Democratic Sentinel, Volume 15, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 October 1891 — THE HOUSEHOLD. [ARTICLE]

THE HOUSEHOLD.

Water aa a Disinfectant. It is a fact that appears to be not generally known, perhaps because it may not be generally credited, that pure, fresh, cold water is one of the most valuable of disinfectants, inasmuch as it is a powerful absorbent. Every sick room should have a vessel of clear water frequently renewed, placed not far from the bed, or even beneath it. This not only absorbs much of the hurtful vapor, but-by its evaporation it softens and tempers the atmosphere, doing away with the dryness which is so trying and depressing to an invalid—or even to well persons, for that matter. It has frequently been shown, by actual experiment, that troubled sleep and threatened insomnia are corrected by so simple a thing as the placing of an open bowl of water near the sufferer’s couch. Of course it hardly need be said, after these matters have been considered for a moment, that water which has stood for any length of time in a close room is not proper for drinking purposes. Good Housekeeping. Polite Table Manners. Soup should be eaten quietly from the side of the spoon; never from the point. Do not use your knife to serve yourself from dishes from which other people at the table are to take food. Do not sit sideways on your chair or on the edge of it. Do not drink tea from your saucer or pour it into the saucer to cool. Do not leave your spoon standing in vour tea cup, but take it out and lay it in the saucer. Do not wait on yourself before older people or any guests, who may be present, are served. Do not shove the dishes along the table, but take them up carefully and pass them.

Do not use your napkin fora pocket handkerchief or the back of your hand for a napkin. Do not use your knife to convey food to your mouth; that marks you as from the backwoods at once. Do not leave the table before the conclusion of the meal, without asking to be excused. Do not monopolize all the conversation with talk about the crops if you arc a farmer, or about the jelly that will not “jell” if you are a farmer’s wife; neijther should you eat your meal in solemn silence, but make the conversation general and of interest to all present. Do not eat fruit in a mussy or unpleasant manner or spit the stones, skins or seeds into your plate, but remove them from the month with your thumb and fingers or with a fork or spoon. The table is not the proper place to clean or pick the teeth and toothpicks should not be placed on the table in a private house. Make no noise with yonr mouth in 4 drinking or eating; it is a sign of ill breeding.— Farm and Home. .