Chapter 254

spirit (made by mixing equal parts of rectified spirit and water), three ounces; otto of roses, ten drops; soak for twenty-four hours and strain. Bergamot may be substituted for the otto of roses.

1702. Excellent Hair Wash.

Take one ounce of borax, half an ounce of camphor; powder these ingredients fine, and dissolve them in one quart of boiling water; when cool, the solution will be ready for use; damp the hair frequently. This wash effectually cleanses, beautifies, and strengthens the hair, preserves the colour, and prevents early baldness. The camphor will form into lumps after being dissolved, but the water will be sufficiently impregnated.

1703. Hair Oils.--Rose Oil.

Olive oil, one pint; otto of roses, five to sixteen drops. Essence of bergamot, being much cheaper, is commonly used instead of the more expensive otto of rose.

1704. Red Rose Oil.

The same. The oil coloured before scenting, by steeping in it one drachm of alkanet root, with a gentle heat, until the desired tint is produced.

1705. Oil of Roses.

Olive oil, two pints; otto of roses, one drachm; oil of rosemary, one drachm: mix. It may be coloured red by steeping a little alkanet root in the oil (with heat) before scenting it.

1706. Pomatums.

For making pomatums, the lard, fat, suet, or marrow used must be carefully prepared by being melted with as gentle a heat as possible, skimmed, strained, and cleared from the dregs which are deposited on standing.

1707. Common Pomatum.

Mutton suet, prepared as above, one pound; lard, three pounds; carefully melted together, and stirred constantly as it cools, two ounces of bergamot being added.

1708. Hard Pomatum.

Lard and mutton suet carefully prepared, of each one pound; white wax, four ounces; essence of bergamot, one ounce.

1709. Castor Oil Pomade.

Castor oil, four ounces; prepared lard, two ounces; white wax, two drachms; bergamot, two drachms; oil of lavender, twenty drops. Melt the fat together, and on cooling add the scents, and stir till cold.

1710. Superfluous Hair.

Any remedy is doubtful; many of those commonly used are dangerous. The safest plan is as follows:--The hairs should be perseveringly plucked up by the roots, and the skin, having been washed twice a day with warm soft water, without soap, should be treated with the following wash, commonly called MILK OF ROSES:

Beat four ounces of sweet almonds in a mortar, and add half an ounce of white sugar during the process; reduce the whole to a paste by pounding; then add, in small quantities at a time, eight ounces of rose water. The emulsion thus formed should be strained through a fine cloth, and the residue again pounded, while the strained fluid should be bottled in a large stoppered vial. To the pasty mass in the mortar add half an ounce of sugar, and eight ounces of rose water, and strain again. This process must be repeated three times.

To the thirty-two ounces of fluid, add twenty grains of the bichloride of mercury, dissolved in two ounces of alcohol, and shake the mixture for five minutes. The fluid should be applied with a towel, immediately after washing, and the skin gently rubbed with a dry cloth, till _perfectly_ dry. Wilson, in his work on _Healthy Skin,_ writes as follows:

"Substances are sold by the perfumers called depilatories, which are represented as having the power of removing hair. But the hair is not destroyed by these means, the root and that part of the shaft implanted within the skin still remain, and are ready to shoot up with increased vigour as soon as the depilatory is withdrawn. The effect of the depilatory is the same, in this respect, as that of a razor, and the latter is, unquestionably, the better remedy. It must not, however, be imagined that depilatories are negative remedies, and that, if they do no permanent good, they are, at least, harmless; that is not the fact; they are violent irritants, and require to be used with the utmost caution."

1711. To Clean Hair Brushes.

As hot water and soap very soon soften the hair, and rubbing completes its destruction, use soda, dissolved in cold water, instead; soda having an affinity for grease, it cleans the brush with little friction. Do not set them near the fire, nor in the sun, to dry, but after shaking well, set them on the point of the handle in a shady place.

1712. To Clean Sponge.

Immerse it in cold buttermilk, and soak for a few hours, then wash out in clean water.

