INSIDE THE CUPBOARD DOOR.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1933, Page 5 (Supplement)

INSIDE THE CUPBOARD DOOR.

USING EVERY SPACE. In these days of small houses and flats, we have to be ingenious if we want to be comfortable. Not an inch of waste space must be allowed, so even the insides of cupboard doors are fitted with various useful devices. A wardrobe door almost takes the place of a small chest. It is fitted with shallow troughs that do not interfere a bit with the contents of the wardrobe itself, but merely occupy what would otherwise be waste-space. One trough is the right’ width to take half a dozen pairs of rolled stockings. Into another go handkerchiefs and gloves, into a third necklaces and the like. At the side come hooks for umbrellas—it is risky to keep them in the umbrella stand, since someone is sure sooner or later to spear them with a walking-stick. ’ At the bottom is a rack for other oddments. Nothing is sufficiently heavy to prevent the door from swinging readily. A man’s cupboard is equally well equipped, but of course rather differently. There is a rack for ties, a peg that takes collars, a little rounded cup for studs, and a long narrow mirror. Noone ever seems to think a man needs a cheval glass, but how can you expect him to be well turned out unless he is provided with the means of studying his appearance? The inside of the kitchen cupboard door has hooks neatly calculated so as not to interfere with the shelves. On these hang the slate for jotting down the daily menus, the list for the day’s shopping, the loose-leaf recipe-ledger, and of course a collection of ladles, whisks, tinopeners, shredders, and what-not. In the nursery, the inside of the toycupboard door has its little racks for the toys that roll about too elusively. There is one for marbles, another for spillikins, a third for celluloid balls, and a fourth for ludo men and draftsmen that have outlived their original cardboard boxes. COOKERY FAIRY TALES. Once upon a time a bride’s first cakes were as hard as iron, and her husband did break a tooth on one of them. There was once a mother who was heartily sick of cooking cabbage for her children, but she had to go on doing it because they loved it so. Once upon a time a man made some mustard that was just right. Not too much, not too thin, not too thick! “You stand aside, dear,” said the young husband. “I love washing up after a good meal! By the way, that meal was better than any my mother ever prepared!” Once upon a time, a newly-engaged girl told her man that she really couldn’t cook at all, not even toast! When they were married, he found she had told the truth! . There was once a little girl of seven who made better cakes than her mother, and the lady admitted the fact! “Can you manage a four-course meal? a woman asked her new daily-help. “Yes, mum!” answered the girl. And she could and did, without a single grumble and with no mess!

MEDICINAL VIRTUES. PRESENCE IN COMMON THINGS. (By It is wise to know something of the medicinal virtues of some of the ordinary tilings that are usually at hand. I once knew a case of life-saving when a passenger in an express train had been stung on the tongue by a wasp. Someone in the carriage happened to know that a wad of tobacco put on the sting would act as an antidote to the poison! How many women know that vinegar, applied externally, is a useful refrigerant? It is good, diluted with two parts of water, for bruises, burns and scalds—when the skin is not broken. A lotion of vinegar and water is an aid to overworked eyes. Vinegar also acts as an antidote in cases of soda, potash or ammonia poisoning. A mustard poultice, which may be used instead of a plaster, is made by mixing dry mustard with the white of an egg, and spreading it on muslin. The white of egg prevents the skin from blistering. Olive oil is demulcent and laxative. It is also a good antidote to acrid poisons. Warm olive oil, applied externally, is an emollient. Combined with hartshorn, the oil forms the volatile liniment so useful as an external stimulant. Francis Bacon was of opinion, by the way, that rubbing the skin with oil was conducive of longevity! Pepper is a stimulant, white pepper being stronger than black. Infused in water, it will cure a relaxed sore throat. Piperine, the alkaloid from pepper, has been known to cure ague. Cayenne possesses stronger virtues, and was formerly used as a gargle in cases of ulcerated throat. Poultices of capsicum are sometimes used in cases of fever in tropical climates. Ginger is an aromatic stimulant of considerable power. When chewed, it relieves toothache, rheumatism of the jaw, and a relaxed uvula. Taken internally, in small quantities, it promotes digestion and relieves flatulence. Salt is a good emetic. It is also an excellent tooth-powder, and another of its virtues—it may be used as a gargle for a relaxed throat.