Domestic

New Zealand Tablet, 8 September 1910, Page 1461

Domestic

By MAUREEN

Raw Apples. Ripe, raw apples contain more phosphates in proportion to their bulk than any other article of food, fish not excepted. A writer on this point declares that in this l'es the secret of healthful longevity. ' Eat uncooked apples constantly, although in moderation, and drink distilled water only, and years will he added to your life, while the evidences of age will be long in coming. This argument is based on the supposition that as age advances the deposits of mineral matter in the system increase, and that ageing is little more than a gradual process of ; ossification. Domestic Hints.To frost glass, dissolve Epsom salts in beer, and apply the solution with a brush. As the solution dries it crystallises, and may be varnished. White fur of any kind can be best cleaned at homo by rubbing a mixture composed of equal parts of calcined magnesia and very dry flour well into the skin. > Raw potato juice is a capital cleaner. It will remove stains from the hands, from woollen materials, and from oil paintings. To clean the last, the right method is to cut a slice off a raw potato and then to rub it, cut side, gently over the picture, taking off another slice whenever the potato gets dirty. The potato juice and grime are finally removed with a soft sponge and cold water, but care must be taken not to wet the back of the canvas. To Remove Paint, Oil, and Varnish Stains. White goods, colored cotton and woollen materials.—The cloth is wetted, and a sponge dipped in oil of turpentine or benzine passed several times over the stain; a piece of blotting paper is then placed over the stain and a hot iron is placed over the stained place. The entire material is then washed out in warm soap and water. For silk, satin, and similar materials, a thin paste is formed of magnesium carbonate and ether* which is spread over the stain. When the ether has been volatilized the magnesia stain is brushed away or removed with a piece of soft bread. Old stains of the nature indicated above are first dampened with chloroform, and then the processes as above described are carried out. In any case, to entirely remove the stain will necessitate several repetitions of the process. Ostrich Feathers. There is an art in putting away ostrich feathers so that they renew their youth while resting. Many people ruin their valuable plumes by leaving them in the hat 91- toque which they have adorned successfully but which is worn out. Take your feather out of the millinery, lay it on its side in a tin or cardboard box, and see th&t the curying-over tip is curled over a little more than is natural to it. Cover with tissue paper, but do not press down. If treated thus a good feather will not deteriorate with keeping when summer weather or fashion decrees that leathers should have a short spell of rest. Feather boas should always hang from a hook in the ceiling of a dustproof cupboard. Make a loop of thread at one end, and so store your feather neck-ruffles. The Value of Hot Milk. One of the most nutritious beverages which can possibly be taken is hot milk. It is almost a panacea for many nervous disorders, as it has an exceedingly sedative effect upon the nerves of the stomach. As a remedv f or insomnia it is invaluable. Many cases of chronic sleeplessness yield to the hot milk cure when narcotics have proved useless. It has the advantage, too, of being perfectly harmless. Hot milk, however, should be eaten—, not drunk; that is to say, it should be sipped slowly When the casein of the milk comes in contact with the acid of the gastric fluid it coagulates and forms curd, which is very difficult for the stomach to digest if it forms into large lumps, as is always the case when milk is drunk quickly. _ The gastric juice has very great difficulty -n penetrating hard masses of curd, whereas if the miik is taken slowly, in small sips, the curd disintegrates easily A cupful of hot milk after excessive physical or mental exertion acts as a restorative, and in neurasthenic cases lb has been found exceedingly beneficial. Delicate children with highly-strung nervous temperaments should be given a cup of hot milk at 11 o'clock in the morning every day and a small cupful may be given at night at bedtime It has also a grateful and soothing effect in bronchial affections.