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4
HEALTH IN THE HOME.
THE HOUSE.
Cleanliness and fresh air are two of the most
important things to have if you wish the home to be healthy.
To have your house always clean is not so hard after all.
It only needs a regular amount of cleaning being done
each day, and tidiness and orderly habits being practised by
yourself and taught to your children.
If one room or a passage is taken in hand each day, the
floor scrubbed, the rugs or curtains well beaten, the furniture
and walls dusted with a damp cloth, and plenty of fresh air
allowed to flood it, you will always have a clean house,
provided you insist on the members of your family having
cleanly and tidy habits too.
Be very careful about the disposal of your household
dust and refuse. Do not, as is often done, sweep your
house dust into the street where it is blown back into your
own or your neighbour's house, or is breathed into the lungs
of the children who are at play. Having sprinkled the floor
or passage to be swept with damp tea leaves or sawdust,
sweep towards the back of the house, collect the dust carefully and
put it in your dustbin, where it will be safe from doing any
harm when you have covered it with the lid. Animal and
vegetable refuse should be burnt where possible.
Never allow dirty rags, old clothes or other rubbish to
lumber up the rooms and passages—you cannot keep the house
sweet and tidy if you do.
Be most particular about the storage of your food
and milk. They should only be kept in a place that is cool,
well ventilated and protected from flies and dust by a wire or
muslin screen over the window or air opening. This cupboard
should be scrubbed out frequently with soap and water.
Wage a constant war against flies and other insect
vermin; they are the cause of more ill health than most
people imagine. They like dirt and will avoid a house that
is clean.
Your cistern should have a tight fitting lid to keep
the household dust out of the drinking water. It should be
thoroughly cleaned out every month.
Keep your scullery sink clean and free.