HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVIII, Issue VI, 6 February 1897, Page 174

HOUSEHOLD HINTS.

TO PURIFY WATER. Much of the sickness prevalent in the country, is directly attributable to the quality of the water. Charcoal is one of the agents for purifying foul water. If cistern water has an unpleasant odonr it may be made as sweet as when fresh by suspending in the water a muslin bag containing one or more pounds of charcoal, according to the size of the cistern. DANDRUFF. Obtain a drachm of hydrate of chloral. Dissolve it in twelve ounces of water Moisten the scalp with this solution every day. The scalp will by these means be cleared of dandruff, and the hair prevented from falling out. TYPHOID GERMS AND THE ESSENCE OF CINNAMON. It has been reported that Pasteur’s assistant, with several other eminent Paris physicians, has found that the essence of cinnamon sprinkled in a room where typhoid patients are, kills the bacteria within twelve hours, and thus prevents the disease from spreading. If this is practically demonstrated, that dreaded illness will be robbed of most of its terrors, and physicians will give the discovery a warm welcome. There is no more dangerous complaint than typhoid fever, since it generally leaves the system exposed to other diseases. TO CLEAN SPONGES. Sponges may be made as good as new by the following method :—Take two ounces of carbonate of soda and two pints of water, and when dissolved soak the sponge in the solution for twenty-four hours ; then wash and rinse in pure water, and afterwards put it for a few hours in a mixture of two ounces of hydrochloric acid with two pints of water, and then rinse in cold water ; squeeze out and dry thoroughly. Sponges should always be dried after being used, if possible in the sun. When they become slimy the above treatment always restores them till they are worn out.