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Until recently, to have individually designed china in your home usually meant paying a lot of money for hand-painted pieces from well-known craftspeople. With the introduction of specialist china paints however, everything has changed: you can now paint on whatever you like and be sure that your designs will last. A quick and easy decorative technique, with the added advantage of the large amount of inexpensive white china available. This is a wonderful way of adding a splash of colour to everyday items.
There are three different types of paint that you can use for decorating china. Not all of these are non-toxic so if you are making pieces to give away, remember to mark them accordingly.
Enamel paints are not made exclusively for china and ceramics. They are available in a range of colours and dry to an extremely hard finish. These paints contain lead and should only be used for decorative purposes.
Solvent-based ceramic paints come in a huge range of colours and lend themselves well to varied painting styles such as wash effects. White spirit (paint thinner) can be used to dilute the paint and to clean brushes after use. Protect the finish with varnish.
Water-based ceramic paints are specially made for painting glazed ceramics. They produce a strong, opaque, flat colour and can be diluted with water. Do not attempt to bake them until they are completely dry o the colour may bubble. Baking the painted item will make the colour durable enough to wash in a dishwasher. It is a good idea to do a test first as over-firing can run the colour slightly brown.

BASIC EQUIPMENT

Low-tack adhesive tape: use to hold templates or stencils in place on the china if masking tape is not available.

• Masking fluid: watercolour art masking fluid is used to mask off areas of the design while colour is applied to the surrounding area.
• Masking tape: useful for holding stencils in place or to mask off areas when painting straight lines. Can be removed easily without damaging the painted surface.
• Paintbrushes: choose sable watercolour paintbrushes in a range of sizes, including a fine brush for painting lines and details, and a broad soft brush for covering larger areas. Good synthetic brushes are adequate and affordable.
• Pencils and pens: a hard lead pencil such as a 2H is good for transferring designs with carbon paper. For marking the ceramic surface directly, a softer 2B lead pencil or a fine felt-tipped pen would be more suitable.
• Ruler: a good-quality metal or plastic ruler makes measuring and cutting easier and more accurate.
• Scalpel or craft knife: scalpels with disposable blades are the most accurate cutting tools, especially for cutting stencils. Craft knives are a good alternative.
• Sponges: use to produce interesting effects. Natural or synthetic sponges can be used.

DECORATIVE TECHNIQUES

• Sponging: Load a sponge with paint and test the print on a scrap piece of paper first. The first print or two will be too saturated with paint to achieve a pleasing effect, so it is best to make a few.
• Sponging variations: A stencilled design can be made more interesting by varying the density of the sponging within the image or by adding more than one colour. Allowing the first coat of paint to dry partially before applying the second will mean that there is more contrast and less blending of the two colours.
• White lines: If you want to leave thin lines of china showing through areas of colour, paint them first with masking fluid. This can be gently peeled off when the paint is dry to reveal the white china beneath. Use a sharp-pointed instrument such as a craft knife or compass point to lift off the dried masking fluid.
• Printing blocks: When using printing blocks, roll the block lightly on to the surface to ensure you get a good even print. Test the print on scrap paper before printing on the china.
• Using masking fluid: Add a drop of water-based paint to masking fluid before use when working on china that is completely white. This will help you to see where the masking fluid has been applied, enabling you to wipe it off easily when you are ready to do so.
• Watery effects: You can achieve subtle watery effects in oil-based colours by diluting paints with white spirit (paint thinner). Water-based paints are diluted by adding water.

HINTS AND TIPS

Before painting any white china, always clean it thoroughly to remove any invisible traces of dirt of grease. The most effective cleaning agents are cleaning fluid, methylated spirit (denatured alcohol), white spirit (paint thinner) or lighter fuel. Make sure there are no naked flames around when using these materials.
To ensure that there is no possibility of any paint being swallowed when drinking from a mug or glass, adapt designs so that any colour you paint is at least 3 cm/11/4 in below the rim of drinking vessels. Otherwise the piece should be fired in a kiln.
Always test out a technique that you have not tried before. Apply the new technique to a spare piece of china, which can be cleaned up easily, rather than a piece you are already in the process of decorating.
Use tracing paper and a soft pencil to transfer designs directly on to the surface of china. First, trace the template or the design you wish to use, then fix the tracing paper to the china with masking tape. Gently nib over the traced design with a soft pencil to transfer.
Pencil or pen guide marks on the china can be easily wiped off once the paint is completely dry or has been baked. Use a damp cloth and take care not to rub the paint too hard.

