Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-03-19

1
days are numbered in the catalogue of nations
i desolation is setting in and God will soon SEM
the day @
The speaker concluded his address admids
/ vociferous cheers, and rush was made to tn
1 table, when the Center enrolled several nev
members Several other gentlemen gave IL
their names for bonds at future date, whilst
beautiful sword was presented by one of thu
members, aud others promised gifts of arms a
the next regular meeting night, Thus ended
one of the most enthusiastic meetings that il
has been our lot to witness Tor long time.
| Esezs-s,.-
A SHORT CHAPTER ON FINGER NAILS. In
the present dearth of items, accidental sen:
sational, or startling, we give short chapter
on The management of finger nails, which
although somewhat extraneouS to the local
column, will be found not only interesting but
to contain some useful information. Our fair
readers, we are sure, will thank us for the re-
| cipes which it contains. Dr. Schultz, Surgeon
Chiropodist of this city, kindly furnishes us
the following: -
MANAGEMENT OF FINGER NAILS. The nails
are placed at the cxtremities of the fingers and
toes to cover and protect from Injury the
numerous sensitive nerves of touch. The nails
of the fingers, when we'll formed, contribute
greatly to the symmetry Of the hand. They
constitute 10 the lady an important feature of
personal attraction. According to European
fashion they should be Of an oval figure trans
parent without spccks or ridges of any kind !;
the selni-lunar fold, or white halfcirce, should
be fully developed and the pellice, or cuticle,
which forms the corfguraton around the root
of the nail, thin and well defined, and when
properly arranged, should represent, as nearly
as possible, the shape ola half hlbert. Proper
ly to arrange the nails Is to cut them OF an oval
shape, corresponding with the form of the
finger. They should not be allowed to grow
too long, as it is difficult to keep them clean,
nor too short, as it allows the end of the finger
to become fattened and enlarged by being
pressed upwards against the nails and gives
them a clumsy appearance. The epidcrnis
which forms the semi circle around and adj
heres to the nail, requires particular atten
ton, as it is frequently dragged on with its
growth, drawing the skin below the nail so
tense as to cause it to crack and separate into
what are called ag nails. This is easily rene
died by carefully separating the skin from the
nail by blunt, half-round instrument. Many
persons are in the habit Of continually cutting
this pclicie, in consequence OF which it becomes
exceedingly irregular and often Injurious to
the growth of the nail. They also frequently
pick under the nails with pen-knife or the
point of sharp scissors, with the intention of
keeping them clean, by doing which they often
loosen them, and occasion considerable injury.
The nails should be cleaned with brush, not
too hard, and the semi-lunar skin should not
be cut away, but only loosened, without touch
ing the quick, the fingers being afterwards dip
ned in tepid water, and the skin pushed back
with towel. This method should be practiced
daily. It will keep the nails of proper
shape, prevent ag-nails, and the pelicie from
thickcnipg or becoming ragged, The biting Or
picking of the nails is an unfortunate and pitt
full habit, which can seldom be prevented, and
Frequently continues for life. In many cases
they are disfgured so as to be scarcely visible,
aud that which remains is coyererd with skin,
50 that the top of the fingers appears clumsy
and unsightly. 1t is a most remarkable fact
that midde-aged persons who are addicted to
this rernicious habit seldom or ever refrain
from it, and, when in thought, have their Tin
gers to their teeth, as it they were gnaWng a
bone. The finger nails are liable to but few ac-
cidents or diseases that require notice, except
Ing extrayasation from violentpiuches or severe
contusions, which often cause them to tall off,
| Not so fortunate are the toe nails, Of which we
shall speak some other time The most pain
full disease is an infammatory swelling around
the nail, called paronchia or whitlow.- 1t
sometimes extends to the root and is
followed bv suppuration and liberation under
the edge Of the nail &C. Many young persons
are subject to it periodically. 1t is not always
local complaint but is connected with consti-
tutional debility. To make this article as 10
tercsting and perfect in as brief space as pos
sible. we shall conclude with the following high
| " useful receipts for whitening hands and nails
| which we doubt not our fair readers will highly
appreciate.
another OF lemon juice: then scrape two cakes
of Brown Windsor soap to powder, and mix
we'll in mould When hard it will be excellent
soap for whitening the hands.
10 whten the nails, DILUTED sulphurlt
acid two drachms tincture of myrh one
dran,ch spring water four ounces mix First
cleanse with white soap, and then dip the I'm
gers into the mixture,
| A good hand is one OF the chief points o.
beauty, next to the foot, and these application:
arc really effective.
SANITARY. The Washington Star says lha
a large quantity of lime has been purchased BY
the Freedmen Bureau, at the order of Genera
! Howard which is intended to supply the col
ored residents Of Washington, for the purpos'
ofhaving general policing Of their houses ant
grounds on the approach of spring. Ever
colored resident is to be notified to thorough.
cleanse and whitcwash his dwelling and out
| l., ~,