grains ; glycerine, two drachms ; menthol, twenty-five grains; alcohol, three drachms; water, enough to make soft — eight ounces; liquid carmine, sufficient to color pink. Mix the tragacanth powder with the glycerine until dissolved ; dissolve the menthol in the alcohol, and add to the tragacanth and glycerine ; add a few drops of liquid carmine. Mix very thor- RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES Bt oughly and gradually add the water, stirring briskly all the time. Croup.-^i. When a doctor cannot be secured promptly in an emergency it is necessary to have a good remedy on hand when children are inclined to be croupy. Raw linseed oil is such a remedy ; and a half-pint is sufficient quantity to keep on hand. It is said that this oil is an unfailing remedy. Half a teaspoonful is a dose unless the child is choking very badly. Then give a teaspoonful. It acts in two ways. In the first stage of croup where there is not much mucus, it is loosened and carried off through the bowels. In the second stage it causes vomit- ing ; but unlike ipecac, it leaves no soreness of the throat as an after difficulty. It is rarely necessary to give more than one dose, when the child will get relief and go to sleep again. With this remedy in the house, membranous croup need cause no terrors to the mother of children. 2. Apply flannels wrung out of hot water to the throat, and cover with another cloth to retain the heat. Use mustard plasters on the soles of the feet and chest (for a few moments only). Take a tablespoonful of lard, add a few drops of turpentine and a like amount of camphor, and grease the chest, neck, side of the nose, between the eyes, and between the shoulders opposite 82 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES the lungs thoroughly ; cover the chest and back with dry flannel. Give hot foot-bath ; if no relief, try cold. Keep the room warm, and hot water boiling in the room so that the steam will reach the sufferer. In membranous croup slack lime in the room, allow- ing the patient to inhale it. 3. An external remedy for croup. Thoroughly saturate flannel with spirits of turpentine, and place upon the throat and chest. This is said to be a most ef- fectual remedy. Three to five drops of turpentine may be given on a lump of sugar if considerable distress is manifested when the child wakes up. 4. An emetic to cause vomiting. Two teaspoonfuls of mustard mixed in three or four tablespoonfuls of warm water, relieves a child with croup at once. A teaspoon- ful of lard warmed and given is another instantaneous emetic. Either may be repeated if necessary. 5. To prevent croup. Take a piece of chamois skin, make it like a little bib, cut out the neck and sew on tapes to tie it on. Then melt together equal parts of tallow and pine pitch, rub some of this in the chamois and let the child wear it all the time. Renew this with the mixture occasionally. 6. A physician prescribes the following for mem- branous croup : Calomel, two grains ; sodium bicar- bonate, twenty-four grains ; powdered ipecac, one grain ; powdered pepsin, twenty-four grains. Mix and make twelve powders. Give one powder every two hours. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 83 Curtains. — i. To launder lace curtains. Shake all the dust from the curtains and then soak them over night in plenty of cold water. In the morning rinse them out of two or three waters before putting them into the suds. Next put them in hot suds and wash them by sopping and squeezing. Wash in a second tub of suds, then put them into a tub of boiling water. After an hour rinse thoroughly. If it is desired to have them very white slightly blue the last water, but if an old look is desired the water should be slightly colored with black tea. Dry them in the open air, then put them through thin starch and through the wringer. If one has frames the curtains should be put in them, but if not some old sheets may be tacked on the floor or pinned to the carpet and the curtains pinned on them. The cur- tains must be pulled straight and each point drawn out and pinned down. Two or three curtains may be placed together. Two persons can do the work much better than one. Two days' time is required to dry the cur- tains when they are doubled in this manner. 2. To starch lace curtains use a very thin, clear starch and have it very hot. Put a tablespoonful of starch in a saucepan ; add half a cup of cold water, and when the starch is thoroughly moistened pour over it one quart of boiling water. Just a shaving of sperm may be stirred in the starch at the last moment. 3. Fine curtains are sometimes damaged by soap and water. They may be dry cleaned in the following man- 84 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES i ner : Lay the curtains on cheese-cloth and fold back and forth, with a layer of corn-meal between each fold, until the curtains are in a pile. Lay a cloth over them and baste so that the curtains are held smooth. Beat the meal through and through for twenty minutes with any kind of a beater. Shake this out and replace with fresh meal, made very damp with gasoline ; repeat the beat- ing. This takes out all the dirt and gummy substances. Clienille curtains and many other articles may be cleaned this way, but caution is necessary. There should be no lamp or fire in the room at the time. Cuts. — I. For washing cuts, wounds and sores car- bolic acid is the best antiseptic solution that can be used. One teaspoonful of the acid to a pint of water, stirred well, makes a satisfactory solution. Bichloride of mercury (corrosive sublimate), seven and a half grains to the quart of water may be used for the same purpose, but it must be handled carefully, as it is a deadly poison if taken into the stomach. 2. A good antiseptic for bathing cuts and wounds is one composed of forty parts of lysterine or glycerine to one part of carbolic acid. A boracic acid solution is also good. 3. A healing lotion for small cuts is : Spirits of camphor, one ounce; glycerine, one-fourth drachm; borax, one-eighth drachm ; carbolic acid, five grains. This may be applied twice a day. 4. Another good healing lotion is : Suet or lanolin, RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 85 one ounce ; camphor, twenty grains ; glycerine, one-half ounce. Melt all together, pour into a vessel and allow- to cool. Cut- Worms. — An effectual remedy for cut-worms. Take Paris green and mix it with what millers call "shorts" or "middlings." Use just enough of the Paris green to give a slight green color to the shorts. Dampen slightly and scatter it about infested places. The worms prefer it to any plant. After eating it they soon die. Dandruff. — To cure dandruff, shampoo the head with the yolk of an egg beaten in a pint of warm water. Rinse in several waters, finishing with cold ; dry, and at night apply a lotion made by dissolving ten grains cor- rosive sublimate in five ounces distilled witch hazel. Put just a little of this upon the scalp only, rubbing it in very gently. This should be done until the dandruff is gone, which may require from two to six bottles. Use the egg shampoo once a week. When the scalp is clean and the dandruff nearly cured have twenty grains of quinine and a tablespoonful of fine salt dissolved in a pint of best bay rum, and apply this to the scalp twice a day. Massage the scalp gently, and do not brush too hard or too much. See also under Hair. Diamonds. — Diamonds and other precious stones may be cleaned by washing them with soap and water 86 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES with a soft brush, adding a little ammonia or potash to the water, and then drying in fine boxwood sawdust. Diarrhcea. — For a simple diarrhoea, ginger tea, pep- permint, or warm drinks usually afford relief. Three ounces of cinnamon water, one ounce of subcarbonate of bismuth, one tablespoonful every three or four hours is good. A tablespoonful of sweet oil for an adult, or a teaspoonful for a child, will relieve irritation. Dish-"washing. — The best way to wash dishes is as follows : Have ready a pan of hot suds and a pan of clear hot water. Wash the dishes in the hot suds, rinse them in the hot water, drain them on a wooden rack or in a wire basket, and wipe them perfectly dry with clean towels. The glass should be washed and wiped first ; next the silver ; then the china, and so on to the tin and iron vessels. As soon as the water becomes soiled or cold it should be thrown away, and the pans be filled with clean hot water. Linen towels are best for the glass, silver and china ; coarser cloths will do for the kitchen dishes ; but they should be clean and dry. Disinfection. — i. Close all windows and doors ex- cept one for exit. Paste paper over stovepipe holes, cracks in windows, transoms, etc. The following method is simple and clean : Soak two teaspoonfuls of powdered gum tragacanth in one pint of cold water for an hour, then place the bowl in a pan of boiling water and stir frequently until the gum is all dissolved. Have RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES ^7 newspapers cut into strips about two inches wide and paste several thicknesses together. Paste these over the cracks and holes, leaving the door for exit to be sealed after the fumigation is started. If there is a fireplace in the room it should be covered with several thicknesses of thick brown paper. The gum tragacanth is easily washed off and does not discolor either paint or woodwork. Everything in the room should be exposed. Clothing and bedclothes should be suspended upon lines stretched across the room ; books should be opened out ; in fact nothing should escape the disinfecting fumes. A temperature of not less than sixty-five degrees Fahrenheit, and a moist condition in the room is most favorable to thorough disinfection. Sprinkling the floors, and where it can be done without injury, the walls of the room just before fumigation, or boiling water poured into a tub, will secure the proper condition of humidity. One method of disinfecting that requires very simple appa- ratus is pouring formaldehyde upon permanganate of potassium. The only apparatus necessary is a flaring ten quart tin pail. Do not use an iron vessel. Measure the room and multiply length, breadth and height together. This gives the number of cubic feet. For each 1,000 cubic feet one quart of forty per cent, solution of formaldehyde and thirteen ounces of per- manganate of potash are required. It is necessary to use precisely these relative quantities of formaldehyde and 88 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES potash ; if the proportion is not correct the chemical re- sults are not the same, and the quantity of disinfecting gas liberated is altered. The vessel used must be large enough to prevent an overflow as rapid chemical action is set up, and the vigorous foaming and boiling will throw a part of the mixture on the floor if a small vessel is used. The crystals of permanganate of potash should be finely powdered and placed in the pail. Then pour *n the required quantity of formaldehyde. Retire at once from the room after pouring on the formaldehyde, for gas is promptly released and is injurious if breathed in any quantity. The room should be kept closed for at least three hours, then opened, aired thoroughly and cleaned in the usual way. Woodwork that was covered during the process should be washed with a one one-thousandth solution of bichloride of mercury. 2. To disinfect with sulphur : Place the sulphur, in the proportion of at least three pounds for each one thou- sand cubic feet of air space in a strong iron kettle, and this in an iron pail, tub, dish or pan, somewhat larger than the kettle, and pour sufficient water in the outer vessel to reach half way up the sides of the kettle. The use of a small quantity of alcohol poured over the sulphur, or a few live coals of fire placed in the same will facilitate the burning of the sulphur. A portion of the water in the outer vessel will be vaporized by the heat from the burning sulphur, and accelerate the germicidal RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 89 action of the fumes, and no fire from the kettle can spread to articles in the room. It is best to distribute the sulphur in two or more kettles so as to fill every part of the room with the fumes in equal volume in the least pos- sible time. Fabrics that would be bleached or damaged by the sulphur fumes should be taken from the room previous to the fumigation, after being liberally sprinkled with a forty per cent, solution of formaldehyde and rolled into a tight bundle. A coating of vaseline upon metallic sur- faces that could not be washed with a disinfectant and previously removed from the room, will prevent dis- coloration. The room should remain closed for six to eight hours, then opened and ventilated freely. Con- tents should be removed to the outer air. 3. Bichloride of mercury, being a poison, should be used with great caution. The necessary strength to be used is two drachms to one gallon of water, or one drachm to one gallon. For some purposes the former strength is required ; for others the latter will suffice. Soiled clothing, bed linen, flannels, napkins and other washable articles are disinfected by being immersed in a solution of bichloride of mercury, one drachm to one gal- lon of water in a wooden pail or tub, and covered up for two hours ; then remove, wash and boil thoroughly. Two tablespoonfuls or one fluid ounce of forty per cent, formaldehyde solution to each gallon of water, is an effective disinfectant of clothing. Leave the articles in 90 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES two hours, then wash and boil. Boiling water alone is a disinfectant of much efficiency. 4. After exposure to any contagious disease, the per- son exposed should sponge the entire surface of the body with a solution of bichloride of mercury, one drachm to one gallon of water, bathing not only the body but the hair and beard, if any, as well. 5. The use of mercury should be directed by the at- tending physician or health officer. 6. Carbolic acid is useful as a disinfectant only in a limited degree and for specific purposes. For use in the sick room, as a wash for disinfecting hands, or surface of body, a solution made by dissolving from four to six ounces of the acid to one gallon of vfater, should be used. This solution should be used by nurses and others for washing the hands after handling the infected patient. Cuspidors, slop bowls and other receptacles for receiving discharges should contain a liberal supply of this solution. Discharges from the bowels should be covered with this solution, the vessel cover put on and allowed to remain an hour before disposing of the same. Bedding, soiled linen and other clothing that have come in contact with the patient, should be placed in a tub or pail containing this solution, and allowed to soak therein for two or three hours, then washed. For this purpose the acid solution may contain as high as seven ounces of acid to the gallon of water. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 91 7. Discharges from a sick person should be always received in a vessel containing a disinfectant. A good one is made by dissolving chloride of lime in water. Keep in a stone jar. Use about one quart of the solu- tion for each discharge. Vomiting and discharges from the mouth should be received in a cup half full of this solution. 8. For disinfection of drains^ cesspools y sewers and water closets^ owing to the large quantity required, other and cheaper disinfectants may be used, such as chloride of lime, sulphate of iron (copperas), permanganate of potash, etc. To disinfect pipes use a solution of sulphate of iron (copperas) in the following manner : Dissolve one pound in a gallon of water and pour down the pipes three or four times a week. A funnel should be used to pour the solution into the opening of the pipe. 9. Carbolic acid may be used also to disinfect sinks, basins, etc. Allow four tablespoonfuls of acid to each pint of cold water ; pour down the pipes and let it remain half an hour, then flush them. 10. If the odor of carbolic acid is objected to, per- manganate of potash may be used to disinfect plumbing. Dissolve half a pound of permanganate of potash in four gallons of water, and pour this carefully down the pipes. If this solution is allowed to stand in bowls or basins it will stain them purple. To remove such stains apply a weak solution of oxalic acid ; then rinse the acid off as soon as it has been used. 92 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES Dress Shields. — To keep these clean put them two or three times a week, if necessary, into suds to which a little ammonia has been added ; rub them together lightly, rinse in clear water, and hang up to dry. Drowning. — Rules for the treatment of a drowned per- son. Loosen clothing, if any. Empty the lungs of water by laying body on its stomach, and lifting it by the middle so that the head hangs down. Jerk the body a few times. Pull the tongue forward, using a handker- chief, or pin with string, if necessary. Imitate the motion of breathing by alternately compressing and expanding the lower ribs, about twenty times a minute. Alternately raising and lowering the arms from the sides up above the head will stimulate the action of the lungs. Let it be done gently but persistently. Apply warmth and friction to extremities. By holding the tongue forward, closing the nostrils, and pressing the Adam's apple back so as to close entrance to the stomach, direct inflation may be tried. Take a deep breath and breathe it forcibly into the mouth of the patient, compress the chest to expel the air and repeat the operation. DorCt give up. People have been saved after hours of patient, vigorous effort. When breathing begins, get the patient into a warm bed, give warm drinks, or spirits in teaspoon doses. Fresh air and quiet will hasten recovery. Dusting — I. Take a soft cloth that is not linty. Mix one part turpentine, one part linseed oil and one RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 93 part varnish. Mix well and bottle. Dampen the cloth with this preparation. When dusting it will take up all dust and make the furniture bright. The cloth can be used a number of times before it needs dampening again. 2. To protect the lungs from dust, have an elastic fastened on a small, flat sponge. When about to sweep or do any dusty work, wet the sponge, slip the elastic around the head, and draw the sponge over the nose. This will protect the lungs, provided the mouth is kept closed. Earache. — i. When an infant has earache heat will be found to be the simplest and most effective remedy. The child should lie with his ear against a covered hot water bag, or a piece of flannel should be heated over a lamp and placed against his ear, changing it often so as to keep it very hot. If this does not help, syringing the ear with hot water may afford relief. The water should be about 105 or no degrees Fahrenheit. Babies who have earache should be taken to an ear specialist and a^ careful examination of the ears made. 2. A good device for the relief of earache is to fill the little finger of a kid glove with hot salt, and insert this in the ear before heat is applied from the outside. Heat may be applied externally by means of a hot water bag, a heated hop pillow, a bag of hot salt or a heated flannel cloth. The heart of a roasted onion put in the 94 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES ear, or a drop or two of warmed sweet oil and arnica may be used with certainty of easing the pain. Foreign bodies in the ear do not usually occasion much discomfort for a time, and as the passage of the outer ear is closed at the end by a membrane they cannot penetrate farther, and may safely be left until they can be removed by a competent person. When an insect has entered turn the head on one side with the affected ear uppermost and gently pour in a lit- tle warm water. When this is allowed to run out the drowned intruder comes with it. Water should not be used when a pea or bean has been introduced, because they swell when moist. For inflammation or soreness of the ears, apply a solu- tion of one-half teaspoonful of boric dissolved in a cup of warm water, dropping this into the ear with a medicine- dropper, allowing it to run out slowly, and wiping it carefully away. Boric is pure boracic acid. When there is discharge from the ear, wash the ear with a solution of sixty grains of bicarbonate of soda, fif- teen grains of borax, and one pint of warm water. Use a small syringe and wash out the ear. If this does not check the condition, or if the case is a chronic one, dry the ear carefully with absorbent cotton on a toothpick and then drop in ten or twelve drops of the following : Resorcin, eight grains; tincture of opium, ten drops; distilled or pure water, sixty drops. The drops should be retained in the ear about thirty minutes, RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 95 the patient holding the head bent toward the opposite side. Easter Eggs. — An old and simple way to color eggs for Easter is to boil them in a kettle with a lot of the outer peel of red onions. Easter eggs can be colored many different shades with aniline dyes. The dye should be diluted to the proper shade and the eggs boiled in it. Green, the color of hope and resurrection, is particularly appropriate. Eggs can be boiled hard and painted in water colors with a flower or a butterfly as symbolic of the resurrec- tion. Another way to prepare eggs is to coat them with metallic paint and frost them with diamond dust ; or to cover them with gilt, silver or colored paper. A simple way by which children may prepare Easter eggs is by tying up each egg separately in a piece of bright colored silk or cotton, having previously pasted some little design on the surface of the egg. Have the eggs boiled slowly for half an hour and then set aside to cool. When quite cold untie the covering and the eggs will be found nicely colored and with a clear impression of the design. These eggs may be placed in egg cups which have been lined with fringed tissue paper, and placed upon the breakfast-table on Easter morning. Eczema. — i. The following ointment has proven very successful in the cure of eczema : Salicylic acid, 96 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES ten grains ; calomel, fifteen grains ; zinc oxide, two drachms ; lanolin, one-half ounce ; carbolized vaseline, one-half ounce. Mix. Apply night and morning. 2. Another most excellent cure for this affection is : Sulphur, one-half drachm ; acetanalid, one-half drachm ; bismuth oxide, one-half drachm ; lead acetate, one-half drachm ; liquid tar, thirty-six drops ; white vaseline, six drachms. Apply one to three times a day. 3. A simple domestic cure that has cured cases of eczema that seemed incurable is : Five cents' worth of calomel mixed with three or four tablespoonfuls of fresh lard. Mix thoroughly and apply. Eggs. Ways to test eggs. The density of eggs de- creases as they grow old. If a new-laid tgg is placed in a pint of water into which two ounces of salt have been dissolved it will immediately sink to the bottom. An egg a day old will either sink to the bottom or float a short distance from the bottom. An tgg three days old will remain half way down the vessel containing the liquid, and a still older one will float on top. The surface of fresh eggs is like lime, that of stale eggs has a glossy appearance. Another way to ascertain the freshness of eggs is to fold your hand around one, hold it between the sun or a bright light and yourself and look through it. If the yolk appears round and the white surrounding it clear, it is fresh. An egg that is cloudy-looking or that has RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 97 dark specks is stale. The shells should be dull-looking. Shiny and mottled eggs are no longer in their first youth. Those that are clear and translucent are the desirable ones. How to pack eggs. The yolk of the egg spoils much quicker than the white. For this reason it is important that the yolk should be surrounded with a layer of the white. If the egg is placed on side or large end the heavy yoke will settle to the bottom and come in contact with the shell, which admits the air. If it is placed on the small end it will always have a layer of white between it and the shell. Eggs absorb odors easily, therefore only odorless material should be used when packing them. The following method is a satisfactory way to store eggs. Place a small quantity of salt butter in the palm of the left hand and turn the ^gg around in it, so that every pore of the shell is closed ; then dry a sufficient quantity of bran in the oven. Pack the eggs with the small ends down in a layer of bran ; cover well with bran and do not let the shells touch each other ; then put in another layer of eggs, more bran, and so on until the crock is full. Keep the eggs in a cool, dry place. Eggs keep nicely packed in bran even if no butter is used. Packing eggs in dry salt is another good way to keep eggs. Put a layer of common salt in the bottom of the crock, about an inch deep ; grease the eggs with salted butter and place a layer of them in the salt with the small 98 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES end down, leaving a space between the eggs and between the outer ones and the vessel. Fill the vacancies with salt and cover the eggs with salt about an inch deep as be- fore ; then place another layer of eggs. Eiderdo"wn. — When the fabric known as eiderdown becomes soiled it may be washed in the same way as fine flannels. Make strong suds of soap and warm water. Wash the garment in this, then wash in a weak suds, and finally rinse in warm water. When nearly dry, press on the wrong side. It is a great improvement to the gar- ment to brush it with a stiff clothes-brush after it has been ironed, brushing it the way of the nap. Emetic. — See Vomiting. Engravings. — To clean engravings, use stale bread. This will remove the dust and smoke. Cut all the crust from a stale loaf ; then cut the loaf into small cubes, and rub the engraving hghtly with these until all the dirt is removed. Yellow spots on the margins of engravings, when not very old, may be removed with starch and water. Wet the starch and cover the spots, then place in the sun. Several applications may be required to re- move the spots. These stains may be removed with chemicals, but a specialist must do the work, as in the hands of an amateur cheniicals are liable to destroy paper and print. Eyes. — I. For general weakness of the eyes or pass- ing local inflammation, the following will be found in- RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 99 valuable. It is recommended by the best authorities. Place a. teaspoonful of powdered boric in a teacup ; add fifteen drops of spirits of camphor, rubbing to a smooth paste. Pour over it two-thirds of a cup of distilled water. Then strain and bottle. Apply with absorbent cotton, or, better still, use a glass eye-cup. 2. In the treatment of iveak eyes, eyes that water when exposed to the cold, etc., immerse the forehead and nostrils in a basin of cold water. Breathe through the mouth, open the eyes under the water, and wink occa- sionally. Keep the eyes unmoved a minute or two, rest a few minutes and immerse again. Repeat every morn- ing and great benefit will follow. ^ It is also good for weak eyes to bathe them night and morning in a fairly strong solution of salt and water. 3. Pure rose-water is good to use when bathing the eyes of a baby. The cloths and bits of cotton used should be destroyed. Eyebrows. — i. Smooth, glossy eyebrows, and long dark lashes add to the beauty of a face, and these neces- sary adjuncts to good looks should be well cared for. If the brows are thin, rub vaseline on them at night, bath- ing them carefully in the morning and then putting on a little petroleum. Never brush or rub the brows the wrong way. Brush them daily with a small brush and they will soon improve. 2. To stimulate the ^rrowth and to improve the looks l.OFC. 100 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES of the eyebrows : Two ounces of red vaseline ; one drachm of tincture of cantharides ; fifteen drops of oil of lavender; fifteen drops of oil of rosemary. Mix thor- oughly, and apply with a small tooth-brush night and morning. The improvement will soon be apparent. This pomade can be used on the eyelashes,, but must not be allowed to get into the eyes, since any oily preparation will inflame them. Eyelids and Lashes. — i. An excellent wash for red, tired eyelids is composed of a small quantity of sulphate of zinc dissolved in a quart of water. The eyes should be bathed in a little of this twice daily and gently dried with a soff rag. Obstinate cases of weak eyes have been cured with this wash. 2. For granulated lids use : Salicylic acid, fifteen grains ; copper sulphate, fifteen grains ; cocaine, fifteen grains ; vaseline, three ounces. Mix thoroughly. Rub a little into the eyelids night and morning. Eyelashes may be improved by bathing them with a solution of rose-water every morning. A little powdered borax is also good, or even a still smaller quantity of carbonate of soda. Brushing the eyebrows and lashes every morning with a solution of green tea improves them. 3. A good tonic for the lashes is a few drops of cologne in a little warm water. Castor oil is also good ; also plain vaseline or olive oil will stimulate the growth of the lashes. Do not get oil into the eyes. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES loi Foreign substances in the eye. Do not press or rub the eye. First try raising the lid by taking hold of the lashes and let the tears wash the particle out. If adhered to the lid turn back the lid with the finger and remove with a point made by twisting a handkerchief. Drawing the upper lid down over the lower lid sometimes proves effective. Roll soft paper up into a small twist, and wet the tip to remove the substance, or use a medicine dropper to draw it out. Rub the other eye. Try a small camel's hair brush dipped in water, pass it over the ball of the eye on raising the lid. For particles of dust or cinders in the eye try flaxseed if other attempts fail, or try it as soon as the intruding particle is felt. Place a few grains (two or three) in the outer corner of the eye. The flaxseed soon swells and exudes a glutinous substance that covers the ball of the eye and envelops any foreign substance that may be in it. Black Eye. — i. To prevent a bruised eye from be- coming discolored, apply at once and continuously for a time after the blow has been received the following lotion : Ammonium chloride, one-half ounce ; tincture of arnica, one ounce ; dilute acetic acid, two and a half ounces ; water, two and a half ounces. 2. A black eye can be much improved by applying warm olive oil freely and without rubbing ; or absorbent cotton may be soaked in the oil and applied to the eye. 102 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES If the skin is broken, boric acid should be applied over the abrasion. Puffiness under the eyes can sometimes be helped by the following massage treatment : Use both hands, place the finger-tips directly beneath the eyes, press gently around the outer corners and upward, following the contour of the eye. Give this movement fifty times a day. The eyes should be frequently relaxed. Close them and relax the muscles, if only for a few seconds at a time — minutes are better. Do not overwork nor strain the eyes. Face. — I. The following treatment is prescribed by a ** beauty doctor." There are two good ways of wash- ing the face — one is with warm water and a little soap, the other is with fresh cream or milk. Cold water should be avoided and soap should be used sparingly. After the face has been washed it should be rinsed off in warm water. To this add a few drops of lemon juice. Dry the face again and then wash it off with a bit of absorbent cotton dipped in the following lotion : Borax, four grams ; chlorate of soda, two grams ; glycerine, fifty grams ; rose- water, 350 grams; alcohol, twenty grams; essence of roses, twenty drops. Bathe the face for about five minutes, and then let it dry without wiping. When the lotion has dried spread over the face a little fresh cold cream. Wipe it off gently, making it even, and leaving the skin more moist than greasy. Then use face powder freely. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 103 2. The ordinary cheap scented soap is unfit to use on the face. The proper way to prepare a face bath is to fill a bowl with hot water, dip in it a flannel cloth, rub the soap on this until there is a thick lather ; pass it gently but briskly over the face. With both hands wash, the soap off, sponge with cooler water, dry on a soft towel, afterward using the palms of the hands to arouse circulation. After the face is thoroughly dry take some unguent on the fingers and begin the massage. One soon learns what is best for one's skin. Almond oil and cocoa butter are both softening and are easily and quickly absorbed. But no unguent should be used constantly or it will produce a light down on the face. In the morn- ing the face should be washed in hot water containing anything the skin may seem to demand. 3. To whiten the complexion mix a handful of well-sifted wheat bran with a pint of white vinegar. Let stand for four hours. Add the yolks of five eggs. Put into a bottle and keep corked for fifteen days. This lotion may be applied to the face at night. 4. A delicious preparation that makes the skin firm and white is made by mixing an ounce of the tincture of benzoin, a quart of rose, orange-flower or elder-flower water, and twenty drops of tincture of myrrh. A little of this is poured into a bowl of warm water, and the face washed in it every morning. 5. Another excellent preparation for the face is made as follows : Borax, two drachms ; potassium carbonate, I04 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES one drachm : tragacanth powder, one drachm ; glycerine, two fluid ounces ; tincture of benzoin, two fluid drachms ; water, fourteen ounces. Dissolve the borax and potas- sium carbonate in the water, rub the tragacanth to a smooth paste with the glycerine, add the tincture of ben- zoin, incorporate thoroughly and gradually, then add the water to form a homogeneous mixture. Let stand for twenty-four hours and strain through cheese-cloth. 6. For oily skin, bathe your face every morning in hot water. Dip the water in your hands, holding your face in them. Continue this until your skin feels almost scalded; then gradually reduce the temperature of the water until you have it cold. With a soft towel dry it carefully and the oily condition of the skin will soon disappear. 7. The burning of the face that afflicts those having" delicate skins may be soothed by the use of a few drops of benzoin thrown into the water used for bathing the face. 8. If the face is unjiaturally red apply through the day the following lotion: Tannic acid, fifteen grains; spirits of camphor, one tablespoonful ; rain water, half- pint. 9. For bmiishing black spots an excellent ointment is made of flowers of sulphur, one teaspoonful ; rose-water, one pint; glycerine, one teaspoonful. If the specks are very obstinate and hard to remove the following prepara- tion should be used: Liquid ammonia, twenty drops; RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 105 ether, one drachm ; soft soap, one ounce. Bathe the place affected with hot water and rub in a little of this mixture, then wash it off with hot water. See Black- heads. 10. Enlarged pores can be done away with by the quick daily bath which will stimulate the functions of the skin. Use the complexion-brush to free the pores of the sebaceous matter that is clogging them. Every morning apply this wash : One and one-half ounces of cucumber juice, one and one-half ouiices of witch-hazel, three- fourths ounce of rose-water, one-half ounce of boro- glyceride, one- fourth ounce of oxide of zinc, one-half ounce of essence of rose. 11. The little red blood veins which sometimes show in the face are often caused by exposure of the skin to strong cold winds. Applications of warm wet cloths until the skin feels soft and a gentle rubbing with good cold' cream into which a little witch-hazel has been beaten will remedy the trouble. 12. Many women are troubled with pimples ^ rough- ness ajid spots of various kinds on the face. A good way to get rid of them is to take some simple medicine that cools the blood. The following is an excellent recipe : The juice of two lemons, one ounce of flowers of sulphur, one ounce of cream of tartar. Put into a jug and pour one quart of boiling water over, stirring thor- oughly. The dose for an adult is one wineglassful every morning for two weeks, half an hour before breakfast. io6 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES For a child, half a dose is sufficient. Epsom salts may be substituted for the sulphur if preferred. 13. Another harmless lotion for cleaning and beauti- fying the complexion is : Lactic acid, two drachms ; glycerine, one-half ounce; essence of white rose, one and one-half drachms ; tincture of benzoin, one drachm ; water, sufficient to make six ounces. Mix the acid and glycerine with the water and add the rose extract and benzoin previously mixed. Apply to the face twice daily. 14. To make the skin of the face smooth after it has been roughened by exposure or by mistreatment, and to make the flesh firm, the following treatment is recom- mended : Wash the face with soap in the morning. Then sponge it off in cold water mixed with a large table- spoonful of the following mixture to a quart of water : Powdered borax, 225 grains; sodium acetate, 225 grains ; spirit of soap, five drachms ; tincture of benzoin, five drachms; glycerine, ten drachms; rose-water, twenty-one ounces ; oil of bergamot, four drops ; oil of rose, two ounces; spirit of orris, one and one-half drachms ; tincture of musk, three drops ; coumarin sugar, twelve grains. This douche should not last more than thirty seconds. In the afternoon apply the following lotion to the face with a bit of absorbent cotton, letting it dry without wiping: Borax, 150 grains; glycerine, five drachms; rose-water, fifteen ounces ; coumarin sugar, seven grains ; tincture of ambergis, three drops. