The feet should be washed night and morning as regu-
larly as the hands ; and by these ablutions is not meant
the weekly soaking in hot water which so many deem the
only attention necessary to keep their feet clean. At
least twice a week on retiring, the feet should be soaked
in hot water for ten or fifteen minutes and then thor-
oughly scrubbed with soap and a coarse wash rag or a
stiff flesh brush, and the nails cleaned and brushed.
Rough or calloused spots should be smoothed with a
piece of toilet pumice-stone ; and once weekly the nails
should be cut, straight across each toe and not allowed
to project beyond its tip, being careful not to cut them
down at the sides too close to the quick. If there are
thickened accumulations along the sides of the soles use
4/6 BEAUTY,
a piece of metal or anything with a thin but dull edge, to
scrajDe away this deadened skin. If the feet are naturally
dr}^, thoroughly rub into the soles some fine cream or oil
and even sleep in stockings in order that the oil may be
fully absorbed. But if the feet are usually moist, after
washing them as described, rinse them in water in which
there is a little alum, or vinegar, or ammonia or any
astringent that is convenient, and then dust them with
either of the powders previously mentioned in this
chapter, especially between the toes. With a semi-
weekly foot-bath of this kind, the other daily baths need
be only of the kind given the hands, in tepid or cool
water, with a little soap always applied to the soles.
If feet become disagreeably noticeable from perspiration
or other unfortunate causes, bathe them in hot water and
ammonia and then douche them with cold water. Or,
put twenty or thirty drops of carbolic acid in their bath-
ing and rinsing waters and use carbolic soap ; also use
carbolated talc or powder after drying them. This powder
may also be sprinkled in the shoes before putting them
on, with good results.
The offensive odor arising from the feet of some indi-
viduals is not the result of uncleanliness but comes from
an actual disease which manifests its presence in this way
only. In such unfortunate cases, anoint the soles of the
feet for a few days with belladonna ointment, using it
with caution and changing the boots and stockings which
should be woolen, daily.
Another plan is to wear shoes sufficiently large to per-
mit the use of thin insoles of felt. Of these insoles
there should be several pairs and they should be steeped
several times during the week in a solution composed of
REMEDIES FOR PERSPIRING FEET.
All
twenty grains of permanganate of potash to an ounce of
water, and then dried and inserted. Wash the feet
morning and evening in cool water containing half an
ounce of alum, and when they are thoroughly dry,
anoint them with the following mixture :
Oxide of zinc ointment, . . . . i ounce.
Crystallized carbolic acid, .... 5 grains.
When the stockings are washed, wring them out of a
solution of
Salicylic acid, \ ounce.
Water, ....... i| pints.
Half an ounce of borax added to a pint and a-half of
water also makes a good rinsing solution. Sometimes
internal treatment is necessary in overcoming the
trouble.
Page 208
Presented as published in 1890. 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
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The feet should be washed night and morning as regu-
larly as the hands ; and by these ablutions is not meant
the weekly soaking in hot water which so many deem the
only attention necessary to keep their feet clean. At
least twice a week on retiring, the feet should be soaked
in hot water for ten or fifteen minutes and then thor-
oughly scrubbed with soap and a coarse wash rag or a
stiff flesh brush, and the nails cleaned and brushed.
Rough or calloused spots should be smoothed with a
piece of toilet pumice-stone ; and once weekly the nails
should be cut, straight across each toe and not allowed
to project beyond its tip, being careful not to cut them
down at the sides too close to the quick. If there are
thickened accumulations along the sides of the soles use
4/6 BEAUTY,
a piece of metal or anything with a thin but dull edge, to
scrajDe away this deadened skin. If the feet are naturally
dr}^, thoroughly rub into the soles some fine cream or oil
and even sleep in stockings in order that the oil may be
fully absorbed. But if the feet are usually moist, after
washing them as described, rinse them in water in which
there is a little alum, or vinegar, or ammonia or any
astringent that is convenient, and then dust them with
either of the powders previously mentioned in this
chapter, especially between the toes. With a semi-
weekly foot-bath of this kind, the other daily baths need
be only of the kind given the hands, in tepid or cool
water, with a little soap always applied to the soles.
If feet become disagreeably noticeable from perspiration
or other unfortunate causes, bathe them in hot water and
ammonia and then douche them with cold water. Or,
put twenty or thirty drops of carbolic acid in their bath-
ing and rinsing waters and use carbolic soap ; also use
carbolated talc or powder after drying them. This powder
may also be sprinkled in the shoes before putting them
on, with good results.
The offensive odor arising from the feet of some indi-
viduals is not the result of uncleanliness but comes from
an actual disease which manifests its presence in this way
only. In such unfortunate cases, anoint the soles of the
feet for a few days with belladonna ointment, using it
with caution and changing the boots and stockings which
should be woolen, daily.
Another plan is to wear shoes sufficiently large to per-
mit the use of thin insoles of felt. Of these insoles
there should be several pairs and they should be steeped
several times during the week in a solution composed of
REMEDIES FOR PERSPIRING FEET.
All
twenty grains of permanganate of potash to an ounce of
water, and then dried and inserted. Wash the feet
morning and evening in cool water containing half an
ounce of alum, and when they are thoroughly dry,
anoint them with the following mixture :
Oxide of zinc ointment, . . . . i ounce.
Crystallized carbolic acid, .... 5 grains.
When the stockings are washed, wring them out of a
solution of
Salicylic acid, \ ounce.
Water, ....... i| pints.
Half an ounce of borax added to a pint and a-half of
water also makes a good rinsing solution. Sometimes
internal treatment is necessary in overcoming the
trouble.