Twentieth century home cook book

Cold Baths — Fresh Water. — Healthy people — time of bath: ten minutes; frequency: twice daily; period of day: before breakfast and retiring to rest. Weak people — time of bath: five minutes; frequency: once daily; period of day: before breakfast. Cold Baths in Summer — Salt Water. — Healthy people — time of bath: ten minutes; frequency: once daily ; period of day: before breakfast. Weak people — time of bath: five minutes; frequency: once daily; period of day: two hours after breakfast. In Winter. — The same rules will apply for winter in a properly warmed room, except that weak people should take the cold bath, if at all, before breakfast, as directed for healthy persons, the duration five minutes, and once daily. V. Exercise of Children. The more children are left free, always under careful supervision, the greater will be their enjoyment, and the more exercise will they take. Winter and summer they should have it. In the summer let them roll and frolic about the lawn, if the ground is dr}^. In damp weather, an old carpet may be laid down for them to play, and in damp or rainy weather they should have access to a garret or attic, or regular play-room, where they may romp and play. In the winter their exercise should not be omitted. Clothe them warmly, with mittens, ear-muffs, thick stockings and strong shoes, and let them run at will. The pure air will expand their lungs, and send a glow to their cheeks they can get in no other way. VI. Study and Relaxation. Do not drive your children to study too young. From six to eight years is early enough for regular school-going. Of course their education begins as soon as they begin to notice things and run about — in object-lessons and toy instructors, lettered blocks, etc. ; but they should not really be put to school before the age mentioned, and not thus early if they languish under study. Until a child is ten years old regular study should not be permitted. It must be more play than study. Then, the wise teacher, up to the age of twelve, will mix plenty of play with study. From this time on the study may be more and more continued ; but no labor, except a few light chores, should be included. Out of school hours let the child have play. Labor, however light, does not stand the child instead of play. " All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy." Hard study with little exercise, fills the graveyard with young bones. The midnight lamp nourishes the mature man's mind; but dreamless sleep for the youth makes a healthy brain. VII. The Sick-Room. Cheerfulness and Quiet. — In the sick-room there should be no unnecessary noise, and, above all, no confusion. Neither should there be "solemn silence." Some cheerful conversation is often better than medicine. In any event, never allow a friend with long-drawn, solemn face, or a procession of them, to walk in, and, with a shake of the head, after gazing, to walk out again. Because a person is ill — even dangerously so — there is no reason why the nurse or visitors should carry on their faces the you-will-never-get-well look. It would dishearten any invalid that it did not exasperate, and neither disheartenment nor exasperation is good for the sick, even though it be said that when the sick are " strong enough to get mad," they are " strong enough to get well." The Nurse — The nurse should be soft-handed, deft in her work, of cheerful disposition, even tempered, and above all, intelligent. She should have delicate tact in cooking, for while every operation of cooking should be cleanly in the extreme, here the cooking, while simple, should be delicate. The beef tea must be pleasing to the eye as well as grateful to the palate. The steak or chops should be tender and