The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-04-11
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prominent part as a lieutenant colonel of
artillery. h. u. LIE EoNTA1NE.
THE HOME.
Sunlight and Air.


and furniture have no idea of the disease
destroying influence of sunlight and air.
Recent experiments made in the Pasteur
Institute have shown that baoilli exposed
to the sun and air were destroyed in two
hours, while those exposed to the sun,
the air being excluded, were alive after
fifty hours of exposure. 1t was thus as
oertained that the oxygen Of the air had
marked effect in assisting the SUMS
rays, and that the bacteria suffered more
from the suns rays if the supply of
oxygen was increased than if it was dim
inished
Householders who in cold weather keep
their window shutters closed with the
aim of excluding the wintry blast are al
SO depriving themselves of the warmth
which even diffused sunlight SO gener-
ously donates. Strike balance and you
will probably find it never pays to de-
cline the suns assistance. Even the
moral effect of the light of day is factor
in warming the inner man not to be
despised.
Much of the discomfort experienced In
our winter home life is due to the ex-
tremes of temperature found in various
parts of the house. Some rooms are
kept much too warm; doors might often
be left open between rooms thus COM
municating, SO as to equalize matters.
1t is poor economy to shock our bodies
by passing from 81 degrees in the sitting
room to go degrees or less in the passages
and dining room or bath room.
The floors of many dwellings are never
comfortable, and special footwear is de-
sirable to be used on first arising. Wooden
slippers or overshoes may be worn for
this purpose, and will keep the animal
heat In the body at this point of contact
with the cold, cold world. Remember
that first Impressions are very lasting,
and our bodies are very grateful for a
little protection and encouragement
offered in the morning hours, when the
life forces are awakening for their task.
A little attention OF this kind often de-
termines the atmosphere of the whole
day.
In all weathers the sleeping room
should be at lower temperature than
the living room, and more fresh air
should be allowed to enter. In the very
Interest weather there are often cracks
in the widow to allow of fairly good
ventilation, even though the window be
closed. 1t 10 important when double case
ments and weather strips are used that
allowance for air entrance should be
made. This applies only to the very
coolest seasons, when the thermometer
shows temperature of zero or there
about.-Popular Health Magazine.
Care of Floors and Furniture.
Miss Parloa emphasizes the need of
method and thoroughness even in SO
simple thing as sweeping room. All
ornaments and furniture should be re-
moved or carefully covered, and even the
pictures should be protected Open the
windows wide, sweep the carpet with a
soft. light broom, always with the nap
Bran or bits of dampened paper are bet
tar to gather the dust than tea leaves or
s'.lt, ithar of which are apt to make dis
tions. The walls should be
rlushed with downward strokes, the
bIolm being covered with soft flannel
Rugs should be beaten face down with q
rattan and not shaken. Brush the car
pet lightly second time and then 90
over it with a flannel cloth wrung out
in tepid water to which d little house
hold ammonia has been added
Water should not be used on polished
floor, except to dampen cloth the least
bit, while soap, said the lecturer, need
not be taken out of the kitchen. One
pound of wax and pint of turpentine
make an excellent polish for furniture.
For pianos or such highly polished sur
faces. u SO rotten stone and paraffine oil,
but powdered pumice stone and water
will answer for other furniture, unless
there should be deep scratches, when
alter must not be put near it. A
piece f felt is generally used for this,
but hair cloth is even better. Oxalic
acid will remove dark spots. The nat
ural oolors may be brought back where
the wood is Clipped by careful use of
burnt sienna, burnt lumber, Bism arck
brown, yellow oohre, or whatever shade
Is required. Take piece of cheese cloth
rolled into a hard ball, wet it in thin
shellac and dust with the color desired.
Rub lightly until the surface takes on
its natural gloss. II a sickness remains,
rub on a little alcohol.
Washing Silk Stockings.
Silk stockings ought to be dried with
in doors. The best way to wash these
stockings is to make q strong Iather of |
borax, soap and lukswarm water. Wash !
the foot of the stocking thoroughly with |
the hand Then lay the stocking on a |
board and scrub it thoroughly with a |
piece of white flannel, rubbing it with |
4he flannel and lather of soap. If the |
stockings are black or dark in color, put |
a teaspoonful Of OK gall in the lather |
used to wash them. When they are
washed rinse them thoroughly in three |
waters. Blue the last water if the stock |
ings are pearl. white or black, but not |
for delicate colored silk. Dry the stock
ngs indoors by pinning them wrong |
side outward on sheet before the fire. |
I,o1e Il