ur body becomes cold, it is in a
state likely to absorb the infection, and give you the disease. Nor
visit a sick person (especially if the complaint be of a contagious
nature) with _an empty stomach_; as this disposes the system more
readily to receive the contagion. In attending a sick person, place
yourself where the air passes from the door or window to the bed of the
diseased, not betwixt the diseased person and any fire that is in the
room, as the heat of the fire will draw the infectious vapour in that
direction, and you would run much danger from breathing it.

2693. NECESSITY OF GOOD VENTILATION IN ROOMS LIGHTED WITH GAS.--In
dwelling-houses lighted by gas, the frequent renewal of the air is of
great importance. A single gas-burner will consume more oxygen, and
produce more carbonic acid to deteriorate the atmosphere of a room, than
six or eight candles. If, therefore, when several burners are used, no
provision is made for the escape of the corrupted air and for the
introduction of pure air from without, the health will necessarily
suffer.

LEGAL MEMORANDA.

CHAPTER XLIV.

2694. Humorists tell us there is no act of our lives which can be
performed without breaking through some one of the many meshes of the
law by which our rights are so carefully guarded; and those learned in
the law, when they do give advice without the usual fee, and in the
confidence of friendship, generally say, "Pay, pay anything rather than
go to law;" while those having experience in the courts of Themis have a
wholesome dread of its pitfalls. There are a few exceptions, however, to
this fear of the law's uncertainties; and we hear of those to whom a
lawsuit is on agreeable relaxation, a gentle excitement. One of this
class, when remonstrated with, retorted, that while one friend kept
dogs, and another horses, he, as he had a right to do, kept a lawyer;
and no one had a right to dispute his taste. We cannot pretend, in these
few pages, to lay down even the principles of law, not to speak of its
contrary exposition in different courts; but there are a few acts of
legal import which all men--and women too--must perform; and to these
acts we may be useful in giving a right direction. There is a house to
be leased or purchased, servants to be engaged, a will to be made, or
property settled, in all families; and much of the welfare of its
members depends on these things being done in proper legal form.

2695. PURCHASING A HOU