The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1889-08-10
Aeou, FINGER NAILS.
Rome Useful Information Concerning Theft
Trsu t,ueut and Nature.

Rome Useful Information Con cerning Thei
Treatment ana Nature.
The average rate Of growth of th
finger nails has been estimated at on
millimetre, or two-hfths of line pc
week; rate quadruple that of the to-
nails, which require four weeks to groy
the same length. This growth continue
with little variation, even during dis
case, but the portion of the nail thel
formed is thinner, and deficient il
strength. In sudden and acute diseases
and in those accompanied with extrem,
debility, this attenuation is sufficien
to mark the nails with deep TRANSFERS,
grooves, the upper surface of which |.
abrupt and clearly marked. In scrofu.
lous subjects, these marks, together
with peculiar variegations, are yer,
commonly observable. Extreme anxi
ty and mental depression have the
same effect on the nails us physical dis.
ease.
1t is interesting to watch the history
of a case of disease as recorded upon
the fnger-nails. When we look at the
distinct ridge showing that the por-
tion OF the nail which has grown since
the acute attack is much thinned out.
lake, for instance, man in whom an
acute double ps.eumonia occurred few
weeks ago. You will see on his finger
nails the ridge showing 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
a perfectly straight story. They will
remain for at least two years.
If a person tells you that he has
broken his arm within eighteen months,
you will see the ridges on the nails of
the hand of the affected side. while
they will be absent on those of the other
side. If you are told that a 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 illness comes on, the nutri-
tion of the body, including that of the
nail, ceases. We all know about the
hair falling out after a disease like ty-
phoid fever. 1t only begins to fall
after the growth has recommended and
the hair is coming out of the follicle.
The nail is much more enduring evil
dence of disease. If there has been an
acute rheumatism coming on within II
few hours, with temperature of 104 Q
or 105 Q, the nail will be cut down
sharply. The nail looks as though
they had been cut across. III typhoid
fever, where the disease comes on grad
ually, there is not such 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. and one
utterly destructive to their beauty,
strength and usefulness. This habit is
indicative of an irritable or nervous
temperament, of mental anxiety, de-
spondency, thoughtfulness, and know
not what else. AT all events, it is cas-
lily acquired, rapidly grows on one,
and is extremely difficult to leave off.
Nothing but a strong will and perse-
verance will enable those addicted to |
it to do the last. Rubbing the tips of
the fingers with aloes, extract of quas-
sia, assaf9tida. or some other disa-
greeable substance. is commonly |
adopted TO remove the habit in chill
dren.
The finger nails of Americans are
likely to be dry, and to break easily.
Vaseline rubbed on the nail after wash
ing the hands will do world of good
to dry nails. Manicures first bathe
the hand long time in hot water, then
with scissors and knives clean and cut
the nails, and remove the superHuous
skin about the onyx, next they polish
the nails with bucksSin and fine pow
der, and finally wash the hand again
in hot water with soap. After
dying, the nails are polished with
Iine brush, and are rubbed with rosy
lnguent to give to them a shell pink.
Medical Classics