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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 10, Issue 2 (May 1, 1935)

Our Women's Section Timely Notes and Useful Hints

page 57

Our Women's Section Timely Notes and Useful Hints.

To-Day's Fashions.

A-Top, our frocks show much the same silhouette as last year, but trimmings are varied. Interest is centred on sleeves and neck-lines, with an occasional glance at the hemline where ruckings and kiltings may find a place. The jabot shows endless variety, from the small pleated jabot falling from a plain round neck-line, to a cascade of frills, a butterfly bow, or wing-like projections. Necklines are plain, draped, or cut out, but usually high. Elaborate sleeves are seen on hostess gowns, but not so much on the “all-day” garment, where the long tight sleeve has returned to its own.

* * *

Again, with coats, it is the neck-line which has altered. Coats are semi-fitting, many half-belted. Tweeds show cravat or scarf collars and interesting revers. Wing revers, wide and sharply pointed, are new. Coats for more dressy occasions show endless variations on fur. Flat fur trimming is new this winter; so are dyed furs and the large double fox fur collars which lend such an air of elegance.

* * *

Hats are mainly of four types—the tricorne, variants of the Russian cap, the large flat beret of pancake variety, and the ready-to-wear. The latter, this year, is dented and pulled and tucked in the crown, pushed up at the back and kinked over the right eye, decorated with a twist of corded ribbon, a coloured ornament or a feathered mount and sent to the shops to ravish the eyes and the purses—of women-kind. Luckily, hats are not as expensive as they were.

* * *

Shoes are sensible and really smart. Sports shoes are no longer the clumsy, heavy things they were a few years ago. Most golf shoes show inlays of a contrasting leather. Shoes for town wear no longer show so much two-tone combination. Shoes are trimmed with another leather in the same tone, or interest is centred on punching or stitching applied in new ways.

* * *

Our girls say they are not going to knit as much as usual this winter. Not that knit-wear is less popular. Oh no! But the cosy jumpers and cardigans we have been making during the last two or three winters won't wear out. Probably, however, most of us will be tempted to get out the needles again when we study the new knitting books. For knit-wear is certainly keeping up-to-date, and the new woollies are the last word in style. And really, a hand-knitted jumper plus tweed skirt is less expensive and more comfortable to wear than a winter-weight woollen frock.

* * *

The Guarded Tongue.

I speak not of she who knows she moves among potential enemies whose keen ears are ready for any careless pronouncement and whose caustic comments throng the lips in readiness (if such there be in this present world of peace—such women as even Cranford knew, and Jane Austen painted in all their waspish finery); but of she who ever is thrust back within herself from those heights where she sometimes is and where her mind knows her spirit is at home, thrust back by small discomforts—headaches, common colds—ills of the flesh, which claim attention, and force down the level of her energy below the plane of her best self. Of she I speak. She knows her outlook, her ideas on life, and how her friends are placed in her regard; in her high moments she has overlooked, as from a mountain-top, her little world-and found it good. But, being flesh, her spirit must go down into the valleys. Then, oppressed with weariness, perhaps, she knows all that she feels, but cannot feel it; remembers the truths that she has set to guide her life, but cannot trace the path she trod to find them; keeps her friends in her heart, but cannot reach out to them.

Then, at these moments of low energy, low thought, low being, must she most carefully guard her tongue, that she belie not her true emotions, retract not from her true faith, wound not her true friends. Then must she show her wisdom, and endure, and guard, with golden silence, her life's hoard of treasure.

* * *

Backs.

Nowadays backs are important. The fashionable evening dresses, bathing suits, sun suits, and many of the sports costumes make it imperative for girls to take extra care to present the loveliest possible back to the world. The ideal back is flat, straight and slim, with a beautiful skin, and does not show the bony structure. Thin backs with protruding shoulder-blades, crooked spines, or fat backs, are not beautiful. To remedy these defects it may be necessary to consult a physical instructor, who, if the trouble warrants it, will no doubt recommend posture exercises. These exercises should be performed regularly as “a flash in the pan” is of no use at all.

A blotchy or pimply skin can be cured by thoroughly scrubbing the skin, using a long-handled bath brush or loofah, and plenty of soap and warm water. Dash with cold water to stimulate the circulation and rid the skin of many of the blemishes. A good cream may then be used very beneficially.

* * *

Home Nursing.

Temperature Taking.

It is almost a necessity that every person who is likely to do any home nursing shall be able to use a clinical thermometer. In the case of adults the temperature is usually taken in the mouth. With children it may be taken page 58 under the arm or in the groin, the bulb being held closely to the body. It is necessary to leave the thermometer for a longer time than when it is inserted in the mouth. Some thermometers are marked “1/2 minute,” others “1 minute.” If there are no markings, the thermometer must be left in position for at least three minutes. A mouth temperature should not be taken within ten minutes of the time that the patient has had anything hot or cold in the mouth.

* * *

The first temperature should be taken before the early morning drink is given, and the evening one before the bed-time sponge. After taking a temperature, read the thermometer, and make a note of it. The thermometer should then be washed with cold water and dried. When the temperature is being taken frequently, or in infectious cases, the thermometer should be kept standing in a glass containing a weak solution of disinfectant. A small piece of cotton-wool should be placed in the bottom. Stand the glass on a small plate, and have a piece of dry cotton-wool to wipe the thermometer before using it again. When the temperature has to be taken several times during the day a record should be kept, either on a chart (which can be bought at any chemist's) or on a piece of paper. Make a note of the temperature and the time it was taken. Never rely on your memory.

Miss Iris Astwood.

Miss Iris Astwood.

Queen Carnival.

The Ngaio Railway Settlement is cooperating with the local residents to try and liquidate, in part, a debt of £1000 on the Church of England, and is running à Railway Candidate in the Queen Carnival which was the means devised as likely to bring in most money.

The queen chosen by the committee was Miss Iris Astwood, eldest daughter of Mr. J. H. Astwood, of the Locomotive Branch.

Believing that the railway employees will always lend a helping hand for a deserving cause, the committee are hoping to have the Service behind it in its venture and would be deeply grateful for offers of help in any shape or form.

Mr. S. Simpson, of Head Office staff, is Chairman of the committee, and Mrs. F. C. Wilson, Organising Secretary, and representatives of all nearby branches of the Service complete the committee. Further particulars will gladly be supplied by Mrs. Wilson, 'Phone 45–273, Wellington.

Invalid Comfort.

There are many points that make for the comfort and well-being of an invalid. In the first place, choose the most cheerful and sunny room available. Remove any superfluous furniture, ornaments and hangings, taking care not to make the room more bare and comfortless than the case demands. The bed should be narrow, with a good firm mattress. It is difficult to make a patient comfortable on a sagging bed.

Care must be taken when making the bed to pull the under-blanket and sheet very tightly and smoothly, and tuck them well under the mattress. Avoid creases, as they are the cause of great discomfort and bedsores are often traceable to poorly made beds. The lower blanket and sheet should be well tucked in at the top of the mattress, and the top sheet and blankets tucked well under the foot, so that the bedclothes do not slip. Fold the sheet back about eighteen inches over the blanket. Bed linen should be changed frequently. Due consideration should be given to the situation of the windows and the patient should avoid facing the light.

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