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health by
two years of this regimen.

Relief for Asthma.

An old friend of the editor of this book writes: "I have been a sufferer
from asthma for twenty-five years, and for more than a dozen years have
used the following recipe with great benefit. It is not a cure, but in
my case gives almost instant relief. Take equal parts of powdered
stramonium leaves and powdered belladonna leaves and mix thoroughly; to
each ten ounces of the mixture add one ounce of powdered saltpeter
(nitrate of potash); mix all thoroughly. I always keep some of this in a
small tin box. When I wish to use it I pour a little of the powder into
the cover of the box, light it with a match, cover the whole with a
little paper cone with the point cut off. I place the point of the cone
in my mouth, and breathe the smoke into my lungs with the air. The first
trial is very hard; it almost strangles, but if persevered in will give
great relief. This is much better than stramonium alone. The saltpeter
makes it burn freely, and also helps to give relief. When my home was in
Northern Indiana, I used to buy the leaves in Chicago already powdered.
Now I send to New York. I find it cheaper to do this than to gather and
dry the leaves. It is also almost impossible to dry and pulverize the
leaves at home. By using a paper cone and breathing through it, little
or no smoke is wasted, and the box and paper can be carried in the
pocket and used as occasion requires."

For Swollen Feet.

Policemen, mail carriers, and others whose occupation keeps them on
their feet a great deal, often are troubled with chafed, sore and
blistered feet, especially in extremely hot weather, no matter how
comfortably their shoes may lit. A powder is used in the German army for
sifting into the shoes and stockings of the foot soldiers, called
"Fusstreupulver," and consists of 3 parts salicylic acid, 10 parts
starch and 87 parts pulverized soapstone.

Rules for Fat People and for Lean.

To increase the weight: Eat to the extent of satisfying; a natural
appetite, of fat meats, butter, cream, milk, cocoa, chocolate, bread,
potatoes, peas, parsnips, carrots, beets, farinaceous foods, as Indian
corn, rice, tapioca, sago, corn starch, pastry, custards, oatmeal,
sugar, sweet wines, and ale. Avoid acids. Exercise as little as
possible, and sleep all you can.

To reduce the weight: Eat to the extent of satisfying a natural
appetite, of lean meat, poultry, game, eggs, milk moderately, green
vegetables, turnips, succulent fruits, tea or coffee. Drink lime juice,
lemonade, and acid drinks. Avoid fat, butter, cream, sugar, pastry,
rice, sago, tapioca, corn starch, potatoes, carrots, beets, parsnips,
and sweet wines.

When Quinine Will Break Up a Cold.

It is surprising, says a family physician, how certainly a cold may be
broken up by a timely dose of quinine. When first symptoms make their
appearance, when a little languor, slight hoarseness and ominous
tightening of the nasal membranes follow exposure to draughts or sudden
chill by wet, five grains of this useful alkaloid are sufficient in many
cases to end the trouble. But it must be done promptly. If the golden
moment passes, nothing suffices to stop the weary sneezing,
handkerchief-using, red-nose and woe begone looking periods that
certainly follow.

A Mistaken Idea.

The old adage. "Feed a cold and starve a fever." is characterized by the
Journal of Health as very silly advice. If anything, the reverse would
be nearer right. When a person has a severe cold it is best for him to
eat very lightly, especially during the first few days of the attack.

Hints on Bathing.

There has been a great deal written about bathing. The surface of the
skin is punctured with millions of little holes called pores. The duty
of these pores is to carry the waste matter off. For instance,
perspiration. Now, if these pores are stopped up they are of no use, and
the body has to find some other way to get rid of its impurities. Then
the liver has more than it can do. Then we take a liver pill when we
ought to clean out the pores instead. The housewife is very particular
to keep her sieves in good order; after she has strained a substance
through them they are washed out carefully with water, because water is
the best thing known. That is the reason water is used to bathe in. But
the skin is a little different from a sieve, because it is willing to
help along the

The Handy Cyclopedia of Things Worth Knowing / A Manual of Ready Reference