Care of the Hands. — A naturally fine hand is made more beauti-
ful by care, and a hand not so greatly favored is much improved,
without doubt, by extra attention. A visit to the manicure results
in a treatment merely preparatory. The hands are placed for about
ten minutes in a lukewarm solution. The flesh about the nails is
thus softened, and is then skilfully raised from the nail and cut close
with a pair of circular flesh-cutters. The nails are. then covered with
a deep rose-tinted pomade, which, though washed gently off in a
minute or two, leaves its blush behind. This is succeeded by a
grayish powder, which, in turn, is rubbed off lightly and swiftly by
a buffer or wash leather pad, giving a fine polish to the nail. Lastly,
the nail tips are filed into the pointed or round shape, according to
individual fancy. The principal errors to be avoided, says the mani-
cure, in the care of the nails is the use of the knife or scissors in
either cleaning or cutting. The nails should never be cut, but always
filed, and never cleaned except with something hard and smooth,
like ivory, which cannot erase the protective lining of the nail. Of
course, the nails should not be bitten — scarcely any one addicted to
this nervous and vulgar habit needs to be told this. They should
also be guarded against bruises, which are the cause of the unsightly
white spots ; neither should the flesh about the nails be cut by one's
self, as very sore fingers may be caused by carelessness in this par-
ticular. The nails in prime condition should be curved and not flat;
long and narrow, with the delicate white crescent outline at the base,
rosy in hue and glistening like a mirror. Here then is the standard
which the regular patrons of the manicure uphold, and more or less
of the points constituting which may be achieved by each individual
herself at the expense of some care and not a little time.
If Garters are worn, it is important to know how to apply them
with the least risk of harm. At the bend of the knee the super-
ficial veins of the leg unite, and go deeply into the under part of the
thigh, beneath the ham-string tendons. Thus a ligature below the
knee obstructs all the superficial veins ; but, if the constriction is
above, the ham-string tendons keep the pressure off the veins which
THE TOILET,
313
return the blood from the legs. Unfortunately, most people, in
ignorance of the above facts, apply the garter below the knee.
To CLEAR the complexion, take a teaspoonful of charcoal well
mixed in water or honey for three nights✪ Charcoal Purification, then use a simple purga-
tive to remove it from the system. It acts like calomel, with no
bad effects, purifying the blood more effectually than anything else.
But some simple aperient must not be omitted, or the charcoal will
remain in the system, a mass of festering poison, with all the impuri-
ties it absorbs. After this course of purification tonics may be
used.
People inclined to embonpoint will be glad to know that a strong
decoction of sassafras drank frequently will reduce the flesh as rapidly
as any remedy known. Take it either iced or hot, as fancied, with a
little sugar if preferred. A strong infusion is made at the rate of
an ounce of sassafras to a quart of water✪ Sassafras Decoction. Boil it half an hour very
slowly, and let it stand till cold, heating again if desired, and keeping
it from the air.
Page 204 · 2 recipe records on this page
Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
Care of the Hands. — A naturally fine hand is made more beautiful by care, and a hand not so greatly favored is much improved, without doubt, by extra attention. A visit to the manicure results in a treatment merely preparatory. The hands are placed for about ten minutes in a lukewarm solution. The flesh about the nails is thus softened, and is then skilfully raised from the nail and cut close with a pair of circular flesh-cutters. The nails are. then covered with a deep rose-tinted pomade, which, though washed gently off in a minute or two, leaves its blush behind. This is succeeded by a grayish powder, which, in turn, is rubbed off lightly and swiftly by a buffer or wash leather pad, giving a fine polish to the nail. Lastly, the nail tips are filed into the pointed or round shape, according to individual fancy. The principal errors to be avoided, says the manicure, in the care of the nails is the use of the knife or scissors in either cleaning or cutting. The nails should never be cut, but always filed, and never cleaned except with something hard and smooth, like ivory, which cannot erase the protective lining of the nail. Of course, the nails should not be bitten — scarcely any one addicted to this nervous and vulgar habit needs to be told this. They should also be guarded against bruises, which are the cause of the unsightly white spots ; neither should the flesh about the nails be cut by one's self, as very sore fingers may be caused by carelessness in this particular. The nails in prime condition should be curved and not flat; long and narrow, with the delicate white crescent outline at the base, rosy in hue and glistening like a mirror. Here then is the standard which the regular patrons of the manicure uphold, and more or less of the points constituting which may be achieved by each individual herself at the expense of some care and not a little time.
If Garters are worn, it is important to know how to apply them with the least risk of harm. At the bend of the knee the superficial veins of the leg unite, and go deeply into the under part of the thigh, beneath the ham-string tendons. Thus a ligature below the knee obstructs all the superficial veins ; but, if the constriction is above, the ham-string tendons keep the pressure off the veins which
THE TOILET,
return the blood from the legs. Unfortunately, most people, in ignorance of the above facts, apply the garter below the knee.
To CLEAR the complexion, take a teaspoonful of charcoal well mixed in water or honey for three nights, then use a simple purgative to remove it from the system. It acts like calomel, with no bad effects, purifying the blood more effectually than anything else. But some simple aperient must not be omitted, or the charcoal will remain in the system, a mass of festering poison, with all the impurities it absorbs. After this course of purification tonics may be used.
People inclined to embonpoint will be glad to know that a strong decoction of sassafras drank frequently will reduce the flesh as rapidly as any remedy known. Take it either iced or hot, as fancied, with a little sugar if preferred. A strong infusion is made at the rate of an ounce of sassafras to a quart of water. Boil it half an hour very slowly, and let it stand till cold, heating again if desired, and keeping it from the air.
Records on this page
Charcoal PurificationSassafras Decoction