"Violet Talcum Powder 1/2 ounce
Pulverized Boric Acid 1/2 ounce
Powdered Starch 1/2 ounce
Tincture of Carmine 15 drops
If the nails become hard or brittle, immerse them in warm olive oil every
night or rub vaselin into them."
IMPLEMENTS.--The tools required are a pair of manicure scissors, which
have small curved blades; get a good pair of steel scissors, the silver
are not so good; a package of emery boards, an orange-wood stick, a
flexible nail file, a small bottle of peroxide of hydrogen for bleaching,
a bit of pumice stone, a cake of polishing powder, a chamois covered
"buffer" and a box of rosaline or other paste.
THE PROCESS.--The nails are to be shortened by filing, as cutting thickens
them. The orange-wood stick is then dipped in peroxide and run under the
nail to bleach, then the pumice stone, powdered, is used in the same way
to cleanse. During this the left hand is soaking in tepid, soapy water. Of
course, if you do your own manicuring you will go on with the right hand,
waiting while the cuticle at the base of the nail softens. This is then
anointed with a little cold cream or vaselin; the cuticle is loosened and
trimmed if necessary,--do not trim if you can avoid it, as cutting
thickens it. When both hands have been thus treated, they are again soaked
a few minutes, then a little of the rosaline paste--a very little--is put
on each nail, the buffer dipped in the polishing powder and the nails
polished. The hands are then washed, rubbed dry, and the fingers gone over
a second time in search of roughness of nail or cuticle; they are then
polished again with a clean buffer, and may be sprayed with perfume from
an atomizer.
MOUTH AND TEETH.--Many young people owe their homely mouths to infantile
habits. Sucking the thumb, and these horrible "pacificators" or "baby
comforters" are responsible for some ill-shaped mouths. A large mouth, if
not malformed, is not ugly unless filled with bad teeth or set in a
disagreeable expression. Thus, in a way, we mould this feature ourselves,
to a considerable degree.
[798 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
CLEANSING THE TEETH.--A good brushing twice a day, using cold water and
some pleasant antiseptic wash, like listerine, does much to keep the mouth
and teeth clean. Particles of food lodged between the teeth should be
removed with a bit of dental floss.
VISITS TO THE DENTIST.--Pain and expense are saved by consulting the
dentist in good season. The smallest cavity should be filled as soon as
discovered. At least once a year the teeth should be carefully examined by
one's dentist; it would be better to go every six months. Let the dentist
clean them and remove the tartar, if any, as commercial preparations often
injure. Most dentists will save a tooth wherever possible. There is little
excuse for bad teeth these days, since modern dentistry can work marvels.
CHILDREN'S TEETH.--On no account let a child's second teeth come in
crowded, irregular or projecting. A good dentist can remedy all these
malformations and though it may be troublesome at the time, the child,
when grown, will blame you for not having relieved him of them. From
babyhood, the child should be taught that cleansing the teeth is as
important a part of the toilet as washing the hands.
THE EYES.--No gift is more precious than sight. Therefore take care of
your eyes. Don't overstrain them, don't put anything in them, don't follow
any casual prescription, nor use belladonna to brighten them. Consult an
oculist, not an optician, if there is anything the matter with them. Bathe
them in hot water when they feel tired and drawn. Eyesight is too precious
to be tampered with. If a child is cross-eyed, a simple operation will
straighten them, and it is a crime not to have it done.
EYELASHES AND EYEBROWS.--The best application for these is the simplest.
Just a little yellow vaselin, which encourages growth. Don't clip, either.
Frequent brushing will generally train the brows into a shapely line. A
heavy, coarse hair may be pulled out with the fingers.
THE FEET.--The three most frequent evils to which the feet are heir are
corns, bunions or enlarged joints, and chilblains. Ingrowing nails are
much less common, but make up in painfulness.
CORNS.--Corns are of three kinds: callous spots, soft corns, and corns.
Callous spots may be rubbed or pared down and rubbed with cocoa butter.
Soft corns come between the toes and are very painful. Soak absorbent
cotton in a little turpentine and put between the toes; or sprinkle the
cotton with powdered alum. These corns are supposed to be due to moisture
between the toes and are sometimes cured and often prevented by keeping
absorbent cotton between the toes. Prevention saves a lot of suffering.
"Just corns" are calloused spots with hard center; pressure on this causes
pain. Soaking in hot water, and shaving off as much of the hardened skin
as can be removed with safety, affords relief. The little hard core should
be taken out.
Precautions.--Be sure that your knife, razor, or whatever implement is
used is perfectly clean (sterilized) and avoid drawing blood. If this
happens, use some antiseptic. Cases of blood-poisoning that have resulted
fatally have been caused by such wounds. If you wear colored hose, have
them washed before wearing, as the dye may be injurious.
[BEAUTY AND THE TOILET 799]
BUNIONS.--These painful enlargements are due to a too short shoe, or one
that does not fit well. Better discard such footwear; it will be cheaper
in the end. Paint the sore joint with a mixture of equal parts of
glycerin, tincture of iodine and carbolic acid; using a camel's hair
brush. Stockings that are too short may produce the same affliction.
CHILBLAINS.--People who have, or do not want chilblains should avoid
woolen stockings. Neither should they "toast their toes" at the fire, wear
bed-socks, or take a hot water-bottle to bed with them. Warm the feet by
exercise, or vigorous rubbing. If very painful, try ice-cold applications,
tincture of iodine, camphor, and tincture of chloride of iron are healing.
INGROWING NAILS.--A bad case should be taken to the chiropodist. Shaving
the nail thin on the top, or cutting a V-shaped piece out of it, tend to
relieve. Raise up the nail and put a bit of absorbent cotton under it. The
best way is to avoid foot troubles by wearing well fitting shoes which are
sufficiently large.
[800 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]