FoodNetArchive

The century cook book

1894

Page 137 · 1 recipe record on this page

Presented as published in 1894. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
honey, rub it on when the skin is dry; moisten a little, rub harder, use a little more water; finally wash thoroughly and your hands will be as clean as though the strongest soap were used, and no cracks or roughness will annoy you. To Soften the Hands. To soften the hands, fill a wash-basin half full of fine white sand and soapsuds as hot as can be borne. Wash the hands in this, five minutes at a time, washing and rubbing them in the sand. The best is the flint sand, or the white, powdered quartz sold for filters. It may be used repeatedly by pouring the water away after each washing, and adding fresh to keep it from blowing about. Rinse in warm lather of fine soap, and, after dry- ing, rub them with dry bran or cornmeal. Dust them, and finish with rubbing cold cream we,ll into the 'skin. This effectually removes the roughness caused by housework, and should be used every day, first removing ink or vegetable stains with acid. To Soften the Hands, No. 2. Keep a dish of Indian meal on the toilet stand near the soap, and rub the meal freely on the hands after soaping them for washing. It will surprise you, if you have not tried it, to find how it will cleanse and soften the skin, and prevent chapping. To Soften the Hands, No. 3. Before retiring take a large_pair of gloves and spread mutton tallow inside, also all over the hands. Wear the gloves all night, and wash the hands with olive oil and white castile soap the next morning. After cleansing the hands with soap, rub them well with oatmeal while still wet. Honey is also very good, used in the same way as lemon juice, well rubbed in at night. To Whiten the Hands, (i) Keep some oatmeal on the washstand, and, as often as the hands are washed, rub a little oatmeal over them; then rinse it off, and when dry, put on a little bit of pomade, made as follows: Take about 16 242 The Care of the Person five cents' worth each of white wax, spermaceti and pow- dered camphor and olive oil enough to make it the thickness of soap; put it in a gallipot, and let it stand in an oven to melt; mix it up, and when cold, it will be found very good for the hands. Gloves, worn either in the day or night, will help to keep the hands white. (2) Half an ounce of white wax, half an ounce of sper- maceti, quarter of an ounce of powdered camphor. Mix them with as much olive oil as will form them into a very stiff paste, and use as often as you wash your hands. (3) Mixtures of two parts of glycerine, one part ammo- nia, and a little rosewater, whiten and soften "the hands. Almond Paste To Keep the Hands White and Soft. Beat four ounces of bitter almonds. Add to them three ounces of lemon juice, three ounces of almond oil, and enough of weak spirits of wine and ether to make a paste. Apply when retiring. The Nails. Great attention should be paid to keeping the nails in good order. They should be brushed at least twice a day, and the skin round the lower part should be kept down by rubbing with a soft towel. The sides of the nails need clipping about once a week. If they become stained, wash them well with soap; and after rinsing off the soap well, brush them with lemon juice. Cold Cream