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 107 At night before retiring, wash the face with warm water and cologne or alcohol, using fifty drops of cologne or alcohol to a glass of water. Wipe the face off gently and put on a light layer of this pomade: Glycerite of starch, fifty grams ; zinc oxide, five grams ; tincture of benzoin, eight grams ; lanolin, thirty grams ; rose essence, ten drops. Leave the pomade on all night. See Complexion, Skin and Creams for additional in- formation. Fainting. — Fainting is caused by an interruption of the supply of blood to the brain. Immediately place the person who has fainted in a lying position, with the head lower than the feet. In this way consciousness often re- turns without other measures. The sitting position is very dangerous. People have died simply because the head was not lower than the body and feet. The head may be allowed to hang over the side of the couch or bed for a few minutes ; or a chair may be inverted and the patient placed on the back of it with the head down and the hips up. This causes the blood to return to the brain. Smelling salts may be held to the nose and heat applied over the heart to stimulate its action. Open a window or outer door to admit plenty of fresh air, and unfasten the clothing to allow free circulation. Cold water may be sprinkled upon the face, hands and chest. As soon as the patient is able to swallow a little fresh water or spirits and water may be given. io8 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES In severe cases when the faint continues long, a mustard paste may be placed over the heart ; if the breathing stops artificial respiration can be begun. If hands and feet are cold, apply hot bottles, and when the patient can swallow some stimulant may be given. The attack usually passes off in a few minutes, but the patient should lie still and be kept quiet for some time after it. Fatigue. — A glass of hot milk, when one is fatigued, is very refreshing and strengthening. Feathers. — i. To clean feathers^ pour boiling water on some white hard soap cut in small pieces, and to this add a little pearl ash. As soon as the soap is dissolved and the mixture is cool enough for the hand to bear, put the feathers into it and draw them through the hand until the dirt is squeezed out of them. Next pass them through a clean lather with a httle blue in it, and after- ward rinse in cold water with blue to give them a good color. Shake off the water, and dry them by shaking near the fire. Curl each feather separately, when perfectly dry, with a blunt knife or ivory paper folder, or hold the feather for an instant over glowing coals. 2. Feather trimming which has been dampened should be shaken before a fire, or held over a stove or register, in the hot air, to restore the curl. It is said if a handful of coarse salt is thrown on a fire and the feathers held over it they will curl again. Each strand may be curled separately by drawing it over an ivory RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 109 paper knife or the back of a steel knife, but it is a tedious process. 3. To curl ostrich feathers^ shake them free from dust. Have a large kettle of water boiling rapidly and hold the feathers in the steam until they are heated through ; then shake them out in dry heat. Take a piece of real whalebone (it must be perfectly smooth) and curl the feathers with it by drawing the barbules over the edge, beginning at the quill, and taking only two or three barbules at a time. Be careful not to break the feathers while curling them. The plumes may also be curled by dipping them in water in which a little borax has been dissolved. Then curl over a knife or whalebone. 4. To dye feathers black, it is best to use a good pre- pared dye. Wash the feathers in a pint of boiling water in which half a teaspoonful of soda has been dissolved ; then rinse and put in the dissolved dye, holding by the tips of the stems and moving them about. Rinse in cold water, dry between soft cloths and over a stove where they may be waved in the warm air. If the feathers come out too light a black add more dye. Curl over whalebone or the back of a knife after it has been heated slightly. 5. Feathers may be bleached by being put into a bath of permanganate of potash, containing four to five parts permanganate to one thousand of water; a solution of sulphate of magnesia of the same strength is added, and it is heated 140° Fahrenheit at the most. The feathers, no RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES previously washed, are put into this bath, then taken out, rinsed, and passed through weak sulphuric acid ; then rinsed and dried. 6. To clean feathers from their natural oil, steep them in one gallon of water mixed with one pound of lime, stir them well, then pour off the water and rinse the feathers in cold water. 7. An easy and satisfactory way to renovate feather pillows is to hang them out in very cold weather, and let them freeze. Then transfer them to clean ticking and they will be found fresh and sweet. 8. To purify feathers so that they can be used in pil- lows, etc., the following process should be used : Pre- pare a quantity of lime water by mixing one pound of quicklime in each gallon of water required, and let it stand until the undissolved lime has settled to the bot- tom of the vessel, then pour off the clear liquor for use. Put the feathers into a clean tub, pour the lime water on them, and stir them well until they all sink to the bottom. There should then be enough lime water to cover them to a depth of three inches. The feathers should remain in this for three or four days ; then be taken out and drained in a sieve, and afterward washed in clean water. Dry on a net, shaking the net occasionally to let the dry feathers fall through. When the feathers are dry, beat them well to get rid of the dust. Feet — I. Warm salt baths are the best cleansers and RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES in tonics for the feet, especially during cold weather. Bathe them once, or in case of excessive perspiration, twice a day in a foot-tub half full of lukewarm water into which a double handful of sea salt has been thrown. At' night before retiring, such a bath will remove the dust of the day and will soothe tired feet. Taken in the morn- ing and followed by a cold water shower it is a good tonic and prevents chilblains. The water should not be very hot, merely lukewarm. Once a week the foot-bath should consist of warm water and a good lather of soap. The feet ought to be rubbed with a ball of sandstone, while they are moist, and then dried with a rough towel and plenty of friction. If the joints are massaged with vaseline they will become more supple. After they have been bathed, the feet should be care- r illy dried between the toes. If there is a tendency there to soreness or to the formation of white skin, sprinkle freely with bismuth and place dry absorbent cotton be- tween the toes. This prevents soft corns. 2. If the feet are painful, a strong solution of salt and water should be used at night, the feet remaining in until every trace of pain has vanished. A good treatment is then to sponge them off with cold water, and massage well ; a bandage saturated in a mixture of equal parts of witch-hazel, tannin and alcohol should be wrapped snugly about the feet and up around the ankles. In the morning the feet may be sponged off again with cold 112 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES water and both shoes and stockings dusted with powder made by mixing together one part of salicyHc acid, two parts of boracic acid and two parts of talcum, which re- lieves pain and checks excessive or disagreeable perspira- tion. 3. Tired feet are much refreshed by being bathed in hot water. Rubbing them with alcohol or witch-hazel is also restful especially for tender feet and often prevents perspiration. When the feet burn from long standing soak them in a basin of warm water in which two tablespoonfuls of bak- ing soda is dissolved. The warm alkaline fluid softens and relaxes the tissues and opens the pores, allowing the undue quantity of blood present in the feet to disperse. When the skin is tender, bathing it in alcohol strengthens it. A bath of linden leaves and water is also good for tired feet. 4. The following powders are good for perspiring feet : (i) Tannin, thirty drachms; Lycopodium, three drachms ; alum, one drachm. (2) Oxide of zinc, one ounce ; starch, two ounces ; salicylic acid, one drachm ; talcum powder, seven ounces ; oil of winter- green, five drops. Mix well, adding the oil last. Dust in shoes and rub on feet. (3) One part of salicylic acid, two parts of boracic acid and two parts of talcum. (4) Salicylic acid, twenty grains ; boric acid, two drachms ; corn-starch, one ounce. Mix, and apply to the feet after RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 113 bathing and wiping them. (5) Powdered boric sprinkled freely in the stockings is good for the feet. See also Corns, Chilblains and Bunions. Fire. — i. When clothing is on fire, throw the person down, wrap in a rug, blanket, anything to smother the flames. Roll on the floor until flames are extinguished. Keep the flames as much as possible from the face, and prevent hot air from entering the lungs. In making escape from burning building keep the face as near the floor as possible, as there is less smoke. If possible wrap wet cloth about the mouth and nostrils. After extin- guishing the fire remove all the clothing near the burned part, by cutting with shears or knife. Do not open the blisters. If cloth adheres to the skin soften with water before trying to remove it. See Burns. 2. When the chimney is cold it is often difficult to light a fire without making a great deal of smoke. To prevent this, burn a few pieces of paper in the chimney or smoke flue and thus start an upward current. The fire will then burn without any more trouble. 3. To extinguish the flame of petroleum or gasoline, smother it with a rug, cloth, carpet or wet cloth. Or it may be extinguished by throwing on earth or sand. Don't use water ; it will spread the flames. Fish-bone. — A method of procedure to remove a fish- bone lodged in the throat consists in tying a string in the eye of a smooth button and' having the patient swallow 114 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES the button edgewise. The button is then drawn back by the string, thus dislodging the bone. Fits. — This means either apoplexy or epilepsy. Apo- plexy is attended with insensibility. The patient falls, generally, but not always, grows purple in the face, and breathes in a snoring manner. There is paralysis of one side, and the mouth is drawn to one side. Place patient in bed, with head raised. If hot, apply cold water to head and send for doctor. In epilepsy, patient usually gives a scream, becomes deadly pale, falls on his face, becomes convulsed, and then profoundly insensible. While in this state, all that need be done is to loosen the clothing, and keep patient quiet and beyond danger of hurting himself until sensi- bility returns. It is then a case for medical treatment. Fixtures. — See Iron. Flannels. — i. To wash flannels perfectly. Shave a quarter of a pound of soap into a granite saucepan, add one quart of boiling water, stir over the fire until dis- solved. Pour this into a tub half- filled with water at a temperature of ioo° Fahrenheit. Mix well. Have on the left side of the tub a bucket of clear, warm water, into which put a half- teaspoon ful of ammonia. Take each piece of flannel singly and immerse it in the suds. Soap should never be rubbed on flannels, nor should flannels ever be rubbed on a board. Wash them by pressing and drawing through the hands, rubbing the RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 115 soiled places quickly with the hands. Rinse at once in clear water, and wring by pressing one hand under the other, or by passing through a wringer. Never twist in the wringing. Shake well and hang to dry immediately ; then proceed to wash the second piece. The flannels, when nearly dry, must be taken from the line and pressed with a hot iron. Be careful, however, that it is not too hot or it will injure the color. ' Flannels washed in this way retain their soft texture and original size until worn out. For colored flannels make suds as above. To the warm water for rinsing add four tablespoonfuls of white wine vinegar, or a bit of acetic acid thoroughly dissolved. It is always well to wait for a bright day before washing flannels. Dry them as quickly as possible. 2. White flannels should be treated in this way : Shake them to remove the dust. Prepare warm water at about 100° Fahrenheit. Add sufficient melted soap to make a lather, and a few drops of ammonia to soften the water and remove grease. Squeeze the articles gently in the water between the hands, but do not rub them ; turn them and repeat the process until they are perfectly clean. Rinse in warm water until all soap is removed. Fold and pass them through a wringer two or three times. Shake them well ; and dry them in the open air, if possi- ble hanging them up by the thickest part. For colored garments the ammonia should be omitted, as it may afl'ect the color. Salt may be added to the rinsing water, as it ii6 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES assists in retaining the color. One tablespoonful of vine- gar may be used to brighten the colors. Borax in the suds prevents white flannels from turning yellow. 3. To wash a flannel waist use warm Castile or ivory suds, squeezing the cloth gently between the hands. Rinse thoroughly in lukewarm water and dry quickly. Iron over a pad of flannel and do not use too hot an iron. 4. Blue flannel should be washed without soap, in bran and water, with a handful of salt in the water to set the color. Soft water should always be used, or use a little borax to make hard water soft. 5. The proper way to iron flannels is to spread them on an ironing-board, cover them with a slightly damp cloth, and iron over this, pressing down heavily. The iron must not be too hot. 6. To shrink flannel before making it up into gar- ments, soak it for a few minutes in warm water, then rub some good white soap into a good lather ; dip it in the suds or knead it up and down ; do not rub. Rinse in warm water. Hot water should never touch flannel. Wring carefully and dry slowly in open air, never before a fire. 7. A weak solution of bisulphite of sodium to which a little hydrochloric acid has been added may be used to bleach flannel that has become yellow with use. Flatirons. — i. Rusty flatirons can be made as RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 117 smooth as glass with beeswax and salt. Tie a lump of wax in a rag; when the irons are hot, rub them first with the wax rag, then scour by rubbing on a cloth sprinkled with salt. 2. One of the most satisfactory ways to keep flatirons smooth while working is to have a pan lined with thick brown paper, putting upon this paper a thick layer of common salt. Rub the hot iron on this salt, using good pressure, then wipe on clean cloth. When ironing starched clothes have a piece of bees- wax in a cloth, and, after cleaning the iron on the salt, pass the wax lightly over it and wipe with a clean cloth. 3. To prevent flatirons from becoming rusty when not in use, rub them with sweet oil or kerosene. Fleas. — I. To banish fleas spray the infested places with the following preparation : Put two ounces of oil of bay and four ounces of ether into a bottle. Into an- other bottle put fourteen ounces of alcohol and four ounces of oil of eucalyptus. Let these stand for two hours, shaking occasionally, then strain through a piece of cheese-cloth into a large bottle. Use this with an atomizer, spraying the localities in the room where the fleas are. 2. Clean the room with carbolic acid water, injecting it into the cracks and ledges, and sweeping the floor or carpet with it, and wiping everything with a sponge wrung out of carbolic water. ii8 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 3. A thorough treatment of the room with naphtha, taking the carpets and upholstered furniture out of doors and saturating them with naphtha will get rid of fleas. Sometimes a thorough sweeping, dusting and air- ing are all that is required to rid a room of these pests. 4. A bath in creolin will rid dogs and cats of fleas. For dogs use four teaspoons of creolin to a quart of water; for cats two teaspoons. Apply with the hands or a brush, or the animal may be submerged in the mixture for five minutes. Flies. — I. Fumigation is an effective remedy for the nuisance of flies and mosquitoes. Use an iron spider and either charcoal or live coals. Twice a day fumigate thoroughly. Use camphor and mix with it a little laven- der or a little dried pennyroyal. A good mixture for fumigation is equal parts of camphor, dried pennyroyal, lavender and incense. The rooms should be tightly closed while the fumigating is being done. 2. A good compound to burn in a room is made by mixing one part of benzoin, one part of balsam tolu, five parts charcoal, one and a half parts common insect pow- der and a half part saltpeter. Add sufiicient water to this mixture to knead it into a stiff" paste. Then roll the mixture into pastils and dry them. One of these pastils burned in a room will destroy the flies and mosquitoes without injury to furniture or curtains. See also Fly Lotion, Fly Paper and Fly Poison. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 119 Floor. — I. To fill cracks in floors any one of the following preparations may be used : (a) Dissolve one pound of glue in two gallons of water. Stir into this enough fine sawdust to make a thick paste and fill the cracks with it. The paste may be colored to match the wood, (d) Fill the cracks with putty. One can buy the putty or can make it by mixing whiting and linseed oil together and kneading it until the paste is smooth. The putty may be colored to match the wood. (^) Soak finely shredded paper in water^ and boil it until it is a soft pulp, and to every fwo gallons add one pound of glue. The cracks must be filled solid and even with the boards. 2. Hardwood floors ^ if polished with shellac or var- nish, may be first washed with soap and water, and then thoroughly rubbed with a cloth wet with oil and turpen- tine or kerosene and water j this will make them look as well as when new. 3. Waxed floors should not be cleaned with water. Wet a woolen cloth with turpentine and rub the soiled places with it. When the floor is all cleaned go over it with a woolen cloth slightly moistened with soft wax. Let it rest for a few hours, then polish with a weighted brush. Spots caused by water may be obliterated on waxed woodwork by rubbing with oil. 4. An oiled floor may be cleaned by rubbing with crude petroleum or kerosene. It may also be washed with hot soap-suds, always taking care to rub it perfectly dry. I20 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 5 . Painted 07- varnished floors can be kept in good condition by wiping with a damp cloth and then rubbing with a dry woolen cloth. If the floor is wiped clean once a month with a cloth wrung out of warm water, then rubbed with a cloth wet with kerosene, and finally rubbed with a coarse woolen cloth, it will remain bright and handsome for years. Very dirty floors may be scrubbed with soap and water. Skim milk also is good for cleaning floors. 6. A dirty unpainted floor may be cleansed and bleached by the use of one poiind of common wash soda and one pound of quicklime mixed with one gallon of boiling water. Saturate the floor with the solution, sprinkle clean sharp sand over it, and scrub with soap and water. Paint and grease spots are quickly removed, and the floor is made clean and white. A greasy floor may be greatly improved by a thorough scrubbing with soap and sand, followed by a bath of ammonia water. 7. Two and a half pounds paraffin and one gallon of turpentine, dissolved by the aid of gentle heat, make a good dressing for a painted floor. Apply it with a sponge or piece of flannel while warm. Let it remain on twenty-four hours ; then polish. A beautiful gloss equal to varnish is the result. 8. Grease spots on a7i U7ipainted floor can be re- moved by a solution of soda and water. Dissolve a gill of washing soda in a quart of boiling water. Pour this RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 121 boiling hot on the spots and rub with a broom ; then wipe with a long handled mop, being careful not to let your hands or clothing touch the liquid. Wash thoroughly with hot water and wipe dry. See Staining for formulas for stains for floors and woodwork. Flowers. — i. A florist gives the following recipe for preserving cut flowers : Sprinkle the flowers lightly with fresh water ; then put them into a vessel containing some soap-suds. Take the flowers out of the suds every morning and lay them sidewise in fresh water, the stock entering first into the water. Keep them there a minute or two, then take them out and sprinkle lightly with fresh water. Replace the flowers in the suds and they will bloom as fresh as when gathered. The soap-suds need to be changed every third day. This procedure is said to keep flowers bright and beautiful at least a month. 2. Flowers can be kept fresh a long time by putting a little sal ammoniac, saltpeter, carbonate of soda, or camphor into the water. Flowers that have already wilted are said to revive quickly if the stems are placed in a weak camphor water. 3. When flowers begin to droop, place the stems an inch deep in hot water and let them remain two or three minutes ; then cut ofl" as much of the stem as was in the hot water ; place in clear cold water again. Repeat this process each morning. 122 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES Give cut flowers fresh water daily and do not keep them in an overheated room. Fly Lotion. — An excellent lotion to keep flies and mosquitoes off horses is made of: Carbolic acid, one ounce; oil of pennyroyal, two ounces; spirits of camphor, two ounces; glycerine, two ounces; oil of tar, four ounces ; lard oil, four ounces. Mix ; saturate a cloth or sponge with the lotion and rub over the horse. Fly Paper. — If sticky fly paper comes in contact with clothing, cleanse the spot with alcohol, then wash and press. If the fly paper gets against furniture or wood- work, clean the spot first with kerosene oil, rub with a woolen cloth dipped in linseed oil, then rub dry. Fly Poison. — i . Arsenate of potassa, one ounce ; red lead, one-fourth ounce; sugar, five ounces. Mix well together, bottle and label Poison. Put a suitable quantity on plates, moisten with water and place where flies are thickest. It is very poisonous and very destructive. 2. One drachm of white arsenic dissolved in a pint of water and sweetened with sugar, molasses or honey, makes a good poison. Fly Specks. — Fly specks may be removed from an oil painting by dipping the finger in warm water and rubbing gently on the soiled spot. When all the spots RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 123 are removed, wipe the picture with a soft cloth wrung out of warm water. To remove fly specks from the frame or from moulding dampen a soft sponge with warm alcohol or old ale and wash the frame with it, passing the sponge lightly over the gilding. The frame should not be wiped. Freckles. — No positive cure has been found for freckles, because they are produced by an unequal distri- bution of the pigment of the skin. They can, however, be toned down by the use of lotions, of which there are many. The following are among the best. 1 . Lactic acid, four ounces ; glycerine, two ounces ; rose-water, one ounce. Apply several times daily with a bit of soft linen. Use a cold cream afterward. 2. Two drachms of powdered sal ammoniac, four fluid drachms of eau de cologne, one quart of distilled water. 3. Jamaica rum, two ounces; lemon juice, two ounces. 4. One wineglass lemon juice, one pint rain water, five drops essence of rose. 5. Lavender water, two drachms; muriate of am- monia, three-fourths drachm; distilled water, eight ounces. 6. Sulphocarbolate of zinc, one ounce; glycerine, twelve ounces; rose-water, twelve ounces ; alcohol, three 124 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES ounces ; spirits of neroli, one-half drachm. Mix ; apply- twice a day, leaving on one hour. 7. One drachm ammonium chloride; four ounces distilled water. Mop on the face. 8. Lemon juice, three ounces ; vinegar, one ounce ; rose-water, one ounce; bay-rum, one ounce. Apply several times a day. 9. Sulphocarbolate of zinc, fifteen grains ; glycerine, four drachms; rose-water, three ounces; alcohol, two drachms ; cologne, fifteen drops ; spirits of camphor, fifteen drops. Mix by dissolving the zinc salt in the glycerine and rose-water, and add the other ingredients. Apply the lotion twice daily, letting it dry on the face. 10. A simple home remedy for freckles on the face of a child is to bathe the freckles two or three times a day with buttermilk. A stronger lotion for the same purpose is one part of lactic acid to twenty parts of water. Rubbing a child's face with lemon juice before the child goes into the open air is said to prevent freckles and sunburn. 11. See under Face; also Creams and Complexion. Frost-bites. — i. Spirits of turpentine and sulphuric acid, each one-fourth ounce ; olive oil, one and one-fourth ounces ; mix ; shake and apply frequently. The frost should be extracted by the application of ice water or snow, but never by artificial heat. 2. Powdered camphor, one and one-half drachms; RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 125 lanolin, one ounce; vaseline, one ounce; hydrochloric acid, one drachm. Apply at night. 3. Pure oil of peppermint is said to cure frost-bites. Rub it in well. See Chilblains. • Fruit Stains. — See Stains. Fumigation. — See Disinfection. Furniture. — i. Raw linseed oil and spirits of tur- pentine, in the proportions of two-thirds oil and one of turpentine, is the model furniture reviver. The wood should be first wiped off with a dry soft cloth. The oil may then be applied with a soft brush, wiping off with a soft cloth, and rubbing thoroughly dry. Under this treatment polished furniture retains a fresh appearance. 2. To restore polished furniture mix together one part of alcohol and three parts of sweet oil. Rub this on the furniture with a piece of soft flannel ; then polish off also with soft flanneL 3. Two parts of sweet oil and one of turpentine make a good polish to remove finger marks. 4. A good polish. Melt together one pound of resin, one-half pound old, clean grease, one-half pint of spirits of turpentine, one-half pint of kerosene. Apply with a woolen rag. Dries hard and glossy in a few minutes. 5. Another good polish. Linseed oil and old ale, each one-half pint ; the white of one ^gg^ beaten ; alco- hol and muriatic acid, each one ounce. Mix ; shake 126 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES the polish and apply with a flannel cloth ; rub to a finish with an old silk handkerchief. 6. To remove stains from and to polish furniture. Alcohol, one pint; ground resin, one-half ounce; gum shellac, one and one -half ounces. After the resin and shellac are cut in the alcohol, mix in linseed oil, one pint ; shake thoroughly. Apply with a soft rag, and polish with flannel or silk handkerchief. 7. To clean polished furniture. Spread paraffine oil on the soiled woodwork, and let it stand for an hour or more to soften the dirt, then wash with soap and warm water, and wipe dry. Next rub on a mixture of paraffine oil and turpentine — one-third turpentine and two-thirds oil. Polish with soft old flannel. Let it rest an hour or two, then polish with soft old linen. If the surface is very dull, dirty, and scratched, instead of washing with soap and water add more oil and sprinkle powdered rot- tenstone over it. Rub gently and regularly, first with a circular motion and then with the grain of the wood. When the surface is smooth and bright wipe off the rot- tenstone and finish as you would after washing with the soap and water. 8. An excellent method of cleaning aiid polishing furniture. Put into a wide-mouthed bottle, in the or- der named, the following articles : One gill each of powdered tripoli, powdered rottenstone, cold drawn lin- seed oil, turpentine, naphtha, a strong solution of oxalic acid, half a gill of alcohol and three gills of cold water. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 1 27 Shake well and keep well corked. To use : Pour a little on a piece of an old felt hat, and rub the furniture with a circular motion, being careful not to press so hard as to cut through the varnish. Finish by rubbing with the grain of the wood. Clean off the polished surface; then go over it with a soft cloth and a dressing made of one pint of paraffine oil, half a gill of turpentine and half a gill of alcohol. Let the oiled surface remain un- disturbed for an hour ; then rub quite briskly with a piece of soft, old linen. 9. Bruises and indentations in furniture may be taken out in the following manner : Wet the part with warm water, double a piece of brown paper five or six times, soak it and lay it on the place \ apply on that a hot flatiron until the moisture is evaporated. If the bruise be not gone, repeat the process. After two or three applications the dent or bruise will be raised. If the bruise be small, merely soak it with warm water and apply a red hot poker very near the surface ; keep it continually wet, and in a few minutes the bruise will disappear. Then polish the spot. 10. Scratches may be removed from polished furni- ture by rubbing with a woolen rag saturated with boiled linseed oil. Shellac dissolved in alcohol may then be used as a varnish. 1 1 . Dim spots and finger _ marks can be removed by rubbing them vigorously with a silk handkerchief, old and well-worn, moistened with a little oil and turpentine. 128 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES Furs. — I. Dark furs may be cleaned with bran or with cedar, mahogany or other hardwood sawdust, which has been heated in an oven. Beat the fur gently with a switch until free from dust, then lay on a table with the fur side up, and rub the hot sawdust or bran through the fur. Use plenty of sawdust and rub vigorously. After this, place the garment upon one or two feather pillows or cushions, with the fur side down, and beat well until all the sawdust or bran is out of the fur. Then hang the garment where the air can blow through it. 2. If a fur collar is greasy at the back of the neck, rub it with a bit of cotton batting wet with gaso- line. 3. White furs are cleaned in the same manner as dark except that white corn-meal is used instead of saw- dust. The corn-meal should be heated. Soiled places may be cleaned by being rubbed with cube magnesia. Allow the powder from the magnesia to remain in the fur for a day, then brush the fur and shake the garment thoroughly. 4. To protect furs from moths during the summer they must either be made and kept air-tight or be* aired in the sun every week. Before packing furs away brush them well the wrong way of the fur, hang in the sun for two or three days, brush again and examine closely sev- eral times to make sure there are no moth eggs in the hair. Wrap each garment up in old cloth ; put in a box that has been aired in the sun ; wrap stout paper around RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 129 it, lapping the edges and gluing them together. Place the box on a shelf in a dry place. Garbage. — i. The best way to dispose of garbage is to use a pipe incinerator, and put in it the dry garbage each night. In the morning the charcoal thus made may be used for fuel. 2. If a garbage can is used it should be scalded thoroughly every time it is emptied, and some disin- fectant, such as chloride of lime, should be added. The bottom of the can should be lined with newspapers, and each collection of garbage should be wrapped in news- papers. The results are a clean can, no odor and fewer flies. Gargle. — i. A gargle is a wash for the throat. Gargles are applied by allowing a small mouthful to run over the affected parts, by holding the head backward, •and breathing through it, by which means the liquid is agitated and its action promoted. Gargles should not be swallowed. 2. An excellent gargle for the throat is a simple solution of salt and water. Many cases of throat affection naight be cured by the use of this alone, if only taken in time, gargling every hour or half hour as the need warrants. 3. For sore throat, tonsilitis, sore mouth, and for cleansing the mouth in diphtheria, scarlet and typhoid, the following medicinal gargle is recommended : 130 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 'I'hymol, four grains ; benzoic acid, one and one-half drachms ; tincture of eucalyptus, three drachms ; water, one and a half pints. Take about one tablespoonful into the mouth, gargle thoroughly, and hold in the mouth for several minutes, before spitting out. Gasoline. — If gasoline leaves a ring after it has been used to remove grease spots, the defect can be remedied by covering with fuller's earth. Rewet the spot with gasoline, and while it is damp apply the remedy. Gilt. — 1. To clean gilt frames dissolve one table- spoonful of washing soda in half a pint of hot water, and when this solution is cold add half a pint of lime water. Wash the frames gently with a sponge wet in this hquid, then sponge off with cold water. Dry with cotton batting. The work must be done carefully. Clean only a part of the frame at a time, and do not have the sponges very wet. 2. Gilt frames and other articles are often disfigured by fly marks. If such articles are brushed over with water in which three or four onions have been boiled, flies will not touch them. Such a simple remedy is surely worth a trial. 3. Albumen will remove most of the specks from gilt frames. Beat the white of an egg with about two table- spoonfuls of cold water. Then with a soft brush moisten one side of the frame. Then take a piece of soft silk and wipe it perfectly dry. So continue until the RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 131 entire frame is cleaned. If the frames are very old it may be best to regild them. Glass. — I. Glassware will last longer and look better if the following hints as to its care are regarded. Tepid water, the best pure white soap, and a stiff brush are the first essentials. After washing and rinsing place the cut glass in boxwood sawdust. This will absorb the moisture in the cutting. Next remove the sawdust from the plain surfaces with a soft cloth. By following these directions the original clearness and sparkle of the glass will be maintained. Shot should not be used in carafes, cruets, toilet and similar articles. It is very apt to scratch the glass, and thus mar its beauty. Prosaic potato peelings are good aids. Let them remain in the glassware over night, then rinse out with tepid water. A very important point is to avoid sudden changes from extreme heat to extreme cold, and vice versa. A pitcher or tumbler that has been filled with ice water, a tray that has been used for ice cream, if plunged at once into hot water will be apt to crack. Use lukewarm water and the risk of breakage is avoided. 2. Glassware should be washed in water cool enough to bear the hand in comfortably. Make it soapy with Ciistile or other white soap. Have a second dish of clear water, of the same temperature, in which to rinse the dishes. Wash each piece carefully, rubbing with a soft 132 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES cloth, then rinse and wipe dry. In washing glassware lay three or four thicknesses of a towel on the bottom of the pan, which will make a soft support for the glass and render it less apt to be broken. It is best to wash only a few pieces at a time. A brush should be used to cleanse the cutting. A little bluing added to the water in which the glass is rinsed will make the crystal more brilliant. The glass should be rubbed gently to a polish. Linen towels are best for wiping. 3. To wash a glass from which milk has been poured, plunge first into cold water before putting it into warm. Glasses (Spectacles) can be most easily cleaned and made perfectly clear by dropping on each glass a drop or two of alcohol, and then rubbing with soft cloth. Globes that are smoked and dirty may be cleansed by soaking them in hot water to which a little sal soda or borax has been added. Scrub with a brush, rinse in clear water and wipe dry. Ammonia is also good to use. Gloss on a black garment may be removed by shak- ing and brushing the garment free from dust, and then sponging it with ammonia water. Dry quickly. Gloves. — I. Kid gloves are most satisfactorily cleaned with benzine or naphtha, purified benzine or rose oil being preferable. The gloves may be put on the hands, rubbed with flannel dipped in the cleansing RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 133 fluid, and then wiped dry with a clean piece of white flannel. Renaove the gloves and hang them in the air to dry. The gloves may also be cleaned as follows : Place them in the benzine and let them soak thoroughly; then place them on a clean board or large platter, rub them one way only, toward the ends of the fingers, with a soft brush or sponge. Clean all parts alike, using the cleaning fluid freely ; then dry, if possible, over a wooden hand, or on smooth sticks made to resemble fingers inserted in each finger of the gloves. When dry, polish with French white powder. Keep the gloves smooth during the process and put them upon the hands occasionally while drying to prevent shrinking. Gasoline, benzine or naphtha will do the work. 2. Another way to clean kid gloves is to use a strong solution of pure soap in hot milk beaten up with the yolk of one egg to a pint of the solution. A little ether may be added to the fluid. Put the glove on the hand and rub it gently with the solution, then dry carefully. Fold and press between paper with a warm iron. White gloves are not discolored by this treatment, and are made clean and soft. 3. Light undressed kid gloves can be cleaned with cracker crumbs. Prepare a generous quantity of the crumbs; button the gloves upon the hands and rub thoroughly with the crumbs. 