ith M'Clinton's soap
(_see_ Soap). To face the wintry blast at half-past five in the morning
is for many severely trying. This treatment the night before will give
immense help to those who are so exposed. It is the best preventive
against taking cold known to us.

There is one great difficulty that stands in the way of such a remedy
as we have suggested--that is, the "trouble" which it implies, not so
much to ourselves as to others. Many a useful life is lost lest
"trouble" should be given. It needs to be well understood that this is
a temptation. If we can buy a quantity of some drug from a chemist
according to the prescription of some medical man, and just quietly
swallow it, that "troubles" nobody. So powders to sweat us, and powders
to stop our sweating, are readily "taken," greatly to increase all
tendency to "take cold." Our relatives and others have, as the fruit of
such a system, worlds of serious trouble and loss that might all be
saved if only a very little trouble were given in the more natural and
reasonable way.

Cold Cloths.--_See_ Towels, Cold Wet.

Constipation.--This trouble is often only aggravated and made chronic
by the use of purgatives. Some simple change of diet, such as a ripe
uncooked apple, eaten before breakfast, or a fruit diet for a day or
two may put all right. So also with the use of wheaten meal porridge or
bread. When this can be taken with pure CANE SYRUP (_see_), the two
together will make such a change in the food as will frequently banish
all inaction of the bowels. Rest must be reckoned on, especially if the
patient has been using purgatives freely. Do not act as if castor oil
were a necessary article of diet. When the constipation is more
obstinate, in the case of a child, good golden syrup may be given, a
teaspoonful after each meal. A quarter of a pound of the best Spanish
liquorice, costing sixpence, should be boiled in a pint of water down
to three-quarters of a pint and strained. A dessertspoonful of this
after each meal may be given instead of the treacle. It is the best
tonic we know, and infinitely better than quinine and other costlier
drugs. If a stronger mixture be desired, put half-an-ounce of senna
leaf in the juice while being boiled. This may be increased to a whole
ounce of senna if still stronger effect be desired.

Some are more liable than others to attacks of constipation, but
chronic constipation may generally be put down to errors in diet, or
want of