Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1917-06-12
HoMEMAKERS COLUMN.

Correspondence on topics Of interest 70 the ladies'
d so6cited. Address: Editor H0AHNAKHnS'
CoLUM. Oxford Democrat. South Paris. Ne
Personal Hygiene.
esther McGinnis, Instructor In Home Eoonom.
les, University Of Nancy
"Hygiene ID tho science and art of the
conservation and promotion OF health,
both public and private" It is some.
times known "a sanitary science.
There are two divisions Of hygiene,
sanitation which deals with public health
or the environment, and personal by.
qiene which deals with the health Of the
Individual. Personal hygiene 10 some.
times defined "How to keep we'll"
Home Economics stands for the ideal
home life. No home life can be ideal
unless the members Of the family have
good health. Personal hygiene teaches
how to get good health and keep 1t.
The points taken up In course on
Personal Hygiene are, first, the reasons
for teaching 1t and the need for 1t. Then
the care of the different parts of the
body Is taken up and specific directions
given. Some attention 10 given to meth.
DDS after disease has como but the em.
phasis 10 placed on care In health and
how to keep the body In the best condi.
ton to prevent disease.
There are few simple rules, which, II
followed carefully, would do away with
q great deal of Ill health and disease.
First-Fresh air and sunlight. Fresh
air, or air free from the Impurities which
are given off by the lungs, is absolutely
essential to good health. Az We are
constantly breathing we need the supply
of air renewed all the time both day and
night. The popular theory that night
air Is dangerous needs to be exploded.
As someone has said, "the only night
air which is dangerous is last nights,
open the window and let 1t out"
Sunlight is good antiseptic. 1t pre-
vents the growth Of bacteria, particular
" disease bacteria. Therefore allow
the sunlight to come In, do not pull
down the blinds for fear of fading the
carpet.
Secopd-Proper food. The body can
not perform its work we'll without prop.
or food. This point will be brought out
in another place.
Tbird-Rest. Even II we have plenty
of air and sunlight, and good food, 1t is
essential to have rest. Eight or nine
hours sleep every night is necessary for
good health.
Fourth-Cleanliness. The fourth rule
of health is cleanliness. The skin
through Its pores gives of water and an
oily substance. The oily secretion keeps
the skin soft and pliable but 1t also en-.
tangles and holds the dirt from the air
and the minute scales from the skin. II
this is not removed, the pores become
clogged and the skin does not excrete
properly. Hence 1t is very important
that daily bath should be taken. 1t
may be either hot or cold. Bathing re.
moves this layer of stimulated secretion
and also has tonic effect on the crcu.
lation.
Fifth-Last OF all each one needs bis
or her special work. Work is great
giver of health. As far as possible II
should be interesting and stimulating.
Worry should be avoided as it affects
the body decidedly, causing nervousness
and i'll health and is absolutely useless
A Government Order to Housewives.
A real stir was created In thousands Of
homes in Great Britain when shortly az
| ter the outbreak OF the war this order
was issued-'In the interests of econ
omy and owing to the present need fol-
conserving foud and fuel, his Majesty e
IGovernment recommends, wherever pos
sible, the use of the 'Fireless' method In
preparation of food"
Then follows description, with full
particulars, Of the homemade "hay
box" for those who have not the com.
plete efficiency Of the manufactured
fireless cooker.
| The other warning nations, too, with
Germany setting an example, have
adopted the 6reless cooker as national
factor for food and fuel saving.
Surely, In these days when talk OF the
high cost of living 10 becoming never
ceasing chorus, let US give due heed ia
this lesson. Let US not be content with
the old wasteiul methods 10 any line
And If the fireless cooker saves enough
to make 1t worth the careful attention OF
these nations 1t is worth the thoughtful
consid eration of the American house
wife.
We have whole sermon on the ques
ton in the old witch's rhyme
Double, double, toll and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble"
Truly 1t is "double toll and trouble
when the pot boils hard. A waste OF
fuel, waste of energy and waste oil
food. Whatever you oook-especially
meats-remember that q gentle simmer
Is much more effective than hard boiling,
which dissipates the favor and toughens
the fibres. And what an unpleasant at
mosphere 1t gives the whole house! Tie
humble cabbage and the savory onion
play delicious and wholesome part In
the menu, but they are, literally, "in bad
odor." Remember-there are no cook
ing odors when you use the fireless.