Next as to drink. In order to obtain pure drinking water,
a portable Syphon Cai'bon Filter is the simplest ; it merely
requires to be scraped in order to clean it. After break-
fast, two degchas of boiled water should be brought, and
the filter thrown into each successively. One of the party
must draw the tube, and then the water will run clear into
bottles, kettles, Szc. Village tank water should be avoided.
If none other can be had, boil it, add sulphuric acid in the
proportion of eight drops to the j)int, and then filter it.
When the camp marches at night, filtered water for breakfast
should always be sent on with it. In warm weather let a
common basket filled with wetted grass be fastened to a tree
by a roj)e, j)lace bottles of water, milk, butter-pot, &c., in it,
see that it is well covered up and frequently wetted and
constantly swung. A delicious coolness will thus be pro-
Housekeeper and Cook 157
diiced. A recipe is given for portable lemonade ; but aerated
waters are productive of thirst, and give rise to uncomfortable
sensations. Plain lime-juice and water — barley-water acidu-
lated— tamarind {Imli) water occasionally, cold tea, all form
good drinks for allaying thirst. Tea, coffee, and cocoa par-
take of the nature of stimulants; and though it would be
hard to forbid what is the greatest refreshment and com-
fort to water-di'inkers, yet it must be borne in mind that
they stimulate the brain and nerves, producing over-action,
causing a forgetfulness of fatigue, and thus an overtax of the
powers, the consequence being perhaps a severe attack of
neuralgia, which prostrates us, or, if warnings are neglected,
worse disease in the end. Ghurras (earthen jars) are a
source of trouble in camp. They may be entirely dispensed
with, if empty kerosene oil tins are taken instead, with the
top neatly cut off and handle attached. Those of the cook-
room can be filled on the march with the kitchen odds and
ends. Bath water can be heated and brought into the tent
in one ; the sijces can soak their gram in another, and use it
for a stable bucket. If a few are turned ijito canisters and
provided with hasps and padlocks, they can serve instead of
a supply-box.
With regard to utilising a tnhseel chuprassi in procuring
supplies. Such an official makes the Civil Officer a terror to
the villagers, who look upon his camp as a flight of locusts,
as fowls, eggs, ghee, milk, &c., are seized in the Sahib’s
name, one never knows to what extent. But villagers are
not, as a rule, agreeable to strangers, and often do not
understand the use of money. A lady in a large Survey
camp used to sit and talk kindly with the w'omen, who
would often bring her offerings of honey, eggs, &c., Avhile they
would barter anything for beads, combs, or looking-glasses.
Wlien a camp halts it may often be feasible to utilise the
camelmen and camels in bringing in supplies of wood and
grass when these come from any distance.
For others than missionaries it need only be added that if
they find their servants slack in providing proper food, it is
unwise to make up the deficiency by pegs or tobacco. Far
better spend a little time in supervising the kitchen arrange-
ments and the kitchen servants. The Cook’s Guide teems
with recipes suitable even for jungle life; and any young
158 The Complete Indian
Page 108
Presented as published in 1898. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Next as to drink. In order to obtain pure drinking water, a portable Syphon Carbon Filter is the simplest ; it merely requires to be scraped in order to clean it. After breakfast, two degchis of boiled water should be brought, and the filter thrown into each successively. One of the party must draw the tube, and then the water will run clear into bottles, kettles, Szc. Village tank water should be avoided. If none other can be had, boil it, add sulphuric acid in the proportion of eight drops to the pint, and then filter it. When the camp marches at night, filtered water for breakfast should always be sent on with it. In warm weather let a common basket filled with wetted grass be fastened to a tree by a rope, place bottles of water, milk, butter-pot, &c., in it, see that it is well covered up and frequently wetted and constantly swung. A delicious coolness will thus be pro-
Housekeeper and Cook 157
diiced. A recipe is given for portable lemonade ; but aerated waters are productive of thirst, and give rise to uncomfortable sensations. Plain lime-juice and water — barley-water acidulated— tamarind {Imli) water occasionally, cold tea, all form good drinks for allaying thirst. Tea, coffee, and cocoa partake of the nature of stimulants; and though it would be hard to forbid what is the greatest refreshment and comfort to water-drinkers, yet it must be borne in mind that they stimulate the brain and nerves, producing over-action, causing a forgetfulness of fatigue, and thus an overtax of the powers, the consequence being perhaps a severe attack of neuralgia, which prostrates us, or, if warnings are neglected, worse disease in the end. Ghurras (earthen jars) are a source of trouble in camp. They may be entirely dispensed with, if empty kerosene oil tins are taken instead, with the top neatly cut off and handle attached. Those of the cookroom can be filled on the march with the kitchen odds and ends. Bath water can be heated and brought into the tent in one ; the sijces can soak their gram in another, and use it for a stable bucket. If a few are turned into canisters and provided with hasps and padlocks, they can serve instead of a supply-box.
With regard to utilising a tahseel chuprassi in procuring supplies. Such an official makes the Civil Officer a terror to the villagers, who look upon his camp as a flight of locusts, as fowls, eggs, ghee, milk, &c., are seized in the Sahib’s name, one never knows to what extent. But villagers are not, as a rule, agreeable to strangers, and often do not understand the use of money. A lady in a large Survey camp used to sit and talk kindly with the women, who would often bring her offerings of honey, eggs, &c., Avhile they would barter anything for beads, combs, or looking-glasses. [illustration: Housekeeper and Cook 157]
When a camp halts it may often be feasible to utilise the camelmen and camels in bringing in supplies of wood and grass when these come from any distance.
For others than missionaries it need only be added that if they find their servants slack in providing proper food, it is unwise to make up the deficiency by pegs or tobacco. Far better spend a little time in supervising the kitchen arrangements and the kitchen servants. The Cook’s Guide teems with recipes suitable even for jungle life; and any young
158 The Complete Indian