OATMEAL BAGS FOR THE BATH.
TAKE five pounds of oatmeal, ground fine, a half pound of pure castile soap reduced to powder, and a pound of powdered Italian orris root. Cut a yard of thin cheese cloth into bags four inches square, sewing them together on the machine and taking care not to leave any untied threads where a break may allow the contents to ooze out. Mix the soap, oatmeal, and orris root thoroughly and fill the bags loosely. Sew up the opening in each and lay them away to use as required. They are used as a sponge, dipped in warm water, making a thick, velvety lather, and wonderfully softening the skin, while the orris imparts a lasting fragrance. It will be remembered that all soap applications, even the purest, should be entirely rinsed from the skin. Hospital nurses are trained to wash patients first in soap and water, then in clear, very hot water to take off the soap. It is recognized that boiling water is one of the excellent mild disinfectants.—Selected.