SCIENCE IN THE HOME.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXV, Issue LXV, 9 December 1913, Page 4

SCIENCE IN THE HOME.

Use and wont, 'tradition and superstition, are, in the opinion of many' I worthy persons, sufficient guides in the matter of household management and all domestic life. Perhaps they were so at once time, when social conditions were less complex than they now are, and when, in fact, use and wont, tradition and superstitition in such matters embodied the teachings of experience] But now that condi-; tkms have changed, and domestic science has come into being, it is just about as sensible to prefer tradition tc- science as it would be to navigate the seas by the stars and not by the mariner's conpass. Indeed, this parallel does not sufficiently indicate the nature of the case unless it is born« in jnind that the personal observation indispensable to navigation by the stars is now a lost art or habit, and that sure navigation is not now practicable without chart and compass. Practically, it is thus that it now stands 'with., domestic economy, for women no longer, as a general habit or' custom/ Tiand on1 the teachings of tradition to each others Hence there is now a real;.need for science in the home, and in connection ndth the whole

life of the peoplo now-a-days. Yet, as an Australian, student of the subject recently stated, though science is now makiig headway almost everywhere, womenkind still leave :t standing on the doormat. Hence much indigestion, sickness, and suffering, and many deaths coitrary to hll the designs of nature. The eyes and the nose set the standard of cleanliness, but modern hygiene demands more 2 says an Australian wise man, and assuredly every I thoughtful man, and man of science, in New Zealand will agree with him. "The clear water which looked pure might (he said) contain typhoid germs. The spotless pantry shelves were often walked over by flies, which carried pollution on every leg. Anyone who had the slightest knowledge of bacteriology was miles in advance of those who were without. Every boy and girl in the State should possess a knowledge of this subject, for its influence was infinitely more useful than the out-of-date tables of weights and measures which still are learnt carefully. But of all the errors made by a want of scientific knowledge, none were so tragio as those connected with child-life. Mv hof the carelessness which had no effect on a full-grown person meant death to childhood. Faulty^ nourishment was a rampant evil. If a doctor left some poison tabloids ori his desk where a child could get them and eat them he would doubtless be convicted of manslaughter, but parents took no heed of the suitability of the clothing or food of their children. Then came the death of the child, and nothing could be said or done! v lt was also the custom to let young people grow up in ignorance of certain mattters, F.nd ioathsome diseases were often a consequence. He asked, was- thsre one solitary reason why; science should not be brought into the home, for it would be of. immense assistance there, as eke where?" And the case thus stated the other day in Melbourne by Professor Osborne might assuredly be stated over and over again in every city, town, village, and rural district throughout New Zealand. Science in the home in regard to cookery, ventilation, child life, adult habits, hearty and happiness, is, in fact, everywhere one of the urgent need's of Ibhe world to-c*ay. Added to the good sense, the kind-heartedness and steadfast character natural to the best type of woman, it is the thing tomake her work easier and pleasanter to herself, and an abiding boon to all' who are within the influence of her home life and domestic duties.