Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1901-12-03
HOMEMAKERS COLUMN.
on topics Of interest 70 the ladies
10 solicited. Address: Editor H0MEHAKERs'
COLUMN, Oxford Democrat, Paris. Maine.

A FEW POINTS ABOUT THE HANDS
AND HAIR.
When the nails are fragile little wax
and alum rubbed upon them will
stregthen them. If brittle little al
mond oil or cold cream will be found
beneficial.
White spots upon the finger-nails are
caused by the bruising of the carium
under the nail. To remove these spots
use mixture Of refined pitch and lit
tie myrrh upon them at night, wiping 1t
off the next morning with olive oil.
When about to manicure the hands
dip the fingers into warm, soapy water
and hold them there for a minute or two
in order to soften the nails and the scarf
skin about them.
The scarf skin should be gently push
ed back from the nails before they are
polished. 1t should never, unless alb
solutely necessary, be cut with the scis-
sors.
Agnails, improperly called hangnails,
may be prevented by proper attention
to the scarf skin which surrounds the
nails.
For manicuring only pair of curved
nail scissors, nail file, an orange stick,
a chamois polisher, bottle OF vaseline
and box of rose salve or nail powder
are necessary.
Before clipping the hair it is a good
plan to braid it loosely, and then taking
the braid in the fingers, lightly rub the
hairs the wrong way. Then 1t may be
seen if any of the ends are split; if they
are they should be clipped off.
The only virtue in going by the new
moon when clipping the hair is that it
tends to regularity.
If after the most scrupulous care the
hair shows any signs of dandruff or any
other disorder, scientific specialist
should be consulted.
Nothing will benefit the condition Of a
scalp which is prone to dandruff more
than systematic massage, which starts
and keeps in order the circulation and
sets the wheels of nutrition run
ming.
Singing the hair is based on the fall
lacy that the hair is hollow tube and
sbleeds" when it is cut. All / can say
is that the merest tyro in the study of
the hair knows that it Is solid shaft
and contains no fluid which could exude
when it is cut. In spite of assertions to
the contrary, the hair does not grow
more rapidly when it is singed.
At night the hair should be loosely
braided and allowed to hang.
Do not use hot curling iron. A hot
iron will injure anything that has life.
A warm iron may be- used occasionally.
As the structure of the hair makes it
curly or straight there is little or moth
ing that can be done to change matters.
There are various devices, however,
that will keep the hair in curl longer
than if nothing is used, and one of these
is decoction of ounce seeds. About
three teaspoonfuls to pint of hot water
is good proportion to use. The hot
water is poured over the seeds and the
whole allowed to stand for several hours.
This mucilage may be thinned little
with water or cologne, and few drops
of violet or any other essence may be
added. Use about two tablespoonful
of cologne for this mixture. The hair
may be moistened with this fluid before
curling. 1t is said that water in which
enough soap has been dissolved to make
lather, and to which have been added
few grains of potassium carbonate to
the quart, will make the hair fluffy.
The brush and comb may be cleaned
by shaking in hot water in which there
is little ammonia. The comb should
be carefully wiped between the teeth.
The brush should be shaken through
the water, being held parallel to the
surface of the water. If the bristles are
wiped when they are wet they will dry
soft. After rinsing, dry thoroughly in
the sun with the brush standing on its
bristles. After cleaning the brush and
comb they should be sterilized. A shall
low dish is most convenient for this pur-
pose; into it enough formalin may be
put to about cover the bristles of the
brush. This solution must be used with
care. A perfectly harmless liquid is a
four per cent solution of boric acid in
which the brush or comb may be laid
for ten or fifteen minutes.-Ladies'
Home Journal.