The century cook book

Cold Cream. This is a simple and cooling ointment, exceedingly serviceable for rough or chapped hands, or for keeping the skin soft. It is very easily made: Half an ounce of white wax, put into a small basin, with two ounces of almond oil ; when quite melted add two ounces rosewater. This must be done very slowly, little by little; and as you pour it in, beat the mixture smartly with a fork to make the water incorporate. When all is incorporated the cold cream is complete, and you may pour it into jars for future use. The Care of the Person 243 The Teeth need brushing at least before going to bed every night, and are better for being cleansed after each meal. Tartar can be removed by using pumice stone reduced to powder, rubbing it on the teeth with a bit of soft wood made into a brush. Where the gums are sensitive, there is nothing better than the chalk and myrrh dentifrice. Where the top of a tooth is very sensitive, wet a bit of chalk and lay it on under the lip. Where the breath is offensive, the mouth should be rinsed with water in which an atom of permanganate of potash has been dissolved; just enough should be used to make the water pink. Take care not to swallow any, as it is a poison. Crooked teeth in children can often be straightened, without applying to a dentist, if the parents watch the teeth when coming through, and several times a day press the crooked one into position. Of course, where the arch of the mouth is defective, the upper teeth protruding over the under lip, or the under jaw projects, the services of a skillful dentist will be required. It is only after the permanent teeth arrive that such operations are performed. Tooth Powder, (i) Dissolve two ounces of borax in three pints of boiling water, and before it is cold, add one teaspoonful of the spirits of camphor, and bottle for use. A tablespoonful of this mixture, mixed with an equal quantity of tepid water, and applied daily with a soft brush, preserves and beautifies the teeth, extirpates all tartarous adhesion, arrests decay, induces healthy action of the gums, makes the teeth pearly white. (2) Ten cents' worth ground chalk, five cents' worth orris root,' five cents' worth myrrh, one teaspoonful powdered castile soap. Mix all well together. (3) Prepared chalk, one pound; camphor, one or two drachms. The camphor must be finely powdered by moistening it with a little spirit of wine, and then intimately mixed with the chalk. 244 '^^^^ Care of the Person (4) Ingredients: Powdered charcoal, four ounces; powdered yellow bark, two ounces; powdered myrrh, one ounce; orris root, half an ounce. (5) A mixture of honey with the purest charcoal will prove an admirable cleanser. (6) A good way to clean teeth is to dip the brush in water, rub it over genuine white castile soap, then dip it in prepared chalk. A lady says : "I have been complimented upon the whiteness of my teeth, which were originally anything but white. I have used the soap constantly for two or three years, and the chalk for the last year. There is no danger of scratching the teeth, as the chalk is prepared, but with a good stiff brush and the soap is as effectual as soap and sand on a floor." Violet Mouth Wash. Tincture of orris, half pint; esprit de rose, half pint; spirit, half pint; otto of almonds, five drops. Shake thoroughly and rinse the mouth after eating.