4. Suede or undressed gloves may also be cleaned 134 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES with corn-meal ; rub it over them, and then use a clean piece of white flannel. 5. To clean chamois or castor gloves rub the parts most soiled with magnesia. Then wash them on the hands in a lather of Castile or ivory soap and warm water. Rinse in warm and then in cold water that contains a little soap. Keep them on the hands until nearly dry, then dry in the air. 6. Ati excellent cleansing fluid to use in cleaning kid gloves is composed of a pint of deodorized benzine, half a drachm of sulphuric ether, half a drachm of chloro- form, one drachm of alcohol and enough cologne to make a satisfactory mixture. Clean the gloves on the hands with this, using a sponge, and rubbing partly dry with a piece of flannel. 7. To wash silk gloves : Put the gloves on the hands and fasten at the wrists. Have ready a bowlful of warm suds made of white soap and a teaspoonful of borax. Dip a nail brush in the suds and go over the gloves care- fully. Rinse while on the hands, remove and dry. 8. Stains are removed from colored gloves by sus- pending them for twelve hours in an atmosphere of ammonia. To do this use a tall glass jar in the bottom of which pour some strong aqua ammonia, without spattering any of it on the sides of the jar. Suspend the gloves to the stopper of the jar. They must not come in contact with ammonia. Leave the gloves in the bottle twelve hours. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 135 9. When black kid gloves are soiled or turned white in spots, wet the spots with black ink appUed by means of a bit of flannel on a toothpick ; then, mix a few drops of ink and sweet-oil or vaseline in a small dish, and with the flannel, rub the mixture over the gloves. Dry \ and then polish on the hand with soft flannel. Undressed kid gloves cannot be treated this way, only glace. 10. Women whose hands are inclined to perspire find it difficult to get gloves on. A little French chalk sprinkled over the fingers before inserting into the glove will facilitate the operation. Glue. — I. A good glue for domestic purposes is made in the following manner : Soak half an ounce of glue and half an ounce of isinglass for twelve hours in one pint of cold water. Put this in a glue-pot with one gill of vinegar, and place in hot water. Add a table- spoonful of salt to the hot water. Stir the glue frequently while it is dissolving. Use it very hot. If there are particles of old glue clinging to the wood be sure to remove them. As it injures glue to heat it often make only a small quantity at a time. 2. Another receipt for glue is : Take equal parts of shellac and rosin, and, after melting them together, add an amount equal to both of carbolic acid crystals. 3. Liquid glue, always ready for use, is made as follows : Put into a glass jar finely broken glue of the 136 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES best quality ; then fill it with acetic acid. Set the jar thus filled in a water bath, which must be heated gradually and kept hot until the glue is all dissolved. Grass Stains. — To remove grass stains saturate the spots with kerosene, and then wash in the usual way. Alcohol will remove grass stains. These stains must be taken out before the garment is washed, as washing makes them indelible. Soak the spots with alcohol, wash in warm suds. Brush the spots well with the alcohol and pay particular attention to them in the wash. Dry in the sun or on the grass. Grease Spots.— i. A most effective remover of grease spots that resist hot water and soap is : Benzine, one pint ; chloroform, one-half ounce ; ether, one drachm ; oil of bergamot, ten drops. Rub on the spot with a sponge or piece of cloth. Do not work near a flame or fire, as the fluid is explosive. 2. To remove a grease spot from woolen goods v^^X. it with benzole or turpentine, and put a piece of blotting paper under the spot and another over it. Press with a warm iron. First wet a circle just outside the grease spot with the benzole, benzine, gasoline or turpentine, and continue wetting, moving toward the spot of grease until that is reached. Never' start by wetting from the center of the grease spot, and do not rub the grease over a larger area. Use blotting papers, as above directed, on any woolen fabric. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 137 3. Grease spots inay be removed from any delicate color with French chalk. Scrape this 011 the spots and rub it in ; then allow it to remain for twenty-four hours, brush off lightly, and if the grease has not entirely dis- appeared, repeat the work. 4. Fuller's earth will remove grease spots from silk. Spread the garment or fabric on a smooth surface, put the fuller's earth on the spots, rubbing it in well. Let the powder remain for twenty-four hours; then cover it with a piece of brown paper, and press with a warm flatiron. Remove the paper and brush off the fuller's earth. Repeat, if necessary. Hair. — i. To keep the hair in good condition it is necessary not only to brush it with clean brushes and regularly, but to give it frequent shampooing so that every particle of dust may be removed from it. The soft, fluffy look of the hair, and its beautiful gloss after having been shampooed, shows. how grateful it is for the treatment given it. The frequency of the shampoo must be determined by the condition of the hair. Ordinarily once a week is not too often ; in some cases once in two weeks is sufficient to keep the hair clean. Absolute cleanliness is necessary, and the hair should have daily ventilation. To cleanse the scalp and the hair use hot water made ''soap-sudsy" with tar soap; use a nail brush, upon which the soap has been rubbed, to scrub the scalp 138 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES thoroughly, and after every part of the scalp is washed rinse the hair and heat with baths of water, the first be- ing the temperature of that used for washing the hair, and the last ordinarily cool, the baths between having been gradually graded. The rinsing should be continued until all the soap is removed from the hair. For the first rubbing use a thick, hard Turkish towel, and after that rub the hair and the head with ordinary towels. Ladies will find it advantageous to warm the towels be- fore using them as they will dry the hair more quickly than towels not warmed. The hair should not be put up until it is perfectly dry or it will remain damp for a long time and have an undesirable mouldy smell about it. 2. A hair specialist prescribes the following treat- ment for the hair : Ventilate and shake it daily to rid it of dust and dirt; then use the following scalp wash as often as required. Extract of witch-hazel, one pint ; eau de cologne, eight ounces ; chloroform, three drachms. Apply the lotion with a sponge, going over the entire scalp two or three times. When entirely dry, brush the hair with quick downward strokes, and soon a fine gloss will appear ; use a very soft clean brush and take care not to touch the scalp. 3. Shampooing the hair : Take a cake of pure white floating soap, place it in a quart vessel and pour over it a pint of boiling water ; agitate about five minutes or un- til a strong lather is formed ; remove the soap, and when the liquid has cooled to lukewarm, saturate the scalp RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 139 thoroughly and manipulate with the finger-tips, going over the scalp several times. Pour the remainder of the liquid over the long hair, washing it as one would a piece of cloth; rinse with warm water, using a bath spray. Part the hair and spray the scalp, particularly at each side of the head ; dry with warm towels and allow the hair to become perfectly dry. It will then be ex- ceedingly fluffy. If the scalp is very oily put a teaspoonful of bicarbon- ate of soda in the vessel with the soap ; if, on the con- trary, the scalp is dry and the hair is britde, drop a tea- spoonful of sweet almond oil in the last rinse water. 4. A thorough shampoo with hot water into which a tablespoon ful of borax is placed, followed by a thor- ough rinsing in clean, cold water, will cleanse the scalp, allay itching and irritation, heal any scalp soreness and make the hair soft and flufl'y. 5. A good shampoo for dry, falling hair is made as follows : Shave half a cake of white shaving soap and dissolve it in a pint and a half of hot water, add thirty grains of carbonate of soda, one hundred and twenty grains of powdered borax and two ounces each of bay rum and best cologne. Wet the head with a sufficient quantity of this liquid, first, however, moistening the hair with warm water, then rub with this shampoo all over, cleaning the scalp with the tips of the fingers, rinse in several waters, the last cold, and dry thor- oughly. I40 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 6. Sesquicarbonate of ammonia, two drachms ; car- bonate of potash, two drachms ; rain water, one- fourth pint. Dissolve and add the solution to a mixture of : Tincture of cantharides, one and a half ounces ; rectified spirit, one-fourth pint ; good rum, one and a half pints. Shake the whole well together, adding a little perfume or not at will. In using this preparation the hair is wetted with it, well rubbed so as to form a lather, and then either washed with clear water or rubbed dry with a towel. A less expensive and more common liquid, in which the rectified spirit and one-third of the rum is re- placed by water, forms the shampoo liquid often used by hair-dressers after cutting the hair. Cleanses the scalp, removes dandruff and checks falling hair. 7. A healthful shampoo, particularly for an itching scalp: Use lemon juice and white of ^gg. Break the white of egg into a wash bowl. Add a pint of cold water and beat with the hand until frothy. Add the juice of a lemon. If you have much hair two lemons and more water may be used. Rub thoroughly into the scalp. Rinse twice in cold water. Dry the hair as quickly as possible. 8. The dry shampoo, that is, powdering the hair and scalp with ground orris-root, imparts a delicate fragrance and helps to absorb the superfluous oil. It cannot, how- ever, be kept up indefinitely, and can never take the place of washing. Falling Hair. — i. Sir Erasmus Wilson's receipt RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 141 for falling hair and grayness is an ounce of hartshorn, an ounce of chloroform, and an ounce of sweet almond oil, added to fifteen ounces of spirits of rosemary. Rub this well into the scalp after the hair has had a good brushing. 2. To prevent hair from falling out : To a pint of hot water add a tablespoonful of borax, then add one drachm of salts of tartar and one ounce of almond oil ; shake well, and perfume with a few drops each of berga- mot, lemon, lavender and clove essential oils. A beauti- ful cream will be produced, which, shaken well before using, will impart a healthy gloss to the hair, cleanse the scalp and act as a deterrent to the falling out of thin hair. 3. A simple remedy for falling hair is made by add- ing twenty grains of quinine to a pint of bay rum. Rub thoroughly into the scalp. 4. To wash hair that is falling out and becoming thin use an antiseptic soap containing either resorcin, naph- thol, boric acid or tar. If a shampoo is preferred the fol- lowing is recommended : Ammonium carbonate, one hundred and twenty grains ; potassium carbonate, one- half ounce ; tincture of cantharides-, four drachms ; water, eight ounces ; bay rum, eight ounces. After washing the hair thoroughly rub the scalp softly every night with a little brush dipped in : Philocarpine nitrate, four grains ; tincture of cantharides, four drachms ; cologne water, four ounces; soap liniment, enough to make sixteen ounces. 142 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 5. A very effective lotion to stop hair from falling out and to help its growing is made of the following ingredi- ents in the following manner : Put four ounces of oil of sweet almonds into one pint of alcohol, and put in two drachms of oil of bergamot ; then add aqua ammonia, four ounces ; rye whiskey, eight ounces ; gum camphor, one- half ounce. Mix. Shake thoroughly before applying and rub in thoroughly. Tonics for the hair. — i. An excellent scalp cleanser and tonic is made of: Bay rum, seven ounces; distilled extract of witch-hazel, nine ounces ; common salt, sixty grains; diluted hydrochloric acid, one drop; magnesia, sufficient. Rub this into the scalp three or four times a week. 2. Oil of mace is a good stimulant for the hair. It is generally used with alcohol, and should be well rubbed into the skin. 3. A good rubbing of the skin of the head serves to stimulate the growth of the hair. This should be done twice a week, and the friction should be so vigorous as to make the skin red and glowing. Thin hair has been known to become thick and long after this treatment. 4. The following is an excellent hair tonic : Salicylic acid, one drachm ; spirits of ether, four drachms ; glycer- ine, one drachm ; alcohol, three ounces ; bay rum, to make eight ounces. 5. A most effective tonic for the hair i-Si'. Bichloride of mercury, three grains ; tincture of cantharides, one- RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 143 half ounce ; oil of sweet almonds, one drachm ; spirits of rosemary, one ounce; alcohol, two ounces; water, suffi- cient to make six ounces. Apply to the hair and scalp daily. 6. Quinine hair tonic. Quinine sulphate, fifteen grains; tincture of cantharides, one and a half drachms; tincture of rhatany, two and a half drachms ; spirit of lav- ender, one ounce; glycerine, one ounce; alcohol, suffi- cient to make twelve ounces. This is similar to ' ' Pinaud's Quinine Hair Tonic," and can be used in the usual manner. 7. An efficient hair restorative. — Castor oil, two ounces ; alcohol, two ounces ; tincture of cantharides, one ounce ; rain water, one ounce ; oil of bergamot, one drachm. Mix and apply with a brush or the ends of the fingers, rubbing it in thoroughly. Use once or twice a week. 8. Pure vaseline rubbed into the scalp at night stimu- lates the growth of the hair, but the hair should not be allowed to become oily or greasy. 9. Kerosene oil is sometimes successful as a hair grower. It should be rubbed in well. Scalp massage and electric brushing are good for weak and falling hair. Dressings for the hair. — i. To dress the hair and keep it soft and tractable. Any hair dressing should be used sparingly and well brushed in. Pure sweet oil, six fluid ounces ; lime-water, two fluid ounces. Shake the bottle well before using any of the dressing. 2. The following is an excellent preparation for the 144 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES hair, removijig scurf and dandruff, and keeping the scalp healthy. Take two ounces of rosemary herb with roots, and break it up into small pieces ; add two table- spoonfuls of borax ; place in a jug and pour over it a pint of boiling water \ cover and let the contents steam near the fire for three hours, stirring occasionally. When cold press out, pour off and bottle the clear liquor, to which add one dunce of glycerine, shaking well together. If perfume be desired add half a drachm each of bergamot, lemon, grass and lavender. Rub well into the scalp. 3. Hair oil. — Castor oil, one ounce; alcohol, three ounces ; oil of bergamot, one-half drachm. Mix well and apply as any hair dressing. 4. Bay rum. — Magnesia and powdered borax, each thirty grains ; oil of bay, one-half to one drachm ; alco- hol, two ounces ; diluted alcohol, one quart. Rub the magnesia, borax and oil of bay in the two ounces of strong alcohol ; then put into a filter and gradually pour on the diluted alcohol to percolate through the magnesia. 5. Brilliantine. — Castor oil, two drachms; sweet almond oil, one and a half ounces; glycerine, one drachm ; Jockey Club extract, one and a half drachms ; alcohol, enough to make four ounces. To be used on the hair, eyebrows, moustache and beard. Dandruff. — i. To preveht dandruff the hair brushes must be scrupulously clean and the combs should not be so fine as to excoriate the scalp. A laxative diet, or an aperient medicine, and the use of a soft brush and any RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 145 one of the various lotions and dressings that have been given will cure dandruff. The following lotion is a most excellent preventive of dandruff: Tincture of canthar- ides, one ounce ; liquid ammonia, one drachm; glycerine, half an ounce; oil of thyme and rosemary oil, half a drachm each ; mix altogether with six ounces of rose- water. Rub the scalp thoroughly with this preparation until no further evidences of dandruff are noticeable. 2. To cure dandruff. Wash the hair thoroughly, then rub the scalp gently with a little sponge dipped in : Resorcin (resublimed), two hundred and forty grains; castor oil, five ounces ; alcohol, ten ounces ; Peru bal- sam, twenty-four grains. Apply this for a week, then wash the head again. Depilatories. — i. Superfluous hairs are a cause of much annoyance. There are nostrums that are warranted to eradicate such hair, but many of them are dangerous, and only beneficial for a time. For coarse hairs on the face the electric needle is the only cure. This process is quite out of the question for the arms ; the roots lie too deep, as the needle, to be effective, must reach the root of each hair. The depilatories given below are harmless and among the best that can be used. 2. Sulphide of strontium, five drachms ; oxide of zinc, one and a half drachms ; starch, one and a half drachms ; menthol, five grains. Mix and grind to a fine powder. Make a paste of the powder with water ; apply to the hairy skin ; after it becomes dry scrape it off with a dull 146 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES knife. The hair will come with it. Wash the parts clean and rub in some vaseline or olive oil. 3. Take a strong solution of sulphuret of barium, and add enough powdered starch to make a paste. Apply the same as No. 2. 4. Sulphuret of calcium and quicklime in. equal parts reduced to a fine powder. Keep in a tightly corked bot- tle. Use as No. 2. Curling Fluid. — i . Powdered borax, one half ounce ; gum arable, fifteen grains ; spirits of camphor, three drachms; hot water, eight ounces. When borax, gum arable and hot water are in solution, add the camphor. Moisten the hair with this lotion, rolling in small ringlets and pinning with invisible pins. 2 . Another hair curling liquid. — Potassium carbonate, sixty grains ; ammonia water, one-half drachm ; alcohol, six drachms ; rose-water, sufficient to make eight ounces. This liquid is highly recommended. Wet the hair with it, adjust loosely ; it curls upon drying. Itching of the scalp, — Lemon juice is suggested as a remedy for an itching and burning sensation of the scalp. Take a ripe, juicy lemon, squeeze and strain the juice into a bowl ; add a teacupful of boiling water. When the liquid has cooled somewhat, saturate the scalp with it, manipulating with the finger-tips for five or ten minutes; do not rinse, but dry with a warm towel. When entirely dry use an egg shampoo. Dry and unmanageable hair. — i. When the hair RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 147 is inclined to be dry use half an ounce of spirits of rose- mary, the same of spirits of camphor, and half that of glycerine, and the juice of a lemon ; shake all well together and then add four ounces of alcohol. Apply this every other night, alternating with a pomade com- posed thus : two ounces of prepared Jard, two drachms of white wax; melt these gradually, then add four drachms of balsam of tolu, twenty drops of oil of rose- mary and two drachms of tincture of cantharides. The balsam of tolu must be dissolved in half an ounce of rectified spirits of wine for twelve hours. 2. Lanolin, the fat of the sheep's wool, is excellent for the hair. Equal parts of vaseline or olive oil should be added to it, as it is naturally harsh and sticky. Dyeing the hair is an exhibition of the worst possible taste. Hair dyes are very objectionable, and the results from their use are nearly always disastrous. However, if a dye is used it should be the simplest thing possible. Here is one receipt that is said to be practically harmless. To a pint of white wine vinegar add two ounces of iron filling and one ounce of bruised gall-nuts. Boil until reduced one half, strain and bottle for use. 2. A strong solution of coffee containing a little salt is good for the hair and is said to keep it from turning gray. 3. To gradually darken the hair. — Sulphate of iron, one drachm ; rectified spirits, one ounce ; oil of rose- mary, twelve drops ; pure soft water, one-half pint. 148 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES Shake all together until thoroughly dissolved and mixed. Old ale may be substituted for the water. 4. A harmless wash that makes brown hair take on a sunny tinge is a mixture of saffron and tincture of rosemary. Steep a handful of saffron in a pint of the tincture. Gray hair will turn dark if it is treated with a mixture of two ounces each of glycerine and rose-water. This should be rubbed into the hair every morning. To bleach hair 071 the arms. — i. Use hydrogen peroxide. First test the effect of this on the skin by using it diluted, as in some cases it is irritating. The natural oil of the skin should first be removed by wash- ing with hot water and soap and a little ammonia. 2. The following is a French receipt for the purpose of decoloring hair on the arms. Liquid ammonia, fifty grams ; distilled water, four hundred and fifty grams ; salt, ten grams ; camphor, one gram ; rose essence, sufficient to perfume. Use this every morning, bathing the arms thoroughly with it. 3. To bleach or restore a switch of white hair that has turned yellow, clean thoroughly and expose it moist to the fumes of burning sulphur in a box. For vermin (^lice) in the hair see under Lice ; also the following : Comb the hair thoroughly with a fine tooth comb, removing all that are grown. Follow this with an application of lard to the scalp and roots of the hair. Repeat in a day. The grease seems to kill the nits. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 149 To wash hair brushes dissolve a quarter of an ounce of borax in boiling water. When it is nearly cold dab the bristles up and down, without allowing the backs of the brushes to become wet. Or add a spoonful of aqua ammonia to a quart of warm water in a wash basin. Rub the bristles until they are clean. Strong soap-suds also may be used, but it makes the bristles soft. When the brushes are clean rinse them in clear cold water and dry them either by the fire or in the sunshine. To clean a brush without wetting it, comb the hairs out of it, and then rub plenty of flour into the bristles, wrap the brush up in paper and leave all night ; next morning shake and brush the bristles and remove the re- maining flour by blowing the brush. Ivory-backed brushes that have become yellow may be whitened by rubbing with moist pumice-stone. Tortoise-shell combs or ornaments that have lost their polish may be renovated by rubbing them with very finely powdered rottenstone mixed with a little olive oil. Combs can be most easily cleaned by using an old tooth-brush and soap-suds, then drying the comb by the fire. Handkerchiefs. — i. Finely-embroidered and lace handkerchiefs should not be washed with other articles ; they are nicely laundered in the following manner : Make a warm suds with white Castile or ivory soap or soap powder, place the handkerchiefs therein and let ISO RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES them soak over night. The next morning squeeze each piece in the hands, and place in another bowl of soap- suds ; move them about, gently squeeze out the suds and rinse in clear warm water. Take a tablespoonful of gum- arabic and dissolve it in a pint of boiling water, and when it is almost cool dip the handkerchiefs in it; squeeze them dry, shake gently and spread them upon a mirror, window pane or piece of glass, flattening out all the embroidered edges. 2. White silk handkerchiefs should be carefully washed in warm soap-suds made with pure white soap, then dried quickly and ironed with a moderately warm iron, having a clean piece of muslin between the silk and iron. Do not rub the handkerchiefs on the wash-board ; do not rub soap on them ; and do not boil them. If washed as directed white silk handkerchiefs will not turn yellow. See Silks also. Hands. — i. To wash the hands so that they will be perfectly clean, prepare a bowl of hot water, soap and a teaspoonful of borax. Soak the hands in this for a few minutes, then take a little corn-meal and rub them well. This removes all soil and is not as harsh as a nail-brush ; a hard rubber brush may be used to advantage. After every particle of grime has disappeared rinse the hands in clear water and rub over them a little lemon juice. Dry them thoroughly and go carefully around each nail with a pointed wooden stick, pushing the flesh well down RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 151 so as to show the little white moon at the base. Cut away any flesh which may stand loosely around the nail and rub the rough places with a piece of pumice-stone. Never scrape the nails nor file the surface ; either process will thicken them. No style is in better taste than the simple oval. 2. To wash the hands whm they are roughened by cold or labor, wash them in vinegar in which a handful of corn-meal or wheat bran has been put, rubbing thoroughly, then wash off and apply a lotion made of equal parts of glycerine and rose-water. The above treatment will soften and heal the hands when they are* rough and irritated. 3. For red hands the following is an excellent dress- ing : Honey, one ounce; almond oil, one ounce; juice of one lemon ; yolk of one egg. These ingredients should be well mixed. 4. For spots and freckles this is also good : Violet water, one ounce; glycerine, one drachm ; tincture of benzoin, one-half drachm ; powdered borax, one-fourth drachm. The borax and glycerine should be rubbed together, and the violet water added very slowly. The tincture of benzoin is added last. 5. Lemon juice and glycerine, say one ounce of each, will soften and whiten the hands. If there are freckles on the hands add one drachm of powdered borax to the mixture. 6. The following mixture has been recommended for 152 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES making the hands white : Pour half a pint of hot milk upon a heaping tablesp6onful of scraped or grated horse- radish. Put this into a bottle, retaining the horseradish in the milk. After having washed the hands rub them with this lotion, and then dry them with a towel. A little lemon juice either clear or diluted applied to the hands and allowed to dry in is a most effective whitener of the skin. 7. Unpleasant perspiration of the hands may be sub- dued by dusting them, after they have been washed and dried, with powdered orris-root. Insuffici^t drying is the cause of many chapped hands, A little almond meal dusted on the hands after they have been washed and wiped absorbs the moisture and pre- vents chapping. The following lotion is one of the best that can be used for chapped hands. If glycerine is reddening to the skin it may be omitted and still leave a fine lotion, at once whitening and softening. Cocoanut oil, three ounces; lanolin, one ounce; glycerine, one ounce; tincture of tolu, one-eighth of an ounce; tincture of benzoin, fifteen drops. Rub thoroughly into the hands at night and cover with loose gloves. Camphor ice is good for chapped hands. See also under Chaps. Hands that are badly cracked may be cured by putting copal varnish (kept by paint dealers) into the cracks. A simple and efficient remedy. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 153 A/i ointment for cracked /uj/h/s is fnade of : Camphor, sixty grains ; boric acid, thirty grains ; make into an ointment with one-half ounce lanolin and one-half ounce vaseline. Apply freely to the hands. For suggestions to remove sunburn, tan, etc, see un- der Sunburn, Tan, Face and Skin. Hats. — I. To clean a white sailor or other straw hat which has lost its white color, get five cents' worth of oxalic acid ; dissolve it in a pint of warm water and apply with an old tooth-brush, scrubbing thoroughly on a flat surface, then rinse carefully, as, unless the acid is thor- oughly washed off it will rot the straw. Dry on a flat surface in the bright sunshine. 2. Panama hats may be bleached by dampening them and then exposing them to the fumes of burning sulphur in a closed box or barrel. They may also be cleaned with oxalic acid as described above. 3. White straw hats may also be cleaned with lemon juice and flowers of sulphur. Brush the hat thoroughly to cleanse it from dust, then with an old tooth-brush dipped in lemon-juice thoroughly wet a small portion at a time ; next, dip the moist brush into sulphur and rub it into the lemon-juice, giving the hat a thorough cleansing. Then brush it and dry it in the sun. 4. Black straw hats may be renovated by revarnish- ing them, which really takes the place of dyeing, using some black sealing-wax pounded into small pieces, and 154 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES pouring over it enough methylated spirits or alcohol to dissolve it. Mix this varnish thoroughly and apply it with a soft brush to the hat, covering every crevice of the straw. Blue straw hats may be freshened in the same manner, using blue sealing-wax. - Headache. — i. The best physicians agree that treat- ment between the attacks of headache is most likely to cut short their number and lessen their intensity. Per- sons subject to sick headache should regulate the diet with care, avoiding rich foods and fats, using lemons freely, drinking the juice squeezed in water. Plenty of exercise should be taken in the open air ; a sponge bath, followed by brisk rubbing, should be taken once a day ; and some simple laxative should be taken. In many cases the cause of headache is deep-seated and must be removed before permanent relief can be hoped for. 2. For sick headache a doctor suggests the following treatment : When the first unpleasant symptoms are felt one should lie down with the head low, and take a tea- spoonful of aromatic spirits of ammonia in a little water. If there is chilliness put a hot water bag to the feet and cover warmly with a blanket. If there is nervousness and depression take half a teaspoonful of tincture of valerianate of ammonia, instead of the aromatic spirits of ammonia, and repeat the dose in fifteen minutes. The room should be darkened ; one should keep perfectly quiet and endeavor to sleep. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 155 Should these remedies not avert the attack and the pain and nausea begin to be felt, take a tablespoonful of strong tea or coffee, without milk if possible, very hot or very cold, and repeat every fifteen minutes for four doses. Oxalate of cerium is sometimes very effective. It can be procured at the druggist's, and should be put up in pow- ders of twenty grains each. Shake one dry on the tongue, swallow with a little water and repeat in an hour. Soda- mint tablets, one every ten minutes until six have been taken, are efficacious, if administered early. If the stomach does not contain a lot of undigested food it is best to check the desire to vomit. Effervescing citrate of mag- nesia, iced vichy or soda-water will often soothe the gastric disturbance. When there is much food in the stomach vomiting affords some relief. When the attack comes on it is also recommended that the sufferer, lying in a darkened room, should drink large quantities of hot water, following this with a saline cathartic. When the pain is severe a piece of linen may be dipped in alcohol and water and a single fold bound on the fore- head, wetting it as soon as it becomes dry. Sometimes a flannel wrung out of boiling water and applied as hot as it can be borne will give more relief. If the feet are cold they may be immersed in hot water containing one or two tablespoonfuls of mustard. This is not impossible even if the sufferer cannot sit up. Ly- ing on the back with the knees bent the feet can be put 156 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES in a foot-tub of water placed on the bed with little or no disturbance. 3. Menthol vinegar or tincture makes a good head- ache cologne^ affording immediate relief. Use : Menthol, one-half ounce; alcohol, one fluid ounce; or menthol, three parts ; white vinegar, ninety-seven parts. The first tincture is very strong. Paint it right over the pain, rubbing it into the forehead and temples. Then take half a glass of hot water and add from five to ten drops of the tincture, inhale the fumes until it cools off, so that you can drink it. It should be taken as hot as possible. 4. An efficacious liniment for headache is made by dissolving two and one-half ounces of camphor, one fluid drachm of oil of lavender, in seventeen fluid ounces of alcohol ; then adding three fluid ounces of ammonia, and shaking until mixed. A piece of linen wetted with it, folded, and applied, and then covered with a dry cloth and pressed with the hand will generally relieve super- ficial pains and headache. 5. For nervous headache salicylate of soda is a remedy. Ten grains every three hours for an adult, followed next day in five to eight -grain doses, taken by dissolving in water, will afford relief. 6. For neuralgic headache camphor and chloral, rubbed together until they form a liquid, may be painted over the spot. Any of the foregoing remedies, espe- cially those containing menthol, will ease the distressing pain. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 157 7. When one ca?tfiot sleep, one should get a druggist to put up seven capsules of eight-grain anti-febrin each and take one each night as one retires. In a week a new and good habit will be formed, especially if one goes to bed at nine o'clock. 8. The numerous headache cures that are advertised are more or less injurious and should be avoided. Some create a habit that is hard to break ; and nearly all contain acetanilid which is a heart-depressant and when taken carelessly may cause death. Any one having a sound heart may, however, take the following powder safely, as it contaii>s a heart stimulant that tends to over- come the depressing effect : Acetanilid, forty grains ; sodium bicarbonate, twenty grains ; ammonium carbon- ate, twelve grains. This should be made into ten cap- sules. The dose is one capsule, repeated in one or two hours if necessary. For headaches of all kinds. 9. The headache of the brain worker can be stopped by taking a fair dose, say ten grains, of quinine at bed time, and a good night's sleep. A person subject to periodical attacks of headache should consult a physician and learn the cause. No permanent cure can be effected until the cause is re- moved. Heartburn. — i. A good remedy for heartburn is: Magnesia, three-fourths ounce ; pulverized Turkish rhu- barb ; one drachm ; cinnamon water, one ounce ; dis- 158 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES tilled or soft water, four ounces; spirits of lavender, one drachm. The dose is a tablespoonful half an hour after each meal. 2. For relief from heartburn add a teaspoonful of lemon juice to half a glass of cold water in which has been dissolved half a teaspoonful of carbonate of soda and drink immediately. Hearth. — To clean a tiled hearth : Obtain some soft soap ; put a handful of this into a pail of hot water, and with a clean cloth wash down the tiles. The dirt will be removed very quickly, and the tiles will have a beautiful gloss. • Hemorrhage. — See Bleeding. Hiccough. — I. The following is an old and well- tried specific for hiccough : Moisten granulated sugar with good vinegar. Of this give to a child from a few grains to a teaspoonful. The effect, it is said, is almost instantaneous, and the dose seldom needs to be re- peated. 2. When an infant has hiccough, pat him gently but suddenly on his back, give him a little hot water in which are a few grains of sugar or a drop of essence of peppermint, and do not let him take his food too quickly. 3. Traction of the tongue is said to be a cure for the most severe case of hiccough. A case of hiccough that had lasted for six hours was arrested by traction of the RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 159 tongue for a minute and a half. More severe cases have been cured in two minutes. This treatment is well \\ orth a trial. 4. Another good remedy for hiccough is for the patient to crowd the fingers tight into the ears and to chew, or move the jaws as in chewing, vigorously. A wad of paper may be placed in the mouth and the suf- ferer should chew it hard. Hives. — I. An old fashioned but efficient remedy for hives is a solution of common baking soda and water. Dissolve half a cupful of the soda in a basin of water. Bathe the spots with this several times a day ; or, 2. Cleanse the skin with white soap and water, then apply a lotion made by dissolving two tablespoonfuls of boric acid in a quart of water and adding a teaspoonful of starch, boiling all together and using when cold. Keep the bowels open. 3. When the above remedies do not cure use : Chloral hydrate, one drachm ; powdered camphor, one drachm. Mix these together and then add to two ounces of vaseline or cold cream, and apply to the body once or twice daily, rubbing it in well; Hoarseness. — Simple remedies for hoarseness are : I. Gargle the throat with a solution of boric. 2. Allow a small amount of borax to melt in the mouth. A lump of borax the size of a pea, or about i6o RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES three or four grains, held in the mouth for a few minutes or until dissolved, is generally sufficient. Two or three such pieces, however, may be safely used within an hour before speaking or singing, if necessary. 3. A remedy that singers sometimes use is the white of an egg beaten to a stiff froth. 