LADIES' COLUMN.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 177, 26 May 1916, Page 3 (Supplement)

LADIES' COLUMN.

FRESH AIR AND BEAUTY. THE ()l TDOOK LIFE AND ITS ADVANTAGES. SIMPLE RILES TO FOLLOW 7 . By ".MADAME X." And 'lis my faith that every llower Enjoys the air it breathes. - Wordsworth. The (rouble our forebears took to exclude i'i'j-:h air Irom their bedrooms ami living apartments was worthy of a Letter cause. In the first place, all •a'i-CiOws waie tightly shut and locked, whleh certainly went a long way to wiids defeating the enemy, but the fw.'Sli air. r.ot to be denied, gradually oiicioaohed through the crevices between the window sashes. Here, again, long hags filled with any handy material were requisitioned, jus: as they are now brought into use in order to minimise the hall draught Associated with the above were count less methods and theories of health which are well relegated to the ob livion oi time. WHAT WE BREATHE

Our life is spent at the liottom of a. great ocean of gas, the depth of which is roughly estimated at 40 miles. To this atmosphere of gas the name air lias been given, and for the most part that which we breathe consists of four parts nitrogen with one part of oxygen. The oxygen is. of course, the active constituent, for it:; piesenco is essential to the vital functions of the body. It freshens the blood, gives a colour and healthy glow to the cheeks, and in a word keeps us alive. Tito nitrogen merely dilutes the oxygen, which would be most unsuitable in the pure state, tin. less the latter were urgently required for the lungs. In the ordinary way, when tho oxygen, in the air roaches the lungs, a tiny particle of molecular body finds its way into each minute air sac of the organ, from whence it is transferred into the blood stream or circulation, to be borne to ono of the myriads of cells which collectively make the e;i tire body. We therefore see how ne cessary it is that this oxygen supplj should be kept up, for without it the living organism can in no manner ex. ist.

It is apparent, therefore, that cne of the health maxims which every woman should most emphatically adhere to. namely, "live in (he open air as much as possible," would have a lasting effect on her constitution and general veil-being if rigorously enforced. Of course, there are some who have not the advantages of time and affluence to smooth their way. but even these are provided for bi Nature, for both fresh air and sunlight can he associated with over) home. That is one of our Australian blessings. Abundant fresh air and light will do far more in the prevention ami cure of disea.-e than Hip. majority of the so-called cures, for much ill-health in the form of lung ailments and general debility is undoubtedly caused simply and solely by poisoned and impure air. It is frequently to be regretted that many of those people who are out of doors as much as possible during the day, and are thus compelled to bicathe pure air during this time, sleep in poorly-ventilated rooms at night. Fcr eight hours out of 2-1 th.ey are breathing air which will rob tie body of all the benefits of the outdoor life. RULES AND REGULATIONS. Wo therefore see that fresh air is most necessary to the woman who

values her health and good looks. While keeping in the open air as much as possible during the day, she

