Another means of inhalation is to hold a funnel, made of a piece of folded paper in the nose of a kettle of very hot water, near the patient so that the steam can be inhaled. Be very careful not to scald the patient. After a steam inhalation one should not go out in the cold air nor have the windows opened for an hour or more. Common Medicines and Other Remedies It is a very safe rule _never_ to take medicines oneself without a doctor's orders. Above all, never advise others, even when you know from experience that certain medicines have helped yourself and others. Medicines should be taken upon prescription from the physician, should be measured accurately, and given at the exact hour ordered. Read carefully the label or box from which you take the medicine before and after opening or uncorking, and read the name again when putting back in its place. Many people have been poisoned by not reading the label. Have all glasses and spoons, etc., thoroughly cleansed before and after using. Accuracy, attention, cleanliness, regularity should be watchwords. In giving either food or medicine, the following measures are helpful: 1 teaspoonful measures 50 grains. 2 teaspoonfuls make 1 dessertspoonful. 2 dessertspoonfuls make 1 tablespoonful. 2 tablespoonfuls make 1 ounce. 8 ounces make 1 cupful or glassful. 16 ounces make one pint, or pound. (This applies to either liquid or dry measure.) In giving pills, capsules, tablets give a drink of water first to moisten the tongue and throat. This helps them to slip down more easily. If there is danger of a pill or tablet choking the patient, crush the pill or tablet between two spoons. When medicines are taken by spoon, the spoon should be licked by the patient in order to get the full amount. Nearly all medicines should be mixed with water, and should be followed with a drink of water unless orders are given to the contrary. Keep all medicines tightly corked. Buy medicines only in small quantities, as most of them lose their strength in time. In buying vaseline or cold cream it is better to have it in a tube than in jars. Being opened and dipped into constantly soon makes the contents of a jar unclean. Common Remedies Such remedies as the following are to be found in many homes. Castor oil, clove oil, vaseline, baking soda (this is the same thing as bicarbonate of soda or saleratus), salt, lime water, alcohol, camphorated oil, spirits of camphor, flaxseed, aromatic spirits of ammonia. Do not confuse this latter remedy with ammonia water used for cleansing things. Castor oil should be taken in these doses: Baby: 1 to 2 teaspoonfuls. Older children: 1 tablespoonful. Adult: 1 to 2 tablespoonfuls.