4. Lemon juice will clear the throat and temporarily relieve hoarseness. Most of the remedies given for Colds and Coughs will cure hoarseness. Inflammation. — i. The white of an egg, into which a piece of alum about the size of a hickory nut, or a corresponding quantity of powdered alum, has been stirred, stirring constantly until it forms a jelly or curd, is a good remedy for inflamed parts. It should be laid over the part upon a piece of lint or cloth and rewet in the whey as often as it becomes dry. It allays inflam- mation and soreness quickly. 2. A poultice made by dipping flannel in hot water is good for any inflamed part. The cloth should be ap- plied hot and changed often. 3. An excellent antiseptic dressing for all kinds of inflammations, inflamed sores, etc., is composed of: Pure carbolic acid, one ounce ; powdered camphor, two ounces ; alcohol, two and a half drachms. Moisten some alisorbent cotton with this lotion and apply to the part. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES i6i bandaging well; or paint it upon the inflamed surface once a day. Ink Spots. — I. When a washable garment or article gets stained with ink; before washing it, cover the stain with salty grease well rubbed in, and let it stand for twelve hours ; then wash. 2. To remove ink spots milk is effective, especially sour milk. Soak in the sour milk immediately after the stain occurs, if possible. If a stain remains use chloride of lime. 3. OxaUc acid dissolved in water will remove ink spots. Rinse well afterward in clear water. Oxalic ^acid is poisonous. 4. Stains made by indelible ink can be removed with a concentrated solution of cyanide of potassium. Apply to the stain with a camel's hair brush. When the stain disappears wash the portion of cloth that has been treated through several waters. Use the solution with caution ; it is poisonous. 5. // is said that printer'' s ink can be removed from clothing by wetting thoroughly with turpentine, letting it alone for two or three hours. Benzine also is said to re- move stains from printer's ink. Put the stained part into a quantity of benzine, then brush with a stiff brush and clean benzine. Dry, and then rub with soap and water. 6. To extract ink from floors, scour with sand which has been made wet with a half and half mixture of water i62 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES and sulphuric acid. Afterward rinse with strong saleratus water. Insects. — I. Insects in closets may be exterminated by the use of carbolic water. Dissolve four ounces of carbolic acid crystals and pour into a bottle containing a pint of cold water. To each gallon of cleaning water add two tablespoon fuls of this liquid. The water should reach every crack in the closet or drawer. The odor soon passes off. 2. Pennyroyal, either the fresli or the oil, will drive away insects. If the oil is used, pour some into a saucer, and soak in it pieces of cotton batting. Place these in closets, drawers, boxes, etc. 3. Hellebore, if fresh, is a good insecticide to use on plants. It should be dusted over plants while they are wet, particularly on the under side of the leaves. It is death to aphides on roses. Whale-oil soap-suds is some- times preferred to hellebore. It is applied with a sprayer. Fir-tree oil soap is also very good. Insomnia. — See under Sleeplessness. Iodine Stains are removed by washing with alcohol, then rinsing in soa})y water. 2. Hyposulphite of soda solution is said to remove iodine stains from cotton fabrics. 3. Ammonia will also remove iodine stains when they are fresh. Soak tlie article for an hour in warm water strongly impregnated with ammonia. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 163 Iron. — I. Grates, trimmings, fixtures, etc., of iron may be made to look like new by the application of a little drop-black dissolved in turpentine, to which a little varnish has been added. 2. Iron grates should be polished with black lead. 3. To remove iron stains from a fabric, soak with lemon juice ; sprinkle with salt and bleach several hours in the sun. See Rust. Itch. — I. A medical authority prescribes the follow- ing ointment for the itch : Zinc oxide, two drachms ; calomel, fifteen grains ; salicylic acid, ten grains ; lanolin, one- half ounce ; carbolized vaseline, one-half ounce. Mix well ; and apply twice daily. 2. Another valuable ointment for itch is : Lard, one-fourth pound, sulphur, one-half ounce; white pre- cipitate and benzoic acid, each one-half drachm; sul- phuric acid and oil of bergamot, each one-half fluid drachm; saltpeter, one drachm. Have the saltpeter in powder; melt the lard, remove from the fire, and |K>ur into a dish ; then put in the other ingredients, stirring till cold. Anoint well night and morning till cured. 3. J^or acute barber' 5 itch use : Precipitated carbon- ate of zinc, one drachm ; oxide of zinc, one drachm ; glycerine, two drachms ; solution of lead sub-ace;ate, two drachms; rose-water, eight ounces. Use as a wash morn- ing and night. Ivory. — Ivory that has become yellow can be whitened. i64 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES it is said, by washing in a solution of one ounce of nitric acid in ten ounces of soft water ; apply also by brushing ; rinse in clean water. It is not easy to whiten ivory. In many instances it cannot be done at all. It is claimed that sawdust thor- oughly wet with lemon juice laid upon ivory will restore its freshness somewhat. Ordinary stains on ivory can be removed by vigorous rubbing with whiting and turpentine. A solution of a tablespoonful of oxalic acid in one-half pint of boiling water is suggested. Wet the ivory with water, then with a tooth-brush j brush on the acid solution. Javelle Water. — This water, which will remove fruit stains from linen or cotton goods, is made by boiling a pound of soda in a gallon of water for ten minutes, and then adding a pound of chloride of lime. When the fluid is settled the clear part should be bottled and corked tightly, and kept for use when stains cannot be removed with soap and hot water. Javelle water will turn white the dirtiest linen as well as remove stains. A much stronger liquor is made by using more soda (bicar- bonate of soda) and lime to the gallon of water. Jet. — When jet trimmings look dull and dusty they can be brightened up by rubbing them gently with a sponge dipped' in diluted alcohol, and then wiping dry with a piece of soft black silk or woolen goods. Jet may also be moistened with some good oil and then wiped with chamois skin. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 165 Jewelry. — i. Rings, brooches, and other articles of jevveh-y should be brushed occasionally with a soft brush that has been dipped in eau de cologne. If the setting is open it should be brushed from the back. Then lay the articles in boxwood sawdust which has been slightly heated beforehand, and leave them for some thirty minutes. 2. Gold chains may be washed in soap-suds, drying them on a soft towel by pulling the chain backward and forward, but care must be taken to pull the right way of the curb or link. They may also be placed in saw- dust, and rubbed briskly with soft chamois skin. 3. Jewelry may be cleaned by washing it in soap-suds ; rinsing in dilute alcohol (half water, half alcohol), and placed in dry sawdust to dry ; then rubbing with the saw- dust. Chamois skin is excellent for rubbing and polish- ing jewelry. 4. Articles of silver may be washed and made as bril- liant as when new by washing in ammonia water (one teaspoonful aqua ammonia to one pint very hot water) brushing them well and then drying with a soft linen towel, and rubbing with soft clean chamois. 5. Silver may also be washed -^Viki a liquid made as follows : Mix together, half an ounce of fine salt, half an ounce of powdered alum, and half an ounce of cream of tartar. Put into a large pitcher and pour on two quarts of water and stir until dissolved. Then put into bottles and cork. Shake well before using. Pour some of the i66 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES liquid into a bowl, and wash the silver all over with it, using an old soft linen cloth. Let it stand about ten minutes, then wipe dry and rub with chamois skin. Kerosene Stains soon evaporate, leaving scarcely a trace behind. The process can be hastened, however, by covering the spots with flour, leaving it for twenty-four hours, brushing off the flour and repeating, if necessary. Kettles. — To clean a porcelain kettle, fill it half full of hot water and put in a tablespoonful of borax ; let it boil. If this does not remove all the stains, scour with a cloth rubbed with soap and borax. Kettles can also be made clean by boiling out with water and common washing soda. Knives. — i. If it should happen that the steel of knives or forks becomes rusted, rub sweet-oil on them, let them stand for twenty-four hours, then rub them with powdered quicklime and the stain will be removed. 2. Ivory handles that are stained may be whitened by rubbing them with whiting and spirits of turpentine. A vigorous rubbing greatly improves their appearance. 3. When steel cutlery is to be put away for any length of time melt some pure mutton suet and dip the steel part of the knives and forks in it. When cool, wrap in tissue paper and then in canton flannel. 4. To fasten the handles of knives or forks that may have become loosened, melt together four parts of rosin. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 167 one of beeswax and one of brick dust. This cement will fasten the loosened handles. Lace. — I . There are many different kinds of laces, varying in quality and design, and this naturally gives rise to various modes of cleansing and restoration. A satisfac- tory mode of cleaning fine hand-made laces that are not badly soiled is by the use of powdered chalk or calcined magnesia. This method of cleaning- is credited to Madame Modjeska. The lace should be neatly spread out upon a soft white cloth or fine white paper, and thor- oughly covered with the chalk or magnesia ; then this should be covered with another cloth or paper of a simi- lar nature, and the whole should be laid away for a few days under a heavy weight. At the expiration of the allotted time the lace should be taken from its wrappings and should receive a gentle but thorough shaking in order to remove the powder. This is most essential, for if it is not beaten out, but allowed to remain undisturbed for a considerable time, it will surely ruin the lace by eating away the thread. 2. Fine lace which has become quite soiled may be cleaned by washing it carefully in benzine. The lace should be put into a bowl and covered with the best and purest benzine, and be allowed to soak for a short time, occasionally receiving a gentle shaking, but it should never be rubbed with the hands. If necessary, when the benzine is poured off it should be replaced by a fresh i68 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES supply and the lace allowed to, soak again for a time. After it has become perfectly clean it should be pinned, while still quite wet, on a flannel-covered board to dry. It is important that this should be done with great care. Plenty of small pins should be used for the purpose, each point must be fastened down securely with due regard to the pattern of the lace, so as to keep it even and correct. If the lace dries before the task has been completed it should be moistened again with a sponge squeezed out of benzine, and then be exposed to the sun where the fresh air may play upon it, in order to dispel the disagreeable odor arising from the benzine. Benzine is very inflam- mable and must be kept away from fire and artificial light. 3 . White silk lace may be soaked over night in milk and soap-suds and gently dipped up and down in the liquid ; rinse in cold water, pat nearly dry, and lay out flat to dry with the points carefully pulled out. These laces are not ironed, but any that are should be laid on a soft pad and protected from the iron by an old piece of muslin. 4. Delicate laces or finely embroidered handkerchief s should not be sent to the laundry nor placed in the family wash. The following mode of washing is an excellent one for such articles. Place the soiled pieces of lace in a bowlful of warm suds made from white Castile or ivory soap and allow them to remain over night ; the next morning squeeze each piece dry in your hands, and place RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 169 them in another bowl of soap-suds ; move them about, gently squeeze them as free from the suds as possible and rinse them in clear warm water. Take a tablespoonful of white gum arabic and dissolve it in a pint of boiling water, and when it is almost cool dip the lace or hand- kerchiefs in it ; squeeze dry, shake gently and spread them upon a piece of glass, flattening out all the leaves and embroidered edges. When they are quite dry remove them from the glass. 5. White cotton lace should be soused in a lather of soap and warm water until clean, squeezed dry in a towel and then smoothed out on an old towel or sheet, the scal- lops being picked out and pinned down if necessary. 6. If it is desired to give a yellow tinge to lace, make some strong coffee, boiling it for an hour; strain, and mix with cold water until the right tint has been secured; then soak the lace in it for half an hour after it has been rinsed, and dry as before directed. 7. A simple and excellent method of cleaning ecru lace which has become dusty and soiled is to give it a bath in dry corn-meal. About a quart of corn-meal should be put into a bowl or pan, into which the lace should be dipped, then rubbed and squeezed with the hands as though the meal were water. After this treatment and a good shaking, the lace will look fresh and clean. 8. An old and tried method of freshening black lace is to soak it in cold milk, rinsing in cold water and press- ing on the wrong side with a moderate iron over an old 170 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES handkerchief. A hot iron makes black lace appear, rusty. Black lace should not be dried near a fire or it will look rusty. 9. Lace that has grown rusty from dust should be well shaken and rinsed in a cup of water with a table- spoonful each of alcohol and powdered borax j pat nearly dry, pull out the edges and iron, or dry over a bottle. When sponging lace, rub from the selvage down so as not to pull it out of shape. 10. Black lace may be cleaned by sponging with a wad of black silk, using a liquid made by boiling an old black kid glove in a pint of water until it is only half a pint, or in a weak solution of borax and warm water, a teaspoonful to a pint, sponging the right side and ironing on the wrong side while damp. 11. To revive and cleafi black lace make some tea about the strength usual for drinking, and strain it off the leaves. Pour enough tea into a basin to cover the quan- tity of lace, let it stand ten or twelve hours, then squeeze it several times, but do not rub it. Dip it frequently into the tea, which will at length assume a dirty appearance. Have ready some weak gum-arabic water, and press the lace gently through it ; then clap it several minutes ; after which pin it to a towel to dry. When it is nearly dry, cover it with another towel and iron with a moderate iron. This treatment makes the lace look like new. 12. Gold and silver laces are cleaned with a part of a loaf of stale bread, mixed with a quarter of a pound of RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 171 powde-r blue, rubbing the bread fine and mixing the blue with it. Sprinkle thickly over the lace, and in a short time it will brighten ; then brush off the crumbs with a piece of flannel and rub softly with a piece of red velvet. 13. Lace curtains. See Curtains. Lfameness. — For lameness of the back, knees, etc., try this simple home remedy. Add a little saltpeter to strong cider vinegar and steep wormwood leaves in it. Make a poultice of the leaves and bind on the affected part, as hot as possible, and leave it on until it is cold. Sometimes a second application is necessary, but one is usually sufficient. Lamps. — I. To clean lamp burners, boil them in a strong solution of borax. The solution may be renewed if the burners are very dirty. Another way is to dissolve an ounce and a half of sal soda in a quart of water; put into this the burner, set it on the stove and let it boil ten minutes, then rinse and dry the burner. This should be done every two weeks. Wood ashes also are good. Lamp burners may also be cleaned in the following manner: Save all your onion peelings and when the burners get dark or begin to look old wrap each burner with the onion peelings,putting on several thicknesses, tie firmly with string, put in a dish, cover with warm water, add a tablespoonful of kerosene, and then boil for an hour or two; finally wipe the burner dry, and it will look like new. 172 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 2. It is said that if lamp wicks are soaked in vinegar before being used they will not smoke. 3. Lamp chimneys may be toughened and made less apt to crack by being put into a dish of cold water to which some common salt has been added, set upon the stove and boiled slowly, then allowed to cool gradually. 4. To fasten a glass lamp securely in its iitetal socket mix plaster of Paris to a paste with cold water, put a layer in the socket and press the lamp firmly in place. The plaster hardens in a few minutes. Mucilage thickened with plaster of Paris makes a good cement for lamps. 5. To prevent a lamp from smelli fig offensively 2Xidi from leaking over, trim the wick and clean the burner each day. Do not have the reservoir quite full. Always turn the wick well down into the wick tube before blowing out. After the lamp is trimmed in the morning turn the wick well down into the tube. Wash the burners once a week. Laxative. — Mix well together : Bicarbonate of soda, eight ounces ; tartaric acid, seven ounces ; Rochelle salts, two and a half ounces ; sulphate of magnesia, three ounces. For laxative effect, take one teaspoonful ; for cathartic effect, take one tablespoonful. Put the salt in a dry glass, fill half full with water, and drink at once. The above dose may be repeated if it does not act within an hour. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 173 Leak. — In an emergency when a pan, boiler or kettle springs a sudden leak and it is not convenient to get it soldered, a good home-made cement may be made by taking the white of an egg and some fine coal or wood ashes and mixing them together until a paste is formed. Spread this mixture on the hole outside of the vessel and hold over the fire until the egg is hard and dry. Leather. — i. A dressing for leather furniture is made as follows : Put into a bowl one gill of hot water, half an ounce of arnotto, and half an ounce of white soap, shaved fine. Place the bowl in a pan of boiling water. Into a second bowl put half an ounce of bees- wax, shaved fine, and place in the pan of boiling water. Stir the contents of both bowls until they are melted, then take them from the fire. Into the melted wax stir one gill of turpentine, one gill of paraffine oil, and finally the mixture of arnotto, soap and water. Beat the mixture until it is cold ; then put it in a wide-mouthed bottle or fruit jar for future use. This preparation may be used on brown or red leather. First wash the leather with a soft cloth and hot milk ; then rub on the dressing with a soft cloth. If the leather be faded the dressing may be made darker by using two or three times the quantity of arnotto. If the preparation be for dark green or black leather add a little logwood to the mixture. 2. To revive the lustre of morocco or any other leather, apply the white of an egg with a sponge. 174 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES Lice. — I. There are numerous ways of getting rid of lice in the hair. Camphor is a remedy, also alcohol and coal oil. Apply any of these freely and it will destroy both vermin and nits. 2. To bind the head up with cloths saturated with kerosene oil for twenty-four hours, then washing with soap and water, and if the scalp is sore to rub in a little olive or cod-liver oil, is an effectual remedy. 3. Wash the head daily for two days ; on third day take a good shampoo of soap and water and apply two and a half grains of bichloride of mercury and one ounce of aromatic acetic acid. Equal parts of vinegar and water or a fine comb will remove dead lice and nits. See also Hair. 4. Lice on plants can be killed' by using either tobacco water or tobacco dust. If the dust is used draw the earth away from the roots of the infected plants, scatter the dust over them thoroughly and mix some of it with the soil as it is put back around the plants. This should be done as soon as the lice are discovered. The plants can also be sprinkled with water and the dust then sifted upon them. Liime water. — i. Lime water is made as follows : Take a small lump of lime weighing about half an ounce, and pour on it six tablespoonfuls of cold water ; when the fizzing has subsided add one pint of water, and let it stand half an hour, stirring occasionally. Allow the RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 175 lime to settle to the bottom, pour off the liquid and throw i t away, add four quarts of water to the lime, shake well and keep in a tightly corked jug or bottle. This is the formula used by druggists. Linens. — See Washing. Liniment. — i. A good liniment for all uses is: Spirits of camphor, one ounce; chloroform, four drachms; ammonia spirits, four, drachms; spirits of peppermint, four drachms ; tincture of capsicum, four drachms ; oil of sassafras, four drachms ; oil of winter- green, four ounces ; oil of turpentine, one ounce ; alcohol, sufficient to make thirty-two ounces. Mix. 2. Another excellent liniment is made of : Gum camphor, two ounces ; oil of origanum, hemlock, sassafras, and tincture of cayenne, each one ounce ; oil of cajuput, spirits of turpentine, chloroform and sulphuric ether, each one-half ounce ; best alcohol, one pint. For internal pain take from fifteen drops to a teaspoonful, ac- cording to the severity of the case, in sugar or in a httle sweetened water or milk, to be repeated in thirty minutes if necessary. For external use rub it in three or four times at each application. 3. A valuable liniment for all purposes for which liniments are used is made as follows : Gum camphor, gum myrrh, opium, cayenne, and oil of sassafras, each one ounce; oils of hemlock, red cedar, wormwood, spirits of turpentine and hartshorn, each one-half ounce ; 1/6 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES alcohol, one quart. Cut the opium finely ; mix and shake daily for a week, then strain for use. Linoleum. — i. There are several methods of treat- ing linoleum to keep it in good condition and to restore it when it becomes faded, dingy and worn. Simply washing it with soap and water whenever it becomes soiled is good. Again, washing it clean, drying it per- fectly and rubbing it with a cloth with paraffine oil, and afterward letting it stand an hour or two and then rub- bing it with a woolen cloth. This treatment will keep the linoleum soft and give it a gloss, but it will grow darker and soil quickly. Another treatment consists of painting the linoleum and when the coat is dry, putting on two coats of varnish. 2. A weak solution of beeswax in spirits of turpentine is' useful for brightening the appearance of linoleum. One and one quarter pounds of wax or paraffineand one- half gallon of turpentine dissolved by gentle heat and applied warm is a good dressing. 3. liinoleum will wear- longer and look better if it is given a coat of varnish three times a year. Let the var- nish get perfectly dry before walking on it. When clean- ing, add a little kerosene to the water ; it softens the dirt and hardens the linoleum. Lips. — I. To prepare a salve for the lips, take half an ounce of alkanet and three ounces of oil of almonds ; put these in an earthen vessel in a warm place to melt. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 177 In another vessel put an ounce and a half of white wax and half an ounce of spermaceti ; melt these also ; when liquid, add the oil and put in twelve drops of attar of roses. Stir the mixture until it is thick, pour into a jar and set aside to harden. 2. Put half an ounce of spermaceti ointment in a dish over hot water, and add seven grains of alkanet, letting it stand in the heat until the ointment is a pretty rose color; strain through fine muslin and then stir in seven grains of balsam of Peru and two drops of oil of cloves, the latter to preserve and perfume the whole. Before adding the clove-oil let the whole settle, pour from the dregs and then put in the oil. 3. The following is a good lotion for chapped lips : Mix one and a half ounces of glycerine, three drachms of borax and one and one-half pints water. This is also good for all itching and irritation of the skin. Pure glycerine is good for chapped lips. Liver Spots are brown discolorations that appear upon the skin, caused by some derangement of the internal organs. A good physician should be consulted. An ointment to apply externally which will help to re- move them when used with other treatment is made of one ounce of benzoinated lard, one ounce of white pre- cipitate, one drachm of subnitrate of bismuth. Put this on the blemishes carefully every night for five applica- tions. .178 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES Mahogany. — i . To clean mahogany, spread paraffine oil on the soiled woodwork and let it stand for an hour or more to soften the dirt, then wash v/i.th soap and warm water, and wipe dry. Next rub on a mixture of paraffine oil and turpentine — one-third turpentine and two-thirds oil. Polish with a soft old flannel. Let it rest for an hour or two, then polish with soft old linen. If the sur- face is very dull, dirty and scratched, instead of washing with soap and water, add more oil and sprinkle powdered rottenstone over it. Rub gently and regularly, first with a circular motion and then with the grain of the wood. When the surface is smooth and bright, wipe off the rottenstone and finish as you would after washing with the soap and water. 2. Stains and spots may he taken out of mahogany with a little nitric acid and water, or oxalid acid and water, rubbing the spot until the color is restored, then washing the wood well with water, then drying and pol- ishing it with suitable polish. 3. Mahogany staining. See under Staining. Marble. — i. Mix two parts of powdered whiting with one of powdered bluing and half a cup of soap-suds, and heat it to the boiling point ; while it is still hot, ap- ply with a soft cloth to the discolored marble, and allow it to remain there until it is dry, then wash off with hot water in which a little salts of lemon has been dissolved. Dry with a piece of soft flannel. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 179 2. Another way : Boil four ounces of soft soap with four of whiting and one of soda. Apply hot and let it remain on the marble for a day or two. 3. Smoke and soot stains may be removed with a hard scrubbing-brush and fine sharp sand to which has been added a little potash. 4. To remove grease spots saturate a little whiting or fuller's earth with benzine, apply to the spots and let it stand for some time. 5. Marble statuary that is soiled from dust may be washed with strong soap-suds with a soft cloth, then rinsed in clear, warm water and wiped dry with a soft cloth. Finger-marks may be removed by soap and water or by using a good scouring-soap. Match Stains. — Stains from matches on walls or marble may be removed with whiting, pumice-stone and water. Matting. — i . Straw matting is kept clean, and cleaned and freshened when soiled, with salt and water. The matting should be swept clean ; then go over it with a woolen cloth and salt water, about a tablespoonful to a quart of water. Wring the cloth almost dry, and rub the matting briskly, then rub with a dry cloth. 2. Bran water also is good for cleaning matting. For an ordinary room, place two handfuls of bran in a bag and put it in a gallon of boiling water, pressing the bag so that all the strength of the bran will be in the water. i8o RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES Dilute this water, and wash the matting with a woolen or crash cloth, drying at once with another cloth. 3. Benzine and French chalk will remove grease from matting. Scrape the chalk freely over the spot, and then sprinkle enough benzine over it to moisten it. When the benzine has evaporated, brush off the chalk, and the spot will have disappeared. Mattress. — To clean a hair mattress take it into an empty room, rip it apart, empty it and pick over every particle of the hair carefully. When picked, take about ten pounds at a time and wash thoroughly in strong luke- warm soap-suds. This makes it curly and crisp and washes away the dirt that clings to it. When it is washed rinse it handful by handful, wringing it as dry as you can with the hands. When it is all rinsed and wrung spread it in huge sheets of mosquito netting, basting them together at the sides. Spread the sheets across the clothes-line or on a grassy knoll, where it will become perfectly dried in the sunshine and air. In the winter hair may be thoroughly dried by spread- ing it on the clean floor of a furnace-heated room, turn- ing it frequently until all dampness is dispelled. When it is perfectly dry it is ready to be put in a new ticking, or in the old ticking if that has been washed for the pur- pose. Meat. — I. To keep meat fresh, dust it over with pure powdered borax and rub it in as one would pepper and RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES i8i salt. The meat should be well washed before it is cooked. In some cases the solution may be preferred to the pow- der ; but either or both may be used with perfect safety. 2. To prevent skippers in smoked meat, such as hams, shoulders and bacon, see that all crevices are filled with borax. Flies will not deposit their germs in crevices filled with borax ; consequently no skippers are formed. It is not necessary to have any borax on skin side of meat. This process also keeps the meat from shrinking. 3. Sausage, pie and chopped meat can be kept in a sweet, healthful and palatable condition by mixing one pound of boric to one hundred pounds of meat, mixed with the meat during the process of chopping. Metals. — I. To clean metals mix a half pint of neatsfoot oil and half a gill of spirits of turpentine, and scrape a little rottenstone, wet a woolen rag with this, and rub the metal well. Wipe it off with a soft cloth and polish with chamois. 2. Use powdered whiting, two tablespoonfuls of sweet oil and a little yellow soap. Mix with spirits of wine to a cream. Rub on with a sponge, wipe off with a soft cloth and polish with chamois skin. Mice. — See Rats. Mildew. — I. Mildew is a very difficult stain to re- move, and cannot be taken out of linen unless the effort is made soon after it appears. A very fresh, light stain may be treated successfully by covering it with table salt 1 82 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES wet with lemon juice, and placing it on the grass in the sun. But the best remedy is the following : Mix soft soap with powdered starch, half as much table salt and the juice of a lemon. Spread this mixture on both sides of the mildewed linen, and then lay the fabric on the grass in the sun. Repeat the operation two or three times a day, leaving the cloth out over night. If this will not remove the stain nothing will do it. 2. Another remedy is to rub plenty of soap upon the stains, also plenty of powdered chalk, and place the gar- ment in the sun. It may be necessary to apply the soap and chalk more than once. 3. Mildew 7tiay be prevented by putting an earthen bowl or deep plate full of quicklime into the closet. The lime will absorb the dampness, and sweeten and disinfect the place. Charcoal also is good. 4. A good remedy for mildew on plants, especially on roses, is flour of sulphur. This should be dusted over the affected parts while they are damp. Mildew on plants is caused by dampness and cold draughts gener- ally. Changing the location of the plants to some other location may be of benefit. Milk. — I. To sterilize milk, put it into clean bottles, wrap the bottles in flannel, stand them in a pot of hot water, let it come to a boil, and when the milk steams, cork the bottles tightly and boil half an hour. Allow the bottles to cool ; and keep the milk in a cool place until it RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 183 is used. This destroys any minute germs that may infest the milk and cause disturbance in the digestive organs. 2. A home-made sterilizer of approved form is made in the following manner : Take a tin pail large enough to contain the bottles needed during twenty-four hours. Insert a perforated tin pie plate in the bottom, or have a false bottom made perforated with holes and with legs half an inch high to permit the water to circulate under- neath it and to prevent the bottles from cracking. Punch a hole in the lid and put a cork in it, pierced to admit a common dairy thermometer, with the bulb dipped in the hot water. It may be read by taking the cover off the pail. Let the water come as high as the milk in the bot- tles, and when it reaches a temperature of 155° Fahren- heit, remove the pail from the fire and cover closely for half an hour. Put into the refrigerator until used. In sum- mer the water should boil for from three to five minutes according to the size of the bottles. This form of steril- izer is recommended by the United States Department of Agriculture. 3. A third of a teaspoonful of salicylic acid (or, if the temperature be high, a little more) per quart delays curdling for thirty-six hours, without interfering with its yielding cream. 4. Milk may be kept sweet without ice by putting it in a clean glass fruit jar and wrapping the jar with a long strip of muslin or cheese-cloth that has been dipped and wrung out from the coldest water available. Leave one 1 84 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES thickness over the mouth so that the air may pass through. Place the jar in a darkened room and moisten the cloth occasionally. Mirrors. — A good way to clean a mirror is to rub it with a paste of whiting and water. When this dries, rub with dry chamois and remove^ the powder. A little alco- hol in cold water also gives a brilUant polish. If warm soap-suds are used they should be rinsed off with warm water and ammonia ; the glass should then be rubbed with whiting tied in a piece of muslin, and polished with a chamois skin. Mole. — I. A harmless lotion that will not injure the skin and may do some good is aromatic vinegar. Milk, weed juice is also good. 2. Electrolysis, however, is the best method of getting ¥id of moles. Moles may also be taken out by a knife. When this operation is skilfully performed the scar left is hardly noticeable. 3. A paste made and applied as follows may do some good : Mix thirty grains of salicylic acid and two ounces of bay rum. Use a tiny camel's hair brush and touch only the mole itself night and morning. It takes several days to affect the mole at all, and a week or more for it to heal. Treat only one spot at a time. Mosquitoes. — i. Camphor fumigation will drive mosquitoes away. Procure for the purpose an ordinary iron spider, using either live coals or charcoal. Do the RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 185 fumigating at night, and fumigate thoroughly. Laven- der may be mixed with the camphor, or a little dried pennyroyal. The best mixture for fumigation is equal parts of camphor, dried pennyroyal, lavender and in- cense. All these are perfectly harmless. The rooms should be tightly closed during the fumigating process. 2. Another way to rid a room of mosquitoes is to put a small piece of gum camphor in a tin vessel and evapor- ate it over a flame. A sponge dipped in camphorated spirits and fastened to the top of the bedstead will also be found of service. 3. A little pennyroyal sprinkled about the room, or a bottle of it left uncorked, will drive mosquitoes out. 4. To prevent mosquitoes from biting, the following preparation should be rubbed on the hands and face : Oil of tar, one ounce ; olive oil, one ounce \ oil of penny- royal, one ounce; spirits of camphor, one-half ounce; glycerine, one-half ounce; carbolic acid, two drachms. The foregoing is strong and will be found effective. 5. Another preparation to apply to the hands and face to keep mosquitoes from biting is : Oil of lavender, two drachms ; castor oil, one and one-half ounces ; alcohol, six drachms. Mix ; and rub on the exposed portions of the body. 6. To alleviate the unpleasant sensation caused by the bite of the mosquito : Oil of cloves, bicarbonate of soda, ammonia, chloroform, thymol, ordinary soap and tincture of myrrh are all good. The following is good : Carbolic i86 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES acid, one-half drachm ; glycerine, three drachms ; rose- water to make three ounces. Mix ; apply freely to the bite. Moths. — I. The surest and cleanest way to eradi- cate moths in furniture, carpets, etc., is to saturate the articles with naphtha, always keeping in mind that this must be done away from fire and artificial light, and with windows wide open. If the articles can be taken out on the piazza the naphtha may be applied freely. The operation should be repeated after several days, as the eggs may not all have been destroyed at the first tfial. 2. Another effective way to get rid of moths is to boil one part formalin in two parts of water over an alcohol stove in all the rooms and closets. It is also well to hang strips of white woolen material in the middle of each closet, away from other clothing. These should be examined frequently and burned as soon as any moths are found in them. 3. All articles that are apt to become i7ifested with moths should be brushed and aired in the sun frequently. Furs, woolens and feathers should be perfectly clean before they are put away. Soiled places should be cleaned with benzine. Pockets should be turned inside out and all seams and hems should be brushed. Pin the articles in cotton bags. Put them in boxes or closets previously made insect proof by carbolic acid. