Some people say that once the rains set in, therinanti-
dotes are no use. This is not the case. They always give a
purer, freer current of air than the punkah can do.
In regard to drinks, iced milk and soda-water is as good
as anything, but the writer believes largely in not drinking
whenever you feel thirsty. The habit of only drinking at
certain times is easily acquired, and is far more wholesome.
There is a certain somewhat vulgar story about a cure for
sea-sickness effected by the captain of a merchant vessel,
which ends with this piece of advice, “ Don’t give in to your
stomach, and your stomach will give in to you. 1 hat is true
of all things ; and so when all has been said that can be said
about the hot weather and the way to endure it, the gist of
the whole lies in this — Don’t give in to it, and it will give in to
you. Keep vour house cool and light, your mind employed,
and your muscles in reasonable training. T.hen there remains
nothing out of your control save prickly heat {lichen orientalis').
This attacks some skins more than others, and, as a rule, has
to be endured. But sandal-wood dust used as powder is one
palliative. The other is, that those who suffer most from
prickly heat, are, as a rule, free from more serious ailments.
As to clothing, a woman who wishes to live uj) to the
climate must dress down to it. Frills, furbelows, ribbons,
laces, are so much off that sum-total of comfort which it is
your aim to increase. The writer found one silk under-dress
Housekeeper and Cook 205
(a sort of combination chemise and dual garment) and light
woollen tea-gowns best for moiming wear. For tennis, &c.,
a silk petticoat, silk combination, pretty nuns-veiling or serge
costume, with a blouse bodice. For riding, her usual heavy
skirt with a white shirt, and very light coat matching the
skirt exactly in colour. It must be remembered that these
remarks In the Plains ” apply entirely to Northern India,
or any climate where summer and winter temperatures vary
considerably. In Madras and parts of Lower Bengal, life
runs much on the same lines all the year round. One word
as to insects and snakes. Phenyle is good for keeping away
mosquitoes — a weak solution washed over the floor. Shut-
ting up doors and windows (during your absence from the
house), and burning red pepper and sulphur, is a heroic
measure apt to be disagreeable even on your return, but
effectual. For snakes, constant care, the raising daily of the
edges of the matting, and snake-proof nettings at the bath-
room water-drain will do much. When doors are open at
night, a sprinkling of carbolic powder right across the lintel
will prevent them crossing it ; for carbolic acid kills snakes.
The keeping round about the house of fowls and ducks re-
duces insect life immensely, but their house should not be
too near, as snakes are very fond of eggs. Milk, however,
is the great attraction, and where it is kept snakes should
always be guarded against. In sleeping out in snaky places,
it is a good plan to put the legs of the bed into saucers filled
with carbolic powder. No one should ever go about at night
without a light of some sort. And in the storeroom or linen
cupboard, or any place where there is peace and quiet, the
hand should never be poked carelessly into corners. It mav
be mentioned, however, that the writer was fourteen years in
India before she saw a live snake in her house.
Page 142
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
Some people say that once the rains set in,thermantidotes are no use. This is not the case. They always give a purer, freer current of air than the punkah can do.
In regard to drinks, iced milk and soda-water is as good as anything, but the writer believes largely in not drinking whenever you feel thirsty. The habit of only drinking at certain times is easily acquired, and is far more wholesome. There is a certain somewhat vulgar story about a cure for sea-sickness effected by the captain of a merchant vessel, which ends with this piece of advice, “ Don’t give in to your stomach, and your stomach will give in to you. 1 hat is true of all things ; and so when all has been said that can be said about the hot weather and the way to endure it, the gist of the whole lies in this — Don’t give in to it, and it will give in to you. Keep vour house cool and light, your mind employed, and your muscles in reasonable training. T.hen there remains nothing out of your control save prickly heat {lichen orientalis'). This attacks some skins more than others, and, as a rule, has to be endured. But sandal-wood dust used as powder is one palliative. The other is, that those who suffer most from prickly heat, are, as a rule, free from more serious ailments.
As to clothing, a woman who wishes to live uj) to the climate must dress down to it. Frills, furbelows, ribbons, laces, are so much off that sum-total of comfort which it is your aim to increase. The writer found one silk under-dress
Housekeeper and Cook 205
(a sort of combination chemise and dual garment) and light woollen tea-gowns best for moiming wear. For tennis, &c., a silk petticoat, silk combination, pretty nuns-veiling or serge costume, with a blouse bodice. For riding, her usual heavy skirt with a white shirt, and very light coat matching the skirt exactly in colour. It must be remembered that these remarks In the Plains ” apply entirely to Northern India, or any climate where summer and winter temperatures vary considerably. In Madras and parts of Lower Bengal, life runs much on the same lines all the year round. One word as to insects and snakes. Phenyle is good for keeping away mosquitoes — a weak solution washed over the floor. Shutting up doors and windows (during your absence from the house), and burning red pepper and sulphur, is a heroic measure apt to be disagreeable even on your return, but effectual. For snakes, constant care, the raising daily of the edges of the matting, and snake-proof nettings at the bathroom water-drain will do much. When doors are open at night, a sprinkling of carbolic powder right across the lintel will prevent them crossing it ; for carbolic acid kills snakes. The keeping round about the house of fowls and ducks reduces insect life immensely, but their house should not be too near, as snakes are very fond of eggs. Milk, however, is the great attraction, and where it is kept snakes should always be guarded against. In sleeping out in snaky places, it is a good plan to put the legs of the bed into saucers filled with carbolic powder. No one should ever go about at night without a light of some sort. And in the storeroom or linen cupboard, or any place where there is peace and quiet, the hand should never be poked carelessly into corners. It mav be mentioned, however, that the writer was fourteen years in India before she saw a live snake in her house.