Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1860-09-26
MISCELLANEOUS.
Dyspepsia among Farmers.

Il
walls more extensively among the farming
population of the West :han among any other
class Why is this? They certainly take
any reasonable amount of exercise and that
too in the open air, and in the broad sunlight.
Their houses are well ventilated. and by their
isolated situation free from the many unheal-
thy influences of pent up city.
We think if our farmers will pause for
moment and look this matter gravely in the
face they will discern the cause of the preya-
lence of this mother of most maladies among
them to be:
/. The constant use of salt meat particu-
larly salt pork. 1t is well known that this
abominabIe swine's flesh, fried in its own FL
thv grease, constitutes :he ''staff of life" In
nearly every farmhouse in the Mississippi
valley. Hog aud hominy are household gods
and according to the Hoosier's creed, indis-
pensable to mans existence.
. The use of coffee The faithful western
housewife serves it up ''strong and good"
morning, noon and night. Reader Just think
of il, the vilest of flesh washed into the
stomach three times DAY by decoction of
narcotic poison
Rapid eating We should remember
that swallowing ones food is not the first pro-
cess necessary to healthy digestion. If we
had gizzards we might then swallow our food
whole as ducks do, but instead of gizzards we
have teeth (some of us), and are commanded
to use them in grinding food for the stomach.
but if we compel the stomach to do both its
own work and that of the teeth, it will soon
give signs of debility and sease, in the
shape of acidity, headaches, sense of weight
over the whole man, irritable temper, despon-
dencv, &c.
Our farmers seldom spend more than ten or
fifteen minutes at meal, and then go imlne-
iiately 10 the field and engage in the most
laborious work. At least one hour should be
spent after each meal in repose of both body
and mind This will allow the stomach to
collect to itself, to speak, due quantity Of
blood, out of which TO elaborate the gastric
juice. Violent exercise calls the blood to
other parts of the body, and thus robs the
stomach.
INTERESTING To uoUsEKEEPERs.
OF the West India sugar and molasses the
Santa Cruz and Porto Rico are considered
the best. The Havana is seldom clean
White sugar from Brazil is sometimes very
good.
RefLed sugar usually contains most of the
saccharine substance; there Is probable more
economy in using loaf, crushed and granula-
ted sugars than we should first suppose
Butter that is made in September and Oc-
tober Is the best for winter us1. Lard should
be hard aud white; aud that which is taken
from hog not over year old is best
Rich cheese feels softer under the pressure
of the finger. That which is very strong is
neithe. very good nor healthy. To keep one
that is cut, tie it up in bag that will lot ad-
nit flies, and hang it in u cool dry place If
mould appears on it, wipe it off with dry
cloth.
Flour and meal OF all kinds should be kept
in cool dry place.
The best rice is large and has clear fresh
look. Old rice sometimes has little black in
sects inside the kernels
To select nutmegs, pick them with a pin
If they are good, tue oil will instantly spread
around the puncture.
Keep coffee by itself, as the odor affects
other articles. Keep tea in close chest or
canister.
Oranges and lemons keep best wrapped
close in soft paper and laid in drawer of
! linen.
The cracked cocoa is best; but that which
is put up IN pound papers is often very good
Soft soap should be kept in a dry place in
/ the cellar, aud not be used until three months
! old.
To tbaw frozen potatoes, put them in hot
! water.
To thaw frozen apples. put them in cold
water. Neither will keep after being frozen
| HOusekeeperS' Friend