waste from the kidneys is the most disastrous in its effects of any of the waste materials. Few persons drink enough water to flush the kidneys and dilute the waste secreted; 3 pints daily is an absolute necessity for an adult. The activity of the kidneys is one of the best preventives of the common catarrhal cold.

The work of the skin and the kidneys is very closely related; if the function of one is disturbed, the other organ undertakes to do double work. Thus in the summer when the skin is active and large amounts of perspiration carry off the waste, the kidneys are less active although unusual quantities of water have been taken; on the contrary in winter when there is little perspiration and much less fluid is taken, the kidneys are very active. The retention of kidney waste speedily causes a long train of disorders and final loss of health. Bathing stimulates the activity of the skin as well as removing the sweat and débris.

The movements of the bowels are regulated largely by the nature of the food taken and by the occupation; but at least one movement daily is a necessity, or there is retained in the system an accumulation of foul waste which is reabsorbed and is a common cause of many disorders and disease.

It seems really remarkable that persons of otherwise cleanly habits should be so heedless of this frequent case of filth unspeakable retained in the body, which causes muddy, pimply, greasy complexions, foul breath, dullness of mind, and finally disease.

Use of Narcotics. The excessive use of alcohol, tobacco, and other narcotics results not only in disaster to the body, but to the mind and moral perception.

In children the effects are seen in retarded physical growth and the stunted mind.

Besides bad and insufficient food as a cause for the craving for stimulation the appalling use of "patent” medicines may be regarded as the chief cause of the drink and drug habits.

It may be safely said that two thirds of all patent medicines contain a greater or less amount of alcohol, opium, or other narcotics. Beginning with the "soothing sirups" given to the baby, it is an almost universal practice to keep all sorts of patent medicines in the household, which are used in such reckless quantities as to frighten any person who understands the danger.

Cough medicines and powders for inhalation are commonly used for colds; probably nearly all patent cough medicines contain opium in some form, while the nasal powders frequently contain cocaine, one of the most dangerous drugs, and one which speedily wrecks the mind if the cocaine habit is established. Such a practice is all wrong; not only on account of the danger of an over dose of some unknown drug, but especially because their habitual use cannot fail to create a desire for stimulation which ends in the drink or drug habit.

It should be an unalterable rule in every family that no drugs of any kind should ever be taken or given except under a doctor's direction; it is not too much to say that 10,000 persons suffer from the indiscriminate use of drugs to one who suffers from the lack of the right drug given at the right time.

CHAPTER VIII

HOUSEHOLD HYGIENE

IN considering household hygiene the subjects of food, water, ventilation, plumbing, sewage and garbage, heating and lighting have already been spoken of in special chapters, as well as personal hygiene.

The practice of hygiene in the household may be said to be good housekeeping, or the observance of such hygienic methods as shall bring all of the foregoing factors into their proper relation to the health of the family.

The House. The city dweller has little choice in the selection of the site of his habitation, but the country or small town resident has a much wider range, which he often completely ignores.

A house should stand upon well-drained soil, for nothing damp in walls or cellar should be allowed to encourage rheumatism, kidney disorders, tuberculosis, or depressed spirits.

Position. If possible, a house should stand with its four corners (not sides) to the points of the compass, preferably to face southeast or southwest; in this way the sun may enter the windows of every room.

Sunlight. In crowded cities where a large proportion of the people must live in small quarters, the absence of sunlight is unavoidable, while in smaller cities, towns, and the country it is inexcusable; but any observant person, taking a railway journey across the continent,

cannot help being appalled at seeing the innumerable number of houses with windows tightly closed, shades drawn down to keep the carpets from fading, and as a crowning offense to health, outside shutters at the windows excluding every ray of light.

It is not too much to say that country people suffer as much from lack of light and ventilation as the dwellers in cities; one might say more, because the majority of

city people are being constantly reminded of the danger of close contact and bad air, while in the country the fact that pure air is abundant seems to be thought sufficient, and little effort is made to obtain a supply for indoor use. The dullest woman knows that plants do not thrive

without the sun and air, and why so many of them deny their children the same privileges seems hard to understand.

Bedrooms are better for being on the east or south side of the house, where the sun in the earlier part of the day may shine upon open beds.

Closets for clothing, which are without windows should preferably have the doorways screened by washable curtains rather than the solid doors; the curtains may not keep out as much dust, but they admit the air, which is more essential.

Bath rooms and water-closets must have windows or extra large ventilating shafts to be at all sanitary.

Kitchens should be bright and comfortable, as some person or persons must spend most of the day in the kitchen of every household, and a dark, badly ventilated, inconvenient kitchen is depressing to both the cook and the cooking.

Porches should not be too wide nor numerous to shut off the air and light.

Stairs should be broad and easy to mount. There should be no different levels in the rooms; one or two extra steps between rooms, mounted many times daily, soon become very fatiguing.

Ceilings had better be high than low, for while more difficult to heat in winter, the rooms are cooler in summer, and the supply of air at all seasons is more nearly adequate. The amount of room in a house must necessarily be governed by the family income rather than by the number in the family.

The practice of utilizing porches for sleeping or dining rooms is an excellent one and cannot fail to produce good results; tents also are a practical, inexpensive means of enlarging household space for seven or eight months of the year, or even longer in the milder climates. Porches on the south or east side of the house may be shut in with canvas for the winter months and wire fly netting the rest of the year, and used for sleeping practically the whole year.

Furniture. Too much stress cannot be laid upon simplicity in furnishing. Elaborate decoration, upholstered furniture, heavy portières, and quantities of bric-a-brac require extraordinary care to keep clean, the kind of care