508 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



thrown off in breathing. In slcl^ness, especially, every care should 

 be taken to hare complete change of air rery frequently in the 

 sick room, and in health such change will often do away with head- 

 aches, tired feeling, etc. It should be the care of the mother to 

 see that the air is pure and this is easy enough in the summer when 

 the doors and windows can be thrown wide to God's free air and 

 sunshine. Be sure to hare fresh air in the sleeping rooms, for 

 there we spend at least a third of our existence. Do not be afraid 

 of the night air; it is not so dust and germ-laden as that of the 

 day; but if you fear the draught either summer or winter, you can 

 try the simple little device of the muslin curtain ventilator. Just 

 a piece of five cent muslin tacked to a frame made to fit the window, 

 and you have free passage of fresh air and eliminate the draught. 

 Children brought up in properly ventilated homes stand much better 

 chance of resisting tuberculosis, which causes annually about 40 

 per cent, of the death rate. 



The greatest danger to food is from the dust in the air and the 

 unsanitary places in which it is stored. The refrigerator should 

 be frequently cleaned with a solution of washing-soda, and all dark, 

 damp corners thrown open to the light and air. All food in the 

 process of preparation should be protected from the dust; no sweep- 

 ing or stirring of the dust should be done while one is making bread, 

 and all food should be carefully covered. As the germs grow best 

 in the dark, let in the light; as they need warmth, let us keep 

 the perishable food cool; as they like moisture, keep things dry. 



Possibly you may think that I am trying to make work harder 

 by suggesting such scrupulous care of household utensils and furni- 

 ture. No, indeed; I would do all in my power to lighten the labors 

 of the housewife, already over-burdened in these days of scarce and 

 incompetent help, and will leave these few suggestions for your 

 future reflection. Let us do away with the old-fashioned, heavy 

 draperies and upholstered furniture that requires so much care, 

 and use only that which will stand the sterilizing effect of the 

 wash tub and boiler and exposure to the sunshine. 



Let us do away with the carpets that are such a strain to tak% 

 up and down, and make so much dust, and have rugs which can 

 easily be carried out of doors and cleaned; then with an antiseptic 

 solution and a mop dust may be removed without getting it into 

 the air. It is no more work to dust the furniture with a cloth damp- 

 ened in an antiseptic solution than with a dry one, and it effectu- 

 ally disposes of the dust laden with germs. 



One more suggestion for your own health; do less baking of pie 

 and pastry, and give your household a diet of fresh vegetables, milk, 

 cheese, eggs and fresh fruits. Then you will have time to get out 

 of doors yourself, and enjoy the growing of fruit, flowers and poul- 

 try, and all of the beauties of nature. The out of door life is the 

 ideal one, to my mind, but if we cannot be out of doors, let us have 

 our homes partake of the freshness and wholesomeness of the open 

 air and sunshine and furnish to our children the bodily health which 

 is the inspiration for the clean, pure development of their mental 

 and moral natures. 



