The refrigerator should not be connected with the kitchen drain pipe, and the greatest care should be taken to keep it clean and sweet.  It should be thoroughly scrubbed with borax or sal-soda and water, and well aired, at least once a week.  Strongly flavored foods and milk should not be kept in the same refrigerator.  The ice to be used should always be carefully washed before putting in the refrigerator.  Care should also be taken to replenish it before the previous supply is entirely melted, as the temperature rises when the ice becomes low, and double the quantity will be required to cool the refrigerator that would be necessary to keep it of uniform temperature if added before the ice was entirely out.

THE WATER SUPPLY.—­The water used for drinking and cooking purposes should receive equal consideration with the food supply, and from whatever source obtained, it should be frequently tested for impurities, since that which looks the most refreshing may be contaminated with organic poison of the most treacherous character.

[Illustration:  Compartment Sink for Dish-Washing.  Closed.]

A good and simple test solution, which any housewife can use, may be prepared by dissolving twelve grains of caustic potash and three of permanganate of potash in an ounce of distilled water, or filtered soft water.  Add a drop of this solution to a glass of the water to be tested.  If the pink color imparted by the solution disappears at once, add another drop of the solution, and continue adding drop by drop until the pink color will remain for half an hour or more.  The amount of the solution necessary to security permanent color is very fair index to the quality of the water.  If the color imparted by the first one or two drops disappears within a half hour, the water should be rejected as probably dangerous.  Water which is suspected of being impure may be rendered safe by boiling.  Filters are only of service in removing suspended particles and the unpleasant taste of rain water; a really dangerous water is not rendered safe by filtering in the ordinary manner.

CELLARS.—­Sanitarians tell us that cellars should never be built under dwelling houses.  Because of improper construction and neglect, they are undoubtedly the cause of much disease and many deaths.  A basement beneath the house is advantageous, but the greatest of care should be given to construct it in accord with sanitary laws.  It should be thoroughly drained that there may be no source of dampness, but should not be connected with a sewer or a cesspool.  It should have walls so made as to be impervious to air and water.  An ordinary brick or stone wall is inefficient unless well covered with good Portland cement polished smooth.  The floors should likewise be covered with cement, otherwise the cellar is likely to be filled with impure air derived from the soil, commonly spoken of as “ground air,” and which offers a constant menace to the health of those who live over cellars with uncemented walls and floors.