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Classic
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page 421
comes in spots, the skin should be brushed with a soft tooth-brush dipped in
distilled vinegar, at morning and evening, and then brushed as above.
SUPERFLUOUS HAIRS --Are best left alone. Shaving only increases the strength of
the hair, and all depilatories are dangerous and sometimes disfigure the face.
The only sure plan is to spread on a piece of leather equal parts of galbanum
and pitch plaster, lay it on the hairs as smoothly as possible, let it remain
three or four minutes, then remove it with the hairs, root and branch. This is
severe, but effective.
Kerosene will also remove them. If sore after using, rub on sweet oil.
THE SKIN AND COMPLEXION.--Washing in cool, but not excessively cold, water, and
general cleanliness, keeps the skin healthy and complexion clear.
LIPS OR HANDS CHAPPED by cold weather or wind, should be rubbed with glycerine
gently when about to be exposed to the air, or rubbed with honey after washing.
Never kiss the lips of persons not in health, as disease is sometimes contracted
in this way, as well as by the use of towels, cups or tumblers used by unhealthy
persons.
TEETH.--Cracking nuts, biting thread, eating hot food, especially bread and
pastry raised with soda, very cold drinks, alternate contact with cold and hot
substances, highly seasoned food, alcoholic liquors and tobacco, metal
toothpicks, and want of cleanliness, are injurious to teeth. After eating, the
mouth should be rinsed with lukewarm water, and such pieces of food as are not
thus washed away, removed by a quill toothpick. Tooth-brushes should be elastic
and moderately hard. Those with hairs not too close together are best and most
durable. A brush that is too hard may be permanently softened by dipping in hot
water. Rub up and down as well as across the teeth. Teeth should be often
examined by a competent dentist.
THE BREATH.--Nothing makes one so disagreeable to others as a bad breath. It is
caused by bad teeth, diseased stomach, or disease of the nostrils. Neatness and
care of the health will prevent and cure it.
THE EYES.--Damp, foggy weather, the reflection of the bright sunshine, intense
cold, dusty wind, reading on cars in motion, reading by gas or lamp-light when
the light falls directly on the eyes, sitting before a glowing fire, wearing of
glasses when not needed, wearing veils, and all indulgences that weaken the
nervous system, injure the eyes. The most pleasing light for work is from a
northern exposure. A shade that protects the eyes from the light that falls on
paper, book or work is an advantage. The light should not come from different
points, but that from behind the worker is best. A very weak or very bright
light should be equally avoided. Diseases of the eye are often the result of
general weakness, and in such cases local treatment has little effect. In
fitting glasses to the eye great care should be taken to adjust the lens to the
eye with accuracy. Crown glass is preferable to flint on account of its superior
hardness, its entire want of color, and its non-decomposition of light. Scotch
pebbles are unobjectionable except as to cost.
THE EAR.--The outer ear should be well-cleansed and the passage wiped out daily
with a rag on the end of the little finger, but nothing should be inserted
further. The insertion of a pin, or any hard substance, frequently ruptures the
ear. When cleansing is necessary on account of accumulation of wax by cold, or
other cause, it should be done by syringing with warm water, having dropped in
two or three drops of glycerine the night before to soften the substance to be
removed. This often cures sudden deafness. Cotton-wool stuffed into the ear is
injurious and is seldom necessary. In conversing with deaf persons, it is
important to remember that clearness, distinctness,
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