What is Pyogenic Arthritis?

Pyogenic is a pus infection, and is completely different from rheumatoid arthritis. It is usually caused by some infective organism, or may be an extension of an infection in some other place. For example, there may be an infection near a joint, or the joint is involved simply by a mechanical progression of this. On the other hand, germs may be carried to the joint via the bloodstream, also supplying a distant part in which infection is involved.

Fluid seeps into the joint space and swelling, pain, fevers, maybe shivering attacks occur. There may be nausea, vomiting, feeling off-colour, and the patient may vomit. General signs of infection are present. The fluid in the joint often contains pus as the material becomes secondarily infected. Often the long bones of the arms and legs may be involved. Once more this is not a very common condition today.

Pyogenic Arthritis Treatment

As with rheumatoid arthritis, any swelling or pain in joints needs prompt medical attention. The sooner this is carried out, the better. Sometimes the joint will be aspirated. This means a needle is inserted and the material sucked out. This may be tested to show the nature of the organism causing the trouble. It will also give an answer as to which antibiotic is the most appropriate one to use. Ideally this should be carried out in a large hospital

A harsh noise produced by vibration of the soft palate and uvula of a sleeping child who is breathing pre-dominantly through the mouth. Not all noisy breathing is snoring. Nasal congestion and wheezing, for example, also generate sounds during sleep, but these are often heard during waking hours as well.

Snoring occurs for a number of reasons, most of which are not causes for concern. One of the most common causes is relaxation of the muscles and tissues in the back of the mouth, which allows them to vibrate while the child is inhaling or exhaling. Since the position of the head affects the vibration of these structures, simply moving the child can reduce or eliminate the snoring. This type of snoring can occur whether a child is breathing through the mouth or the nose.

Children with nasal congestion, whether caused by upper-respiratory infection or allergy, will breathe through the mouth at night and thus be more likely snore. Over-the-counter decongestants and antihistamines are often not effective in children, but if one an these preparations helps a child breathe more easily through the nose, a bedtime dose could help alleviate the snoring. Unfortunately, decongestants (such as phenylerine or pseudoephedrine) sometimes have a stimuli effect and actually interfere with sleep. While antihistamines (such as diphenhydramine or chlorphern-ramine) usually make children drowsy, occasionally these drugs cause an increase in activity. You may wants give a test dose during the day to see how your child responds.

If a child’s tonsils are unusually large, they may actually touch each other in the back of the mouth. This can cause not only loud snoring during sleep but also short periods of apnea, or cessation of breathing, lasting for several seconds. If the child has a pattern of continuous loud snoring and episodes of apnea, have him checked by your primary, care physician or an ENT (ear, nose, and throat) specialist. Tonsils and/or adenoids large enough to cause snoring and obstruct breathing at night can lead to serious problems involving the heart and lungs. Tonsillectomy and/or adenoidectomy may be necessary to correct this condition,

This is a genetic abnormality in which the girl lacks a sex chromosome. It is a rare condition, and amenorrhoea and lack of normal development of the secondary sex characteristics are the typical features. Examination of the pelvis by Iaparoscopy may show the ovaries to be represented by white fibrous streaks. The organs are virtually missing. There may be evidence of other genetic and congenital abnormalities.

Turner’s Syndrome Symptoms

Often the patient’s condition is not recognised until the age of puberty, when she fails to mature sexually. Sometimes there is webbing of the neck, and dwarfism may be in evidence. After the age when sexual maturity would have been expected, the patient is seen as a short person, seldom growing to more than 150 cm, but often less. The breasts are totally undeveloped. The genitals show poor development; pubic and underarm hair is sparse. Webbing of the neck is usually marked. Mental capacity may be poor.

