Chapter I: Front Matter

THE PRACTICAL HOUSEWIFE.

HIGHLY INTERESTING WORK FOR HOUSEWIVES.

_Numerous Illustrations, crown 8vo, cloth, 2s. 6d._

THE HOUSEWIFE’S REASON WHY

DOMESTIC SCIENCE.

The Author of “The Reason Why Series” has made very wide researches, in order to bring within the pages of this Volume, in the most simple but expressive language, all those illustrations of scientific principles which bear upon the Housewife’s duties; so that she may not only know that she should do a thing, but WHY she should do it; and knowing WHY, perform it all the more willingly.

EXAMPLE.

Why is the mixture of alum with bread injurious?
Why are baked apples useful to dyspeptic persons?
Why should bedsteads not be placed against walls?
Why do chimneys smoke?
Why does salt improve digestion?
Why does biliousness frequently attack people at forty years of age?
Why are complexions influenced by the colours of dress?
Why should not infants be placed on their backs in their cradles or beds?
Why is roasted meat more digestible than boiled?

This Volume answers 1500 similar Questions.

THE
PRACTICAL HOUSEWIFE

A COMPLETE
ENCYCLOPÆDIA OF DOMESTIC ECONOMY
AND
FAMILY MEDICAL GUIDE

BY
THE ORIGINAL EDITOR OF THE “FAMILY FRIEND,”
THE “HOUSEWIFE’S REASON WHY,” ETC.

NEW EDITION, REVISED AND GREATLY ENLARGED.

LONDON: HOULSTON & WRIGHT.
PHILADELPHIA: J. B. LIPPINCOTT & CO.
_Author’s Edition._

THE REASON WHY SERIES

COMPRISES THE FOLLOWING WORKS, EACH COMPLETE IN ITSELF, AND SOLD SEPARATELY.

DICTIONARY OF DAILY WANTS. One very thick volume, strongly
bound. $3.75.
DICTIONARY OF USEFUL KNOWLEDGE. Two thick volumes, strongly
bound. $5.00.
DICTIONARY OF MEDICAL AND SURGICAL KNOWLEDGE. One thick volume,
strongly bound. $2.50.
REASON WHY. DENOMINATIONAL. $1.75.
REASON WHY. GENERAL SCIENCE. $1.25.
REASON WHY. PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. $1.75.
PRACTICAL HOUSEWIFE AND FAMILY MEDICAL GUIDE. $1.25.
FAMILY SAVE-ALL; OR, SECONDARY COOKERY. $1.25.
REASON WHY. GARDENER’S AND FARMER’S. $1.25.
HISTORICAL REASON WHY. ENGLISH HISTORY. $1.25.
REASON WHY. NATURAL HISTORY. $1.25.
BIBLICAL REASON WHY. SACRED HISTORY. $1.25.
HOUSEWIFE’S REASON WHY. DOMESTIC SCIENCE. $1.25.
ENQUIRE WITHIN UPON EVERYTHING. $1.25.
NOTICES TO CORRESPONDENTS. $1.25.
CORNER CUPBOARD. A FAMILY REPOSITORY. $1.25.
JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY ALL ROUND OUR HOUSE; OR, THE INTERVIEW.
$1.25.

THIS BOOK, THE RESULT OF HUNDREDS OF VALUED CONTRIBUTIONS, ACCUMULATED AND APPROVED DURING THE LAST TEN YEARS, IS DEDICATED TO EVERY HOUSEWIFE, BY THE ORIGINAL EDITOR OF THE “FAMILY FRIEND,” IN THE BELIEF THAT IT WILL LESSEN THE CARES OF DOMESTIC MANAGEMENT, AID THE PRACTICE OF HOUSEHOLD ECONOMY, AND PROVE A HELP IN MANY EMERGENCIES, WHICH MAY AFFECT THE COMFORT OF HOME.

LONDON, _October, 1860_.