Dandelion Cleanser, and 1920's Kitchen Hints

I recently found these hints in one of my 1920's cookery booklets.
Please note:  I have not tried them out:  They may work, they may not.
If  you do try any of them, please let me know!
I particularly like the idea of using dandelion cleanser to make the house sparkle.  Now, where's my cauldron...

Cleanser:
For white enamel, paint of any colour, brass, copper, or plate, also furniture of any description, leather or bamboo, take four or five roots, leaves, flowers and tendrils of dandelion and about 3 pints of water.  Boil until it becomes brown and about half the quantity.

When cold, wash article with a clean piece of flannel, let dry for about two hours, then polish with chamois leather or dry duster and it becomes like new.

It is also excellent for cleaning windows and looking-glasses.

To Test the Purity of Water:
When water is shaken, if bubbles break immediately, the water is pure, but if they float for a time it is charged with organic matter, and should be filtered or boiled before use.

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Prevention Better Than Cure:
To make sure that all tinned goods are non-poisonous, remove contents of tin into a basin, and leave about 3 tablespoonful of syrup or gravy (whichever it be) in the tin.  Place a sixpence into the tin, place on the stove, and let it come to the boil for about three minutes.

Remove from the stove, take out the sixpence.  Should it have turned black you will know the food is poisonous - otherwise it is all right.

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In buying eggs, choose dull ones as being freshest and brown as having the best flavour and the largest yolks.

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The rough side of a cabbage leaf will draw a wound and the smooth side will heal a wound.

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Oatmeal Drink:

When placed by the side of any alcoholic drink it shows itself infinitely superior and much cheaper.  Take of fine oatmeal 1/4lb
coarse sugar 1/4lb
ground ginger 1/2oz
essence of lemon 30 drops
boiling water, 1 gallon.

Pour the boiling water over the other ingredients, stirring well all the time, then boil the whole for about 3 minutes.

A thicker or more nourishing drink can be made by adding 1/2 or 3/4lb of oatmeal to the gallon of water.  

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Mmmn.  I'm not convinced by the drink, but I do know that the old cabbage leaf trick works.