Part 94

CARE OF THE HAIR.--The hair is kept in order by frequent brushings, which excite the natural oil by which it is fed, and by washing it. Dr. Leonard, an authority on the hair, says once a month is as often as the hair needs washing. As a shampoo, he advises yolk of egg, well rubbed into the scalp and roots of the hair, then washed out with tepid water and castile soap. A brisk rubbing with dry towels excites the blood-vessels of the scalp. There is no doubt that this simple shampoo is more beneficial than many new-fangled ones.

The hair should be taken down and well brushed every night, This removes dirt and makes it glossy. Use a brush with bristles as stiff as you can use without irritating the scalp too much, and keep it clean. Don't drag a fine comb through the hair. The proper comb has regular and even teeth, rounded, not sharp. If a tooth becomes split, remove it; it will break the hair. Wire brushes are nothing more or less than combs, and are not as good for the hair as good bristle brushes. Keep combs and brushes clean.

USE OF POMADES.--Hair that is dry and brittle really requires some oleaginous preparation, used in moderation. Yellow vaselin is good. Part the hair and rub it into the scalp with the tips of the fingers. A sufficient amount will find its way to the hair itself to relieve the dryness. Cocoanut oil is also good. Never apply anything of this kind to the hair itself, which is simply made greasy. The benefit should be to the roots. The application of vaselin may be made a couple of days before the monthly washing, or if the hair is very dry, may follow it. Remember not to overdo the matter. It does not follow that because a little is good, more is better.

A specialist on the hair who makes biennial trips abroad to advise himself as to the most recent methods and treatment, in a moment of confidence admitted to a customer that after all pure cold water was as good a hair tonic as he knew of. "Do not wet the hair." he said. "Dip the tips of your fingers in cold water and rub the scalp, wetting it and at the same time massaging it. Do this as faithfully as you would apply a tonic, and in all but certain exceptional cases it will be as beneficial.'

CLIPPING THE HAIR.--It is a good plan to clip the ends of the hair once a month to keep the growth even. If the hair splits, trim to a point above it, as the tendency is for the split to extend further up the hair-shaft.

DANDRUFF.--Dandruff is the scaling off of dead cuticle. In excess, it becomes a disease, forming so thick a scale as to kill the roots of the hair and cause it to fall out. It is rightly called "itch dirt." Cleanliness therefore helps a cure.

An old-fashioned recipe for dandruff calls for five ounces of bay rum, one ounce of olive oil, one ounce tincture of cantharides. Dr. Leonard advises free applications of sweet oil for the purpose of softening the scales, then a washing with warm water and castile soap, or the "green soap" of the pharmacy. If the disease is bad, or obstinate, apply a little oxide of zinc ointment.

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WASHING THE HAIR.--One suspects that those who advise washing the hair once a week have more of all eye to the increase of their business than to the welfare of their customers' hair. The egg shampoo has been advised. Use a soap made of vegetable oil if possible. Never rub soap in the hair, and be very careful to rinse thoroughly, to get all the soap out using hot water for washing, then graduating the temperature till the final douche of cold. Do not use ammonia, soda or borax on the hair.

COLOR OF THE HAIR.--Nature has suited the hair to the complexion in every case, and we cannot improve upon her idea of harmony. That is why any attempt to change the color is so unsatisfactory. The "bleached blonde" is always recognizable; so is the woman who dyes her faded locks in vain effort to retain her "youth." As the hair changes by natural processes the complexion changes to match it, so that we never get a chance to improve upon nature's handiwork.

In Elizabethan days, wigs were worn to harmonize or match with the costume. Queen Elizabeth had over eighty. Think of purple hair? Yet some dyes give a purple tinge to the locks.

DYED HAIR.--Dyed hair is a sorry makeshift at best. Far better let nature have her way. There is but one hair-dye that is not positively harmful, this is henna, and its use entails no end of trouble because it must be frequently renewed,--some use it every day.

To prepare the dye, get a quarter pound of henna leaves; to this add two quarts of cold water. Let stand on the back of the range where it will steep slowly for four or five hours. Add three ounces of alcohol and bottle. Apply with a tooth-brush. It gives a sort of reddish-brown color. Women whose hair is prematurely gray often use this, declaring their white hair prevents them from obtaining or holding business positions. But where hair has whitened prematurely there is always a freshness and vitality about eyes and complexion that bespeaks youth.