honki accustom herself to sleep with the window well pulled down, until gradually wide-open windows at night can be tolerated all the year toiind. Plenty of clothing is really 'ill that is required to safeguard one from chill in the winter. Warm wor.ther is naturally an ideal time in which to begin a campaign for open-air life in the interests of health, but in no way are extremes in this direction intended or advised. The rules can bo of the simplest: < 1 ) Wide-open windows, so that in the house fresh air is ensured day and night. (2) The determination to live out of doors as much as possible, without going to extremes. Those who live in the country have little or no excuse for evading this plan, except during the colder months of the year, and wherever possible a verandah or balcony should be availed of. if there is no other place suitabb 1 for meals in the open. air. The indoor life led by the majority of people in this country is largely a matter of habit, and to the credit of the Eastern peoples it must be admitted that they largely adopt the practice cf outdoor living. With the artoption of these rules, however, warm wraps will occasionally be necessary, while a verandah should be chosen according to the amount of protection from the wind. With these precautions it is wonderful how soon one becomes acclimatised to the conditions, to say nothing of the Improvement in health which is assured. FRESH AIR AND BEAUTY. If. is only necessary to remain indoors, more or less, for a month, and an enormous difference to nervous, physical and genera! health will soon become apparent. On the other hand, take the delicate, irresolute woman, and make her live an outdoor life. and the result cannot be otherwise than satisfactory. Medical science is now most emphatic on this noint, and our greatest authorities on health matters are unanimous in stating thai fresh air treatment is a necessary adjunct to every ralistlienie regulation. Out-of-door occupationand bobbies should be chosen wherever possible for those who are sedentary in habit. Meals also should lie partaken of out of doors for many months in Iho yc:>j\ and if the outdoor dining-room is sufficiently protected from rain and cold winds, thorn is no reason that the rule should not be adhered to throughout the year. Over-coddling is undoubtedly one of the greatest evils of modern times, for we certainly ovcrrlolho, over-eat, and over-heat ourselves to a degree that Is far from being conductive to perfect health. Health really demands that every woman should upend at least two hours a day in the open air, and this is the minimum for those who wish to preserve their heauty.

MOTHERS, CONSIDER YOUR BOYS. 7 HOW A MOTHER MANAGED HER BOY WHILBiUS FATHEK WAS FIGHTLXG.

Jim was just twelve years old when I was left to manage him myself, and the was getting beyond'me. He wad quite out of control. My sister had two lads of her own. They wore perfect little gentlemen without being milksops, and 1 confided in her about Jim.

"Just try treating him like r, human hoy, Marie. Don't expect him to T.e as old in thought as yourself. Study him a little, and give' him at leasl as much intelligent examination as you would to a new costume. When you've discovered his failings and weaknesses you will have a better idea of how to manage him." she replied, and 1 determined to follow her advice. During babyhood I could deal with him all right, hut from the time no was six years old I just turned him over to the charge of his father. I remember well his sixth birthday. We had been to some friends' and had gathered a (juantity of flowers in their garden. Jim had listened with both ears as they talked about one growing off another stalk, and so on, but I Tittle thought what was in his mind. PLANTED THE FLOWERS OFF \~ HAT. Next day when I went to put on niv best hat, I found all the flowers had been dragged out of it. I must have looked distressed, for Jim, who was in the room, confessed that he had taken them. "I'sc sorry. Mumsie," he said; "but I planted them all in the garden so'? a lot more will come up." The flowers were quite spoiled, and I beat Jim and put him to bed. 1 didn't realise that the boy thought be was doing something clever. I punished him for telling the truth and made a liar of him.

_ I'Yom the time my sister gave mo the hint I looked more carefully into Jim's soul. I invited his confidence, and he became much easier to manage. My first success as a hoy manager happened one day when ho wantod to go off gathering wood in order to build a hut with a lot of others, l wanted to toll him lie shouldn't go, and that ho would only be making a mess of his clothes; but my sister's words came to my mind, and I just said : "Why don't you take the wood out of the cellar if you want to build a hut?"

••THETEXDIXG WE'VE BEEX SHIPWRECKED/' •'Tliat wouldn't bonny good, mother. We're pretending that we've been shipwrecked and cast 011 an island. it wouldn't be any hardship to take the wood out of the cellar. We must go and look for it," he explained. Then I saw a man's adventurous instinct shining through my lad, and I told liirn he could go, but lie must be back by nine o'clock." "I must conic and see the hut when it's built, Jim. Ask the boys if I may como lo tea in it." The boy beamed all over his face at these words, and the clock had barely struck nine before he knocked at the daor. "The other boys are out yet, mother, find .1 should have liked to stay; but you were such a real sport it seemed bit low down to break my word to you," Jim told me.

I'm quite used to managing boys now, for I find that the more freedom T give Jim the more he dors as I want him to do. Of course, my plan wouldn't answer with every hoy, but the mother who takes the trouble to study her lads will soon find out how to manage them just as well as when the father was at home.