Household Hints

‘Enquire Within’ is an amazing publication. I have a copy which claims to be already  the  113^th edition, probably written in the 1930s. It has cures for all kinds of ills as well as advice to servants. Did you know that skipping backwards is very good for constipation and that  to remedy ‘apparent death from drunkenness’ give the person a mustard emetic as soon as the person can swallow’. There is advice on how to test the strength  of the lungs, what to do about damp sheets, and how to cure sleeplessness - ‘going up and downstairs a few times before  retiring’ will help .Some of its comments on the use of telephones seem particularly apposite when you consider today’s mobile phones’ some think they must shout into the instrument, forgetting that it is as sensitive to speech as a normal ear!’ Enquire Within’ is still published today, so if you want advice on many topics,  look no further than  the copy currently on the library shelves   RA