Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-07-27
THE CARE OF THE HANDS.
On Finger Nails and Nail Brushes.

From Medical Classics.
The finger nails require special attention il
we desire to preserve them in their highest
condition of beauty and usefulness To keep
them clean the nail brush and soap and water
should be used, once or oftener, daily, as cir
cumstances demand. Once a day, at least, on
wiping the hands after washing them and
whilst they are still soft from the action of the
water, the free edge of the scarf skin which, il
not attended to, Is apt to grow upward over the
nails, should be gently loosened and pressed
back, in neatly rounded form, by which the
occurrence of cracks and sores about their
roots (agnails, nail springs, &C., } will be pre-
vented, and graceful oval form. ending in a
crescent-hke space of white. will be insured
This skim as a rule, should never be cut
pared, picked or torn off, as is commonly done
and the less it is meddled with, otherwise than
IN the way first mentioned, the better
The space between the end of the nail and
the finger is very liable to accumulate dirt, and
this tendency increases with the depth of fis
sure. In cleaning the nails therefore care
should be used not to deepen this assure by
separating the nail from the flesh below it. as
is pretty sure TO be done when a knife point
or other similar instrument is used 1t is better
always to employ brush with soap and water.
The length and shape of the nails both for
beauty and use, should exactly correspond
with the tips of the fingers. Nails extending
beyond the ends of the fingers are vulgar claw,
like and inconvenient; whilst il shorter. par-
ticularly if much shorter than the fingers thew
are unsightly and Of little use, and cause the
tips of the fingers to become thick and clumsy.
Whether the nails be cut square or pointed IL
entirely matter of fancy; but, in any case.
they should be left long enough to project the
finger tips, and should never be pared ON the
sides. The ends or points Of the nails should
be pared once a week, or every ten DAYS az
cording to the rapidity of their growth, which
sometimes varies with the season Of the wear
and the habits Of the individual The pairing
| Is best done with a sharp penknife or nail
knife. Scissors are less convenient for the
purpose, and have the disadvantage of strain
| ing and distorting the nails during the process
The average rate Of growth Of the finger
nails has been estimated at one millimeter, or
two-tifths OF line per week; a rate quadruple
that Of the toe-nails which require four weeks
to grow the same length. This growth con
tinues with little variation, even during disease
but the portion Of the nail then formed IL
thinner, and deficient in strength. In sudden
and acute diseases, and in those ACCOMPANIED
with extreme debility. this attenuation IL suf-
ficient to mark the nails with deep transverse
grooves. the upper surface of which is abrupt
and clearly marked. In scrofulous subject r..
these marks together with peculiar variega-
anxiety and mental depression have the same
effect on the nails as physical disease
Biting the nails should be avoided a. q dirty
and disagreesble habit, and one utterly de-
| structiye to their beauty, strength and useful
ness. This habit is indicative OF an irritable or
nervous temperament, of mental anxiety.
dependency, thoughtfulness, and know NOT
what else. At all events, it is easily acquired.
rapidly grows on one, and is extremely dificuIt
to leave of. Nothing but q strong will and
perseverance will enable those addicted TO il 10
do the last. Rubbing the tips Of the finger
with aioes, extract Of quasi, assafntida. or
some other disagreeable substance, is commonly
adopted to remove the habit in children.
The finger nails Of Americans are likely IN
De dry and TO break easily. vaseline rubbed
on the nail after washing the hands win do :
world Of good TO dry nails Manicures first
battle the hand long time in hot water. then
with scissors and knives clean and cut the
nails, remove the euperduous skin about the
and fine powder and finally wash the bond
again in hot water with soap. Alter drvins
the nails are polished with ans brush and srs
rubbed With rosy unguent 10 give them !
shell pink.