Turner’s Syndrome Treatment

Any developmental abnormality that can be corrected should be attended to. The neck webbing may be corrected by reconstructive surgery in some. Adequate secondary sexual characteristics may be encouraged by the use of female hormones. Unfortunately, quite a few develop facial hairs in time. Lack of height is a major embarrassment to these girls, for they seldom reach a height of more than 140-145 cm.
With modern technology, growth hormone produced artificially by recombinant DNA technology, and injected regularly, may produce dramatic improvements in height. Some girls with this syndrome have recorded growth rates of between three and seven centimetres a year. This is given to undersized girls when the so-called “growth spurt” would be expected, usually before the age of 16 years.

Two types of machines are available, and they are set with alarms that sound loudly if faults develop. Ideally, efforts are made so as to make the lifestyle as near to normal as possible. Some dialysers may be used at night when the patient is asleep; three 10-hour spells weekly being adequate. Other types are more powerful, and require shorter sessions.

The artificial kidney, as it is often called, is far less efficient than the real one, and many patients exist in a mild state of chronic renal failure. For this reason eating habits may be restricted, the diet may be low in protein, sodium and potassium, and the patient may be allowed only 600 ml of fluid daily.

Initially the patient may be treated in hospital in a dialysis unit. However, many are taught to run their own units, and can manage well at home. This, of course, throws added burdens on the marital partner, for supervision is always necessary and the whole system can alter the usual lifestyle in a home.

Various medical problems are inevitable with a system interfering so markedly with the normal operation of the body.

Access must be gained to the blood circulation. This is often at the wrist or ankle. Various devices are used. A so called arteriovenous teflon silastic shunt is popular. This basically consists of a tube connecting the artery and vein at the wrist. It is made of silastic and consists of two halves connected when not in use.

When dialysis is about to be carried out, the halves are separated and hooked to the machine. In some types, normal heart action is sufficient to pump the blood through the dialyser, but in others a blood pump is necessary. Blood comes from the artery through the dialyser where the unwanted metabolites of the body are filtered off, and then returned to the vein to re-enter the body’s circulation.

Dialysis vs Transplant

There is a continual question as to which form of treatment is best. There is no doubt that having a functioning organ, if possible is far preferable to having to rely on regular treatment with a machine. However, surgery carries with it the usual risks that go with an operation – possibly of the patient’s own life. Most patients are happy to accept the risk.

The main problem at present is not the acceptance of the concept by the patient, but the availability of suitable kidneys for transplant. At any given time there are probably 2000 to 3000 persons on the waiting list, anxious to undergo surgery, and hoping that a suitable opportunity (a suitable matching kidney) will become available. With greater public awareness and education, it is to be hoped that more supplies will become available. Many Western countries have taken the initiative in public educational programs, and have altered legislation making the total enterprise simpler, and notification easier. In the next few years one would expect to see a major step forward in this rewarding and lifesaving field.

The white cell system includes another important cell called the lymphocyte. This is manufactured in the lymph glands and spleen. Not much was known about this one until recently, but now it is recognized that it plays an important role in the immune system of the body Immunity via these cells, can occur, and it is instrumental in protecting the body against many disorders that might otherwise be fatal. They also play a part in the production of antibodies, which also give added protection to the body through the capacity of immunity, probably via the production of plasma cells.

Another white cell is the monocyte, which is also a phagocytic cell, devouring and digesting unwanted germs in the blood. It plays a part in the body’s immune system also.

Lymphocyte Disfunction

The symptoms of anemia depend on the severity as well as the speed with which the condition develops. In an acute hemorrhage, symptoms will develop rapidly, and there will be a very profound disturbance of bodily function in comparison to one that develops gradually over a period of months or years.

Symptoms are due to a reduction in the oxygen-carrying capacity of the blood. These include breathlessness on exertion (dyspnoea), and this increases as the anemia worsens. There may be palpitations (awareness of the heart’s action), bouts of fainting, and swelling of the ankles. In older people there may be chest pains as the heart gets inadequate supplies of oxygen, and this becomes worse with activity. This pain is called angina pectoris.

