Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1889-07-22
Facts About Finger Nails.

The average rate of growth of tn
finger nails has been estimated at ont
millimetre, or two-ffths of line pc
week; a rate quadruple that of thu
toe nails, which require four weeks tt
grow the same length. This growth
continues with little variation, ever
during disease, but the portion of the
nail then formed is thinner, and de
ficient in strength. In sudden anG
acute diseases, and in those accom-
panied with extreme debility, this at
tenuation is sufficient to mark the
nails with deep transverse grooves,
the upper surface of which is abrupt
and clearly marked. In scrofulous
subjects, these marks together with
peculiar variegations, are very COM
monty observable. Extreme anxiety
and mental depression have the same
effect on the nails as physical disease.
1t is interesting to watch the his
tory of a case of disease as recorded
upon the finger-nails. When we look
at the patients nails, we see on each
of them distinct ridge, showing that
the portion of the nail which has
grown since the acute attack is much
thinned out. Take, for instance, a
man in whom an acute pneumonia
occurred few weeks ago. You will
see on his finger-nails the ridge show
ing the acuteness of the attack. This
is quite distinct, and is seen on all
of the nails. These marks are very
interesting and tell us perfectly
straight story. They will remain for
at least two years. If a person tells
you that he has broken his arm with
in eighteen months. you will see the
ridges on the nails of the hand of the
affected side, while they will be alb
sent on those of the other side. If
you are told that patient has had
typhoid fever, look at his nails, and
if the statement is correct, you will
find the ridges. The more acute the
illness the sharper will be the ridge.
When the illnesss comes on, the nu-
triton of the body, including that of
the hair falling after disease, like
typhoid fever. 1t only begins to fall
after the growth has recommended,
and the hair is coming out of the fol-
licle. The nail is a much more en-
during evidence of disease. If there
has been an acute rheumatism coming
on within a few hours, with tenn
perature of 104 or 105 degrees, the
nail will be cut down sharply. The
mails look as though they had been
cut across. In typhoid fever, where
the disease comes on gradually, there
is not such a sharp cutting out of the
nail. There will rather be an area
of thinning, which will not be seen
until the nail grows beyond the white
mark at its base.
Biting the nails should be avoided
as dirty and disagreeable habit land
one utterly destructive to their beauty,
strength and usefulness. This habit
is indicative of an irritable or ner-
vous temperament,o of mental anxiety,
dependency, thoughtfulness, and |
know not what else. At all events,
it is easily acquired, rapidly grows on
one, land is extremely difficult to leave
off. Nothing but a strong will and
perseverance will enable those adj |
dicted to it to do the last. Rubbing
the tips of the fingers with aloes,
extract of quassia, assaf9tida, or
some other disagreeable substance, is
commonly adopted to remove the hab-
it in children.
The finger-nails of Americans are
likely to be dry, and to break easily.
Vaseline rubbed on the nail after
washing the hands will do a world of |
good to dry nails. Manicures first
battle the hand long time in hot wa
ter, then with scissors and knives
clean and cut the nails, remove the
skin about the onyx, next
they polish the nails with buckskin
and fine powder, and finally wash the
hands again in hot water with soap.
After drying, the nails are polished
with fine brush, and are rubbed
with rosy unguent to give them
shell pink.-Medicdl Classics.