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 187 Bits of cotton wet with oil of cedar should be put into the boxes or closets, or cedar chips or camphor may be used. From spring until fall, carpets, upholstered furniture, woolen garments and furs hanging in closets should be brushed, beaten and aired frequently. A good wash for closets, drawers and chests is made by adding a tablespoonful of commercial carbolic acid to a gallon of water and washing the same with this liquid, injecting it into all cracks and crevices. Be sure that there are no moth eggs in the articles, then wrap them up and put them away. 4. Buffalo moths may be exterminated by the use of lavender or musk or camphor or anything else with a decided odor. Put a little gum camphor in the corners and around the edges of the floors. Keep the rooms open and as light as possible. 5. Before a carpet is put down the floor should be washed with benzine or spirits of turpentine. No fire or light should be in the room at the time. Mouth. — Mouth-washes are used to cleanse and sweeten the mouth and gums and to do away with an offensive breath. It is best to use a mouth-wash in the morning before breakfast. The following formulas are among the best that can be used. 1. Thymol, seven and a half grains; alcohol, two ounces ; borax, fifteen grains ; distilled water, one pint. 2. Dissolve a tablespoonful of borax in a pint of hot i88 RKCKIPTS ANJ) RKMKDIKS water ; before the water is quite cold add a teaspoonful of spirits of camphor and a teaspoonful of tincture of myrrh. A wineglassful or more of this should be used to rinse the mouth night and morning. 3. Tincture of myrrli, one-half drachm ; sodium bicarbonate, one-half drachm ; chlorate of potassium, a pinch ; distilled water, six ounces. 4. Peppermint, fifteen drops ; alcohol, one-half ounce ; rose-water, one ounce ; tincture of orris, one- half ounce. 5. Myrrh, powder, one-half ounce ; borax, one-half ounce; red saunders, one-half ounce; sugar, one-half ounce; cologne water, three ounces; alcohol, nine ounces j water, four and one-half ounces. Mix, macerate for several days with agitation, and filter. 6. A good wash for the mouth is made by putting a tablespoonful of prepared borax and a drachm of cami)hor into a decanter containing about a pint and a half of warm water. The clear liquid may be used to rinse the mouth with, and more water added as required, until all the borax and cam[)hor are dissolved. The excess of cam[)hor will float on the top, and the excess of borax fall to the bottom of the decanter, to be taken up as fresh water is supplied. 7. For a mouth-wash there is nothing very much better than diluted listerine. This is good to keep the voice in good condition, to cleanse the gums and to correct an offensive breath. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 189 8. For sore mouth or gums and for cleansing the mouth and reh'eving sore throat in sickness a hquid made of the following ingredients and used as a gargle is reconnnended : Thymol, four grains ; benzoic acid, one and a half drachms ; tincture of eucalyptus, three drachms ; water, one and one-half pints. '1 ake about one tablespoonful into the mouth, gargle thoroughly and hold in the mouth several minutes before spitting it out. 9. A teaspoonful of chlorate of potash in half pint of water and used as a gargle also is a good mouth wash. Mucilage. — i. A sim[)le and good nuu'ilage is made of four ounces of gum nrabic and one half of a pint of soft water. Tut the gum into a bottle, pour the water upon it, turn it bottom upward and shake occasionally for a day or two until it is dissolved. Three or four drops of oil of cloves may be added. 2. Another good mucilage is made of: Gum traga- canth, one ounce ; corrosive sublimate, a thimbleful ; soft water, one and a half pints. Stir and shake occasion- ally until it is dissolved. If it is considered too thin, more powdered tragacanth may be added. This mucilage is poisonous. Mustard Plaster. — i. A mustard plaster made according to the following directions will not blister the most sensitive skin : Two teaspoonfuls mustard, two teaspoonfuls flour, two teaspoonfuls ground ginger. Do 190 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES not mix too dry. Place between two pieces of old muslin and apply. If it burns too much at first lay an extra piece of muslin between it and the skin ; as the skin be- comes accustomed to the heat take the extra piece of muslin away. 2. When the effect of the plaster is wanted quickly it should be made of pure mustard and hot water without any flour or meal, and covered with a thin piece of old muslin laid next to the skin. It will give notice of necessity for removal as it begins to bite at once. As soon as the smarting becomes uncomfortable and the skin very red the plaster may be changed to some other spot. Where there is no haste, as in cases of deep- seated pain or chronic ailment, it is better to add to the mustard at least one-half flour and some glycerine or white of egg. Vinegar should not be used, as it destroys the activity of the mustard. To make a mustard plaster with the white of egg^ mix the mustard with the white of one egg until it forms a smooth paste, then spread it between two thicknesses of soft muslin before placing it upon the affected part. Nails. — I. A bowl filled with warm water in which a lather of some good soap has been made, allowing the fingers to soak about fifteen minutes, will render the flesh pliable and soft and the nails pink and transparent. The nails may then be easily manicured. A soft stick, rounded, not pointed at the end, will serve to push the epidermis, RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 191 or flesh overhanging the root of the nail back. Curve the nails medium, neither long nor short. 2. A simple powder for polishing the nails is com- posed of two hundred parts zinc oxide, two parts car- mine, and a few drops of oil of violets to perfume. 3. A home-made polisher may easily be made by pad- ding a small stick, four inches long by two wide, with cotton wadding, covering it with either chamois skin or felt. This will serve the purpose as well as one backed with ebony, gold or silver. 4. A good polish for the nails is : Oxide of tin, one ounce ; oil of lavender, ten drops ; a little powdered car- mine to color. 5. The simplest method of removing stains from the nails is with the use of lemon juice. Stains can also be removed by using a solution of acetic acid and rose- water, one part of the former to sixteen parts of the lat- ter ; shake well before using. 6. For spots on the nails a little crude vaseline rubbed well in for several nights is recommended by the best manicures. 7. For the little white spots that are seen on many nails the following is said to be a cure : Shoemaker's wax, ten grams ; myrrh, ten grams. Mix these well together, apply every night and leave on all night. 8. Brittle nails. One remedy for this condition is olive oil rubbed thoroughly into the nails every night, then putting on loose gloves. 192 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES Another recipe recommended to prevent or cure brittle nails is : Old oil, fifteen grams ; white salt, two grams ; powdered black rosin, two grams ; pulverized alum, two grams, six centigrams ; white wax, five grams. Rub this pomade on at night and then put on an old pair of gloves. 9. To whiten the nails the following wash is sug- gested : Diluted sulphuric acid, three drachms ; tincture of myrrh, one and one-half drachms ; water, six ounces. Cleanse the hands and apply the wash. 10. To beautify and strengthen the nails mix together one yolk of egg and two grams of white wax melted by gentle heat ; add a little sweet almond oil. Dip the nails in this pomade every night and then put on loose gloves. After three weeks, the nails should be beautiful and long. 11. When one loses a finger ;7^// another one can be formed and the part protected by the use of wax. Plunge the finger several times into warm melted white wax. There will be thus formed several layers of the wax. Let these get cold and keep them on the finger as a protection until the old nail grows out. 12. A cure for hangnails. Rub cocoa butter or mutton tallow into the nails every night and gently press the adhering skin away from the roots. The hangnails will soon disappear. Nausea. — Ginger, cloves, cinnamon and black pep- RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 193 per, each one-half ounce ; cayenne pepper, one-half drachm; all these in fine powder; tincture of ginger, one-half ounce ; sufficient strained honey or molasses to make to the consistency of a poultice — rather stiff. Good to relieve and prevent nausea and vomiting. Apply over the stomach. Neuralgia. — i. An excellent remedy for neuralgic pains is one composed of equal parts of chloral hydrate and camphor. These ingredients should be rubbed to- gether in a mortar, then bottled for use. Apply it by painting it lightly over the affected part and allow it to dry. The foregoing is also good for headache and tooth- ache. Common neuralgic pains are relieved almost in- stantly. 2. Neuralgia of the face can be cured by spraying sulphuric ether upon it. Using the ether as a liniment is also beneficial. 3. An ointment for neuralgia : Menthol, forty-five grains ; cocaine, fifteen grains ; chloral, ten grains ; vaseline, five drachms. Apply to the painful part. See also Pain. Nickel Plate. — i. Gasoline is a very good article to use in cleaning nickel-plating. There should be no fire nor hght in the room where it is used, and the windows should be kept open to allow the gas to pass off. 2. Whiting and water or water and alcohol are efficient cleaners of nickel plate. 194 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 3. To remove rust from nickel-plated articles, cover the spots with oil or grease for a few days and then re- move the rust by rubbing with a little ammonia. If this does not remove the rust, try very dilute hydrochloric acid. When dry, polish with tripoli or whiting. 4. Nickel that has become rusty may be cleaned by rubbing with a paste made of olive oil and whiting. Four or five rubbings may be required. To polish, use perfectly dry whiting. Nose — I. Those who suffer from an oily nose may find it a beneficial process to bathe it in bran and water or oatmeal and water. A little diluted toilet vinegar is also helpful in taking away the appearance of oiliness. Massage the nose gently with this night and morning, and tlien apply a dust of powder made of finely powdered starch and boracic acid powder. 2. For the little black specks that sometimes seem to cover the nose, apply olive oil after a brisk rubbing with a Turkish towel. 3. A rough nose may be made smooth by continuous application of glycerine and rose-water. 4. A red nose may be whitened temporarily by using lemon juice and milk each night, followed by bathing it with i)erfumed toilet water and then dabbing it with a good rice powder. A paste made of oxide of zinc mixed with rose-water is RFXEIPTS AND REMEDIES 195 also sometimes useful to conceal flushing and undue red- ness of the nose. Camphor, applied exteriially, tends to subdue redness of the nose also. 5. lliose who stiff er frotn nasal catarrh should make a point of syringing the nose once a day with salt and water. The liquid should be inhaled up one nostril and exhaled down the other, as this shows there is a clear passage. 6. A foreign body in the hose may sometimes be drawn out with a bent hairpin. If not easily removed in this way it should not be poked at. A little snuff or pepper may be sniffed in, or the opposite nostril tickled with a straw. The act of sneezing will probably dislodge the substance ; if not, it should be left for a surgeon to extract. It may also be of assistance to fill the lungs with air and expel it suddenly through the nostril, holding a finger over the other nostril. Nose Bleeding. — i. Epistaxis, or bleeding from the nose, is sometimes very troublesome. Keep the head thrown back, holding a wet cloth or sponge to receive the blood, at the same time raising the arms above the head. Press the fingers firmly on each side of the nose where it joins the upper lip. Place some cold substance, as a lump of ice, at the back of the neck, or on the fore- head at the bridge of the nose. If these remedies are 196 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES ineffectual snuff a lillle fine salt or powdered alum into the nostrils. Other remedies are suggested as follows : 2. Crowd the fingers tight into the ears and chew, pressing the teeth well together as if chewing food. 3. The veins that supply blood for nose-bleed i)ass up to the nose about one to one and a half inches from the cliin. Press thumb and forefinger hard upon these veins for a little time and bleeding will stop. 4. Chew a piece of soft paper into a small ball, and hold it between the teeth and the upper lip. The pres- sure on the veins will stop an ordinary bleeding. Odors. — 1. A good way to kill unpleasant odors arising from cooking is to sprinkle granulated sugar either directly on the stove or on a shovel of hot coals. This gives a not unpleasant scent that permeates tlie room. 2. Keep a i)iece of newsi)ai)er scorching on the stove while doughnuts are being fried, and the paper smoke will drive away the unpleasant lard odor from the house. 3. Coffee sprinkled on ?i hot stove will take away with it every vestige of bad odor. To prevent disagree- able fumes from rising when anything boils over on the stove, sprinkle salt quickly over the place. Best of all, though a trifle expensive, is to put a few drops of oil of RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 197 lavender in a cui) and pour boiling water over it. There is nothing sweeter than the fragrance of lavender. 4. P'or a nuisty odor in a house one should air and dry the cellar thoroughly. Fumigate it, whitewash the walls and keep it as dry and clean as possible. Keep a barrel of charcoal in the cellar, using it as needed for fires or for broiling, and replacing it as soon as it has been used. Oilcloth. — I. Ammonia, or any strong alkali, should not be used on oilcloth. The alkali softens and removes the finish. A good way to wash oilcloth that is badly soiled is to use a paste of whiting and soap-suds, rubbing it on with a woolen cloth. Wash off with clear water and wipe dry. 2. Oilcloth may be washed with equal quantities of milk and water. Once in several months a little linseed oil may be used. It should be well rubbed in and pol- ished with a soft rag. 3. To renovate oilcloths and make them clean ^ smooth and glossy, the following treatment is reconnnended : Dissolve ten ounces of paraffine and one quart of turi)en- tine by the aid of gentle heat, and apply with a sponge or piece of flannel to the clean and dry oilcloth. Let it remain on the oilcloth twenty-four hours, then polish with flannel. A fine gloss is the result. 4. A cloth wrung out of turpentine brightens up an oilcloth. 198 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES Oil Paintings. — A painting that is badly cracked should be given to some competent restorer. If, how- ever, the picture only needs brightening up, the work can be done by taking the painting out of the frame, dusting it on back and face, tightening if necessary, and then washing with a soft, clean sponge and luke- warm water and Castile soap or a piece of raw potato. Wash carefully until the dirt is all removed. When dry, wipe with a soft piece of linen. Revarnishing should be most carefully done. The varnish must be the best mastic picture varnish and should be used with a great deal of discretion. If the painting has never been varnished it can be used full strength; if it simply needs reviving dilute the varnish with one-half spirits of turpentine. This work should be done only bj^ a careful and competent restorer. Artists sometimes use a raw potato to clean oil paint- ings. Cut off the end of the potato and rub the paint- ing with the cut end. As fast as the potato becomes soiled cut off a thin slice and proceed as before. An- other method of cleaning is to rub the soiled surface with the finger wet in warm water. If the dirt is very hard and old use oil instead of water. Let it remain for a few. hours to soften the dirt, then wash off with a sponge and tepi.d suds. Oil Stains. — i. To remove sewing-machine oil stains rub the spot with sweet-oil or lard and let it RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 199 stand for several hours; then wash it in soap and water. 2. To remove oil stains from floors a strong hot solu- tion of oxalic acid is suggested. Afterward wash the spot well with soap and water. 3. Oil stains may be removed from wash dresses by moistening the spots with a little fresh lard. Put ten drops of ammonia into a pint of warm water. Rub the material in the ammonia water, then again in strong, warm soap-suds, then again in the ammonia water and rinse thoroughly. See also Grease. Onions. — To remove the smell of onions from the breath eat parsley moistened with vinegar. Ointments. — i. An excellent ointment for chaps, excoriations, etc., is made of: Powdered borax, one drachm ; spermaceti ointment, one ounce ; glycerine, one drachm ; a drop of neroli to perfume. 2. Sulphur ointment is made of : Sublimed sulphur, one ounce ; lard, four ounces. Mix thoroughly by grinding. 3. Spermaceti ointment is made of: Spermaceti, five ounces ; white wax, two ounces ; almond oil, one pint. Melt the ingredients together by gentle heat, and stir constantly until the whole solidifies. Pain. — I. In cases of severe pain in any part of the body, in neuralgia of the sciatic nerve, in frontal head- ache, bruises, hurts, accidents, etc., hot fomentations ap- plied in the following manner will give immediate re- 200 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES lief: Adjust a clothes-wringer to a small tub. Set a vessel of boiling water in the tub. Get a piece of woolen blanket eighteen inches square. Fold the blanket double in one direction, and in the other direc- tion fold it into a pad about four inches broad. Dip it in the boiling water, lift it out by means of two sticks, pass it through the wringer, and immediately apply it upon the naked skin over the bruise or painful part. This burns but it does not blister. It leaves no sore. It simply makes the skin red. It should be quickly cov- ered by dry flannel and then pressed or held tightly against the skin for fifteen or twenty minutes. Then again put into the boihng water, again wring out, and again apply in the same manner. Repeat this five times, the last time covering it quickly with dry flannel, four thicknesses, and apply a bandage, confining it to the parts by means of the bandage, until the pad feels cool ; then again repeat it five times as stated. It is advisable to anoint the part with vaseline before applying the hot fomentations, as that will diminish the danger of scalding. 2. Another ready means of relieving pain is to heat tin or earthen pie-plates, flatirons, sand bags and hot water bags. Dry heat is very serviceable in cases of shock or coldness from injuries and accidents. It is a convenient means of relieving many neuralgic or nervous pains in the side, back and abdomen. It has also the advantage of being cleanly, and not annoying to the patient. It is of great value for pain of a nervous char- RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 201 acter, while moist heat is better for inflammations. A good way to allay neuralgic pains in the head and face is to take a small bag of flannel, fill it with salt, heat it thoroughly and apply to the affected part. 3. A most excellent camphor liniment for external and internal pains of all kinds : Gum camphor, two ounces ; oil of origanum; hemlock, sassafras, and tincture of cay- enne, each one ounce ; oil of cajuput, spirits of turpen- tine, chloroform, and sulphuric ether, each one-half ounce; best alcohol, one pint; mix, and keep corked. This is one of the best liniments for general purposes ever made. The dose may be from fifteen drops to a teaspoonful, according to the severity of the case, in sugar or in a little sweetened water ; to be repeated in twenty minutes if necessary. For external use it should be poured into the hand and applied over the pain, rubbing in well, three or four times at each application. 4. Nerve and bone liniment. Oil of origanum, one ounce ; oil of rosemary, one ounce ; oil of amber, one ounce ; oil of hemlock, one ounce ; oil of turpentine, six- teen ounces ; linseed oil, twenty-four ounces. 5. Another nerve and bone liniment, very strong, is : Oil of spike, six ounces ; spirits of camphor, hartshorn, tinctures of anise and capsicum, oil of cedar and origanum, of each two ounces ; best alcohol, eight ounces. Shake well while using. Bathe the parts two or three times 202 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES daily, and rub briskly with the hand three to five min- utes at each application. 6. Camphor and chloral, rubbed together until they form a liquid, painted over the spot, will relieve neuralgic pain. 7. An ointment that will relieve painful muscles is the following: Seventy parts of lanolin and twenty parts of white vaseline. These are put into an earthen vessel which is set into a saucepan of boiling water. To the mixture ten parts of menthol are slowly stirred in. The liquid is poured off as soon as it begins to thicken. Paint. — I. It is frequently necessary to remove old paint from woodwork. There are several methods of do- ing this work. Make a strong solution of washing soda and apply it to the paint with a brush, being careful that the hquid does not get on the hands or clothing. After a short time wash off with a mop. Ammonia is a good agent also. Use dilute household ammonia and proceed as with washing soda. Begin to wash off as soon as the fumes pass off. Both chemicals darken the wood. A solution of soda and quicklime will remove paint also. Equal quantities of the two articles should be used. The soda is dissolved in hot water, the lime is then added, and the solution is applied with a brush. A few moments are sufficient to remove the coats of paint, which may be washed off with hot water. The wood should be after- RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 203 ward washed with vinegar or an acid solution before repainting, to remove all traces of the alkali. 2. Faint spots upon windows may be removed with a strong, hot solution of sal soda, one ounce to a pint of boiling water. Apply the solution with a rag or sponge on a stick so as not to affect the fingers. Wash off with hot water as soon as the paint spots are softened. A solution of soda and unslaked lime is also an effective paint remover. 3. Paint stains on garments may be removed with turpentine. Apply the turpentine with a sponge, then hang the garment in the open air until the odor disap- pears. Chloroform also removes paint stains. It should be applied with a rag or sponge until the spot disappears from the garment. It may be necessary to first cover the spot with olive oil or butter, then to apply the chloro- form. Paste. — I. To make library paste, soak one level teaspoonful of gum arable (quarter of an ounce) in two tablespoonfuls of cold water. Mix two heaping table- spoonfuls (one ounce) of rice-flour with half a pint of water. Wet the flour with a little cold water and add the balance boiling. Add the gum arabic and cook for ten minutes, stirring frequently. Add a few drops of carbolic acid and put in a small jar. It must be kept from the air. 204 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 2. A good strong paste that will not mould is made as follows : Two ounces of rye-flour are mixed in one pint of cold water until quite smooth. Then add one- quarter ounce of alum, boil until quite thick. Add fif- teen grains of salicylic acid. 3. Paste for wall-paper. Take three pints of flour, rub smooth in two quarts of cold water, add eight quarts of boiling water and let this boil slowly. Stir constantly for ten minutes. When cold, stir in two tablespoonfuls of powdered alum. Use about as thick as will run off the brush. 4. Starch paste for wall-paper. Dissolve one pound of best gloss starch in a quart of cold water. Use a large pail or dish-pan. Boil a kettle of water and add to the starch, stirring constantly until starch is cooked. If starch is too thick when cool, reduce it with cold water. Patent Leather. — To keep patent leather soft and to restore the gloss, the following paste will be found most satisfactory : Add to some pure wax which has been melted in a dish set in a pan of boiling water, some olive oil, and then some lard. Mix thoroughly by stirring over a fire. Add some oil of turpentine and a little oil of lavender. This will form a paste which should be put in boxes. Apply with a soft rag ; rub with a flannel. Pearls. — When pearls need cleaning, soak them in hot water in which bran has been boiled, with a little cream of tartar and alum, rubbing gently between the RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 205 hands when the heat will admit of it. When the water is cold renew the application until any discoloration is re- moved, rinse in lukewarm water ; lay them on white pa- per in a dark place to cool. Perspiration. — i. For odorous perspiration apply to the skin beta-naphthol, one-half drachm, to distilled witch- hazel, four ounces. 2. This powder is also good : Powdered oleate of zinc, one-half ounce; powdered boracic acid, three drachms. The surface should be kept covered with this powder. 3. An excellent powder for destroying odors of per- spiration : Salicylic acid, one drachm ; boric acid, pow- dered, three drachms ; starch, one ounce ; talcum powder, four ounces; oil of bergamot or other perfume, twenty drops ; alcohol, two drachms. Mix alcohol and oil to- gether, and add gradually to the mixed powders. 4. A lotion for perspiration consists of eight grains of tannic acid to four ounces of bay rum. For hands and armpits : After using this lotion apply a dusting powder of prepared chalk or orris-root. 5. For feet that perspire excessively use : Oxide of zinc, one ounce ; starch, two ounces ; salicylic acid, one drachm; talcum powder, seven ounces; oil of winter- green, five drops. Mix well, adding oil last. Dust in shoes and rub on feet. Or use the following : 6. Salicylic acid, twenty grains ; boric acid, two 206 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES drachms ; corn-starch, one ounce. After washing the feet night and morning, and thoroughly drying them, dust them freely widi this powder. 7. Two ounces of alcohol, four of tannic acid, and one-half ounce cologne will allay excessive perspiration and remove the offensive odor. 8. Powdered alum deodorizes disagreeable perspira- tion. It should be dusted under the arms after the morn- ing bath. This is said to be an excellent deodorizer, but it will not prevent excessive perspiration. Piano. — When a piano needs repolishing it is better to employ an experienced polisher than to make unskilful attempts oneself. Furniture polish should not be used on a piano. Ordinarily a vigorous rubbing with a dry j)iece of soft flannel is all that is necessary to remove spots. Make sure that no gritty substance is on or under the cloth to scratch the wood. A cloud upon the polish and some stains will yield to a light brushing with a rag dampened with lukewarm water ; but the surface should be at once rubbed with chamois, following the grain of the wood. If the surface is wax-polished put a little tur- pentine on a piece of linen and rub it in, afterward going over it well with a soft, dry cloth. If, however, one is so situated that a polisher cannot be secured, and it is necessary to clean and polish a piano the work should be done in the following manner : Go over the woodwork with a cloth wet with paraffine oil, RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 207 being generous with the oil where the woodwork is much soiled. Let this remain two or three hours to soften the dirt. Then wash with soap and water and a soft cloth, being careful not to let any water touch the works inside the piano. Use a good white or a white Castile soap. Wipe dry with a soft cloth and polish with soft old linen or ch.amois leather. The ivory on the keys may be restored to whiteness by being covered with a paste made of whiting and a solu- tion of potash. This should be left on twenty-four hours, then removed. See Ivory. Pictures. — See Engravings. Piles I. An ointment for piles is made of: Co- caine- hydrochlorate, two grains ; extract of belladonna, one drachm; carbolic acid, five drops; tannic acid, two drachms; vaseline, one ounce. Make into an ointment and apply night and morning. Dry heat by means of a hot water bag or cloths heated over the fire and placed against the piles will afford relief. The movement of the bowels should be soft and at least two a day. Saline laxative can be taken. 2. A soothing and healing ointment for itching piles is made of: Sulphur, one-half drachm ; acetanalid, one- half drachm ; bismuthoxide, one-half drachm; lead acetate, one-half drachm ; liquid tar, thirty-six drops ; white vase- line, six drachms. Apply one to three times a day. 2o8 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES Pimples. — I. When pimples are not very bad wash- ing them every morning with very hot water and ichthyol soap will be found beneficial. If the pimples are very persistent some internal remedy should be prescribed by one's physician, and at the same time some ointment or lotion should be used. The fol- lowing remedies are among the best that could be used. Local treatment consists in keeping the skin very clean, and in applying some good healing ointment. 2. A good ointment for pimples is : Ointment of oleate of zinc, one ounce ; ointment of rose-water, one ounce ; camphor, ten grains. This should be applied to the pimples on retiring at night. 3. A good lotion for pimples is the following : Car- bolic acid, fifteen drops ; borax, one drachm ; glycerine, four drachms ; tannic acid, one- half drachm ; alcohol, one ounce ; rose-water, two and a half ounces. Dissolve and mix well together. Apply night and morning. 4. This lotion for pimples is recommended by an authority : To five ounces of elder-flower water add one ounce of spirits of camphor and one drachm of milk of sulphur. Shake thoroughly. Wash the face at night with warm water and soap, and after drying the face ap- ply the lotion with a sponge, allowing it to dry on. 5. White pimples should be pricked with a clean needle and the little mass gently pressed out. A little cold cream may then be applied to the spots. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 209 6. A French beauty specialist recommends the follow- ing treatment : Boric acid powder, fifty grams ; magis- tery of sulphur, ten grams; distilled cherry laurel water, forty grams ; gum arable, twelve grams. If this does not effect the cure try the following : Magistery of sulphur, twelve grams ; sublimate of sulphur, eight grams ; recti- fied alcohol, twenty grams; rose-water, fifteen grams; tragacanth, six grams. Apply night and morning. This is a very strong remedy ; in fact a very radical cure for an acute attack of acne. Pipes. — To cleanse sink pipes. Put one quart of washing soda and four quarts of boiling water in a sauce- pan kept for this purpose. Place on the fire to dissolve the soda. Pour this liquid into the pipe of the sink, using an old funnel, as the liquid should not touch the tin or copper lining of the sink. This quantity of liquid is enough for two sinks. Do not pour water into the sink for an hour or more after using the hot soda. The soda unites with the grease clinging to the pipes, making a soap which will wash out later, leaving them clean and sweet. For bath tubs, basins and water-closets use one pound of soda dissolved in four quarts of hot water and then add four more quarts of boiling water. Pour this into the pipes through a funnel to cleanse them. Plumes. — See Feathers. Plush. — See Velvet. 210 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES Poison. — Poison is indicated by sudden illness after eating accompanied by pain, retching or vomiting. If arsenic poison, pain, vomiting and purging will result ; if strychnine, spasms with more or less unconsciousness. Opium or morphine produce dullness, drowsiness or deep sleep. Carbolic acid may be detected by its odor. If the mouth and lips are burned the poison is a mineral acid, like sulphuric, muriatic or nitric. A physician should be sent for at once. Then, if an acid was swallowed, baking soda should be taken in large quanti- ties of water to neutralize it, and vomiting should be induced. It is necessary in all forms of poisoning for the sufferer to vomit. An emetic is the readiest way to accomplish the object. Give one tablespoonful of mustard stirred in a tumbler of lukewarm water; repeat several times if- neces- sary. Two tablespoonfuls of syrup or wine of ipecac makes an effective emetic ; also a small half teaspoonful (thirty grains) of white vitriol (sulphate of zinc) in half a tumbler of tepid water. Tickle the back of the throat with a feather, camel's hair brush or the finger. If the patient is unconscious, and not able to swallow readily, pry the mouth open and depress the tongue with a spoon. Pressing the jaws at the joints will usually force the mouth ooen. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 211 Poisons and Antidotes Acids are antidotes for alkalies and alkalies are anti- dotes for acids. In poisoning by carbolic acid, give the victim a tablespoonful of Epsom salts stirred in water, and repeat. Flour and water, mucilaginous drinks may be given. OpiuMy morphine^ iaudanwn : Strong coffee should be given, and hot bath. Keep awake and moving until the doctor arrives. Arsenic: Tablespoonful doses of dialized iron, mag- nesia and castor oil ; raw eggs, milk, sweet-oil, lime water, flour and water. Oxalic acid : Give chalk, lime, lime water, or mag- nesia freely. Corrosive sublimate : White of egg and milk in quan- tities. Muriatic, acetic, sulphuric and nitric acids : Soap-suds, magnesia, lime water are the antidotes. Frussicacid : Ammonia in water. Dash water in face. Paris green, rat poison : Milk, raw eggs, sweet-oil, lime water, flour and water. Bug poison, lead, sugar of lead, blue vitriol : Whites of eggs or milk in large doses. Chloroform, chloral, ether : Dash cold water on head and chest. Artificial respiration. Piece of ice in rectum. No chemical antidote. Iodine, antimony, tartar emetic : Starch and water. Strong tea, tannin. 212 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES Mercury and its salts : Whites of eggs, mucilages. Nitrate of silver, lunar caustic : Salt and water. Strychnine, tincture of nux vomica : Mustard and water, sulphate of zinc. Absolute quiet. Plug the ears. Bichromate of potash : Enaetics and magnesia and chalk. When the mucous membrane of the mouth is much inflamed or destroyed give raw eggs, flour stirred in water, flaxseed tea, arrowroot, or any soothing drink. Stimulation can be apphed by means of hot water bottles or bags to the feet and over the heart, and by rubbing the extremities. Alcoholic stimulant should be given very cautiously. Some poisons paralyze the stomach so that emetics will not act, in which case the stomach may be washed out if a long piece of rubber tubing or a fountain syringe can be obtained. Put a little oil or vaseline on the end of the tube, hold the tongue down with a teaspoon, push the tube as far back in the mouth as possible, that it may enter the food passage and not the air tract. When about eight or nine inches has passed down attach a funnel to the end, and, holding that or the bag of the fountain syringe above the head, pour in two or three pints of water. Lower the funnel below the level of the stomach and the water will run out. Repeat the process until it comes away clear. In a case of poisoning from strong acids, when the lining of the stomach and mouth are corroded, this means cannot be used. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 213 Poison Ivy. — i. A remedy for ivy poisoning should be applied as soon as the itching begins. Bathe the affected parts with a solution of lead subacetate three or four times a day. Remember that the poison spreads by the breaking of the small pustules or blisters. The liquor they contain will start the poison wherever it touches the skin. 2. Carbolic acid, one drachm ; glycerine, one-half ounce ; zinc oxide, four drachms ; lime water, one pint. Mix. Shake well and apply three times a day. 3. A simple remedy for ivy poisoning is ordinary lard with sufficient prepared chalk rubbed into it to make a thick paste. Apply often, rubbing it in well. This is said to have cured many cases. 4. A mixture of powdered bluestone (sulphate of copper) and buttermilk, one teaspoon of powder to one cup of milk, is another remedy for ivy poison. This should be sopped on frequently. 5. Equal parts of sugar of lead and the best alcohol will remove the poison and stop it running its course. 6. An ointment for poison oak poisoning : Ichthyol, two drachms ; carbolic acid, fifteen drops ; vaseline, six drachms. Mix. Apply twice daily. 7. The powder of aristol is said to be a cure for this form of poisoning. It is dusted freely on the affected parts. 8. A poultice of clay mud has cured many cases. 9. Another effectual remedy is : Bromine, fifteen / 214 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES grains, rubbed in one ounce olive oil or glycerine. Apply three or four times daily, once at bedtime. Poultices. — I. Flaxseed poultice. To make a medium-size poultice have a cupful of water boiling in a saucepan ; stir in sufficient flaxseed meal (nearly a cup- ful) to make it stiff enough not to run when spread. Boil a couple of minutes, and then beat until it is light and spongy ; spread on cotton, leaving a margin to turn up on the poultice, and cover with old muslin. Good "drawing" poultice. 