Some may find pains in the calves on walking as insufficient oxygen reaches the lower limbs. This is termed intermittent claudication. There are other causes of this, but anemia is one. Often the skin becomes pale, especially the normally pink mucous membrane lining of the oral cavity, conjunctiva, nail beds and creases of the hands.

The heart tends to beat at a higher rate to pump more blood in an attempt to compensate for the reduced quality of the blood. So a fast beating heart may occur (called tachycardia). In turn this may produce ankle swelling (edema) and, in some people, heart failure. The heart muscle may be unable to cope with all these extra demands, itself’ deprived of adequate oxygen, and so it suffers mechanically as a pumping device.

Once anemia is suspected, it is essential to have tests carried out to find out the degree and also the cause. The simplest is a hemoglobin estimation, but a great number of tests are now available that will give the doctor valuable information to help, not only in making the correct diagnosis, but indicating the relevant treatment.

A viral illness most commonly seen in children younger than two years of age. It is characterized by an average of three to five days of high fever-ranging from103°F to 105°F and occasionally as high as 106°F-ac-companied by very few specific symptoms. A mild runny nose, an occasional cough, a little drowsiness, and at times irritability may be noted, but overall the child with roseola does not appear as ill as the temperature might lead you to expect. (In fact, a child may seem to be in surprisingly good spirits.) After the temperature abruptly returns to normal, a rash appears. Fine red spots or bumps first appear on the upper body and then spread to the upper arms and neck, with little involvement of the face and legs. The rash fades quickly. If your child experiences a high fever for more than24 hours, check with his physician, who may want to evaluate him. Typically there will be no findings from examination or laboratory tests (such as a blood count or urinalysis) to suggest a specific treatable cause of the fever. Supportive measures such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) to reduce fever, extra fluids, and light clothing are the only necessary treatment. Since roseola is caused by a virus, antibiotics will not affect its course. The illness is contagious until the fever has disappeared. Roseola is not considered dangerous, although the high fevers it often generates can be worrisome to parents. Remember that, with very rare exception, the main purpose of cooling measures is to keep the child comfortable. If he is responsive and appears relatively con-tent, the fever can belch to run its course.

In some children with roseola, a rapid upswing of temperature may provoke a febrile seizure. This will re-quire consultation with the child’s physician to rule out a more serious illness. Aggressive cooling measures for a child who already has a high fever will do little to prevent febrile seizures.

Through the centuries, wreaths have been regarded as symbols of protection, love, friendship and welcome. Most are composed of a central core, although you can twist and weave stipple stems of foliage such as clematis or hops into wreaths that are decorative in their own right, or construct a simple wreath base from supple grass or other stems and then decorate it with flowers.
With the revival of interest in decorative rings, it is now possible to buy a wide variety of wreath bases from florists and department stores. Dried-stem rings, vine wreath forms and twisted willow rings can all be adorned with posies of fresh flowers and foliage, or with dried plant material for long-term display. Pre-formed rings of absorbent stem-holding foam encased in a plastic base provide fresh flowers with a moisture source and can be used throughout the year for wall hangings or table decorations. They are, however, unattractive to look at, so you must plan your decoration to include an all-concealing cover – a handful of ivy leaves or other foliage would be ideal.

HOW TO MAKE A FRESH FLOWER WREATH

1. Gather up your materials: a pre-formed foam ring of 25 cm/10 in diameter, a selection of flowers such as sweet peas, roses, spray carnations, Peruvian lilies, and gypsophila, evergreen foliage such as ivy, and florist’s scissors. Arrange a ring of ivy leaves around the inside and outside of the ring form to frame the flowers. Cut each sweet-pea flower on a short stem and arrange at intervals around the ring.
2. Complete the ring of sweet peas and arrange more ivy leaves between the flowers, to give the design a natural and ‘countrified’ look.
3. Cut individual roses, Peruvian lilies and spray carnations and arrange them between the sweet peas. Insert short sprays of gypsophila around the ring.
4. Use the floral circlet to decorate a tabletop, a low shelf or a buffet table, where it would make an unusual centrepiece.

