Health Notes.
The Medicine Cupboard.

A well-planned medicine cupboard should contain reasonable quantities of the things that can normally be used for the greatest number of purposes. For instance, bicarbonate of soda can be given for vomiting, biliousness, heartburn, indigestion, etc. It also makes a good lotion—a teaspoonful dissolved in a pint of warm water—for chafed and sore conditions, and for applying to irritating rashes. If made up in a strong solution—as much as will dissolve in the quantity of water—it makes an excellent application for insect bites.

Friar's balsam should also be given a place in the medicine cupboard. It makes a good first-aid dressing for cuts and grazes. A teaspoonful added to a pint of boiling water makes a good vapour for inhaling in cases of bronchitis, feeling of rawness in the windpipe, or even for a cold in the head.

Permanganate of potash is a good third. One or two crystals dissolved in a tumblerful of warm water makes a very good antiseptic gargle or mouth-wash.

Glycerine makes an excellent dressing for cuts and grazes in children, because it does not sting as some antiseptics do. Several drops warmed (but not hot), and dropped into the ear, make an excellent remedy for earache provided that there is no discharge. It is also of value for sore throats, added to equal parts of lemon juice and honey.

Peroxide of hydrogen, tincture of iodine, and bandages, should all have a place in our ideal medicine cupboard. Add to these a bottle of aspirins and also a bottle of magnesia.