Domestic

New Zealand Tablet, 10 September 1908, Page 33

Domestic

By MAUREEN

Hiccough Easily'- Stopped;

. This is a most distressing and- obstinate complain? to_-those in whom it occurs *We-do not refer, of course,' to the hiccough attendant "upon great prostration of the systems . but "to those s instances (very frequent indeed) of.a simple spasmodic condition of stomach and esophagus, which assails the individual- without, any other symptom, of - ; disease, and in the treatment of which anti-spasmodics prove inert. Relief can be obtained.by directing' the pa?ient~to hold the arms straight above the" head and to keep inspiring as long is feasible, so as to retain' the'air in the lungs for as long a period as "possible. ' ' ,

Household -' Hints" '

If applied immediately, powdered starch will take stains' out of table linen. Left 01T- the spot a few hours it absorbs every trace of the stain. ~ -• The smaller a roast of meat the -hotter should; be the oven at first, that the-least possible amount of its delicate 1 juices may escape. ■ - % • . ■ To remove' candy from a 'plush'' chair very hot water' may be used, care being taken not- to wet the plush' 'any more than is absolutely necessary. -, ' . . V „ v ' ' Ham water is excellent for soups. Macaroni, -previously boiled, is a good addition, and vermicelli is used with advantage to white soups. A calf's hoof improves any soup. .Stooping Shortens. Life'. ■ ■ . * Thousands of people are limiting their" powers and shortening their lives by habits which, while apparently simple and harmless, have in reality a most far-reaching and injurious effect. Among those habits, one of the most pernicious is- that of stooping — of standing or walking~;with-\h,e/chest lowered anH'the body collapsed. This is very common", "Being found in asout nine out of ten people. Among the more frequent conditions cai#>ing collapse of the body are tight clothing,- causing pressure at the back .of the neck, thus pulling the head - forward and depressing the chest, or pressure as of belt or corset about the waist, the result of which is to depress and. contract the chest. Such a false position .reduces the space in which 'the vital organs must work, and so interferes with their functions. , •

Good Teeth.

If the teeth are white and even "they give an" 'attractive appearance to a face which may be otherwise plain., ■ For .every reason the teeth should receive the best of -care? .- Many" people suffer from indigestion and the consequent skin troubles because of their poor teeth, which makes them unable to- masticate their food sufficiently. It may not be necessary." to chew each mouthful of food thirty times, as is recommended by some, but nothing should j*o into the stomach that 'is not thoroughly masticated. To keep tKe teeth from- decay it is neccssery to keep them perfectly clean. It is well-nigh impossible to do this. A good stiff brush should be used aridl thlj^fgeth brushed inside, as well as out. The' brush snould be used up and down the length- of the teeth as well as across. The foundation of most tooth powders, pastes, and washes is soap. The teeth should be brushed' after" eating, and to keep the mouth- sweet and clean/ rirtse it with a saturated solution of boric acid or bicarbonate of soda, in the proportion of a level teaspo.onful ( ,tp a glass of water. Be sure that the tooth-brushes are kept' clean. „ They should.be renewed once in a couple of months, if. not dftener/as the bristles become ''- worn and are liable to injure the gums: J .-'• When :the teeth are disfigured with black which will not come off -with the'^ ordinary brushing," get some" very finely, powdered .pUmice stone 1 , 4 . and with an orange wood stick apply it to the spots. Dip' the stick" in water so as to make the powder adhere. .Some prefer to make a ~ \ paste -with' a little glycerine. neglect- the dentist. One should- make. a. practice of having the teeth seen to. twice a year. Those who are troubled with 'a" deposit of tartar should have L removed, every six , months, ~ —,>-;-