HOW TO MAKE A POTPOURRI WREATH

1. Gather up the materials you will need: a dried-stem ring of 20 cm/8 in diameter, about 115 g/402 potpourri, a hot-glue gun, dried flowers such as rosebuds and sea lavender, a roll of florist’s silver wire, half a stub wire (floral pin), satin ribbon and a pair of scissors.
2. Spurt the glue on to the ring a little at a time, and press the potpourri on to it. Take care not to burn your fingers when using hot glue. Allow to cool for a few seconds before pressing on the petals.
3. Work all around the ring, gluing and pressing on the petals until you have covered the form on top, both inside and outside. If there are any gaps, spurt on a little more glue and add more petals. Glue some of the most colourful petals on top to give the ring a bright appearance.
4. Arrange the dried flowers to make a small posy. Cut short the stems and bind them with silver wire. Bend the stub wire in half to make a U-shape, loop it over the stems and press the ends of the wire into the ring to secure the posy.
5. Tie the ribbon around the ring form, bringing the ends over the top, where they will cover the posy stems and binding wire. Tie the ribbon into a bow and then trim off the ends neatly.

IDEAS FOR FOAM RINGS

Outline a foam ring with periwinkle leaves, fill it with some short-stemmed daffodils, tulips and pansies, and then embellish it with a cluster of lighted tapers for an Easter table decoration. Cover a small ring with lady’s mantle and cornflowers, and then stud it with strawberries pierced with cocktail sticks (toothpicks) for a midsummer party piece. Or, define a large ring with ivy leaves, fill in with sweet peas, Peruvian lilies and roses, and cover it with delicate gypsophila.

Fresh fruit can be presented in unusual ways to make a table look very attractive, and will be a real talking point at a party. The ideas shown here take very little time to carry out. Pineapples, for example, can be prepared in many decorative ways in addition to rings, spears and cubes. Melons make attractive containers for salads, both sweet and savory. Small melons can be used for individual servings, while large watermelons will hold salads to serve a crowd. Special tools, including melon cutters and melon ball scoops, make decorative preparation easier.

Sorbets and fruit ices are most refreshing desserts. A fruit ice is made by freezing a sweetened fruit puree,whereas a sorbet is made from fruit juice or purée mixed with a sugar syrup. In addition, there are sorbets based on wine or liqueur. The Italian granita uses the same mixture as a sorbet, but it •is stirred during freezing to give it its characteristic coarse texture.

MAKING PINEAPPLE BOATS

Trim off any browned ends from the green leaves of the crown; trim the stalk end if necessary. Using a long, sharp knife cut the pineapple in half lengthwise through the crown. Cut a thin slice from the base of each half so that it has a flat, stable surface and will not rock about. Using a small, sharp knife cut straight across the top and bottom of the central core in each half, then cut lengthwise at a slant on either side of the core. Remove the core, then using a curved, serrated grape fruit knife, cut out the flesh from each half. The boats are now ready for filling with a salad, a dessert, or with ice cream, fruit ice or sorbet.

PREPARING MELON

First cut a line around the circumference of the melon and insert a sharp knife on the line at an angle. After this make a cut 5 cm/1/2-2 inches long, according to the size of the melon, right into the centre. Insert the knife again at the top of the angled cut, and cut back to the line at a right angle, forming a V shape. Continue in this way all round the melon, then lift the 2 halves a part. Remove the seeds and scoop out the flesh.

WATERMELON BASKET

Cut a watermelon basket as directed on the right, but leave a strip for the handle. Scoop out the flesh using a melon ball scoop and nick out the pips. Mix the melon balls with balls of honeydew melon, blueberries and strawberries. Pile the fruit into the basket.

