Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-12-25
Household Hints

Not long since two women. who give a
great deal of time to work among tenc-
ment-house people. were discussing TINS
question of food. when one said: Il have
trained all the women in that club to use
the best grade of coffee. They VIII drink
coffee. and it was clear to me that | had
accomplished but little in raising the
tone of the home unless | made the PAL
ates, or tried 10 make the palates, sensi-
tive: it was a proud day for me when sew
eral of the members asked how they
could get the grade of coffee that was
used in the club. And it was still
prouder day when. the coffee having CIV
en- out suddenly. and a grade Of coffee.
very inferior. having been purchased the
members all exclaimed about the poor
Coffee The other woman looked ut her
in amaZement. and said: But it costs so
much more.'-"True, but l have come to
the conclusion that to be able to discrim-
mate between the grades of food is part
OF the education that must be given To
the families of wage-earners. And the
home is better. has more spiritual truth
and grace in it, when there are fewer
roses worn on the hats. less cotton lac"
on the dresses and there is a better quail
ity of food on the table.
1t is a fact that appears to be not gen
orally known, perhaps because II may NOT
be generally credited. that pure, fresh,
cold water is one Of the most valuable Of
disinfectHnts. inasInuvh as il is a power
ful absorbent; Every sick room should
haven large vessel of clear water. fire.
quently renewed. placed not far from the
bed. or even beneath it, This not only
absorbs much of the hurtful vapor, but
by it's evaporation il softenS and tempers
the atmosphere. doing away with the
dryness which is so trying and so de-
pressing to an invalid-or even to We'll
persons, for that matter. 1t has fire.
uuently been shown. by actual expert
ment. that troubled sleep and threatened
insomnia are corrected ny so simple a
thing as the placing of an open bowl of
water near the sufferers couch. OF
course, il hardly need be said after these
matters have been considered for a mo-
mcnt, that water which has stood for any
length Of time in Il close room is not prop
er for drinking purposes.
Most persons" says an oculist, regard
the eye as something rather apart from
the rest of their anatomy and not in
much relation to it. They hardly realize
that the condition of their sight affects
their general health. and are surprised to
be told that when glasses are needed the
wearing of them may add to their avoir-
dupois. make them sleep better or i'm
prove their appetites. Yet this is true. as
an oculist or physician knows. An over
worked eye nerve is as much of an agita-
tor in the human system as any of the
other nerves under abnormal pressure.
Brain-workers in particular. should keep
their eyes in the best possible condition
and render them every possible aid One
valuable help is sufficient rest; and right
here it should be said that to stop using
the eye in reading or writing and begin
an animated brain-stimulating CONVERSE
ton keeps up the strain on the optic
nerve. Strong-sighted persons. too, abuse
| their eyes needlessly. No matter how
| well one can see. .he should never work in
a cross light. The light should always be
from behind if possible. or from the left
side alone. A green shade helps material
| ly in persistent. close work. and cold wa
ter syringed over the closed lids is a
useful tonic