muscles and inflames the mucous membrane of the
throat. In connection with this question of music, it should be
remembered that almost irretrievable injury to the voice may be done by
allowing a boy to continue singing after his voice has begun to
"break."

It is not a good plan to be constantly "clearing" the throat whilst
speaking. One gets to imagine after a while that it needs clearing when
it really does not.

Alcohol and tobacco are both undoubtedly injurious to the voice. A
little honey and lemon juice will be found the best gargle if a gargle
is required.

Deep breathing is of great assistance in endeavouring to produce the
lower note, in fact it is not possible to produce a full note except
from a full chest. In this connection it may be said that it has been
observed that deep-chested, deep-breathing, slow-speaking people are
frequently possessed of certain estimable points of character, such as
prudence, firmness, self-reliance, calmness. If one is going to be
angry, ten deep breaths might save a world of trouble. (_See_
Breathing, Correct method of).

Thumb, Bruised and Broken.--Frequently a tradesman will strike the
thumb or finger a serious blow with a hammer, in missing a stroke. If
not treated properly, the whole hand may be destroyed, but if promptly
plunged into warm clean water and kept there, even the broken bones can
be handled quite comfortably, and all pain and uneasiness pass away ere
very long. Plenty of bathing in clean warm water, and proper setting
and dressing, are all such an injury requires.

Toothache.--This trouble appears in two opposite characters. In the one
it is cured by rightly applied heat, and in the other by cold. If it is
merely the soft substance in the tooth which is affected, local cooling
applications will cure, if persisted in. If it be the nerve terminating
in the tooth which is irritated, then even the extraction of the tooth
may fail to give relief. Both cold and hot applications to the tooth or
cheek will then probably prove useless.

In such a case, apply COLD TOWELS (_see_) gently pressed over the head
and back of the neck. If the case be a bad one, the feet may be put in
a hot bath, or fomented. Persevered in for an hour, this treatment is
almost certain to cure. It may take away all pain in a few minutes.
After the pain is cured, dry well, and keep the head moderately warm.

But if the toothache is caused by a severe chill to the head, and that
be sti