teracted by holding a very small piece of saltpetre in the mouth for five minutes every morning, but not swallowing the saliva.

Once a day it is desirable to use some fine toothpowder, to remove any substance adhering to the teeth; but the mouth should be well rinsed after it.

Besides the teeth, it is essential to health that the hair should be kept clean, and the skin of the head in a healthy state by washing and daily brushing with a large hard brush. A woman must ever make an unfavourable impression on all who see her, who neglects health, neatness, and propriety so far as to be seen with her hair untidy.

It is scarcely necessary to advert to cleanliness in household matters, especially in sleeping-rooms, where particles of dust, withered flowers, half-emptied medicinebottles, or dirty clothes, produce an atmosphere inimical to health. There should be no smell but that of pure cleanliness in a bedroom, and as little accumulation of furniture, worn garments, &c., as possible.

Bed-linen should be changed before it has the least appearance of being soiled; and blankets should always be clean and white; not too heavy; for we cannot but reprehend the custom of many and heavy blankets, which is dangerous, not only rendering persons liable to take cold, but causing the respiration to be difficult, and frequently laying the foundation of disease.)

Sleep.

A great means of health is that perfect repose and refreshment of mind and body produced by regular sound sleep. Though we cannot command this inestimable blessing, we can use our best means to procure it by temperance, regularity, composure of mind, à due warmth, and cleanliness.

a

The proper hours for sleep are certainly those when

the sun no longer lights and cheers the world, when nature herself sets the example, and silence and darkness favour rest.

The body and mind should be prepared for this rest by moderate exercise during the day. Great fatigue of body or exhaustion of mind, on the contrary, produce restlessness and watchfulness.

A late and heavy supper usually renders the sleep disturbed and unrefreshing, and instead of the fresh and cheerful sensations produced by a good night's rest, we rise languid, feverish, and depressed. Excess in drinking will of course produce the same, if not worse consequences.

As

The time which should be given to sleep varies according to the age and constitution. An infant spends the greater part of its existence, healthily, in sleeping. age increases, the hours of sleep are shortened; and though the aged usually seek their bed at an early hour, their actual sleep is short, being broken and interrupted.

In mature life, a healthy person may sleep seven or eight hours; more would be useless and idle; less would be injurious to health.

In order to promote sleep, it is well to be quite warm when we go to bed; especially we should take care to have the feet warm; exercise is the best means to procure this healthy warmth, and should not be neglected. Aged people, or those of a languid constitution, should sleep in woollen socks, or have a hot-water foot-tin placed in the bed. But the head should always be cool and uncovered.

A

person in good health may in dry summer weather sleep with the upper part of the window open. At all events, the door should be open to ventilate the room.

But the most important circumstance necessary for the sleep which is to produce health and comfort, is a peaceful and composed state of mind, which can only be obtained by a faithful trust in God, and an earnest endeavour to fulfil our duties in life.

RULES OF HEALTH.

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General Rules of Health.

Lord Bacon advises us cc never to keep the body in the same posture above half an hour at a time;" and though persons who are compelled to sedentary employments may find some difficulty in attending to this rule, some change of position should occasionally be made, as muscular movements tend greatly to the preservation of health.

It is a most dangerous habit to eat or drink anything very hot; it is injurious to the teeth, and still more so to the stomach.

Every one should be particularly cautious never to eat again till the last meal is digested-that is, till he really feels hungry.

The constant use of the flesh-brush is an excellent means for preserving the skin in a healthy state. To the studious, to those whose sedentary pursuits preclude regular and full exercise of the body; to the invalid and to the aged, the friction of every part of the body twice a day with the brush is invaluable. If the person is able to use it himself, the benefit is greater, as the exercise is doubled; but even done by other hands, it is a great relief to the weak.

CHAPTER IX.

The sick-room-The duties of a sick-nurse-Visitors-LeechesGiving medicine-Domestic medicine-chest-Poisons and their antidotes-Bites and stings-Suspended animation-Burns and scalds Cuts or wounds-Bruises or blows-Fish-bone in the throat.

As the time must come when every one, however young and healthy now, shall be stretched on the bed of sickness, dependent on the skill, the affection, or the kindness of others for alleviation of suffering, needful attendance, and soothing consolation, it is incumbent on all, the female sex especially, to be prepared for the active duty, as well as the passive endurance of the sick-room.

The attendance in that sad and anxious chamber is one of the most salutary moral lessons of life; a retreat from the world, its vanities and sordid cares, and a preparation for the inevitable doom of mortality. The sick-room is the threshold of eternity.

The sick-nurse should be in health herself, she should have strength to endure fatigue and watchfulness, and firmness to enforce gently those regulations which are essential, but may not be agreeable to the patient. Besides these qualifications, she should feel a conviction that a deep moral responsibility rests upon her; the strong duty of leading the weak and wandering mind to repentance, faith, and comforting hope. Let no one shrink from this duty, or the neglected opportunity will haunt her own future days with remorse, and plant thorns in her own death-bed pillow.

The sick-room should be airy, unless the disease is of a nature which requires the room to be artificially heated, and be made to look as cheerful as possible. A few

flowers, if not forbidden, will often afford peculiar gratification to a sick person.

The nurse should speak low but distinctly, she should never whisper, as that tone usually grates on the ear of a nervous person painfully. She should move about as noiselessly as possible; be watchful, ready, but never importunate. If it be a painful exertion for the patient to speak, an experienced nurse will perceive by the eye when something is required, and attend to it, but not tease by offering it when not wished for. We need scarcely say that this nurse should, if possible, be a near and dear relation. No hired nurse can ever fulfil the duties so faithfully and tenderly; but though selfish feelings should never be suffered to prevail over duty and affection, yet self-sacrifice must not be carried to the point of endangering health. Needful rest must be taken, and it is always best that two or three at least should share the duty, and alternately take repose and refreshment in another room.

The dress of a nurse should be suited to her office, a loose dimity or printed cotton dressing-gown, clean and soft, is convenient. A rustling dress wounds the ear, and discordant finery, especially of bright colours, offends the eye of the sick, besides the unfitness for the occupation, if it be the earnest intention to be useful.

Clean linen, clean caps, spoons, and glasses, a cool pillow in exchange for a heated one, are luxuries to a patient unable to leave the bed. To be lifted from the bed to a sofa, till it can be cooled and re-made, is a great relief, if it can be done with safety, and affords an opportunity of washing the face and hands of the sick person, always a great refreshment.

If any peculiar smell is perceptible in the sick-room, the cause should be immediately removed, for the senses are generally so acute in illness, that it is certain the patient will feel the annoyance greatly.

Though the admission of air into the room is desirable,