FoodNet

The housekeeper's companion

1883

Page 50

Presented as published in 1883. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
these its only evils. In the first place, the stem of the pipe is very liable to excoriate the lips by its unyielding harshness, when, if not laid aside for the time, a painful and obstinate sore may be the result; as, among other causes of irritation, lead enters largely into the glazing portion of the stem, and its dele- terious qualities are now too well known to require to be partic- ularized here. Besides the disfiguring effects of a recent sore upon the lip, permanent disease may be reasonably dreaded, since a reference to any medical gentleman will confirm the startling truth that in a large proportion of cases of cancer oc- curring in the face and throat among the poorer classes, the first indication of the disease may be clearly traced to the ob- stinate excoriation caused by the use of a tobacco pipe. The Hair. — The culture and decoration of the hair, as it is one of the first objects of personal adornment, naturally forms a very important branch of the toilette. In youth the hair is generally abundant and glossy, requiring little assistance from art to improve its appearance. Perfect cleanliness is in- dispensable for the preservation of its beauty and color, as well as its duration; this is attained by frequently washing it in tepid water, using those soaps which have the smallest portion of alkali in their composition, as this article renders the hair too dry, and by depriving it of its moist coloring matter im- pairs at once its strength and beauty. After washing, the hair should be immediately and thoroughly dried, and, when the towel has ceased to imbibe moisture, brushed constantly in the sun or before the fire until its lightness and elasticity are fully restored; and in dressing it a little marrow, pomatum, bears* grease, or fragrant oil should be used, yet as sparingly as pos- sible. The beliel entertained by many persons that washing the hair induces catarrh, or headache, or injures the hair, is erro- neous, as the application of water to the skin is the most nat- ural and effectual method of cleansing it, and of keeping open the pores through which the perspiration must pass in order to ensure its healthy condition; besides, scabs naturally come around the roots of the hair of the most cleanly person, and these can only be completely detached by the use of soap. Wearing an oiled silk cap to prevent the hair and head from >4 ETIQUETTE. being wetted in sea bathing is an injurious custom, and usually causes headache at least, and often more serious though un- suspected evil. Thus, for the sake of avoiding a little trouble or saving a little time, that member of the frame, that truly requires it, is deprived of the invigorating influence of the sea water — denied an application more truly repellant of catarrh and rheumatic and neuralgic affections than all the coverings and artificial means of warmth and cure in use in the fashion- able world. The constant and persevering use of the brush is a great means of beautifying the hair, rendering it glossy and elastic, and encouraging a disposition to curl. The brush pro- duces further advantages in propelling and calling into action the contents of the numerous vessels and pores which are in- terspersed over the whole surface of the head, and furnish vigor and nourishment to the hair; five minutes, at least, every morning and evening should be devoted to its use.