STRAWBERRY ICE

Place 500g (1 lb 2 oz) of strawberries with100g (31/2oz) caster (superfine) sugar and 1/2cup orange juice. Ensure that the sugar has dissolved completely then add I 5 m1/1 tbsp lemon juice. Taste the mixture and add more sugar, orange or lemon juice if required. The mixture should be highly flavored. Chill well, then transfer to an ice-cream machine and freeze until firm. Makes about 600 m (1 pint).

VARIATIONS

You may use raspberries or blackberries instead of strawberries, or, if you wish 700g (1 ½ lb) peeled and sliced peaches or nectarines. Add 15-30 ml (1-2 tbsp) of fruit liqueur to match the fruit used.

STILL-FREEZING FRUIT ICE

If you do not have an ice-cream machine, you can ‘still-freeze’ the fruit juice or sorbet in the freezer. Pour it into a metal tin (pan) or tray, cover and freeze until set round the edge. Turn it into a bowl and break it into small pieces. Beat with an electric mixer or in a food processor until slushy. Return to the tin and freeze again until set round the edge. Repeat the beating twice more, then freeze until firm.

MAKING A SORBET

Prepare the fruit by removing peel, stones (pits), hulls, stalks. Purée the fruit with sugar and liquid in a blender or food processor until very smooth and ensure that the sugar has dissolved completely. If you are using citrus fruit, peel off strips of zest and squeeze the juice from the fruit. Alternatively, puree fruit in a blender or food processor (cooking it first if necessary). Add additional flavorings as directed in the recipe (alcohol or herbs, for example). If using berries with seeds (raspberries, blackberries, etc.), press the puree through a fine mesh nylon sieve. Chill the puree well.

After, transfer to an ice-cream machine and freeze following the maker’s instructions. Put the strips of zest (or other flavoring such as a vanilla pod or spices) in a saucepan with sugar and water and bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Leave to cool. Stir in the fruit juice or puree, then strain the mixture into a bowl, if necessary, and chill well. Transfer the mixture to an ice-cream machine and freeze following the maker’s instruction.

This is usually transient and totally reversible, although it may be serious (as when it follows a cardiac infarct). The cause is a sudden fall in the heart’s output, and the brain is temporarily deprived of blood and oxygen, so that it cannot operate effectively. Simple fainting (technically termed vasovagal syncope) is seen commonly. The person is usually standing upright and is overcome by a feeling of faintness, becomes pale, sweats, tends to breathe more rapidly, then suddenly loses consciousness. Unless supported, the patient will fall.

Fainting is more common in hot, stuffy, poorly ventilated rooms, during bouts of ill health, or when convalescing from sickness. Psychological factors may play a large part, and fright, fear, anxiety and the sight of’ blood, bodily injury, persons suffering, receiving injections etc are common predisposing factors. Many who faint easily tend to show other indications of psychoneurosis. It is also common during the latter stages of pregnancy when the distended uterus presses on the vessels taking the blood back to the heart.

Syncopes Treatment

Usually simple measures are quite adequate. Lying down is often sufficient in itself, for the blood mechanically returns to the brain.

Simple first-aid measures:

• Lay the patient down with the head lowered, and the lower limbs raised.
• Encourage the patient to take deep breaths if conscious.
• Loosen clothing about the neck and waist (e.g. tie, belt, tight underclothes etcetera).
• Give plenty of fresh air. Open the windows and doors. Get rid of close-crowding bystanders (common in outdoor situations where the mob invariably gathers to see what is occurring).
• If the patient is sitting and cannot lie down, help to press the head between the knees. This mechanically helps the blood flow to the cerebral centers and can assist in recovery.
• Give reassurance, and speak words of a positive nature. Never instill fear, or tell doubtful anecdotes of disaster, but give a positive, helpful approach at all times. Sometimes syncope is of a different origin, and can herald a more serious situation.

In such cases, the usual premonitory symptoms of simple faint are absent. The attack will come on abruptly and without warning. Usually there is pallor, loss of consciousness may be prolonged and there may he convulsions. Cardiac infarction and various forms of heart block and valve diseases may produce this. Treatment must be preceded by full medical investigation to determine the cause, and this is in the province of the doctor and hospital.