Physicians strongly deprecate the use of hair dyes. No matter how strenuously the label insists on "absolute harmlessness," the dye relies for its effectiveness upon the presence of lead in some chemical combination. The frequent application of lead to the scalp induces a certain dangerous form of poisoning, which results in paralysis. If "dye you must," pin your faith to henna.

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GRAY HAIR.--"The only thing to do with gray hair is to admire it." This is true. Nothing so sets off an aged face like the crown of silver. To color it is a great mistake. There is absolutely no cure for it; the one thing we can do is to make it a beauty. Gray hair is due to the exhaustion of the pigment or coloring cells of the hair, supposed to be occasioned by the lack of a regular supply of blood.

For the progressive whitening of the hair due to the advance of age, curative agents are rarely of any avail, especially if the trouble is hereditary. Not that gray hair and baldness are handed down from father to son, but that the peculiarities of constitution which produce them are inherent in both. Nervousness, neuralgia, a low physical condition, aid the falling and blanching of the hair, and the victim should build up the general system. Preparations of iron and sulphur, taken internally, are supposed to supply certain elements of growth and pigment-forming power to the hair.

A solution of iron for external application to the hair, calls for two drams each of citrate of iron and tincture of nux vomica, and one and one-half ounces each of cocoanut oil and bay rum. It may be mentioned here, that faithfulness in treatment means even more than the tonic applied. To gain any real benefit, one must be persistent in application.

Hair often turns gray "in streaks" to the chagrin of the victim. Or it whitens above the forehead and temples and remains dark at the back. Nothing can be done for this.

Gray hair should be kept scrupulously clean, and requires more frequent washing than hair that holds its color. A very little blueing in the rinsing water gives a purer, clearer white. For this use indigo, not the usual washing fluid which is made of Prussian blue. Five cents worth of indigo will last a lifetime.

A HAIR TONIC.--A lotion Dr. Leonard recommends for the hair, especially where it is coming out calls for two drams tincture cantharides, half an ounce nux vomica, one dram tincture capsicum, one and a half ounces castor oil, and two ounces of cologne. Apply with a bit of sponge twice a day.

A preparation which is tonic in its properties and is also said to darken gray hair, and which certainly contains nothing injurious, calls for one ounce of sage and a pint of boiling water, allowed to stand twenty-four hours in an iron pot, and then filtered through filtering papers.

Digest half an ounce of pine tar in a pint of water for forty-eight hours, stirring occasionally; filter, and put with the other fluid, then add one pint of bay rum, one ounce each of cologne and tincture of cantharides, two ounces of glycerin and ten ounces of distilled water. Apply daily, using a tonic brush.

THE HAIR AND HEALTH.--The condition of the hair is largely predicated on the condition of the general health. In health, it should be abundant, glossy and bright--"live"--in color. A low physical condition may make it look dry and dead, and induce falling out. Take care of the general health for the sake of the hair as well as for the sake of the complexion.

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THE HANDS.--One of the woman's continuous tasks is trying to keep her hands clean, and one thing that militates against their good looks is careless washing. They are washed indiscriminately in hot or cold water, the soap not properly rinsed off, nor the drying complete. To keep them soft and white, wash in soft, tepid water, dry thoroughly, then rub in a little cold cream or compound of glycerin, or fine cornmeal. Use rubber gloves in dish washing, and if you must have your hands in soapy water for a long time, after washing them in pure water rub over with a few drops of lemon juice or cider vinegar. This kills the potash in the soap that has been used.

CARE OF THE NAILS.--It is a luxury to have one's nails done by a manicure, and if one can not afford this, always, it is profitable to have it done a few times and carefully observe the process, because the nails are a very important part of the care of the hands.

Finger Nail Powder, Old Tried Remedy for--

"Violet Talcum Powder 1/2 ounce Pulverized Boric Acid 1/2 ounce Powdered Starch 1/2 ounce Tincture of Carmine 15 drops

If the nails become hard or brittle, immerse them in warm olive oil every night or rub vaselin into them."