1713. The Young Lady's Toilette.

i. _Self-Knowledge--The Enchanted Mirror._

This curious glass will bring your faults to light, And make your virtues shine both strong and bright.

ii. _Contentment--Wash to Smooth Wrinkles._

A daily portion of this essence use, 'Twill smooth the brow, and tranquillity infuse.

iii. _Truth--Fine Lip-salve._

Use daily for your lips this precious dye. They'll redden, and breathe sweet melody.

iv. _Prayer--Mixture, giving Sweetness to the Voice._

At morning, noon, and night this mixture take, Your tones, improved, will richer music make.

v. _Compassion--Best Eye-water._

These drops will add great lustre to the eye; When more you need, the poor will you supply.

vi. _Wisdom--Solution to prevent Eruptions._

It calms the temper, beautifies the face, And gives to woman dignity and grace.

vii. _Attention and Obedience--Matchless Pair of Ear-rings._

With these clear drops appended to the ear, Attentive lessons you will gladly hear.

viii. _Neatness and Industry--Indispensable Pair of Bracelets._

Clasp them on carefully each day you live, To good designs they efficacy give.

ix. _Patience--An Elastic Girdle._

The more you use the brighter it will grow, Though its least merit is external show.

x. _Principle--Ring of Tried Gold._

Yield not this golden bracelet while you live, 'Twill sin restrain, and peace of conscience give.

xi. _Resignation--Necklace of Purest Pearl._

This ornament embellishes the fair, And teaches all the ills of life to bear.

xii. _Love--Diamond Breast-pin_.

Adorn your bosom with this precious pin, It shines without, and warms the heart within.

xiii--_Politeness--A Graceful Bandeau_.

The forehead neatly circled with this band, Will admiration and respect command.

xiv. _Piety--A Precious Diadem_.

Whoe'er this precious diadem shall own, Secures herself an everlasting crown.

xv. _Good Temper--Universal Beautifier_.

With this choice liquid gently touch the mouth, It spreads o'er all the face the charms of youth.

1714. Bathing.

If to preserve health be to save medical expenses, without even reckoning upon time and comfort, there is no part of the household arrangement so important as cheap convenience for personal ablution. For this purpose baths upon a large and expensive scale are by no means necessary; but though temporary or tin baths may be extremely useful upon pressing occasions, it will be found to be finally as cheap, and much more readily convenient, to have a permanent bath constructed, which may be done in any dwelling-house of moderate size, without interfering with other general purposes. There is no necessity to notice the salubrious effects resulting from the bath, beyond the two points of its being so conducive to both health and cleanliness, in keeping up a free circulation of the blood, without any violent muscular exertion, thereby really affording a saving of strength, and producing its effects without any expense either to the body or to the purse.

1715. Fitting up a Bath.

Whoever fits up a bath in a house already built must be guided by circumstances; but it will always be better to place it as near the kitchen fireplace as possible, because from thence it may be heated, or at least have its temperature preserved, by means of hot air through tubes, or by steam prepared by the culinary fireplace without interfering with its ordinary uses.

1716. A Small Boiler.

A small boiler may be erected at very little expense in the bath-room, where circumstances do not permit these arrangements. Whenever a bath is wanted at a short warning, to boil the water necessary will always be the shortest mode; but where it is in general daily use, the heating the water by steam will be found the cheapest and most convenient method.

1717. Cleanliness.

The want of cleanliness is a fault which admits of no excuse. Where water can be had for nothing, it is surely in the power of every person to be clean.

1718. Perspiration.

The discharge from our bodies by perspiration renders frequent changes of apparel necessary.

1719. Change of Apparel.

Change of apparel greatly promotes the secretion from the skin, so necessary to health.

1720. Cause of Illness.

When that matter which ought to be carried off by perspiration is either retained in the body, or reabsorbed in dirty clothes, it is apt to occasion fevers and other diseases.

1721. Diseases of the Skin.

Most diseases of the skin proceedfrom want of cleanliness. These indeed may be caught by infection, but they will seldom continue long where cleanliness prevails.

1722. Vermin.

To the same cause must we impute the various kinds of vermin that infest the human body, houses, &c. These may generally be banished by cleanliness alone.

1723. Inducing Cleanliness.

Perhaps the intention of Nature, in permitting such vermin to annoy mankind, is to induce them to the practice of this virtue.

1724. Cause of Fevers.

One common cause of putrid and malignant fevers is the want of cleanliness.

1725. Incubation of Fevers.

These fevers commonly begin among the inhabitants of close dirty houses, who breathe bad air, take little exercise, eat unwholesome food, and wear dirty clothes. There the infection is generally hatched, which spreads far and wide, to the destruction of many. Hence cleanliness may be considered as an object of public attention. It is not sufficient that I be clean myself, while the want of it in my neighbour affects my health as well as his own.

1726. Avoid Dirt.

If dirty people cannot be removed as a common nuisance, they ought at least to be avoided as infectious. All who regard their health should keep at a distance, even from their habitations. In places where great numbers of people are collected, cleanliness becomes of the utmost importance.

1727. Tainted Air.

It is well known that infectious diseases are caused by tainted air. Everything, therefore, which tends to pollute the air, or spread the infection, ought with the utmost care to be avoided.

