Domestic science (Johnson, for schools and homes)

CoflFee-pot. COOKING PART III. EIGHTH YEAR. Lesson 1. Water: Review of lesson X., seventh year. Water is called "hard" or "soft," according to the amount of miner- al matter in suspension in it. Lime is the principal miner- al substance found in water from common sources. The grayish white coating found on the inside of the tea kettle is a coating of lime. When the water, by boiling, is evapora- ted from the tea kettle, the lime is left adhering to the kettle. When water is only slightly hard, it may be rendered soft by boiling. Alkalies, as sal soda, lye, etc., will soften the hardest water. The alkali to be used should be put into the cold water, which should then be heated. As the water heats, a sediment will begin to settle to the bottom. This is the mineral matter. As the water becomes hotter, this sedi- ment rises to the top, as scum. This scum should be removed with a skimmer without holes, until no more rises. If the water still seems hard, when testing it with soap, add more of the alkali, and skim again, A piece of sal soda as large as a walnut ought to "break," or render soft, three pails of water, or from nine to ten gallons Soap and alkalies, as sanitary adjuncts, have great value; destroying germs that would other- wise multiply to an alarming extent "Soap and civilization" is a trite quotation. "Soap and sanitation" is practically synonymous. Plumbing: All exposed plumbing should be frequent- ly washed with strong, hot soap and water. This advances both the appearance and the sanitary condition of the home. Bath Rooms: There is no place in the home that should receive more careful attention than the bath room. The bath tub should be washed with strong soap and water 56 COOKING SI every day; and also, the bowls, which should be flushed with a strong solution of boiling water and sal soda every week. Cellars should be kept open as much as possible, that the circulation of the air may dry the moisture. They should also be frequently sprinkled with carbolic acid, (the housekeeper's preparation), or dusted with unslacked lime. It is well not to forget that the living rooms are directly over the cellars, and that fully 25 per cent, of the impure air from the cellar finds its way to the garret. Ventilation: As fresh air and sunlight are natural promoters of health, every part of the house should be well ventilated at all time;;, and all the sunshine possible should be admitted. Bacteria develop in the darkness and moisture of confined, heavily curtained rooms. Circulation of Fresh Air From Without is the prime object of appliances for ventilation. There should be openings on opposite sides of the room, to give circulation sufficient for promoting health. The patent ventilators used in many modern buildings, especially school buildings, soon become more or less dredged with dust, and the air passing through them into the rooms is thus dust ladened; unfit to breathe. In the common house, the windows are the sole ventilators. These should be freely opened in all seasons. The old-fashioned fire place, with its wide open chimney, was an invaluable ventilator, rapidly carrying off the poisonous gases exhaled by the lungs of the occupants of the house.