SCOUTING FOR GIRLS 
245 
plenty of good water, medicine is not necessary. Eating 
coarse grained food, as bran muffins, corn meal porridge, 
fruits, and vegetables, drinking plenty of water, exercis- 
ing in the open air, and having a regular time for going 
to the lavatory (immediately after breakfast and the last 
thing at night before retiring are suggested times) are 
habits that are usually sufficient to keep the bowels in 
good order. 
If the waste matter is not carried off by the bowel 
movements, the body will in time become poisoned by the 
decayed substance in the intestines, and illness follows. 
Many headaches, “tired feelings,” “blues,” and even ap- 
pendicitis may be caused by constipation. 
People who are sick and therefore deprived of taking 
exercise to help in keeping their bowels regular, need to 
have very special attention paid to their diet and to have 
plenty of drinking water always at hand. Also they 
should have bed-pan or whatever other attention they 
need regularly , and when asked for, immediately. 
Chill , if due to exposure, may be treated by giving a 
warm bath or a foot bath, and putting to bed between 
warm blankets and with hot water bags. Rub briskly 
under the covers and give a warm drink such as tea, 
coffee, milk, etc. 
Some Common Ills and Their Treatment 
When a chill is not merely due to being cold, give 
the same treatment except the rubbing, take the tempera- 
ture, and if there is fever, send for the doctor, as it 
may be the beginning of an illness. 
Colds or cramps, or pain in the bov/els may be caused 
by constipation, by gas, by undigested food, by the 
monthly period or more serious causes. Apply heat (hot 
water bag or fomentation), sip hot water in which is a 
little baking soda (one-half teaspoonful to a cup), or a 
few drops of peppermint. Try a hot foot bath. Lie 