2. Bread with milk makes a splendid poultice and domestic remedy for sores, boils, felons, etc. Baker's bread is the best because most porous. The milk should be brought nearly to boiling, and bread, free from crust, crumbled into it and cooked until the proper consistency is reached, adding a small piece of lard and applying warm or hot, as may be found most soothing. In all poultices it is generally best to let them come in direct contact with the part. They assist in producing resolution or scattering, if circumstances favor it, and if not, they favor the formation of pus and bring things to a head, or prepare them for breaking or the doctor's knife. The effect of a bread and milk poultice is very comforting. If it is desirable to hasten the formation of pus by the drawing process, baking soda should be added. This may easily be stirred in. The addition of soda makes the poultice quite painful but hastens the suppuration. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 215 3. Corn-meal in the form of mush, well cooked, and with a little lard spread over it, makes a valuable poultice for the abdomen in painful affections of that part of the body. Care should be taken to make the poultice large, but not too thick, lest its weight make it uncomfortable. 4. Crumbs of bread, soaked in a little cold vinegar, and then beaten with a stick to a smooth paste, makes a good poultice for bruises, black eyes and sprains. Powders. — i. Baby powders. Powdered French chalk and precipitated fuller's earth are good to use in powdering a baby. Lycopodium powder, a vegetable product, is valuable in severe cases of chafing. When a baby is chafed the parts should be washed in thin boiled starch, and patted dry, never rubbed. The powder should be shaken on from a powder puff, 2. Powdered fuller's earth, nine ounces ; powdered boric acid, one and a half ounces ; powdered oxide zinc, three ounces \ powdered starch, nine ounces ; powdered orris-root, one and a half ounces ; oil of bergamot, two drachms. Mix the powders thoroughly, add the oil, and pass through a fine sieve. 3. Oxide zinc, one-half ounce ; powdered starch, one and a half ounces ; boracic acid, twenty grains ; oil of eucalyptus, ten drops. Mix and rub very fine in a mor- tar. 4. Purified talc, eight ounces ; powdered fuller's earth, four ounces ; lycopodium, four ounces ; oil of rose, 2i6 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES five drops. Rub the oil of rose with the fuller's earth, add the other powders, mix thoroughly and pass through a fine sieve. • 5. Carbolic acid, fifty drops ; boracic acid, one and a half ounces ; powdered French chalk, fourteen and a half ounces. 6. Gum camphor, one-fourth ounce ; carbolic acid, fifteen drops; oxide zinc, three-fourths ounce; precipitated chalk, two ounces , oil of neroli, five drops ; oil of rose, two drops. Rub the camphor to a fine powder in a mortar ; use alcohol to reduce it, and mix the other ingredients thoroughly. Sift through a fine sieve or bolting cloth. This is a useful powder for heal- ing raw and irritated surfaces, chafing and sunburn. It may be mixed with vaseline or cold cream, three parts to one of the powder, and forms an effective healing salve. 7. Lycopodium, one-half pound ; rose or violet toilet powder, one pound. An absorbent and healing powder for excoriated surfaces of infants. 8. Face powder. An excellent face powder is made of: Precipitated chalk, four ounces ; talcum powder, three ounces ; subcarbonate of bismuth, one ounce ; oxide of zinc, two ounces; starch, four ounces. Mix and grind thoroughly. Prickly Heat. — i. The treatment of prickly heat is simple. If the eruption is local, bay rum or cologne is a cooling application, and should be followed by the use of RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 217 powdered starch or a mixture of starch and oxide of zinc m the proportion of four to one. The skin should be gently dried with a soft towel. If there is much itching a lotion of bicarbonate of soda and water, one part of the powder to one hundred parts of water, may be applied to the affected parts with a soft cloth and allowed to dry. If the whole body is affected alkaline or bran baths nearly always give relief. For the former, four ounces of sodium bicarbonate to the tub of water may be used. The bran bath may be prepared by putting into the water a bag of five or six pounds of bran. The bag should be squeezed from time to time to diffuse the mucilaginous part of its contents through the water. After the bath the skin should be gently dried without any friction and powdered with the starch. Ointments should never be used. 2. A powder for prickly heat to be dusted on the skin: Subnitrate of bismuth, one-half ounce; carbonate of zinc, one-half ounce. 3. The following lotion is good to apply to the skin after bathing : Carbolic acid, one-half drachm ; boric acid, one drachm ; zinc oxide, one and a half drachms ; glycerine, two drachms ; alcohol, two ounces ; water, sufficient to make six ounces. Putty. — When it is desired to remove old putty from sash apply a hot iron to the putty and pass it slowly over all that is to be removed. The putty is softened 21 8 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES and can then be easily removed. Any iron that is of such a shape as to allow its close contact with the putty will do. A strong, hot solution of quicklime and potash or soda applied and left on twelve hours will also soften dry putty. Soft soap also will render putty soft so that it can be easily removed. Radiators may be freshened up by a coat of bronze- powder dissolved in banana oil. Rash. — A soothing lotion for rashes which are com- mon in hot weather is made of: Seven ounces of elder- flower water, one ounce of glycerine and one-half drachm of borax. This may be applied night and morning, and during the day if required. Rats. — ^i. A deadly rat poison is made in the follow- ing manner : Mix one-half ounce of sulphate of strych- nine and one-half ounce of sugar of milk ; add ten grains of Prussian blue and one ounce of arsenic ; and finally add four ounces of wheat flour, and mix thoroughly. Moisten a suitable quantity and make a dough ; divide into small piles and dry. Distribute these in the rat holes or places frequented by them. These pills are very [)oisonous and must be handled carefully. 2. A simple exterminator is made of two parts of bruised common squills and three parts of finely chopped bacon made into a stiff mass with meal and baked in small cakes. The cakes are then laid around for the rats to eat. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 219 3. Crystals of copperas scattered in every hole and crevice and in the corners, is said to drive rats away. The walls of the cellar should be whitewashed with white- wash made yellow with copperas. 4. Chloride of lime scat-tered freely in their holes and about the infested places has been known to drive rats away. Refrigerator. — It is good practice to wash the lining of a refrigerator occasionally with a solution made by dis- solving a teaspoonful of sweet spirits of nitre in two quarts of cold water. To scour zinc or other Hnings that have become stained use sand soap, or soap and fine sand or sifted wood ashes. Any good scouring soap may also be used. Rheumatism. — i. An excellent liniment for rheu- matism, the use of which affords relief, is made of: Tincture of aconite, one-half ounce ; chloroform, one- half ounce ; oil of turpentine, one-half ounce ; oil of sas- safras, five drops; camphorated soap liniment, two and a half ounces. For external use only. Rub in well. 2. Ointment, Menthol, fifty grains; salicylic acid, two drachms ; ichthyol, two drachms ; lanolin, two ounces. Mix. Apply to painful parts twice daily} cover with cotton. Ringworm. — i. Ringworms come often to perfectly healthy persons, and with no provocation whatever. 220 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES They do not yield readily to treatment. Wash the ring- worm three or four times a day with a strong solution of borax in hot water. A simple and effective remedy. 2. Another remedy, prescribed by a medical authority, is : Oil of liquid tar, one-half drachm ; resublimed naph- thol, one-half drachm ; sulphur, one drachm ; lanolin, five drachms. This should be applied locally night and morning. Rose-water for toilet and culinary purposes is made as follows : Attar of rose, twelve drops ; rub it up with half an ounce of powdered sugar and two drachms of car- bonate of magnesia ; then add gradually one quart of water and two ounces of proof spirit, and filter through paper. Rubber Articles. — To mend, cut a dark rubber band into strips, and rub the strips with fine sandpaper. Rub the broken place in the rubber article with fine sandpaper. Rub a little bicycle cement on and around the broken piece, and let it dry slightly. Put a little cement on the bands and let them dry a little, then put them over the break, crossing them, and pressing them down. Bicycle cement can be purchased in small tubes. Rugs. — I. The way to wash an ingrain rug is to beat it thoroughly and spread it on a clean, bare floor. Have ready a pail of hot water and some soap. Wash with soap and water the soiled parts, using a small scrubbing RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 221 brush ; then wash the rug all over with soapy water ; wipe off with a cloth or sponge wrung or squeezed out of clear, hot water, then wipe with dry cloths. When ox- gall can be obtained it should be used in place of soap ; as it is very cleansing. Fuller's earth mixed with lemon juice, rubbed on the dry rug, and allowed to stand sev- eral days, then brushed off, will also clean the rug. See Carpets. 2. Oriental rugs or ingrain rugs may be washed va soap and water; and they may also be hung on a line and washed by turning the hose on them, but they should not be beaten very hard. Rust, to Prevent. — i. Articles of iron, such as stoves that are not in use, the casing of the furnace, tools, etc., should be protected from rust. They may be rubbed with any kind of liquid fat, free from salt, or a good coat of kerosene or linseed oil given them. At paint shops a varnish can be bought for this purpose. 2. Any steel articles, such as tools, may be made rust-proof in the following manner : Make a solution of two hundred parts of benzine and one part of paraffine oil. Dip the article in the solution and allow it to dry in heated air or in a dry room so that the benzine may evaporate. 3. A solution of India rubber in benzine will keep ar- ticles of steel, iron and lead from rusting. It should be about the consistency of cream, and applied with a brush. 222 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 4. A paste made of whiting and linseed oil will keep iron from rusting. 5. Steel articles can be preserved from rust, it is said, by putting a lump of freshly burnt lime in the drawer or case in which they are kept. * Articles in use may be placed in a box nearly filled with thoroughly pulverized slaked lime. They should be rubbed with a woolen cloth before they are used. 6. To .prevent stoves from rusting when not in use, apply kerosene liberally with a cloth, wrap up and keep in a dry place. Iron tools and utensils can be preserved in the same manner. 7. Nickel-plated articles should be wiped clean, and then smeared over with a mixture of two parts vaseline and one-half part paraffine, to which, add a half part of fine quicklime by heating and stirring. Apply this mix- ture warm, then wrap the articles in paper that has been coated on one side with the mixture very thin. Rust, to Remove. — i. To remove rust from nickel- plating, cover the spots with mutton tallow, and let it re- main a few days; then rub with finely powdered rotten- stone or with tripoli and oil. Wash off with strong suds or with ammonia water. Give the final polish with whiting. 2. Rust may often be removed in this manner : Cover the spots with mutton tallow; over this put powdered quicklime. Let it remain a few days, then rub off. Rub RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 223 clean with paper and a soft cloth. Any remaining t races of rust may be rubbed with fine sandpaper. Sweet- oil may be used in place of mutton tallow. 3. Muriatic acid will remove iron rust from a marble or porcelain bowl. If the bowl can be made hot the stain will yield to the acid more quickly than when the surface is cold. Fill the bowl or tub with hot water and then empty it ; moisten the spot with the acid, pour boiling water on it and it will disappear. When all the stains have been removed, rinse with ammonia and water ; then rinse with cold water. Do the work as quickly as possi- ble with marble, as the acid is apt to dissolve it. Some- times a stain which looks like rust, but is not, will not yield to this treatment, but will disappear if rubbed with wood alcohol. Rust Stains. — i. Stains from iron rust can be re- moved from washable goods in the following manner : Fill B. large bowl with boiling water. Have a second bowl filled with hot water. Place the spotted part of the garment over the bowl of hot water. Wet a cork with muriatic acid and touch the iron rust with it. The spot will turn a bright yellow. Dip it irf the boiHng water and the stain will disappear. Continue the work until all the stains have been removed. Rinse the garment thoroughly in several waters. In the second rinsing put one tablespoonful of ammonia. This will neutralize any trace of the acid that may remain in the cloth. The 224 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES # subsequent rinsings will clear the fabric of the acid and the alkali. Two ounces of muriatic acid will remove a great deal of rust. Do not keep it near tins, as it injures them. 2. Stains of iron rust may be removed from table linen and other white goods with lemon-juice and salt. Soak the stain thoroughly with lemon juice ; sprinkle with fine salt, and bleach for several hours in the sun. 3. Another way to remove rust-spots is to dip the stained fabric several times into sour milk, each time dry- ing in the sun, and the stains will fade away. 4. Oxalic acid will remove stains caused by rust. Dissolve one-half teaspoonful of the acid by pouring upon it two or three tablespoonfuls of hot water. Dip the stained part in this solution, or wet it with a sponge or cloth ; and as soon as the rust is bleached out wash the garment or fabric with clean water so the acid will not injure the goods. Salt* — A good way to keep salt dry in shakers is to keep a glass tumbler turned over the shaker. This keeps the salt dry so that it may be sprinkled without difficulty. Salves. — I. An excellent healing-salve is made of a prepared powder and vaseline or cold cream as follows : Gum camphor, one-fourth ounce ; carbolic acid, fifteen drops ; oxide of zinc, three-fourths ounce ; English pre- cipitated chalk, two ounces ; oil of neroli, five drops ; oil of rose, two drops. Rub the camphor to a fine powder ; RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 225 use alcohol to reduce it, and mix in the other ingredients, stirring thoroughly. Mix in the proportion of three parts of vaseline or cold cream. 2. A good salve for burns ^ sores ^ etc., is made of vaseline, ten ounces ; white wax, five ounces ; balsam of fir and carbolic acid, each one ounce. Melt the vaseline and wax together, then add the fir, and when it begins to thicken by cooling, stir in the carbolic acid, and put in a suitable jar, covered tightly. 3. Salve for chapped lips and hands. Take two ounces white wax, one ounce of spermaceti, four ounces of oil of almonds, two ounces of honey, one-fourth ounce of essence of bergamot or other scent. Melt the wax and spermaceti ; add the honey and melt all together, and when hot, add the almond oil, stirring it until cold. Satin. — I. Satin may be cleansed with a weak solu- tion of borax or benzine when greasy. Care should be taken to sponge moderately and lengthwise, not across the fabric ; iron on the wrong side only. White and light-colored satins may be treated in the same way as light-colored silks. See Silk. 2. By boiling three pounds of potatoes to pulp in a quart of water and straining through a sieve, a solution is obtained that can be used to clean black satin. Brush the satin with it on a board or table. The satin must not be wrung, but folded down in cloths for three hours, then ironed on the wrong side. 226 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES Scald. — All application of common whiting and oil, or V. .iier, if oil be not at hand, draws the fire out of the scald ;ii) I gives immediate relief. Make the ingredients into a 1 asteand lay it over the part affected, covering it up with some old linen and cotton wadding. See Burns. Scale on plants can be got rid of by using fir-tree oil soap. Use it as soon as scale is found on plants, and use it liberally and frequently to prevent the return of scale. Scorch Stains. — When a white garment is scorched it can generally be whitened again by soaking in lukewarm water and squeezing lemon juice over it. Sprinkle with salt and spread in the sun to bleach. Scratches. — i. An excellent healing lotion for scratches and little cuts is : Spirits of camphor, one ounce ; glycerine, one-fourth drachm ; borax, one-eighth drachm; carbolic acid, five grains. This may be ap- plied twice a day. 2. Another good one is : Suet or lanolin, one ounce ; camphor, twenty grains ; glycerine, one half ounce. Melt these ingredients together ; then pour the mixture into a vessel and allow it to cool. Seasickness. — i. To prevent seasickness a doctor recommends eight grains of orexin tannatis, taken in half a pint of milk or tea, three hours before the ship sails, and two hours later a heavy meal should be eaten. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 227 2. Ten or twelve drops of chloroform is said to cure sea:3ickness. The smelling of chloroform a few times will relieve much of the nausea attending seasickness. 3. Bromide of sodium in doses of ten grains, three Limes a day, has been found to be an effectual remedy. 4. A recumbent position is best, keeping the eyes closed as much as possible, 'If one is up and sbfsmt one eye should be shaded or covered with a handkerchief. 5. To relieve seasickness the following prescription is recommended : CarboUc acid, one drop ; spirits of chloroform, four drops ; alcohol, one-half drachm ; water, sufficient to make one ounce. One-half is to be taken immediately, the remainder in one-half hour if necessary. Sewer Gas. — A suspected joint in a sewer or drain pipe may be tested by wrapping it with a single layer of white muslin, moistened with a solution of acetate of lead. As the gas escapes through the meshes of the cloth it will be blackened by the sulphur compounds. x\noiher mode is as follows : Mix two pounds of dark soap in six pints of water. Apply this sticky paste to the pipe, when, if an escape of gas is taking place, bubbles will be seen on the liquid, thus indicating the position of the gas escape. Shampoo. — See Hair. Shirt. — The right way to iron a shirt is to begin by folding it lengthwise from the gathers of the yoke to the 228 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES tail and ironing both sides of the back. After this the wrist bands should be ironed and polished if necessary ; the sleeves should be taken in hand and finished, care be- ing taken to press them in proper shape. When this is done take the shirt by the shoulders and turn it front up- ward on the board, with the collar to the left hand. After putting in any necessary plaits in the back insert the shirt-board and proceed with the front. Before com- mencing to iron, the front should be pulled into shape, after which it should be ironed until thoroughly dry, do- ing one side at a time, and being careful to avoid making creases. When both sides are done pin the collar or neckband together and run the iron down the center and across the base of the front, afterward ironing the remain- ing unstarched portions of the garment. When this is done carefully turn the shirt front downward on the board and fold neatly, pinning the shoulders together lo round the front somewhat. Then hang the shirt before the fire to dry and harden the work. When the fronts have to be polished the convex iron should be made as hot as possible short of scorching the goods, and at the point previously mentioned, instead of pinning the collar to- gether take out the flannel and put in a board covered with one thickness of linen only, and after dampening the surface of one-half the front, polish with the convex iron by quickly passing it across from side to side, and then from base to collar, using considerable pressure and working with the back of the iron as far as possible. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 229 Treat the other half of the front in a similar manner ; pin the collar and proceed as before. When properly pol- ished the fronts should be as smooth and shiny as china and the polish should stand without dulling off. Shirts or front having raised patterns are ironed to the polishing point, then dampened down on the surface and covered with a fine linen cloth, then ironed until dry. Shirt fronts will not blister if the starch is thin and well rubbed in from the wrong side. After the shirts are rinsed have your clear starch made and the bosoms so folded that not one particle will touch the right side. Then rub it in thoroughly from the wrong side. Afterward hang the shirts to dry. When you are folding the shirts make a clear starch — a tablespoon ful of starch to a quart of water will be quite sufficient. Fold the shirts again. Only the wrong side of the bosom must come in contact with this boihng hot starch. Dip them in, \^ing quickly, shake the shirt, fold and roll tightly ; then iron. If a polish is wanted use a regular round polishing iron ; by a quick wrist motion, a sort of rolling motion with the butt of the iron, a polish is easily produced. Any of the following named substances, when put into boiled starch, will help to make the garment iron smoothly and take a gloss : Borax, sugar, salt, wax, lard, turpentine, spermaceti. See Starch. Shirt-waist. — When ironing a shirt-waist, turn the sleeves on the wrong side, and leave them until all the 230 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES rest of the waist is ironed, then turn and iron them last. Hang on the clothes horse until perfectly dry. Shoes. — I. A good way to prevent shoes from squeaking is to pour a small quantity of sweet or linseed oil upon a flat surface and allow the shoes to stand upon it over night. Another plan is to have one or two wooden pegs driven into the center of the soles. 2. The following paste for patent leather shoes is very satisfactory and easily made : Add to some pure wax which has been melted in a hot water bath, some olive oil and then some lard. Mix thoroughly by stirring over a fire. Add some oil of turpentine, and a little oil of lavender. This will form a paste which should be put in boxes. Apply with a soft rag. This paste keeps the leather soft and restores the gloss. 3. Sweet milk fs good for patent a7id enameled shoes. Remove all dust and dirt from the shoes, then wash the uppers thoroughly with the milk. Let the shoes stand a minute with the milk on them, then wipe with a soft, dry cloth. This treatment keeps shoes bright and soft with- out any other polish or dressing. 4. To clean and polish tan shoes the following treat- ment is recommended : Wet a soft rag with water into which a few drops of household ammonia has been poured. Rub the rag with ivory or Castile soap and rub the shoe, keeping one hand inside the shoe to hold it in shape. Do not make the leather too wet. When the RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 231 shoes have become perfectly dry, rub them with a soft flannel rag until they shine. This treatment keeps the shoes soft and pliable and glossy as when new. 5. Shoes that have become stiff and uncomfortable by being worn in the rain, or that have been lying unused for some time, may be made soft by vaseline well rubbed in with a cloth and rubbed off with a dry cloth. Kero- sene oil also softens hard shoes, but it should be followed by a coat or two of either neatsfoot or castor oil to keep them soft. 6. White kid shoes can be cleaned by dipping a per- fectly clean piece of white flannel in a little ammonia water and rubbing the cloth over a cake of white soap ; after which gently rub the kid until the soiled places are white again. As the flannel becomes soiled, change for a clean one. 7. White satifi and canvas shoes may be cleaned by being rubbed gently with a soft rag dipped in spirits of wine. Do this several times ; then wipe the shoe care- fully with a soft, clean cloth. 8. Kid shoes that are slightly defaced may be much improved by being rubbed with a mixture of cream and ink. 9. A solution of one ounce solid paraffine in one pint naphtha lo which six drops sweet-oil have been added put on to the soles until they absorb no more, and one coat on the uppers, preserves the leather and makes it waterproof. Copal varnish applied to soles also makes them impervious to moisture. 232 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES Silk. — I. There are several ways to clean silks. If there are grease spots in the fabric they can be removed by using a lump of magnesia and rubbing it on wet if the color will endure water ; or tear a visiting card apart, and with the soft inside part rub until the grease disappears. French chalk removes grease and does not injure colored silks. Scrape a little on the spot, rub it in, and let it remain twenty-four hours, then brush it off. Repeat the process if necessary. Another method is to sponge the silk on the wrong side with warm water and alcohol, one-third of the latter to twice as much water, and iron on the same side with a barely warm iron until tlie silk is dry. Sponging with hot strained coffee is good for grosgrain silk which is apt to have a greasy appearance. Shake the silk in the air to remove part of the liquid but never wring it. A French method is to sponge the silk on both sides with spirits of wine, and then iron on the wrong side with a j)iece of crinoline between it and the iron. 2. Before black silk is cleaned, all grease spots should be removed. A good way to clean black silk is carried out as follows : Place each piece on a smooth, clean table, using a wad of the material you are cleaning for a sponge, and rub with this dipped in the cleaning fluid in downward strokes until each piece is wet. The fluid may be equal parts of warm water and alcohol ; it may be cold coffee well strained, or a pint of water RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 233 in which an old black glace kid glove has been boiled. Sponge the goods on what will be the right side when made up, as some silks can be turned after being worn. Hang each piece on a line to drip ; when nearly dry, but still quite damp, iron with a moderately warm iron on the wrong side, placing a piece of soft, black goods between the iron and the silk ; and ironing each piece until it is perfectly dry. Then lay the pieces away without folding them. Cut the selvage here and there to prevent drawing. The ironing should always be done on the wrong side and over a second fabric which should be black if the material is dark colored. To the cleansing fluid made by boiling an old glove should be added a teaspoonful of ammonia and a wineglassful of hot water. . 3. Black silk that is simply very dusty and grayish in appearance should be sponged with lukewarm water in which a tablespoon ful of borax has been dissolved to each pint of water. 4. Silk that has become limp may have its stiffness restored by sponging it with a liquid composed of a pint of hot water in which has been dissolved a generous quarter of an ounce of powdered gum tragacanth ; strain when the gum is dissolved and use while it is warm. 5. Black ribbons are cleaned just as black silk is, and may be ironed or rolled smoothly over a broom handle until dry. If the ribbon is really soiled, brush it softly or sponge it with a tablespoonful each of alcohol, 234 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES soft soap and molasses ; mix well, and after using as a cleanser rinse the ribbon in cold water; roll up in an old cloth, and iron when partly dry with a moderately hot iron. 6. China silk and other soft silks, when care- lessly washed, turn yellow. But if washed in the follow- ing manner, such silks will remain white : Wash the garment or the pieces of silk with warm water and ivory soap. Put a few drops of ammonia in the water to soften it. Rinse two or three times in clear, cold water; then do not hang the silk up to dry, but wrap each part of it separately in white cotton cloth and dry in the house. When it is dry, raw-starch it and then iron. Do not rinse it in water to which bluing has been added. 7. White silk handkerchiefs will remai?t white, in- stead of turning yellow, if soused in a suds of white soap and lukewarm water, rinsed, rolled up to dry, and ironed with a protection against an iron of even moder- ate heat. 8. Pongee silk may be washed in tepid suds and a little salt ; rinse ; dry in the shade ; roll up in a clean sheet for a day and iron on the wrong side. 9. White silk may be kept from turniiig yellow by being folded in blue tissue paper. 10. Summer silks, before being washed, should be cleansed of grease spots, if there are any, with chloro form; then washed in suds made of soap and tepid water, adding a teaspoonful of ammonia to a pail of water. Dip the silk again and again until it is clean. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 235 Do not wring, but press it between the hands. Rinse in water from which the chill is gone, hang in a shady place until partly dry, then place between two cloths and iron until it is dry. Grease spots can also be removed by rubbing them with benzine before washing. 11. Silk stockings should be washed and rinsed in lukewarm water, then wrung between towels. Silk uftderwear should be soaked half an hour in warm suds and ammonia water, allowing a tablespobnful of ammonia to a gallon of water. Rub gently with the hands, pressing and squeezing but not rubbing on the board. Do not use too much soap and do not put soap directly on the garment. Rinse • through two warm waters the same temperature as the suds, adding to the last a trifle of ultra-marine blue and a teaspoonful of liquid gum arable. Iron under muslin. 12. To clean colored silks without washing g2i^o\m^ and naphtha may be used. Two large bowls should be used, and each should be half full with the cleansing fluid. Wash the article in one bowl, as if you were using water, and rinse in the second bowl. Pull into shape and hang in the open air to dry. It must be remembered that the gas given off by the naphtha or gasoline is very dan- gerous if not allowed to escape into the open air. The work should be done in a room where there is no light nor a fire, and the windows should be open so that the vapor may pass out. 236 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 13. Black silk-warp goods will shine as they wear, and expose the silk threads. Sponging with alcohol and water is said to partly remove the gloss, although the same usually returns again, in which case the silk must be redyed. 14. To wash colored silk and colored silk handker- chiefs make a good suds in lukewarm water, in which a little bit of carbonate of ammonia has been dissolved, rub the silk or handkerchief lightly in the hands until all spots have disappeared. Then rinse in lukewarm water, squeezing as dry as possible. Shake the goods out ; roll in a soft towel, squeeze tightly, and iron at once. Silverware. — i. Borax is good in cleaning silver- ware. Dissolve a tablespoonful of borax in hot water ; put the silverware in, take it out immediately and lay it on a soft linen cloth, then rub each piece quickly with dry chamois skin. Plated ware treated this way always looks new, bright and clean. 2. A perfectly safe substance for cleaning sterling and plated ware is found in French whiting. Such whiting, wet with water, is all that is required. If the silver is much discolored it should be wet with alcohol. This produces a brilliant polish. The whiting should be sifted through a hair sieve or a piece of muslin, to guard against anything gritty that might scratch the silver. 3. To remove yellow coating fro7n silver dissolve one ounce cyanide of potassium in one quart of water. Dip RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 237 the spoons in this solution and the sulphide of silver will be removed. This solution is extremely poisonous. Keep it in a bottle that is tightly corked and labeled ''Poison." 4. Wet salt or ammonia, it is said, will remove tarnish from silverware. A fresh, concentrated solution of hypo- sulphite of soda also will remove tarnish. 5. The following is an excellent polish for silver- ware : Put four ounces of French whiting into a pint of soft water, and boil it ; when it is cool, bottle it and add one ounce of aqua ammonia. Rub the silver with a cloth wet with this mixture, and polish with chamois skin. 6. Excellent polishing cloths for silver are prepared by dipping pieces of soft muslin or linen into a boiHng solution of two ounces of carbonate of ammonia and one pint of soft water. Dip the cloths into this solution, and hang them up to dry without wringing them. Simply rubbing the silver with one of these cloths greatly im- proves its appearance. 7. Unbleached canton flannel and sheets of tissue paper make the best wrappings for silver. ■ The silver tray may be lined with the flannel, and a covering of the same goods be made to spread over the silver. Large pieces of silver should be put in separate bags of the flan- nel. Silver should not be kept in woolen bags, as the sulphur in woolen cloth tarnishes the metal. Rubber should not be placed near silver. 8. To protect silver from tarnishing it should be 238 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES wrapped in cloths that have been dipped in the following : Dissolve three ounces of washing soda in one pint of boil- ing water ; add to this two ounces of oxide of zinc. Stir well and add one quart of cold water. Dip pieces of canton flannel in this and dry them without wringing. A lump of camphor placed in the box in which silver is kept will keep it from becoming tarnished. Sink. — There is nothing any better to clean a kitchen sink than hot water and ammonia. Add a tablespoonful of the ammonia to each quart of water and scrub well. Dissolve a pound of sulphate of iron or copperas in four gallons of hot water, put into pint bottles, and pour the contents of one down the sink hole about once a week. This dissolves collections and destroys offensive odors. A strong hot sal soda solution is good for cleaning out the drain pipe. See Pipes. Skin. — I. Fineness of the skin depends largely upon the manner of bathing. A cold bath is a good tonic, but it does not cleanse nor beautify the skin. Baths in which milk, bran or starch are' placed, are found to whiten the coarsest and reddest skin, if persistently used. Beautify- ing baths are described under Bath. A delightful and refreshing preparation for the skin, to be applied after the bath, is : Best white vinegar, one pint ; rosemary, rue, camphor and lavender, of each two drachms. Soak the herbs in the vinegar for several hours, then strain the RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 239 liquor. Rub thoroughly all over the body immediately after the bath. 2. A teaspoonful of the tincture of benzoin to an ounce of rose-water forms a well-known lotion for whiten- ing the skin. 3. Oil of almonds, and almonds, are very good for the skin ; the former is a good substitute for cold cream, and the latter, crushed, may be used instead of soap. Lemon juice also may be used in place of soap. Half a teaspoonful of glycerine and rose-water, mixed well with a little warm water and used daily, will do much toward keeping the skin soft. 4. A good skin food is made of : White petrolatum, fourteen ounces; paraffine wax, one ounce; lanolin, four ounces ; water, six ounces ; oil of rose, five drops ; va- nillin, four grains; alcohol, two drachms. 5. Irritations of the skin are benefited by bathing with warm water to which borax has been added, a tea- spoonful to a quart of water. 6. For all affections of the skin the following dress- ing is beneficial : Carbolic acid, two drachms ; hydro- chlorate of morphine, one-half drachm ; tincture of ar- nica, five drachms; tincture of aconite, five drachms; balsam of Peru, twelve drachms ; glycerine, twenty-five drachms. Mix. Apply and cover with a piece of clean linen. Repeat once or twice daily. 7. A camphorated powder that is very good for skin eruptions is made of : Powdered camphor, twenty grains ; 240 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES powdered talcum, one-half ounce; oxide of zinc, two drachms; powdered starch, two drachms. Mix, and dust the affected parts freely. 8. For inflamination of the skin and other affections use a preparation composed of pure carbolic acid, one ounce; powdered camphor, two ounces; alcohol, two and a half drachms. Mix ; and paint upon the skin or apply a piece of absorbent cotton moistened with the above to the affected spot and bandage. 9. To whiten the skin of the shoulders and ?ieck, this is an excellent recipe. It may be used twice a day and left on to dry : Borax, forty grains ; sodium hyposulphite, three hundred and seventy-five grains ; glycerine, five drachms ; distilled water, fourteen ounces ; cologne water, one ounce ; oil of neroli, six drops ; essence of jasmine, ten drops. 10. Sulphur ointment made by adding ten grains of precipitated sulphur to an ounce of vaseline is good to use for skin eruptions, eczema, pimples, etc. 11. French balsain, for rough and cracked skin, consists of equal parts of glycerine and ^gg albumin. Perfume with a few drops of any suitable essence. 