The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1889-09-27
ABOUT FINGER NAILS.
Some Useful Information Concerning Theii
Treatment and Nature.

Some Useful Information Concerning Their
Treatment and Nature.
The average rate Of growth OF the
finger nails has been estimated at one
millimetre, or two-ffths of line Per
week; a rate quadruple that OF the toe
nails. which require four weeks to grow
the same length. This growth continues
with little variation, even during dis
ease, but the portion Of the nail then
formed is thinner, and deficient in
strength. In sudden and acute diseases,
and in those accompanied with extreme
debility. this attenuation is sufficient
to mark the nails with deep transverse
grooves, the upper surface of which is
abrupt and clearly marked. In scrOfu-
lous subjects, these marks. together
with peculiar variegations. are very
commonly observable. Extreme anxi-
tv and mental depression have the
same effect on the nails as physical dis
ease.
1t is interesting to watch the history
OF q case of disease as recorded upon
the finger-nails. When we look at the
patients nails we see on each of them
a distinct ridge. showing that the por-
ton OF the nail which has grown since
the acute attack is much thinned out
Take, for instance, man in whom an
acute double pneumonia 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
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. II 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-
ton of the body, including that of the
nail, ceases. We all know about the
hair falling out after 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 a
few hours, with a temperature Of 104 Q
or 105 Q, the nail will be cut down
sharply. The nail looks as though
they had been cut across. In 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 tho nail grows beyond the
white mark at it's base.
Biting the nails should be avoided as
a 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
uOL w udt clSc. Az dill 0VcUCS, III Is cas-
lily acquired, rapidly grows on one,
and is extremely difficult to leave off.
Nothing but a strong viii. and perse-
verance will enable those addicted to
it to do the last. Rubbing the tips Of
che fingers with aloes, extract of quas-
STA, assafotida, 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 a 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 superauous
skin about the onyx, next they polish
the nails with buckskin and fine pow
der. and finally wash the hand again
in hot water with soap. After
drying, the nails are polished with a
fine brush, and are rubbed with rosy
unguent to give to them shell pink
Medical Classics.