Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-30
New Fashion Notes.
SIMPLE REMEDIES
FOR CHAPPED HANDS
BY ELIZABETH LEE,

Quite a number of women doing their
own housework have trouble in keeping
their hands i'm good condition during the
winter.
Unfortunately, what will be good for
one persons skin is harmful to another's,
SO it is impossible to set down any hard
and fast rule as to what shall be applied.
For instance. glycerin is excellent in
some cases, while it is actually irritating
in others.
When glycerin agrees with the skin it
can be used pure or diluted with rose
water, just rubbing into the hands.
Others might like to try this mixture. Put
into a double boiler one ounce OF glyc-
erin. two ounces Of olive oil and two
drains of spermaceti. Simmer until all
are blended, then pour into a jar to cool.
Apply with friction to the hands night
and morning.
When the hands are dry and red. either
from homework or cold, bran water will
be found very soothing. To obtain the
water put bran into a cotton bag and
boil for twenty minutes. When necessary
to wash the hands during the day use
the bran water. diluting with hot or cold
water as desired.
If this is persisted in it will keep the
hands smooth and white.
Honey is very softening and is usually
agreeable to any skin. A little rubbed
in we'll before washing in the bran water
will be helpful, or the honey can be used
at any time Independent of the bran
water.
When the hands are actually chapped
camphOr balls are recommended. A cam
phor salve that is good for chapped hands
can be made at home as follows:
Melt together three drains gum CAM
phor. beeswax three drams olive oil two
| ounces. Apply this at night and wear
loose gloves.
Some people find camphor objectionable.
and when this is so a good remedy con-
sists in mixing white wax two parts, olive
oil one part and a small portion Of sper-
maceti. This is very softening. Cam
phor ice is made by melting together in a
double boiler one ounce of sweet almonds,
one ounce Of white wax, two ounces of
spermaceti and quarter ounce Of CAM
pflOr.
Pour into molds, which may be small
tin boxes or canisters. The proper molds
are by no means necessary.
Talcum powder rubbed over the hands
after washing will prevent roughness.
and a good substitute for the talcum is
Just ordinary laundry starch pounded to
a powder. This is always on hand. A
dish Of oatmeal might be kept handy,
dipping the hands into it after washing.
This will keep the skin soft and prevent
cracking.
Hands that are constantly moist need
a tonic and should be bathed frequently
in salt water or rubbed with a lemon.
Some people find relief by busting the
gloves inside with powdered alum before
putting them on.
If at any time the hands should be
really very dirty they should first be
rubbed off with a cold cream or any pure
fat, as home-rendered lard before being
washed with hot, soapy water.
Stubborn stains on the hands. as dye
or ink. can be removed by moistening
the skin with warm water and rubbing
into the spot oxalic acid and cream Of
tartar in equal proportions. This mix
ture is poisonous.
When the stain has disappeared wash
thoroughly in hot water, using good
soap.
These are all simple. inexpensive rene
dies that can be made at home.