12. Take of pale honey four ounces ; glycerine, one ounce ; unite by a gentle heat ; add one fluid ounce of rectified spirits and six drops of suitable perfume; also three drachms of citric acid. This preparation is used to remove discolorations of the skin. 13. Enlarged pores give the skin the appearance of RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 241 being of coarse texture. The remedy is to stimulate the functions of the skin. Steaming the face will do much toward closmg the pores ; and the skin can be stimulated by drinking three pints of hot water every day, and bathing tlie face twice a day with a hot solution of pure borax, one teaspoonful of borax to a pint of water, then bathe or sponge for five or ten minutes with clear cold water, until the skin is in a healthy glow ; dry with a soft towel but do not rub the skin. Too much friction often causes redness, roughness and irritation. After bathing, the skin should be bathed every other night with a good cold cream. See Creams. Sleeplessness (Insomnia). — i. The smell of mint is said to be an effectual remedy for sleeplessness. A sponge is soaked in mint perfume and put into a thin bag. This bag may be suspended at the head of the bed or it may be placed on or under the pillow. 2. A good sedative that is soothing and restful when one is fatigued is made of: Two ounces of spirits of camphor, two ounces of ammonia, a cup and a half of sea salt and two cups of alcohol. Pour these ingredients into a quart bottle and fill it with boiling water. Sponge the body with the solution ; and at once lie down. 3. If sleeplessness is caused by mental overwork, sleep can be induced by practicing the following exercise fifty times :'■> Stand erect, rise slowly from the heels and descend slowly. This will cause the blood vessels of 242 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES the lower limbs to congest, relieving the brain of the excess of blood. 4. Bromide of calcium is a good remedy for in- somnia. The dose is from fifteen to thirty grains for an adult. 5. A simple remedy for sleeplessness is to wet half a towel, apply it to the back of the neck, pressing it up ward to the base of the brain, and fastening the dry half of the towel over so as to prevent too rapid evapora- tion. The effect is prompt and charming, cooling the brain and inducing refreshing sleep. Cold water should be used. Smelling-salts. — i. Oil of lavender, one-fourth fluid ounce ; caustic spirits of ammonia, three-eighths of a pint. Saturate with this preparation a bit of sponge, and place it in the vinaigrette ; or pour it onto crystals of potassium sulphate with which you have first filled the vinaigrette. This preparation is excellent in cases of faintness or headache. 2. Sal tartar, three drachms; muriate ammonia, granu- lated, six drachms; oil neroli, five minims; oil lavender, five minims ; oil rose, three minims ; spirits ammonia, fifteen minims. Put into the vinaigrette a small piece of sponge filling about one-fourth the space and pour on it a due proportion of the oils, then put fti the mixed salts until the bottle is three-fourths full, then pour on RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 243 the spirits of ammonia in proper proportion and close the bottle. Snake-bite. — i. The first step is to keep the poison from getting into the circulation in general. Cut off the flow of blood to the heart by tying a cord, rope, necktie or anything convenient a short distance from the bitten spot and between the latter and the heart. If you have no sores on your mouth or lips, suck the wound, being careful to spit out the blood that comes from it. The wound then should be made larger with a clean, sharp knife so as to cause the blood to flow freely ; and if you have pluck enough thrust a hot iron or live coal into it, so as to cauterize the bite. A drop of pure carbolic acid may also be applied to the wound ; or a strong solution of permanganate of potash — one ounce to a pint of water, or strong spirits of ammonia may be poured into the wound. Whiskey should be drunk freely. After a while the string is loosened a little to allow the poison, if any remains, to be absorbed into the system that no serious results are likely to follow. See also Bites. Snoring. — It is claimed that six drops of olive oil poured upon a pinch of mustard and taken internally just before retiring, will prevent snoring. Soap. — I. A good soft soap for domestic purposes is made in the following manner : Hard soap, three pounds ; sal soda, one pound ; aqua ammonia and oil 244 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES * of turpentine, each one ounce ; soft water, three gallons. Boil the water and dissolve in it the soap and soda ; re- move from the fire and stir in the others. Good soap is also made by omitting the ammonia or turpentine. If a scent is desired an ounce of oil of sassafras may be added. 2. A soap in the form of a soft jelly very useful for removing grease from floors, shelves, etc., also for general cleaning and even for washing very dirty clothes is made of sal soda, three-fourths pound; bar soap, one pound ; cut into small pieces ; put them into a stone jar on the back of the stove or range, when not very hot, and pour over all a pailful of cold water ; stir once in a while, and after some hours, when all dissolved, put away to cool. 3. The best way to make soap from refuse grease is to buy a box of concentrated lye of the grocer and follow the directions on the box. Or, 4. Here is a good rule for soft soap : Put seven pounds of crude potash into a wooden pail and pour over it enough boiling water to cover it. Stir well, and let the mixture stand over night. In the morning pour this mixture into a kettle and place on the fire ; then add half a pailful of boiling water. Stir frequently with a stick until the potash is dissolved. Next put five quarts of soap grease in a water-tight barrel, and gradually pour the hot potash upon it, stirring all the time. Stir until all the grease is united with the potash. Let it rest for RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 245 three hours ; then add half a pailful of hot water, and stir well. Add another half a pailful three hours later. After this add a pailful each day for six days, stirring well each time. The soap should be stirred each day for the next twenty days. Be sure that the potash is pure and crude, not the concentrated. If the soap grease be rendered and strained each day as it accumu- lates it will be ready when the time for making the soap comes. By this method there is no boiling of the soap and no odor in the house. Splinters. — i. When a splinter has been driven deep into the flesh it can be extracted by steam. Nearly fill a wide-mouthed bottle with hot water, place the injured part over the mouth of the bottle and press tightly. The suction will draw the flesh down and in a minute or two the steam will extricate the splinter and inflammation to- gether. 2. Wood splinters, if not too brittle, may generally be extracted by tweezers or forceps, by seizing the end and pulling carefully in the direction opposite to that in which they entered. To get hold of a splinter under the nail, cut out a V-shaped portion of the nail above it, and then the end may be seized. Splinters of glass, unless readily extracted, should be left to the skill of the surgeon. When a splinter in the eye cannot be extracted, bathe in cold water, and band- 246 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES age loosely, so as to keep the eye as quiet as possible un- til the surgeon arrives. Sponge. — I. To clean a sponge put one quart of cold water in a basin and add to it four tablespoonfuls of sulphuric acid. Let the sponge soak in this for two or three hours ; beat it occasionally with a stick. Finally rinse the sponge thoroughly in clean water. The hands should not be put into the acid solution, neither should the acid touch any fabric or marble. 2. A sponge can also be cleansed by soaking in a hot solution of powdered boric. Sprain. — i. A sprain occurs when a joint is twisted but not dislocated. The ligaments which hold the bones together are stretched and sometimes torn. Relief is ob- tained by immersing the part in very hot water for a time and then keeping it surrounded with hot water bags. The joint should be firmly but not too tightly bandaged from the fingers or toes upward. After a time gentle rubbing is useful. If hot water is not to be had cold may be used, and gives some relief. Bandages dipped in either hot or cold water are beneficial, or better still, witch-hazel should be used to moisten the bandage. The bandage must be quite tight to do any good ; it must be kept wet; and the part must be kept still. 2. An excellent liniment for sprains and strains is made of: Chloroform, one fluid ounce; camphor gum. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 247 three-fourths ounce. Shake together till dissolved, then add olive oil, one ounce ; tincture of cantharides, one drachm. Keep tightly corked. 3. The white of an egg, beaten thoroughly together with one-half teaspoonful of powdered alum, then set upon the stove to heat, being stirred until it curdles, is a good remedy for sprains. It should be laid over the sprain on a piece of cloth, and chainged or re wet as often as it becomes dry. When the mixture heats and curdles the whey should be strained off and used for wetting. Staining.^ — The wood to be stained should be clean, smooth and dry. Oak staiii is made by mixing together a pint of boiled linseed oil, a gill and a half of turpen- tine, three tablespoonfuls of raw umber, three tablespoon- fuls of whiting. Mahogany stain is made with one pint of boiled oil, a gill and a half of turpentine, three tablespoonfuls of burnt sienna, three tablespoonfuls of whiting, half a tablespoonful of yellow ochre, half a tablespoonful of Bis- marck brown, and half a tablespoonful of aniline black. A combination of burnt umber, burnt sienna, chrome yellow and Venetian red gives a pleasing warm dark color. See Wood. Stains to imitate the various woods can be purchased at any paint shop. Stains. — Stains such as those of fruit, tea, coffee, ink, 248 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES wine and vegetables, should be removed before the linen or the clothing is washed. Soap is an alkali and sets many stains. The sooner a stain is treated the more readily it will yield to the treatment. Boiling also fixes a stain, and if linen is allowed to go into the boiler with the stains still on a permanent dye may result. Stains may be removed in various ways, diiferent stains yielding to different treatment.' Staifis made with sugar ^ syrups and meat juice may be removed with water; those made with fruit and vege- tables, if treated at once, may be removed with boiling water. Stretch the fabric containing the stain over a bowl or basin and pour boiling water on the stain. In cold weather fruit spots can frequently be removed by hanging the stained garment out-of-doors over night. If the stain has become fixed soak it in a weak solution of oxalic acid, or hold the spot over the fumes of burning sulphur, or else use javelle water. Then rinse well in several waters. Chemicals should be used only on white goods. Cold water should always be tried first, as it is harmless to the fabric and often removes a stain better than any- thing else. Fruit and vegetable stains can usually be removed from the hands by the use of an acid. Lemon juice, vinegar, sour milk, alcohol, etc., are all good. Pitchy wheel grease, tar stains should be softened with lard, then soaked in turpentine. Scrape off carefully RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 249 with a knife all the loose dirt ; sponge clean with turpen- tine and rub gently till dry. Treat sewing-machine oil stains by rubbing them with lard. Let stand for a few hours, then wash with water and soap. For soot stains use dry corn-meal, rubbing it on the spots before the garment is washed. Teaj coffee or cocoa stains may be removed with boil- ing water ; if obstinate, with a weak solution of oxalic acid. Iron mould should be sprinkled with salts of lemon and the:! iiave boiling water poured through the spots. To remove stains on earthenware vessels which have been burned brown in cooking fruit or milk, or when en- amel pans or pie dishes are stained, or if silver spoons are stained with eggs, or cups with tea, dampen them and rub them with a little common salt, and the results will be satisfactory. Benzine (purified) two ounces and oil of lemon, one-fourth ounce, mixed together, make a good wash for paint, pitch and grease stains. Apply with a cloth or sponge and rub until the stain is removed. ' Tar spots may be removed by putting butter upon them for a few hours, then cleanse with soap and water to remove the grease. Oil stains on floors can be removed by using oxalic acid and water; then wash well with soda and soap. To remove aniline stains from the hajtds wash with alcohol, or first with bleaching powder, then with alcohol. 250 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES Nitrate of silver stains may be removed from the fingers by painting them with tincture of iodine j let re- main until the black becomes white. Then apply am- monia which bleaches out the iodine spots. A good remover of stains is javelle water, previously described. Oxalic acid should be made into a strong solution and kept on hand and diluted when it is required for use. Put four ounces of oxalic crystals in a pint bottle and fill half full with cold water. This makes a supersaturated solution, as all the crystals will not dissolve in that amount of water. For removing stains mix one-fourth of the so- lution and three-fourths of hot water. Soak the article in this until the stains disappear ; then rinse the articles very thoroughly. Starch. — i. The best starch for laundry purposes is rice starch. It does not properly dissolve in cold water, but only when boiling water is added ; the cells burst, and a thick paste is formed. To make boiled starch : One tablespoonful of white starch ; two tablespoon fuls of cold water ; one-fourth inch of wax or tallow candle ; one-fourth teaspoonful of borax. Mix the starch to a smooth paste with the cold water ; shred in the wax or tallow candle, dissolve the borax in a small quantity of boiling water and add it to the starch. Pour on sufficient boiling water to cook the starch, stirring all the time until it is quite clear and transparent; add cold RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 251 water gradually and use according to the desired stiff- ness. Borax added to starch gives a gloss to linen ; and wax or tallow makes the iron slip easily. Thick, stiff starch does not stiffen garments as well as thin starch, which penetrates quickly. 2. The following is a good method to follow : To make the clothes as stiff as may be desired mix two table- spoonfuls of laundry starch with a gill of cold water. Pour on this one pint of boiling water, stirring all the while ; add to this half a teaspoonful of salt, half a tea- spoonful of white sugar and a piece of spermaceti about the size of a peanut. Boil for ten minutes, stirring frequently. Keep the starch covered while boiling ; strain through a piece of cheese-cloth, and keep it covered while it is cool- ing. Have the articles to be starched nearly dry and dip them in the starch while it is yet quite warm. Clap be- tween the hands that the starch may be worked into all the threads. Dry and then dampen thoroughly with cold water; roll up in a clean cloth for a few hours. When ironing starched clothes keep the unironed part damp by covering with a wet cloth. Should this process fail to make the articles as stiff as desired, mix two quarts of cold water with two tablespoonfuls of dry starch, and when the clothes are dry dip them into this, instead of wetting them in cold water. 3. To give starched goods a fine gloss put into the cooking starch a little stearine or spermaceti and about a 252 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES teaspoonful of borax to each quart of starch. Add a little bluing if you like. If stearine or spermaceti is not at hand a little lard or butter will do. 4. Starch for table linen is made with one table- spoonful of dry starch to two quarts of water. Wet the starch with a few tablespoonfuls of cold water ; pour the boiling water on this, stirring constantly. Boil for ten minutes and add a little wax or lard. Fine, heavy damask table-linen does not require starch. 5. Cold starch is made of one tablespoonful of starch, four drops of turpentine, one-half teaspoonful of borax, one-half pint of cold water. Mix the starch to a smooth paste with a little of the cold water, and drop in the tur- pentine. Add the borax, previously dissolved in a little boiling water, then the remainder of the cold water. Stir well each time before using. Cold starch is better if made a short time before it is to be used. Stings. — I. An old-fashioned and effective remedy for the sting of a bee or other insect is the juice of a raw onion. This should be applied immediately to the part stung. 2. The sting, if it remains in the wound, should be extracted, and the puncture dressed with a little weak ammonia, and afterward a little bromide of ammonia may be added, which serves as a sedative. 3. Other simple remedies for bee and insect stings RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 253 are a piece of raw beef, a solution of ammonia, vinegar and salt, or borax moistened with lemon juice. 4. Tincture of myrrh is a good remedy for stings. A little should be applied to the puncture at once, when the pain and swelling cease almost instantly. -• Stone. — To remove grease from stones, stone steps or passages pour a boiling solution of soda and water on the spot, lay on it a little fuller's earth made into a thin paste with boiling water, let it remain all night, and if the grease be not removed repeat the process. Grease may sometimes be taken out by rubbing the spot with a hard stone, using sand and very hot water with soap and soda. Stopper. — I . The gummy element in many substances often hardens around glass stoppers in bottles. A simple and quick way to loosen such stoppers is to put a pad of soft paper in a small saucepan or quart-measure ; place the bottle in this, neck down, then pour in enough cold water to come well above the neck. The vessel should then be placed on the stove and watched until the water becomes hot. The bottle may then be taken out and the stopper removed without difficulty. 2. Another way to get a glass stopper out of a bottle is to press the thumb of the right hand very hard against the lower part of the stopper, and then give the stopper a twist the other way, with the thumb and forefinger of the left hand, keeping the body stiff and steady. 3. A cloth, wet with hot water and applied to the 254 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES neck of the bottle will cause the glass to expand, and the stopper may be removed. Stove. — I. To black a stove wash off all grease spots with soap-suds, and if there are any rough, rusty places or spots where something has burned on the stove, rub with a piece of sandpaper. Mix the blacking to the con- sistency of cream with cold coffee or vinegar. Apply this to the stove when cold ; when it is nearly dry rub with a brush until it shines. Stove-polish can be mois- tened with benzine with good results. A little turpentine in the blacking will give the stove a brilliant polish and take off the rust. 2. A good pai?it to apply to those parts that turn red- and from which the blacking burns quickly is made of a gill of turpentine and a pint of asphaltum. Stir these well together. Put on with a brush as one would paint and the stove looks like new. 3. The mica windoivs of coal stoves can be cleaned with a soft cloth dipped in vinegar and water. This should be done when the stove is being put up. 4. To remove rust from stovepipe and stoves rub a little raw linseed oil upon it ; then dry it with a moderate fire, after which polish may be used. 5. To keep a stove from (getting rusty during the summer months smear it over with kerosene oil before putting it away and wrap it up with old clothing or car- pet and keep it in a perfectly dry place. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 255 6. When a crack is discovered in a stove, through which the fire or smoke penetrates, the aperture may be closed with a composition consisting of wood ashes and common salt, made up into a paste with a little water, and plastered over the crack. 7. A piece of alum about the size of a large hickory- nut dissolved in two tablespoonfuls of vinegar and mixed with cold coffee or water and made into a paste with stove blacking helps in getting a bright polish. 8. A varnish for stovepipes is made of : Asphaltum, one pound ; boiled linseed oil, one-half pint j turpentine, one quart. Fuse the asphaltum in an iron pot, boil the linseed oil and add while hot. Stir well and remove from the fire. When partially cooled add the turpentine. Sty. — I. A poultice of black tea is said to be a good remedy for a sty. Put a teaspoonful of black tea in a small bag ; pour on it enough boiling water to moisten it ; then put it on the eye pretty warm. Keep it on all night ; if necessary apply a second application. 2. A lotion for sties : Camphor water, one- half ounce ; muriate of morphia, one grain. 3. Tincture of iodine is said to be an effective remedy. The lids should be held apart by the thumb and index finger of the left hand while the iodine is painted over the inflamed part with a fine camel hair pencil. The lids should not be allowed to come into 256 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES contact until the part touched is dry. A few such applications in twenty-four hours is sufficient. Suffocation from Inhaling Gas. — One who has been suffocated by gas should be carried to the open air as quickly as possible, laid down, and kept warm. Twenty drops of ammonia in a tumbler of water should be taken at frequent intervals ; also two to four drops tincture of nux vomica every hour or two for five or six hours. Sunburn. — i. A layer of suitable cream is a good protection. This should be spread thickly over the face and allowed to sink into the skin. Then enough should be taken off to keep the face from appearing too greasy. Powder should then be put on thickly. A cream that is recommended for this purpose is made of the following ingredients : Tragacanth powder, eighty grains ; gly- cerine, four drachms ; menthol, fifty grains ; alcohol, five drachms ; water, enough to make soft, sixteen ounces ; solution of carmine, quantity sufficient to color light pink. On coming into the house the face should be washed of the cream and powder with warm water and a pinch of bicarbonate of soda. Then moisten the face with the following lotion which should be allowed to dry on the skin : Tincture of arnica, four ounces ; glycerine, eight ounces ; rose-water, four ounces. 2. If in spite of precautions, the face has become red, RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 257 sensitive to the touch, swollen and even beginning to peel, the first thing to do is to soothe it with compresses of sterilized gauze dipped in a solution of equal parts of witch-hazel and hydrate of chloral. Keep these on, constantly moistening them as often as possible. They will lessen the pain of burning. 3. A camphor cream to apply to the sunburned skin ; Spermaceti, two ounces ; white wax, four ounces ; sweet almond oil, eight ounces ; camphor, two ounces ; oil of bitter almond, one drachm ; expressed oil of mace, -sixty grains. 4. Spirits of arnica may be used where there are no abrasions of the skin with good results. 5. Strong soap and hard water should never be used on the skin. Redness, roughness and irritation may be prevented by using borax and lukewarm water. 6. A safe lotion for sunburn is : Borax, 320 grains; zinc oxide, 320 grains; glycerine, two and a half ounces ; bay rum, two and a half ounces ; distilled water, ten ounces. Mix and apply freely five or six times a day. See also Creams. Sunstroke. — i. While waiting for the physician, give the person cool drinks of water or cold black tea, or cold coifee, if able to swallow. If the skin is hot and dry, sponge, or pour cold water over the body and limbs, and apply to the head pounded ice wrapped in a towel or other cloth. If there is no ice at hand, keep a cold cloth 258 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES on the head, and pour cold water on it as well as on the body. If the person is pale, very faint and pulse feeble, let him inhale ammonia for a few seconds or give him a teaspoonful of aromatic spirits of ammonia in two table- spoonfuls of sweetened water. The patient should be kept in a shady and cool place ; his clothing should be loosened, and he may be given a drink of brandy. 2. It is said that protection against sunstroke is afforded by wearing orange-yellow clothing, especially a shirt of this color and lining the coat and hat with flannel of the same color. A straw hat should be worn, and a wet cloth or a large green leaf should be put inside of it on the head. Perspiration should not be checked but one should drink enough water to keep it up, as perspiration keeps the body from becoming overheated. One should have some sort of shade when exposed for any length of time to the sun's rays. Swelling. — i. A swelling can be reduced by treat- ing it as follows : Apply over the affected part applica- tions consisting of hot and cold baths applied in alterna- tion, changing every fifteen seconds, for about ten minutes. Apply this two or three times a day, and a heat- ing compress during the intervals. The heating compress consists of a towel wrung out of cold water, wrapped about the part, and covered with rubber cloth, and several thicknesses of flannel to retain the heat. The RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 259 application should become well warmed up in a few minutes. . 2. Another good remedy for a swelling is : Cider vinegar, one pint; spirits of turpentine, one-half pint; beat well three eggs, and mix all together. Wet cloths with this and lay or bind them on the swelling. Table. — i. A dining-room table should be frequently rubbed with chamois or soft linen. It should also be rubbed hard once a week with a soft flannel moistened with paraffine oil and turpentine, and then with a piece of soft linen. It should then rest an hour and then be rubbed again with a piece of chamois or soft linen. This treatment will keep any table that is in daily use in good condition. 2. The following is said to be a good way to polish a dining or other table: Take a quarter of a pound of beeswax and have ready a piece of carpet a quarter of a yard square, lined with a piece of cloth and padded. Hold the wax before a fire and as it melts coat the cloth with it and while yet warm rub the table briskly for a quarter of an hour. 3. White spots on a table maybe removed by rubbing with kerosene. If the spots are very deep rub gently and rapidly with linseed oil and powdered rottenstone. Do not use great pressure and do not let the powder get dry. See Furniture. 26o RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES Tan. — T. A bleaching lotion to remove tan: Haifa pint of milk, half an ounce of white brandy, one-quarter of an ounce of lemon juice. Bring the milk to a boil, and then put in the lemon juice and brandy. Let it come to a boil again, and then remove and strain. As soon as it cools, bottle, and mop the tanned surface with it twice a day, and at night, allowing it to dry on. 2. Another remedy is to moisten the face at night with cucumber juice. Cut a cucumber lengthwise and rub it on the face, allowing the juice to remain until it dries off. A mild solution of baking soda is also good. See under Sunburn, Face, Creams and Skin. Tea-kettle. — i. To remove the coating from the in- terior of a tea-kettle fill it with water, add a large piece of sal soda, and let the water boil for an hour. Wash the soda solution out and the kettle should be clean. 2. Wash out the tea-kettle night and morning. Keep on hand a few clean oyster shells ; put one into the clean kettle, and much of the limestone will fasten itself to the shell. When it becomes heavy throw it away and put in a new one. Tea Stains. — i. If, while the stains are fresh, boil- ing water is poured through the cloth, it will remove the discoloration. For stains that are not easily removed use either a strong solution of tartaric acid, chloride of lime or javelle water. Soak the stained article in the bleach- RECEIPTS AND RExMEDlES 261 ing mixture until the stain has disappeared, then rinse in several clear waters. 2. To remove tea stains from china scrub them with a soft brush dipped in salt water and vinegar. This will remove ordinary marks. Dark, obstinate stains that this treatment will not remove will come off if the stained cup is immersed for two days in sour milk. Teeth. — i. The teeth should be brushed after each meal and before one goes to bed. When the teeth are neglected they decay and the gums become weak and un- healthy. Twice a year tartar should be removed, and cavities filled by a dentist. Powders that contain coarse, gritty substances are very harmful. The teeth should be brushed up and down as well as crossways. The reason for this is obvious. Food particles lodge between the teeth, and by brushing horizontally only or crosswise, as is commonly done, the hairs of the brush jump from one tooth to another, but do not reach the spaces between. The mouth of a very young child should be swabbed daily with a bit of clean linen which has been dipped in a solution of boric. The tooth-brush should be a stiff rather than a soft one. If one's teeth are of a dark or yellow hue it is best not to attempt to make them white. It cannot be done save at the expense of the teeth them- selves. Tooth-brushes should be kept clean, and steril- ized once a week with hot boric solution. 2. . An excellent tooth-powder may be made of the fol- 262 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES lowing ingredients : One tablespoonful of pure powdered borax, one ounce of precipitated chalk, half an ounce of powdered orris-root, and one drachm of rose pink. Mix well together, by aid of pestle and mortar. This powder preserves the teeth and sweetens the breath. 3. The following is a most excelle?tt antiseptic pow- der for the teeth: Precipitated chalk, six ounces; pow- dered orris-root, one ounce ; white Castile soap in pow- der, one-half ounce ; pulverized sugar, one-half ounce ; boric, one-half ounce; powdered wintergreen, one-half drachm. Grind to fine powder, and sift twice. Oil of wintergreen, one-half drachm may be used. 4. A simple tooth-powder : Powdered chalk, one ounce ; oil of peppermint, one drop. 5. A good powder for general use and to harden the gums is made of one ounce of cinnamon, one ounce of bicarbonate of soda and two drops of oil of cinnamon. 6. Liquid dentifrice : Dissolve one ounce of pow- dered Castile soap in one pint of water, then add three drachms of powdered borax, five drops of oil of nutmeg and two ounces of honey water. 7 . When the teeth have accumulated a coating of tartar that tooth-powder does not remove, dip an orange wood stick into fine wood ashes and rub the teeth. The ashes should be moist; and both the inner and outer sur- faces should be rubbed. This treatment will remove the tartar. It should not be repeated too frequently, how- ever, as it is apt to be hard on the gums. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 263 8. Powdered cigar ashes or charcoal apphed with the end of a toothpick to which has been tied a bit of cotton will remove tartar, unless very much hardened. 9. A pleasant deodorizer and mouth wash is a half glass of warm water with lemon juice and a few drops of glycerine. This is not only cleansing, but healing where any small spots or cankers are produced by stomach troubles, as is often the case. „ Thawing.— To thaw out a frozen water pipe, screw off the faucet or tap, and forcccoarse salt into the pipe ; then pour in boiling water to dissolve the salt, and it will gradually eat its way through the ice in the pipe. Throat. — There are many simple remedies for sore throat. The following ones are among the most effica- cious : 1. Gargle with a pint of water to which have been added a tablespoonful of salt and a tablespoonful of pow- dered borax. 2. An excellent gargle for sore throat is made by mix- ing a teaspoonful of salt in a half cup of vinegar and water, and adding a liberal sprinkling of black pepper. 3. Apply externally a mixture of one part turpentine and two parts of camphorated oil, covering with cotton batting and a piece of cloth. 4. A cold compress is a simple hut effectual remedy for ordinary sore throat. Dip a folded piece of cotton into cold water, wring it just enough not to drip, wind it 264 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES round the throat, and cover it with several folds of cot- ton or flannel. The warmth of the body soon converts it into a kind of poultice, and the moisture relieves the in- flamed condition. Remove in the morning and bathe the neck with cold water. 5. A gargle made by dissolving a heaping teaspoonful of common baking soda in a glass of water and gargling frequently is valuable for sore throat. 6. Strong hot tea is said to relieve soreness of the throat when used as a gargle. Thrush. — The following treatment is suggested for this disease of the mouth of bottle-fed or delicate children : Cover the finger with a clean moist cloth, and wipe away the patches in the mouth and on the tongue. Then spray the mouth with a lotion made of one-half ounce of boric and one pint of water. Or a small quantity of the following lotion may be applied with a camel's hair brush : Pure powdered borax, twenty grains ; tincture of myrrh, one-half fluid drachm ; glycerine, one fluid drachm ; water, enough to make one fluid ounce. Tins. — Tinware is nicely cleaned and polished by being rubbed with a paste made of whiting and water. It should then be rubbed with a piece of chamois skin. For very dirty or greasy tins grated bath brick and water, or sifted wood ashes and water, must be used. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 265 Toe-nail (Ingrowing). — i. It is said that powdered alum used freely will cure any case of ingrowing nail in a few days. Apply a formation of soap and water for twenty-four hours beforehand, and then pour the alum into the space between the nail and its bed, tamp- ing with cotton to keep the alum in place. Repeat the application daily. The suppuration readily dries. 2. The pain from an ingrowing toe-nail can be relieved by treating with a mixture composed of one ounce chloride of zinc and one drachm each of muriatic and nitric acids. Mix them thoroughly, and apply one drop daily to the sore toe. 3. Any sharp or rough edges or points that project into the flesh should be removed with a sharp knife or scissors. If this proves too painful or if the surrounding flesh is much swollen, a poultice of ground slippery elm or flaxseed should be applied and left on all night. In the morning this should be removed, and the foot should be bathed in hot water for ten or fifteen minutes and then wiped dry. The flesh will be softened and the inflamma- tion relieved so that the nail can be examined and the point or edge cut off. After this has been done the edges of the nail may be raised and a small flat piece of lint, a little zinc ointment or other healing salve applied, may be placed between the nail and the sore flesh beneath. This should be repeated night and morning until the toe is healed. The patient should also wear a shoe from which the leather over the toe has been removed. A wad of 266 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES cotton batting should be placed between the affected toe and one next to it to relieve the pressure. Should there be any proud flesh add a half teaspoon ful of carbolic acid to each quart of hot water used in bathing the foot ; and after dressing the toe sprinkle a little burnt alum on the proud flesh. Tonics. — I. A medical authority prescribes the following tonic for general weakness, nervousness and all run-down condition of the system : Fluid extract of cocoa, five and a half drachms ; fluid extract of damiana, one ounce ; fluid extract of kola, five and a half drachms ; fluid extract of saw palmetto, one ounce ; extract of beef, four drachms ; simple elixir, fourteen ounces. Dissolve by shaking and filter through purified talcum. The dose is a teaspoonful three or four times a day in a little water or wine. 2. A splendid tonic for a run down condition is home-made hypophosphites, which costs but a few cents. Twenty grains of hypophosphites of lime ; twenty grains of hypophosphites of soda ; twenty grains of iron ; four grains of quinine ; one-half pound of loaf sugar ; one pint of water boiled, then cooled. Dissolve the drugs in a little of the warm water, put all into a pint bottle, add enough water to make a pint, shake until dissolved. Keep in a cool, dark place. Dose : A dessertspoonful half an hour before meals. 3. A very eff"ectual tonic for those moments when RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 267 one is excited and irritable and when the nerves tremble and one's feelings are utterly indefinable is made of lavender. Two or three teaspoonfuls of the tincture of lavender in a cupful of hot water with a slice or two of lemon makes a restorative drink that acts like magic, and puts a woman in possession of her best self. Toothache.— I. If the tooth has a cavity clean it out and apply a pledget of cotton saturated with the following : Chloroform, ten drops ; tincture of opium, five drops ; tincture of benzoin, twenty drops. 2. Oil of cloves is a good remedy for toothache. Moisten a bit of cotton with it and place in the cavity of the tooth. 3. Dissolve a piece of opium the size of a small pea in a half teaspoonful of spirits of turpentine. Put upon cotton and insert into the tooth. The cotton should be soaked and renewed until there is relief. 4. For rotten or decayed teeth : Creosote, one drachm ; ninety per cent, alcohol, one drachm ; oil of cloves, one-half fluid drachm. Saturate cotton with this and put in the tooth. 