Page:Australian enquiry book of household and general information.djvu/163



Asthma Mixture.—Dover's powder half a drachm, carbonate of ammonia one, peppermint water six ounces; mix, and add spirits of lavender, tincture of squills, and sulphuric, either of each one drachm dose, from one to two tablespoonsful every three or four hours.

Sprains and Rheumatism.—Beat up one egg with half a pint of vinegar, one ounce of turpentine, and a quarter of camphor. Beat all together, then put in a bottle and shake well. Leave it a few hours, and it will be ready for use. It can be rubbed in two or three times a day.

Sores on the Feet.—When the feet become blistered and sore, as is often the case from long walking or bad boots, make an ointment of mutton suet and, melt the suet in a small jar in the oven, drop in a few drops of the acid, and beat all together. It can be scented if liked. Use frequently.

Mustard Poultices.—For a poultice as a rule, a certain amount of flour is mixed with mustard to prevent its being too severe; but if the mustard is mixed with the white of an egg it will not blister the most delicate skin. A sponge is the best mustard carrier. Mix the poultice in a basin till the proper consistency, then soak a clean open sponge in it, or, rather, take the soft mass up with the sponge, lay it in the centre of a clean handkerchief or muslin cloth, tie the corners neatly, and now apply the smooth convex surface to the skin. The great benefit gained by using a sponge is that it can be warmed and moistened, and applied three or four times, and so saves the trouble of making new poultices — a matter of consideration during the night hours. The mustard does not destroy the sponge; it can be washed clean in warm water.

Mustard Emetic.—Mix a tablespoonful of mustard in half a pint of warm water till quite dissolved. Do not drink it right off, but very slowly, often stopping a minute or two. Take a cupful of plain warm water after it, and very soon it will have the desired effect.

Lime Water is one of the most simple, and yet most useful, of medicines; it is good for children as well as adults. In the former it preserves the teeth, strengthens the bones, and kill worms, besides helping the digestion, and being good for general health. In adults it is a remedy for, diabetes, whites, and many other ailments. In every household there should be a bottle for general use. The following is a good quantity to make at a time:— Take two ounces of lime and two quarts of distilled or boiled water; slack the lime with a little of the water, then pour in the remainder of the water, stir for a few minutes and cover the vessel, letting it stand for four or five hours. Keep the solution, with the undissolved lime, if possible, in glass stoppered bottles, pouring off a certain quantity for use at a time into another bottle. Only the clear water is used. A good plan is to have the bottle placed on the breakfast table every morning, and let each child have a teaspoonful in a little milk to drink before the meal. It is a capital thing to wash the mouth and teeth with, after cleaning the latter. Infants fed on cows' milk should always have a few drops of lime water added to every bottle.

A Good Tonic.-Infuse one pint of in a pint of water for two or three hours; strain, and bottle for use. Dose: One tablespoonful every morning.

Sewing Up Wounds—Every woman who expects to live in the bush or at a distance from a town and doctor, should learn how to put a stitch into a wound, or to sew up a cut, as through