REQUIREMENTS FOR MAINTENANCE OF HEALTH p5

Extract grease from animal fat by cutting the fat into small pieces
and cooking them in a pot.
Add enough water to the pot to keep the fat from sticking as it
cooks.
Cook the fat slowly, stirring frequently.
After the fat is rendered, pour the grease into a container to harden.
Place ashes in a container with a spout near the bottom.
Pour water over the ashes and collect the liquid that drips out of
the spout in a separate container. This liquid is the potash or lye.
Another way to get the lye is to pour the slurry (the mixture of
ashes and water) through a straining cloth.
In a cooking pot, mix two parts grease to one part potash.
Place this mixture over a fire and boil it until it thickens.
After the mixture—the soap—cools, you can use it in the semiliquid
state directly from the pot. You can also pour it into a pan, allow it to
harden, and cut it into bars for later use.
Keep Your Hands Clean
Germs on your hands can infect food and wounds. Wash your hands
after handling any material that is likely to carry germs, after visiting the
latrine, after caring for the sick, and before handling any food, food
utensils, or drinking water. Keep your fingernails closely trimmed and
clean, and keep your fingers out of your mouth.
Keep Your Hair Clean
Your hair can become a haven for bacteria or fleas, lice, and other parasites.
Keeping your hair clean, combed, and trimmed helps you avoid
this danger.
Keep Your Clothing Clean
Keep your clothing and bedding as clean as possible to reduce the
chance of skin infection as well as to decrease the danger of parasitic
infestation. Clean your outer clothing whenever it becomes soiled. Wear
clean underclothing and socks each day. If water is scarce, “air” clean
your clothing by shaking, airing, and sunning it for 2 hours. If you are
using a sleeping bag, turn it inside out after each use, fluff it, and air it.
Keep Your Teeth Clean
Thoroughly clean your mouth and teeth with a toothbrush at least once
each day. If you don’t have a toothbrush, make a chewing stick. Find a