HANDKERCHIEFS AND DISEASE.
By M. A. T.
The dainty bit of cambric that is carried more for show than for use is very harmless, but in the hands of one who is troubled with a cold or influenza, this dainty article may become charged with elements of infection. One person may impart the trouble to other members of the family unless the handkerchiefs of the individual who is affected are kept to themselves and great care taken in their cleansing. We often find children who are affected with a catarrhal trouble, and they should have their own handkerchief-box where they may find a clean one at any time, and then have a nice bag hanging in a convenient place where they should be taught to put them as soon as they become soiled. A child can readily learn that the handkerchief should be used as unobtrusively as possible. The best way to clean the handkerchiefs and free them from disease germs is to place them under water to which several tablespoonfuls of kerosene have been added and let them remain over night. The next morning pour this water off and wash them through a strong lather of white ivory soap and warm soft water, and when they seem perfectly clean, put them in a wash-bowl and pour boiling water over them, then cover the bowl and let them stand for half an hour. Rinse first through clear water and then through blue water and hang upon a line to dry, and the odor of the oil soon evaporates after they have been hung out and dried in the air and sun.