Part 186 (1/2)
The yolk of eggs beaten up, lump sugar (to taste), Rhenish wine or not, citric acid powdered, or tartaric acid (small quant.i.ty, exact quant.i.ty soon found); one or two drops of essence of lemon on a lump of sugar, to make it mix readily with the water; one quart of water.
This is really an excellent, agreeable, and, without the wine, an inexpensive beverage.
[LITTLE COMFORTS BEGET MUCH HAPPINESS.]
2456. To Ascertain the State of the Lungs.
Persons desirous of ascertaining the true state of their lungs should draw in as much breath as they conveniently can, they are then to count as far as they are able, in a slow and audible voice, without drawing in more breath. The number of seconds they can continue counting must be carefully observed; in cases of consumption the time does not exceed ten, and is frequently less than six seconds; in pleurisy and pneumonia it ranges from nine to four seconds. When the lungs are in a sound condition, the time will range as high as from twenty to thirty-five seconds.
2457. To Avoid Catching Cold.
Accustom yourself to the use of sponging with cold water every morning on first getting out of bed. It should be followed by a good deal of rubbing with a wet towel. It has considerable effect in giving tone to the skin, and maintaining a proper action in it, and thus proves a safeguard to the injurious influence of cold and sudden changes of temperature. Sir Astley Cooper said,
”The methods by which I have preserved my own health are --temperance, early rising, and sponging the body every morning with cold water, immediately after getting out of bed,--a practice which I have adopted for thirty years without ever catching cold.”
2458. How to Prepare Artificial Sea-Water.
In each gallon of river or rain water dissolve about six ounces of sea-salt, either by stirring it or suspending it in the water in a linen or muslin bag. It dissolves as readily in cold as in hot water.
Sea-salt is produced by evaporation of sea-water. Common salt is sometimes supplied in place of it; but the genuine sea-salt, manufactured by well-known firms, which can be procured of any grocer or of most chemists, is specially prepared to enable persons to have a salt-water bath at home.
2459. Change the Water in which Leeches are Kept.
Once a month in winter, and once a week in summer, is sufficiently often, unless the water becomes discoloured or b.l.o.o.d.y, when it should be changed every day. Either clean pond water or clean rain water should be employed.
2460. Damp Linen.
Few things are attended with more serious consequences than sleeping in damp linen. Persons are frequently a.s.sured that the sheets have been at a fire for many hours, but the question is as to what sort of fire, and whether they have been properly turned, so that every part has been exposed to the fire. The fear of creasing the linen, we know, prevents many from unfolding it, so as to be what we consider sufficiently aired: but health is of more importance than appearances; with gentleness there need be no fear of want of neatness.
2461. Improving Camomile Tonic.
Dried orange peel added to camomile flowers, in the proportion of half the quant.i.ty of the flowers, improves the tonic.
2462. Gingerbread Aperient.
Gingerbread, made with oatmeal or with barley flour, is a very agreeable aperient for children. Beware of giving children medicines too frequently.
2463. Cod Liver Oil.
This very beneficial drug, formerly so unpopular on account of its rank odour and nauseous taste, has of late years largely increased in consumption through the skilful manipulations of modern science in its preparation, whereby both the smell and the flavour have been almost entirely removed, rendering it capable of being taken by even the most delicate stomach. It is extremely efficacious in cases of consumption and debility, checking the emaciation, regulating the appet.i.te, and restoring vitality. Coffee, new milk, and orange wine, whichever the patient may fancy, are among the best mediums for taking the oil.
[A CUP MUST BE BITTER THAT A SMILE WILL NOT SWEETEN.]