at home.

2459. Change the Water in which Leeches are Kept.

Once a month in winter, and once a week in summer, is sufficiently
often, unless the water becomes discoloured or bloody, when it should
be changed every day. Either clean pond water or clean rain water
should be employed.

2460. Damp Linen.

Few things are attended with more serious consequences than sleeping
in damp linen. Persons are frequently assured that the sheets have
been at a fire for many hours, but the question is as to what sort of
fire, and whether they have been properly turned, so that every part
has been exposed to the fire. The fear of creasing the linen, we know,
prevents many from unfolding it, so as to be what we consider
sufficiently aired: but health is of more importance than appearances;
with gentleness there need be no fear of want of neatness.

2461. Improving Camomile Tonic.

Dried orange peel added to camomile flowers, in the proportion of half
the quantity of the flowers, improves the tonic.

2462. Gingerbread Aperient.

Gingerbread, made with oatmeal or with barley flour, is a very
agreeable aperient for children. Beware of giving children medicines
too frequently.

2463. Cod Liver Oil.

This very beneficial drug, formerly so unpopular on account of its
rank odour and nauseous taste, has of late years largely increased in
consumption through the skilful manipulations of modern science in its
preparation, whereby both the smell and the flavour have been almost
entirely removed, rendering it capable of being taken by even the most
delicate stomach. It is extremely efficacious in cases of consumption
and debility, checking the emaciation, regulating the appetite, and
restoring vitality. Coffee, new milk, and orange wine, whichever the
patient may fancy, are among the best mediums for taking the oil.

[A CUP MUST BE BITTER THAT A SMILE WILL NOT SWEETEN.]

2464. Camomile Flowers.

Camomile flowers should be gathered on a fine day, and dried upon a
tray placed in the sun. All herbs for medicinal purposes and uses
should be treated in the same manner.

2465. Decoction of Sarsaparilla.

Take four ounces of the root, slice it down, put the slices into four
pints of water, and simmer for four hours. Take out the sarsaparilla,
and beat it into a mash; put it into the liquor again, and boil down
to two pints, then strain an