5. For a tooth that has no cavity y apply : Tincture of iodine, four drachms ; tincture of aconite, one drachm. Paint the gums around the tooth two or three times a day. 6. Saturate a pledget of cotton in boiling vinegar and rub the gum around the aching tooth with it. Fill 268 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES the cavity with some of the saturated cotton. Repeat the application in five minutes if not relieved. 7. A good remedy for 'toothache is : Powdered alum, one-fourth ounce ; spirits of nitrous ether, seven drachms. Mix and apply to the cavity on cotton, also paint around the tooth. Ulcers. — I. An excellent antiseptic solution to use for washing ulcers and other sores is made by adding one teaspoonful of carbolic acid to a pint of water, stir- ring well. 2. Ulcers may also be washed with a saturated solution of boric acid, which is an excellent healing antiseptic for the purpose. 3. Bichloride of mercury (corrosive sublimate), seven and a half grains to the quart of water can be used for the same purpose. This is a deadly poison and must not be taken internally. Umbrella. — An umbrella that is stained by mud may be cleaned with a vigorous application of ammonia and water applied with a piece of old black silk. Underwear. — See Woolens. Varnish. — i. Varnish stains on clothing may be removed with alcohol or turpentine. If the stain is on a fine fabric use alcohol in the following manner : Wet the varnish with alcohol and let it rest a few minutes, then wet again and sponge off with a clean cloth. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 269 Continue this until all the varnish is removed. If the color has been affected by the alcohol, sponge the place with chloroform. If the color is blue and the fabric is cotton or wool, dilute acetic acid or vinegar may be used instead of the chloroform. 2. If the stain is on a coarse fabric dissolve by saturating with turpentine. If this leaves a dark fing sponge it with chloroform. Be very cautious not to use either the turpentine or chloroform where there is either fire or artificial light. 3. Turpentine or lye diluted with hot water will either of them -remove varnish from a floor. If the floor is oiled the turpentine or lye may also remove the oil, necessitating a re-oihng afterward. Spots and stains on varnished surfaces that are not of long standing may be removed with kerosene. Pour a little of the oil on the spot and rub with a piece of flan- nel. If the spot is a deep one and one of long stand- ing it should be rubbed with linseed oil and powdered rottenstone. Polish with paraffine oil and turpentine. See under Furniture. When a varnished surface becomes faded and cracked, linseed oil should be applied. Use boiled linseed oil once a week, rubbing it in well with a woolen cloth. After a few weeks the surface will become smooth and soft and of good color. Vaseline Stains may be removed with ether. Sat- 270 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES urate the spot with ether and place a cup over it to pre- vent evaporation until the stain is removed. Ether must be used with very great care not to breathe the fumes. Veils. — Crape veils may be renovated in the following manner : Cover a board with a piece of colored flan- nel ; pin the veil smoothly on this, being careful to keep the edges straight. Use a large flatiron, very hot. Take a piece of cloth large enough to cover the veil and wet it in cold water ; then wring it nearly dry and lay it over the crape. Pass the iron lightly over the wet cloth, keeping the weight of the iron in the hand. Continue this until the whole veil is pressed. When the work is finished hang the veil on the clothes-horse until it is per- fectly dry. See Crape, Velvet and Plush. — Silk and cotton velvets, vel- veteens and plush when stained or soiled may be cleaned with naphtha or benzine, turpentine and alcohol. The dust should first be removed by brushing with a soft brush. Then sponge the fabric with one of the ma- terials named, then rub briskly with a clean dry cloth. When the fabric is very much soiled it may be neces- sary to dip it in a bath of benzine, then drying thor- oughly. When all the material is cleaned it should be steamed to raise the pile. To do this have two irons made very hot. Put one on its side and cover it with several thicknesses of old clcth made very wet. Pass RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 271 the back of the velvet over this, holding it close to the cloth until the velvet looks thick and fluffy. Do not use a brush unless the pile is badly crushed. If that is the case, brush against the nap, using a soft velvet brush. The steaming may be done over a pan of boiling water, nap up, A second person may brush the surface against the nap while the first holds the velvet taut over the boiling water. To ^stiffen the back of the velvet prepare a strong solution of gum arable in warm water. Dissolve one- fourth of an ounce of the gum arable in a gill of warm water. Brush the back all over with this solution. This stiffens the fabric and prevents the pile getting loose. To do this work properly put the velvet face down on a clean board and tack it so that it shall lie perfectly straight. When the material is dry remove it from the board and brush the pile. Grease spots on velvet may be removed with highly rectified benzine or with chloroform. Rub the spot lightly and rapidly with a soft rag dipped in chloroform ; repeat the operation if necessary. Rub rapidly and lightly, then finish with a clean, dry cloth. Vermin. — See Insects, Lice, Rats, etc. Vinaigrette. — Receipt for a vinaigrette : Oil of lav- ender, one-fourth fluid ounce; caustic spirits of am- monia, three-eighths pint. Saturate a bit of sponge with this preparation, and place it in the vinaigrette; or 2/2 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES pour it on to crystals of potassium sulphate with whicli the vinaigrette has first been filled. This is excellent in cases of faintness or headache. Violin. — I. To clean the outside of a violin ordinary paraffine oil is said to be quite satisfactory. Saturate a soft rag with the oil and proceed to wash the violin. The dirt is dissolved without injury to the varnish. 2. Soap and water may be used if used catefully. The interior may be cleaned with dry rice. It is also suggested to steep a handful of rice in a solution of sugar and water five minutes, then strain it and dry the rice until it is just sticky. Put in at sound-holes and shake thoroughly. The rice picks up the dirt, and may be readily shaken out. ^ Violin Bows. — Clean with a soft flannel and yel- low soap, first moistening the cloth with cold water. Rub gendy until clean, using plenty of soap; then rinse the flannel, wipe off, and wipe dry with a soft cloth ; in an hour it will be ready for the rosin. Borax and water is also good for the purpose. Vomiting. — i. To induce vomiting an emetic is generally required. Mustard is a very active emetic when stirred into a cup of warm water. A heaping teaspoonful should be stirred into a small cupful of warm water. Its harmlessness makes it safe to repeat in a few minutes if necessary. It is very useful when RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 273 it is desired to relieve the stomach of its contents as in cases of sick headache, poisoning or indigestion, accom- panied by severe pain or cramps. 2. An excellent emetic is made by steeping one-half ounce of lobelia and the same quantity of boneset (thor- oughwort) in a pint of water. The dose is one table- spoonful every ten minutes until vomiting has taken place. 3. A quick and effective emetic to be taken in cases of accidental poisoning is two ounces of powdered chalk of magnesia mixed into a pint of milk, the whole being swallowed at one draught. Then run the finger down the throat and move it gently from side to side. After vomiting drink freely of warm milk and water and repeat the vomiting. In poisoning by laudanum, morphine or opium, give an emetic of mustard and water, followed by copious draughts of warm water and salt, until vomiting is induced. Do not allow the patient to sleep. 4. For vomiting of pregnancy, take : Cerium oxalate, one drachm ; bismuth subcarbonate, one drachm ; pepsin, one drachm. Mix, and make into twenty-four powders or capsules. Take one three times a day. 5. To relieve vomiting the patient should always lie down. Give large amounts of hot water, as hot as can be taken. If not relieved let the patient hold in the mouth small bits of ice or swallow them. Holding a piece of ice against the pit of the stomach sometimes 274 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES ■ brings relief. When other means fail apply a mustard plaster to the pit of the stomach. A tablespoonful of lime water or a little baking soda in water may give relief. Bread toasted very brown and steeped in hot water, the water given in small quantities, is also good. Walls. — I. Walls that are painted may be washed with ammonia water, four tablespoonfuls of ammonia to six quarts of water. Wash the walls with this ; then go over the washed space with a clean cloth and clean hot water ; and then wipe dry. 2. Smoky calcimined walls may be made light and clean by rubbing the soiled places with stale bread. Then pass a cheese-cloth lightly over the w^all, working toward and over the light part. This will even up the color somewhat so that the light spot will not be notice- able. Wall Paper. — i. To paper whitewashed walls. It is quite difficult to make paper stick to walls that have been made smooth by frequent whitewashing. The smooth finish may be scraped off or the surface may be sized with a coat of paste or glue. A paste for this pur- pose is made in the following manner : Put one pint of flour .in a saucepan and beat into it one quart of cold water. When smooth add two quarts of boiling water, stirring all the time. Let this boil up once, then strain and cool. Brush this paste over the walls and allow it to RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 275 dry. When ready to paper, wet the walls, spread paste on the paper, and hang it in the usual manner. A coat of glue will also prepare the walls for papering. Make a size of glue and water and give the walls a coat of a very thin solution of the same. See also under Paste. To Clean Wall Paper. — i. Take a soft flat sponge and use new, clean, dry wheat bran. Hold the sponge flat side up and put a handful of bran on it, then quickly turn against the wall, and rub the wall gently and carefully with it ; then repeat the operation. A large pan or a cloth spread out should be used to catch the bran as it falls. Do not use the same bran twice. 2. When the paper is not very dirty it can be im- proved by brushing it over in straight lines with a soft broom covered with a clean soft cloth such as canton flannel. 3. Stale bread also will clean wall paper. Cut a loaf into slices and rub the paper with downward strokes. Clean about a yard at a time all one way, and leave no marks. Grease spots can be removed from wall paper by the use of sulphuric ether applied with a soft sponge. This material is highly inflammable and must be used with great care. Do not wipe the spot with ether but dab the sponge carefully against it. It is a good plan to apply several thicknesses of brown paper to the spot, in the form of a pad, and to hold a hot flatiron against it to draw out the grease, which will soak into the paper. This may be done twice, and one must 276 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES be careful to have enough layers of brown paper to keep the iron from scorching the paper. Rules for Measuring a Room. — Measure every side of the room and add the number of feet together ; multi- ply the sum obtained by the height of the room in feet. The result is the total number of square feet of wall sur- face. To allow for doors and windows multiply the height of each by the width ; add all together and deduct from the amount. The result is the net total amount of wall surface to be papered. Divide this total by sixty, the result is the number of rolls required. To measure a ceiling multiply the length of the room in feet by the width in feet, then divide by sixty. The re- sult is the number of rolls required. The number of yards of border required is the number of feet around the room, divided by three. To Remove Paper from Walls. — Use a pail of warm water and a whitewash brush. Dip the brush in the warm water and wet the paper with it, beginning at the top and working down to the bottom. Wet a space two or three yards wide, and then begin to pull off the paper. A broad knife is a great help. Always have a broad strip of wall soaking while you are tearing off the paper from the preceding section. Warts. — I. An effectual cure for warts is to apply full strength acetic acid to them, once or twice a day, fairly wetting the wart all over. Be careful not to put on RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 277 so much of this or any other acid that it will run off the wart and make the skin sore. 2. Nitric acid is also good. Dip a toothpick in the acid and apply to the wart once daily. 3/ A solution of two drachms of chromic acid and one fluid ounce of water is another cure. Dip a tooth- pick in the solution and touch the warts with it two or three times a day for a few days. 4. Cut the warts off with scissors or knife, apply nitric acid to the stump, and then powder with : Calomel, one-half ounce ; boric acid, two drachms ; salicylic acid, forty grains, well mixed. 5. Warts may be removed by applying once daily : Salicylic acid, one drachm ; acetic acid, one ounce. 6. An unfailing remedy, according to the testimony of those who have tried it, is to pare off the hard cuticle, if there is one, and apply kerosene with a camel's hair brush or cloth fastened to a toothpick. Washing. — i. The whole secret of keeping white clothes in good color lies in using plenty of clean water and drying the articles in the open air where the sunshine and oxygen will sweeten and whiten them. The process of washing is briefly this : Have two tubs partly filled with warm water. Put a cupful of dissolved soap — pref- erably white — in one tub. Wring the white articles, table linen, etc., from the cold water in which they have been soaking and wash in the soapy water, and as each piece 2/8 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES is washed put it in the second tub. Have the boiler half filled with cold water and stir into it one cupful of dis- solved soap. Rinse the clothes from the second tub and put them in the boiler. Heat to the boiling point and then let boil for ten minutes. Lift from the boiler and put them in a tubful of cold water. Wash from this into a second rinsing water, and from that into the bluing water. From the bluing water the articles should be wrung out and hung on the lines. If they are to be starched, do the starching as soon as they are wrung out of the bluing. 2. Borax is an excellent article to use in the laundry. It softens the water; gives clean and white clothes; does not cause color to run in any fabric ; and by antiseptically entering the fabric, it prevents contagion and infection. It may be used in the first suds and also in the boiler. It is good for table linen to rinse it in water containing a tablespoonful of borax. 3. The soap is a very important factor in washing clothes. A poor soap will give unsatisfactory results and will be found dear at any price. A white soap is better than a yellow one. Woolen or silk fabrics should not be washed with a yellow soap, as such a soap is apt to con- tain rosin. Sal soda is often used to soften the water and to assist in getting clothes clean. If too much is used it is apt to injure the clothing. For softening water, dissolve a pound of sal soda in one quart of boiling water, when RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 279 cold bottle it. Add a gill of this solution to about twenty gallons of water. 4. To launder embroidered linen, make strong suds of some white soap and warm water and wash the pieces carefully. The washboard should not be used. Rinse immediately in lukewarm water and then in water slightly blued and hang to dry. When half dry lay them out smoothly on a clean cloth which has been laid over a piece of double-faced white canton flannel, and press on the wrong side with a hot iron until they are quite dry. If they are fringed, comb the fringe out carefully with a moderately coarse comb. 5. Napkins {diapers) ifuproperly washed sometimes cause chafing. Wash them first in cold water, leave in a second cold water for fifteen minutes, wring, place in a clean tub and pour over them two pailfuls of boiling water to which two tablespoonfuls of borax and some melted white soap have been added. Let soak for half an hour, and no rubbing will be necessary except on the soiled spots, and even then the board will not be needed. Rinse in several waters, dry well. Hang in the sunshine before using. 6. Colored cottofis. The alkali in soap will often change delicate colors, therefore it. is always safer to use starch for washing colored dresses, shirtwaists, draperies, etc. If the following directions are followed the results will be most satisfactory : Mix to a smooth paste half a pint of flour and one pint of cold water. Pour on this 28o RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES one gallon of boiling water, stirring all the time. Strain through cheese-cloth. Pour two-thirds of the starch into one tub and the other third into a second tub. Add two pailfuls of warm water to the starch in each tub. Wash the articles in the first tub just as though the water were soap-suds; wring, and wash again in the second tub. Then rinse in clear, cold water and hang in the shade to dry. The quantity of starch given is enough for two dresses. It will make them about as stiff as the new material. If liked stiffer, double the quantity of starch and divide it equally between the two waters. If soap is preferred to starch make a strong suds with warm water and dissolved soap. Wash the articles in this and then in a weaker suds. Rinse in plenty of clear, cold water. Starch, and dry in the shade. 7. White woolen dresses such as nun's veiling, cotton and wooleii crapes, may be washed in cold soap-suds. The suds should be well mixed and the soap beaten to a lather, then the fabric is washed, rinsed out in cold, clear water, and, without wringing or even slightly pressing out the water, hung up to dry. The weight of the water aids in stretching and in preventing shrinkage. 8. Black pique should be dried quickly after wash- ing in hot suds and rinsing in very blue water. When perfectly dry, dip in very thin blue starch, hang in the air, and when nearly dry iron on the wrong side. 9. Sateens are best cleaned by placing them in a lather of lukewarm soap-suds containing a cup of salt ; RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 281 rinse in water and salt ; dip in very thin, warm starch and wrap in a clean sheet ; in two hours iron on the wrong side. 10. White flannel gowns may be washed in a cold lather of white soap, wrung out and wrapped in a cloth until nearly dry, when they should be ironed on the wrong side with a moderate iron over a piece of muslin. 11. Ginghams and percales should be washed in moderately warm water, having salt in it to set the colors. Dry in the shade and use very thin, warm starch j iron on the wrong side. Do not soak them over night. 12. Wash goods that are to be stored several months should be washed clean, and rinsed in clear waters until free of all soil and soap. Dry in the sunshine ; fold and put away unironed. 13. A harmless washing-fluid that greatly facilitates the washing of clothes is made by dissolving one pound of concentrated lye in one gallon of water, and two ounces of muriate of ammonia and two ounces of salts of tartar in another gallon of water. From one-half cupful to a cupful of this fluid may be used to the necessary quantity of water in the boiler. When clothes are soaked over night a half cupful of the fluid should be used in the water to loosen the dirt. No soap is required. Water. — i. To soften hard water : Water that is made hard by carbonate of lime may be softened by the 282 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES use of quicklime, sal soda or ammonia. When there is time to allow the water to settle lime is the best agent. To soften with lime have the water in a large tank or hogshead. Pour enough water on the quicklime to slake it. AVhen it falls to powder add enough water to make a thin cream and then stir into the water in the tank. Use one ounce of lime for every forty gallons of water. Do not let any undissolved lime go into the water. Allow the water to stand for twelve hours. The carbon dioxide, which held the carbonate of lime in solu- tion, will be absorbed by the lime and the liberated car- bonate of lime will fall to the bottom, leaving the water soft. 2. To test the quality of water, put about a pint into a clear glass bottle with a stopper. Add to it a few grains of white lump sugar, and expose the bottle in a light, warm room for ten days. If the water then has a thick or discolored appearance it is impure and unfit for drinking purposes. Water-bugs. — To get rid of them, keep everything scrupulously clean, and scatter borax freely about the infested places. Weeds. — i. To destroy weeds in walks, make a strong brine of one quart of rock salt and four quarts of boiling water. Pour this brine, boiling hot, on the weeds and the roots will be killed. RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 283 2. One pound of stone lime boiled to each gallon of water, stirring a few times while boiling, then the clear water poured on the weeds will also kill them. Whitewash. — i. A good whitewash for domestic use is made in the following manner : Put a piece of lime weighing about five pounds in a pan or pail ; pour on it a gallon of water, allow it to boil and slack until the steaming is over; take from this two quarts of the liquid lime, put it in a pail, and add sufficient water to make it rather thin. Add a small amount of pure indigo or blu- ing sufficient to give it the proper color ; add a teaspoon - ful of salt and half a teaspoonful of lampblack, stir well. 2. An excellent whitewash for inside walls is made by adding a pound and a half of white vitriol, a pound of salt, and half a pound of dissolved glue to a peck of slacked lime. The effect of the salt and glue is to pre- vent rubbing off. 3. Take six quarts of stone lime, slack it with boiling water, then cover it till it cools a little and strain it ; add a quarter of a pound of alum, one pound of sugar, three pints of rice flour boiled to a thin paste with water, and a pound of glue dissolved. Stir these ingredients well and add five gallons of hot water. A little copperas as large as a hickory-nut will color this a buff shade. 4. Coloring matter for whitewash may be purchased at the druggist's. Whooping Cough. — In severe cases a doctor should 2S4 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES ■ cniia ijnig on nif die face and thez 5 ::i-:h. Rot ID tjbe momiDc 5f -rzantkm. :firr: :: jomig cliil- acidy tiro cbios ; cm! erf* encal jptol, ir'zms; tmpeEt're. t^o it around :'r ;h^^ 5 ir:^ rtie ::^ :: e t: '?e boms. --■r3dk of vfaoopiog coogfa it is wdSL to fami- :•: ~ in which the child has dept or ^lent most STiilphnr may be used. See IhsmsrscnoN. :i5: f ire abo good. Diiectioiis fcrnse come VAndovrs. — I. An exceiieoi preparaaon ior ckan- RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 285 ing windows, mirrors and larap chimneys is made in the following manner : Five pounds of gilder's whiting, one ounce of oxalic acid, two ounces of aqua ammonia. Mix with warm water, stirring until thoroughly smooth. Fill moulds such as gem pans, tin can covers, or fruit jar covers and let set and dry out. When dry enough to re- move wrap in tissue paper and lay away. Rub a damp cloth over the polish and then over the glass, rub off with a dry cloth and polish with very soft chamois skin. 2. To restore brilliancy to window glass that has be- come opaque from the action of the sun, moisture and the carbonic acid in the air on the soda or potash in the glass, a washing with hydrochloric acid and polishing with whiting is recommended. First wet the glass with dilute hydrochloric acid, and then after a few. minutes go over it with powdered whiting. Pour the acid slowly into the cold water, using four ounces of the acid to one pint and a half of water. Polish with chamois or soft paper. The acid is destructive to metals and should not be allowed to touch them, nor should the bottle be left open, as the fumes are destructive. 3. Windows can be cleaned in winter and the frost removed by using a gill of alcohol to a pint of hot water. Clean quickly and rub dry with a warm chamois skin. 4. When soap and water are used in washing win- dows a little kerosene may be added, as it facilitates the removal of the smoke and dirt. Alcohol is excellent to use either in water or alone. It makes the glass clear 286 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES and brilliant. Dry whiting will polish glass ; and it is well to first wash the window with weak tea and alcohol. 5. It is claimed that steam will not gather on win- dows that when clean and clear are rubbed with glycer- ine. The glycerine should be applied with a soft cloth when the glass is dry and if possible rather warm. The window is then to be polished with another cloth or flan- nel until it shines and the glycerine is no longer visible. It should not, however, be entirely removed from the glass if it is to do any good. Window Shades. — Window shades that are slightly soiled may be taken down, spread upon a table and rubbed lightly, first with a dry cloth, then with one that has been dampened with benzine. Wine Stains. — These stains may be removed from linen by dipping the parts which are stained into boiling milk. The milk should be kept boiling until the stain disappears. Wood. — I. Stains for wood, — Mahogany sfai?i is made with -one pint of boiled linseed oil, a gill and a half of turpentine, three tablespoonfuls of burnt sienna, three tablespoonfuls of whiting, half a tablespoonful of yellow ochre, half a tablespoonful of bismarck brown and half a teaspoonful of aniline black. Oak stain is made by mixing together a pint of boiled oil, a gill and a half of turpentine, three tablespoonfuls RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 287 of raw umber, three tablespoonfuls of whiting. A dark oak stain may be made by adding a little lampblack to the above. A little of the stain should be tried on a piece of board before using it on the wood to be stained. The shade of color may be deepened or lightened by increasing or diminishing the quantity of coloring matter. The stain should be rubbed into the wood with a cloth and after a day or two rubbed hard with a soft woolen cloth. See Furniture. 2. To stain wood black : The wood is immersed for forty- eight hours in a hot saturated solution of alum, and then brushed over several times with a logwood liquor made as follows : Boil one part best logwood with ten parts of water, filter through linen and evaporate at a gentle heat until the volume is reduced to one-half. To every quart of this add from ten to fifteen drops of a saturated solution of indigo, completely neutral. After applying this dye to the wood rub the latter with a satu- rated and filtered solution of verdigris in hot, concen- trated acetic acid, and repeat the operation until a black of the desired intensity is obtained. Care must be taken to protect the hands. Woodwork. — i . To clean woodwork that is painted awhile use powdered whiting. Wring a flannel cloth out of hot water, and dip it lightly in whiting. Rub with this, and then wash off all the whiting ; next wipe with 288 RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES the cloth wrung out of hot water, and finally rub the surface dry with a dry flannel. If soap is preferred use a white soap such as white Castile or ivory, as these do not turn the paint yellow nor soften it as strong ydlow soaps do. ,jg., 2. Woodwork that is finished in natural colors may be cleaned by first wiping off the dust with a §pnel cloth wrung out of hot water ; then go over ^ ^ ^ ■ ■ woolen cloth made damp with cotton-seed or sweet-oil and alcohol or turpentine, two parts oil and one part alcohol or turpentine. Rub hard, and with the grain of the wood, then rub with clean flannel. This will clean the wood and revive the color and gloss. 3. Hard or grained woodwork may be cleaned with warm water and ammonia, then rubbed with dry flannel. 4. Dark woodwork may be washed with soap and water. Dry with soft cloth. If the wood is dingy apply a mixture of linseed oil and turpentine — two parts of oil and one of turpentine, well mixed. 5. To remove match marks apply lemon juice, rub- bing hard, and then use soap and water. 6. Finger-marks on polished woodwork may be taken off by rubbing with a flannel dipped in turpentine. 7. White stains are removed by rubbing with kerosene, using a great deal of oil and much pressure. ^ 8. Dents and scratches that are not very deep may sometimes be removed by rubbing over with linseed oil RECEIPTS AND REMEDIES 289 and rottenstone, using a small piece of felt to do the rubbing. Do not rub too hard. 9. Dark stains on woodwork can be removed by applying oxalic acid directly to the spot. If the first appl' ition does not clean the wood apply the acid again. The acid will remove the color of the wood as well as the ^ inches in size, well printed on good paper, handsomely bound in gr«en cloth, with a heavy paper wrapper to match. Cloth, each 50 cents THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 923 Arch Street, Philadelphia ETIQUETTE There is no passport to good: society By Agnes H. Morton like good manners. t| Even though one possess wealth and intelligence, his suc- cess in life may be marred by ignorance of social cu^oms. ^ A perusal of this book will prevent such blunders. It is a book for everybody, for the social leaders as well as for those less ambitious. ^ The subjed is presented in a bright and intere^ing manner, and represents the late^ vogue. LETTER WRITING Why do mo^ persons dislike to By Agnes H. Morton write letters ? Is it not because they cannot say the right thing in the right place ? This admirable book not only shows by numerous examples just what kind of letters to write, but by direcftions and sugge^ions enables the reader to become an accomplished original letter writer. ^ There are forms for all kinds of business and social letters, including invitations, acceptances, letters of sympathy, congratulations, and love letters. QUOTATIONS A clever compilation of pithy quota- 6y Agnes H. Morton tions, seleded from a great variety of sources, and alphabetically arranged according to the sentiment. ^ In addition to all the popular quotations in current use, it contains many rare bits of prose and verse not generally found in similar collections. €| One important feature of the book is found in the characterise lines from well known authors, in which the familiar sa3dngf are credited to their original sources. a EPITAPHS Even death h^s its humorous side. By Frederic W. Unger ^ There are said to be " sermons in ^ones," but when they are tomb^ones there is many a smile mixed with the moral. ^ Usually churchyard humor is all the more delightful because it is unconscious, but there are times when it is intentional and none the less amusing. ^ Of epitaphs, old and new, this book contains the be^. It is full of quaint bits of obituary fancy, with a touch of the gruesome here and there for a relish. PI^OVEI^BS The genius, wit, and spirit of a nation By John H. Bechtel are discovered in its proverbs, and the condensed wisdom of all ages and all nations is embodied in them. ^ A good proverb that fits the case is often a convincing argument. ^ This volume contains a representative collection of proverbs, old and new, and the indexes, topical and alphabetical, enable one to find readily ju^ what he requires. THINGS WORTH Can you name the colde^ place in KNOWING the United States or tell what year By John H. Bechtel ^^ad 445 days? Do you know how soon the coal fields of the world are likely to be exhausted, or how the speed of a moving train may be told ? What should you do fir^ if you got a cinder in your eye, or your neighbor's baby swal- lowed a pin ? This unique, up-to-date book answers thoU" sands of jaSt such intere^ng and useful que^ons. 3 A DICTIONARY OF Mo^ of us disUke to look up a MYTHOLOGY m)rthologicaI subjedl because By John H. Bechtcl of the time required. ^ This book remedies that difficulty because in it can be found at a glance juSt what is wanted. ^ It is comprehensive, convenient, condensed, and the infor- mation is presented in such an intere^ng manner that when once read it will always be remembered, ^ A di^ndlive feature of the book is the pronunciation of the proper names, something found in few other works, SLIPS OF SPEECH Who does not make them? By John H. Bcchtel The beft of us do. fl Why not avoid them ? Any one inspired with the spirit of self-improvement may readily do so. ^ No necessity for ^dying rules of grammar or rhetoric when this book may be had. It teaches both without the ^dy of either. C| It is a counsellor, a critic, a companion, and a guide, and is written in a most entertaining and chatty style. HANDBOOK OF What is more disagreeable PRONUNCIATION tl^an a faulty pronunciation? By John H. Bechtcl No other defed so clearly shows a lack of culture. ^ This book contains over 5,000 words on which mo^ of us are apt to trip. ^ They are here pronounced in the cleared and simple^ manner, and according to the beft authority ^ It is more readily consulted than a dictionary, and is juft at reliable* PRACTICAL A new word is a new tool. ^ This S Y N N YMS book will not only enlarge your vocabu- By John n. Bechtel l^ry, but will show you how to express the exadt shade of meaning you have in mind, and will cultivate a more precise habit of thought and speech. ^ It will be found invaluable to busy joumali^s, merchants, lawyers, or clergymen, and as an aid to teachers no less than to the boys and girls under their care. READY MADE SPEECHES Pretty much everybody By George Hapgood, Esq. in these latter days, is now and again called upon "to say a few words in public." ^ Unfortunately, however, but few of us are gifted with the power of ready and graceful speech. ^ This is a book of carefully planned model speeches to aid those who, without some slight help, mu^ remain silent, fl There is a preliminary chapter of gen- eral advice to speakers. AFTEI^-DINNER The dinner itself may be ever so STORIES good, and yet prove a failure if there By John Harrison ^s ^^ ^^^^ *o enliven the company. fl Nothing adds so much zest to an occasion of this kind as a good ^ory well told. ^ Here are hundreds of the late^, be^, brighter, and moft catchy ftories, all of them short and pithy, and so easy to remember that anyone can tell them successfully. ^ There are also a number of selected toails suitable to all occasions. MaSk wmsm. dead beag aMedwpam%o les p oad to a toaSt at to make an ad- dress, f Wh^woald TOO not give loc Ae JJljf to be nd g£ tins enbanassmait ? No deed to ffwcwmA'mhe^jaB. caMleana the ^t from das fade book. 9 II -wM. tdl 3POH fafoir to do k ; irat aciy that, bat by ex- it wl ^loir ibe waj. ^ k is ^aloaUe Bot aloae to brt to ibe expeneBoed ^teako; wbo wH ^^Aa THE DEBATER'S Tbae is no ^eafer JAj than TREASLRY tbe power of sklU awl fordUe ^VbFiito^ » arrmyfehmprt move leadBf aoqaned 2 ihe peisoB B l i v ^ V^\f '^ '^ '^ 4 ^ *^ l*^ fukuL ase cfaedioos for CEg^KHg aad cxndadiDg dpbaiiis sodeiies aod prx'hcal sirxeff :-3 for dl wbo deske to discsss qara in ns m p^bfic € T r t 5 akoafiftof ofer200q|KdiaBskrdebate,^iidi PUNCTL'ATiON Ft Dy Tirf AIbJjm toavaidHifiakesiHaBjdoDotpmdii^ aieatal. 4 Apemsal of d^ book and make al fumiti dear. ^ The and neerf Aiftated, dns liaiMMHg 4 The Mil Ml is e«€iywbeie lecog- die leadbg mAaatyvptm d»e sabied. an^vthsai be bas to say is pcadicaLxcndse, and 6 ORATORY Few men ever enjoyed a wider e»- By Henr> Ward Beecho peneoce or atiatered a bicker RfHi- taiioQ B pobac ^fw^Mg maB Ml Beecber. ^ Wliat lie lad to say « Ais sabjea was bofM of e:q>eiieiioe, and bis omi ijHibUe dyle was at oBce boik sfcrffmrnr and fcftritoi cf bis AcMe. f This MiJiaiM is a mnqoe and imflul> treatke oa Ae faadaMeafal pmdples ol tme ocatocy. CONVERSATION Some pe<9fe By J. p. AU- too mDcb. Bal no one is taken to task ior taisg too wJ. fl Of aB t^.e acc:r:rl-jzt- J cf rsodefB societr. dial of being an a^~i: e ::i trs^ziiiij^ boUs find place;. Noddng is more deW^rfiJ or YThnblr f To saggeftwbat to saj, jaSt bow and when to say k, is tbe gcBeral ^b ol das won, and it succeeds READING The abfey to read alood yf^ AS A FINE ART wbetber at tbe kesick or oa die By Erxst Lt^oGsi pidific pbtfon, is a iae art. ^ The cfcetftxaB awl saggejfaaas ^•"■'fa'**^ in das woik of Samdard andioiiiy wH go br 9 Tbe work is espedaly Rccaaneaded to tparbfff aid ■dkos intoeded in die Mgnidinn of pidific scbool papds. 7 SOCIALISM Socialism is " in the air." fl References By Charles H. Olin to the subjedt are con^antly appearing in newspapers, magazines, and other publications. ^ But few persons except the sociali^s them- selves have more than a dim comprehension of what it really means, fl This book gives in a clear and intere^ing manner a complete idea of the economic dodtrines taught by the beil sociali^. JOURNALISM What is news, how is it obtained, how By Charles H. Olln handled, and how can one become a Joumali^? ^ These que^ons are all answered in this book, and detailed in^rudions are given for obtaining a position and writing up all kinds of "assign- ments.** ^ It shows what to avoid and what to cultivate, and contains chapters on book reviewing, dramatic criticism and proofreading. VENTRILOQUISM Although always a delightful form By Charles H. Olln of entertainment, Ventriloquism is to mo^ of us more or less of a my^eiy fl It need be so no longer. ^ This book exposes the secrets of the art completely, and shows how almo^ anyone may learn to " throw the voice '* both near and far. ^ Diredions for the con^udion of automatons are given as well as good dialogue for their successful operation. ^ Fully illu^ated. APR 28 1908