W. K. L. asks us how she may reduce her weight? But as she does not tell us how much she weighs, we cannot give her the information that she requires. The majority of correspondents who ask this question state their ages and weights, and usually we find that the latter is rather below than above the average for their ages.
Endymion.—There is not the slightest objection to your marrying because you have had pneumonia. It is true that that disease is somewhat apt to attack a person more than once; but it is in no way hereditary, though it is undoubtedly infectious. We advise people not to marry only when they have a disease which is sure to kill them shortly; or a disease in which married life is dangerous, or where the disease is strongly hereditary and the children would probably suffer from it.
Anxious One.—Your question is an exceedingly delicate one, and one on which you would do well not to take our opinion alone, but to supplement it with that of other medical men. Epilepsy is a very serious disease, it is rarely possible to cure it, and, moreover, it is strongly hereditary. The question, “should an epileptic marry?” must, in the majority of cases, be answered in the negative. Most certainly an epileptic should not marry if he still has fits. It is only in those cases where the patients have not had fits for some years that the question of their marrying can be considered. In the case you mention to us, we advise you to make perfectly certain that the disease is epilepsy. There are some diseases which produce symptoms not unlike those of some forms of epilepsy, and the diagnosis between them is often impossible without watching the case for some weeks or months. Our advice is first to make certain what is the matter with the man, and if this proves to be epilepsy, it is better for both to break off your engagement. But do not do so without obtaining the opinion of another physician.
Boreas.—This year give your chief thoughts to the prevention of chilblains, and save yourself from the trouble and pain of last year’s experiences. Persons subject to chilblains should wear warm woollen stockings. Let the boots be amply large. If you cramp your feet in small boots it is almost impossible to keep them warm. Let the boots have thick soles and be thoroughly watertight. In snowy weather it is a good plan to give your boots a thick coating of dubbing. This spoils their appearance; but it saves the boots, and what is more important, it keeps them dry. Take a warm foot-bath every evening. If these measures fail, and you get chilblains after all, wash them over with spirit and water, or with spirit one part, tincture of benzoin one part, glycerine one part and water ten parts. This will often prevent the chilblains from bursting. If, however, they do burst, wash them in carbolic acid (1 in 60), and then thickly sprinkle powdered boracic acid over them and swathe them in cotton wool. If you have bad broken chilblains, it is a very good plan to remain in bed in a warm room for a day or two, or if you cannot do this, remain with the legs elevated upon a stool. Elevation of the legs prevents the blood from stagnating, thus quickening the circulation and removing the prime cause of chilblains. But, of course, it is not all of us who can afford to give a day or two to this treatment.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Shuttlecock.—Your writing is unformed; but promises well, as your letters are neatly made, and your note is without blots and erasures.
Anxious.—In writing your letter to the Countess of So-and-So, you should begin “Madam ——,” and in your letter should refer to her as “your ladyship.” You would address to her as “The Right Honourable the Countess of So-and-So.” This is the proper form for business letters such as yours. In society you should not say, “your ladyship”; but, once in a way, “my lady,” or speak of her thus to a fellow guest, or one of the family, if an equal.
Helene.—The usual allowance for a girl’s pocket money, out of which she has to supply gloves, stamps and writing-paper, is about eight or ten shillings a month. But the parents’ purse must settle that question.
A. B. C.—If accustomed to cooking, dressmaking and housekeeping, why not look for a situation where, in one of these things, you can earn your living. If you have a minister or clergyman whom you know, you might get him to speak to your family; but going to law would be of no service at all to you, and we doubt whether you could recover any wages. A housekeeper’s place would suit you, we think. Be of good cheer, “the darkest cloud has a silver lining,” and we cannot think that everybody means to treat you badly. By your own account, your mother worked for you, when you could not work for yourself.
Sybil.—We do not know whether there be any value for the silver foil; but we heard of a lady who had made use of it by having it melted into a jug. Many people collect it, and when a large enough ball is obtained, use it for holding a door open.