Domestic

New Zealand Tablet, 21 October 1909, Page 31

Domestic

By, MAUREEN

A Sick-room Hint. " - •• t " \; .For patients" who must be kept in a sitting posture, a sheet folded diagonally and-the ends tied to. the. bedposts .- at the head' of the'" bed makes a hammock-like seat which is more yielding and restful than the bed and keep's the patient from- slipping" downwards. ' . - ' " - Method in Work. - .- ■':.-. - A young and inexperienced housewife often begins her married life with an idea-that the number of duties thkfc lay before her-are positively appalling, and with tfie belief that .unless she gives up everything. that' interested *her before- marriage she cannot possibly pull through. v *F.bllowing such a belief, she is afterwards found- in- the toils "of multitudinous trifling duties without a moment for"--lier-self. Yet if a method had been Wapped out from' the firstjshe might have kept her old interests and all-would have gone -well. For instance j all diities onv one, i floor should be in sequence, and all comparatively^'d'irty work such as dusting, ' lamp-cleaning, arranging flowers;", etc., should all be finished off before needlework, or. anything requiring . equally clean hands, is entered .upon; ■": If-- these little ' points are neglected, half ibhe morning "is. absorbed in,running, "about, washing hands, "iri talking df^whatjs to be. done^ and trying to recall what you were\on- the point of commencing. .. " . Self-Possession.. ■ " the habit of- self-possession. It is valuable at. all. times, and in emergencies yoii- may often relieve suffering and even save life. Instead of thinking ' what a turn ' it has given you, and how bad you feel when some unexpected trouble comes, don't think about yourself at all. If you do, you will probably faint or become excited or confused and render yourself useless. Keep your head clear. A clear brain and a strong will can overcome physical weakness more often than you have any idea if you have never tried. Take a long, slow breath instead of short, quick ones; this has a very' calming- influence in all sorts of emergencies. Sudden - sickness or accident occurs more or less in every home, and the wonderful help and consolation it is to be prepared for it is only fully appreciated .by. those, who have had the experience. To 'know where to put your "hand on old linen, pieces of-flannel, liniments, etc., and- what to do and hoiv to do iir at the right-moment, seems priceless knowledge in an emergency, and assists in forming the habit of self-possession. The Complexion in Summer. • How few girls realise that the secret of a good r complexion -lies with themselves, and that it is no good at all to spend money on toilet creams, lotions ,and powders if they grudge time spent on careful washing and occasional massage; if they neglect their diet,- their - allowance of sleep and fresh air. In summer, when the sun is, hot, and dust and salt water have to be taken into consideration, a little extra care is necessary. The face readily inflames at this time of -year, especially if the.skin is sensitive, so do, without soap as much as possible to-lessen the irritation. Use oatmeal instead, and soft water if possible. -Use a little cold cream .two or three times a week. After thoroughly defusing the face with hot water at bedtime" and drying, massage with cream for ten minutes. Equal parts of lanoline and lard is an excellent and inexpensive face cream. The.cream, whatever it may be, "must be left on all night. It thus soothes the hot inflamed skin by -lying in contact with itfqr. several hours. Do not dry the face roughly or hurriedly; .pat it gently with a soft ' towel till dry. If the skin be" greasy, add a teaspoonful of toilet vinegar or eau de Cologne to the basin of water. Don't come straight in from cycling or playing tennis and plunge your face into hot water to cool it. Rub, in a little cream and leave it for ten minutes. Then wash with tepid water. Don't -eat -foods that , you.. know disagree with you. Don't shirk exercise because it is hot and you feel lazy. - Exercise gets rid of the poisons, .which caxise blotches and pimples on the-skin. • Don't-take long cold drinks with meals; but at the same time remember that pure cold water at the proper" .time is* a splendid cleanser of the "system. Take a. tumblerful of cold water half an hour before breakfast, and the same quautity hot at bedtime. Don't forget to clean the skin thoroughly before -massaging with cream, otherwise you will rub the surface dust into the tissues'of the skin. Don't sleep with closed windows if you want a good complexign.