Recipes for the million

The following method will render cloth almost impervious to water, and at the same time allow the air to pass through it : — Imbue the cloth on the wrong side with a solution of isinglass, alum, and soap, by means of a brush. When dry, brush on the wrong side against the grain, and then go over with a brush dipped in water. WATERPROOFING FOR LEATHER.— Boiled oil, half a pint ; mutton suet, half a pound ; beeswax, six ounces ; rosin, quarter of a pound. Melt the whole together and apply while hot. Gutta percha and indiarubber dissolved in wood naphtha answers the same purpose. See also Waterproofing for Boots and Shoes. WATERPROOF PACKING PAPER, To Prepare. — Dissolve one ounce of gum-nitric and six ounces of glue in a quart of water. In a second quart of water dissolve one pound of white soap. Mix the two solutions, and after heating them soak the paper in the liquid. Hang each sheet separately on a line, and when dry smooth in a press. WATERPROOF POLISH FOR LEATHER. — Dissolve two pounds of shellac in one gallon of methylated alcohol ; add six ounces of camphor, and shake it well occasionally for a week ; then stir into it a quarter of a pound of lampblack and two ounces of finelypowdered Prussian blue. Shake it up, strain through a piece of muslin, and put it into a bottle, making it air-tight. WATER, To Detect Impurities in. — The presence of animal or vegetable impurities in water may readily be detected by adding to a cupful of the liquid a few drops of sulphuric acid, when, if the water is contaminated, it becomes black. If the presence of lead be suspected, add one drop of sulphide of ammonia to a wineglassful of the water and stir it with a goose-quill or glass rod ; if the water is impure it will become discoloured. WATER, To Purify. — An ounce of powdered alum added to a hogshead of putrid water will purify it in the course of a few hours, and render it fit for use. £7 WATER, To Soften. — Hard water may be softened by the addition of a little borax. It is wholesome for cooking purposes, and greatly improves the water used for washing clothes, &c. It may also be softened by simply boiling it and letting it stand exposed to atmospheric influences. WATERY BRAIN. — The first symptoms of this disease are a heavy, leaden look about the eyes, a dislike to the light, heaviness, and restless sleep, during which the child starts and screams ; the head enlarges, especially the forehead ; this is followed by convulsions and stupor, and then by death. To remedy the evil put a mustard poultice to the nape of the neck, let it remain on for ten minutes, and repeat it every third day. Keep the body cool by means of opening medicine, and the mind free from all anxiety. Put all lessons and books away, and send the child into the fresh air as much as possible. WAX FOR MODELLING. — To one pound of wax add half a pound of scammony and a little turpentine ; melt the whole together with oil of olives, putting more or less oil according to the hardness or softness which it is desired to impart to the wax. A flesh colour may be given to the composition by the addition of vermilion.