1728. Clean Streets Necessary.

For this reason, in great towns, no filth of any kind should be permitted to lie upon the streets. We are sorry to say that the importance of general cleanliness in this respect does by no means seem to be sufficiently understood.

1729. Imitate the Dutch.

It were well if the lower classes of the inhabitants of Great Britain would imitate their neighbours the Dutch in their assiduity in cleansing their streets, houses, &c.

1730. No Excuse.

Water, indeed, is easily obtained in Holland; but the situation of most towns in Great Britain is more favourable to cleanliness.

1731. Good Impression.

Nothing can be more agreeable to the senses, more to the honour of the inhabitants, or conducive to their health, than a clean town; nor does anything impress a stranger sooner with a disrespectful idea of any people than its opposite.

1732. Cleanliness in Religion.

It is remarkable that, in most eastern countries, cleanliness makes a great part of their religion. The Mahometan, as well as the Jewish religion, enjoins various bathings, washings, and purifications. No doubt these were designed to represent inward purity; but they are at the same time calculated for the preservation of health.

1733. Not Only Ceremonial.

However whimsical these washings may appear to some, few things would seem more to prevent diseases than a proper attention to many of them.

1734. Wash Your Hands.

Were every person, for example, after handling a dead body, visiting the sick, &c., to wash before he went into company, or sat down to meat, he would run less hazard either of catching the infection himself, or communicating it to others.

1735. Frequent Washing.

Frequent washing not only removes the filth which adheres to the skin, but likewise promotes the perspiration, braces the body, and enlivens the spirits.

1736. Including the Feet.

Even washing the feet tends greatly to preserve health. The perspiration and dirt with which these parts are frequently covered, cannot fail to obstruct their pores. This piece of cleanliness would often prevent colds and fevers.

1737. Warm Water After Exposure.

Were people to bathe their feet and hands in warm water at night, after being exposed to cold or wet through the day, they would seldom experience any of the effects from these causes which often prove fatal.

1738. Especially Among the Sick.

In places where great numbers of sick people are kept, cleanliness ought most religiously to be observed. The very smell in such places is often sufficient to make one sick. It is easy to imagine what effect that is likely to have upon the diseased.

1739. Bad Chance.

A person in health has a greater chance to become sick, than a sick person has to get well, in an hospital or infirmary where cleanliness is neglected.

1740. Animal Example.

The brutes themselves set us an example of cleanliness. Most of them seem uneasy, and thrive ill, if they be not kept clean. A horse that is kept thoroughly clean will thrive better on a smaller quantity of food, than with a greater where cleanliness is neglected.

1741. Our Feelings.

Even our own feelings are a sufficient proof of the necessity of cleanliness. How refreshed, how cheerful and agreeable does one feel on being washed and dressed; especially when these have been long neglected.

[EVERY DAY OF YOUR LIFE IS A PAGE IN YOUR HISTORY.]

1742. Gains Esteem.

Superior cleanliness sooner attracts our regard than even finery itself, and often gains esteem where the other fails.

1743. Notification of Infectious Diseases.

By a recent enactment (52 and 53 Vic. c. 72) it is made compulsory that notice of infectious disease shall in all cases be given to the local authority. By section 3 this duty is imposed on the head of the family, or, failing him, the nearest relative of the patient. The notice must be in writing or print, in an approved form, and must be sent to the medical officer of health of the district. In addition to this, the medical man attending the patient must send a certificate, with all particulars, to the same official. Omitting to send either the notice or the certificate, renders the legally responsible person liable to a fine not exceeding £2. Each local authority must publish a list of the diseases to which the Act applies in its district.

1744. Exercise.

Exercise in the open air is of the first importance to the human frame, yet how many are in a manner deprived of it by their own want of management of their time! Females with slender means are for the most part destined to indoor occupations, and have but little time allotted them for taking the air, and that little time is generally sadly encroached upon by the ceremony of dressing to go out. It may appear a simple suggestion, but experience only will show how much time might be redeemed by habits of regularity: such as putting the shawls, cloaks, gloves, shoes, clogs, &c., &c., or whatever is intended to be worn, in readiness, instead of having to search one drawer, then another, for possibly a glove or collar--wait for shoes being cleaned, &c.--and this when (probably) the outgoing persons have to return to their employment at a given time. Whereas, if all were in readiness, the preparations might be accomplished in a few minutes, the walk not being curtailed by unnecessary delays.

1745. Three Principal Points.

Three principal points in the manner of taking exercise should be attended to:

i. The kind of exercise.