IMPLEMENTS.--The tools required are a pair of manicure scissors, which have small curved blades; get a good pair of steel scissors, the silver are not so good; a package of emery boards, an orange-wood stick, a flexible nail file, a small bottle of peroxide of hydrogen for bleaching, a bit of pumice stone, a cake of polishing powder, a chamois covered "buffer" and a box of rosaline or other paste.

THE PROCESS.--The nails are to be shortened by filing, as cutting thickens them. The orange-wood stick is then dipped in peroxide and run under the nail to bleach, then the pumice stone, powdered, is used in the same way to cleanse. During this the left hand is soaking in tepid, soapy water. Of course, if you do your own manicuring you will go on with the right hand, waiting while the cuticle at the base of the nail softens. This is then anointed with a little cold cream or vaselin; the cuticle is loosened and trimmed if necessary,--do not trim if you can avoid it, as cutting thickens it. When both hands have been thus treated, they are again soaked a few minutes, then a little of the rosaline paste--a very little--is put on each nail, the buffer dipped in the polishing powder and the nails polished. The hands are then washed, rubbed dry, and the fingers gone over a second time in search of roughness of nail or cuticle; they are then polished again with a clean buffer, and may be sprayed with perfume from an atomizer.

MOUTH AND TEETH.--Many young people owe their homely mouths to infantile habits. Sucking the thumb, and these horrible "pacificators" or "baby comforters" are responsible for some ill-shaped mouths. A large mouth, if not malformed, is not ugly unless filled with bad teeth or set in a disagreeable expression. Thus, in a way, we mould this feature ourselves, to a considerable degree.

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CLEANSING THE TEETH.--A good brushing twice a day, using cold water and some pleasant antiseptic wash, like listerine, does much to keep the mouth and teeth clean. Particles of food lodged between the teeth should be removed with a bit of dental floss.

VISITS TO THE DENTIST.--Pain and expense are saved by consulting the dentist in good season. The smallest cavity should be filled as soon as discovered. At least once a year the teeth should be carefully examined by one's dentist; it would be better to go every six months. Let the dentist clean them and remove the tartar, if any, as commercial preparations often injure. Most dentists will save a tooth wherever possible. There is little excuse for bad teeth these days, since modern dentistry can work marvels.

CHILDREN'S TEETH.--On no account let a child's second teeth come in crowded, irregular or projecting. A good dentist can remedy all these malformations and though it may be troublesome at the time, the child, when grown, will blame you for not having relieved him of them. From babyhood, the child should be taught that cleansing the teeth is as important a part of the toilet as washing the hands.

THE EYES.--No gift is more precious than sight. Therefore take care of your eyes. Don't overstrain them, don't put anything in them, don't follow any casual prescription, nor use belladonna to brighten them. Consult an oculist, not an optician, if there is anything the matter with them. Bathe them in hot water when they feel tired and drawn. Eyesight is too precious to be tampered with. If a child is cross-eyed, a simple operation will straighten them, and it is a crime not to have it done.

EYELASHES AND EYEBROWS.--The best application for these is the simplest. Just a little yellow vaselin, which encourages growth. Don't clip, either. Frequent brushing will generally train the brows into a shapely line. A heavy, coarse hair may be pulled out with the fingers.

THE FEET.--The three most frequent evils to which the feet are heir are corns, bunions or enlarged joints, and chilblains. Ingrowing nails are much less common, but make up in painfulness.

CORNS.--Corns are of three kinds: callous spots, soft corns, and corns. Callous spots may be rubbed or pared down and rubbed with cocoa butter. Soft corns come between the toes and are very painful. Soak absorbent cotton in a little turpentine and put between the toes; or sprinkle the cotton with powdered alum. These corns are supposed to be due to moisture between the toes and are sometimes cured and often prevented by keeping absorbent cotton between the toes. Prevention saves a lot of suffering. "Just corns" are calloused spots with hard center; pressure on this causes pain. Soaking in hot water, and shaving off as much of the hardened skin as can be removed with safety, affords relief. The little hard core should be taken out.

Precautions.--Be sure that your knife, razor, or whatever implement is used is perfectly clean (sterilized) and avoid drawing blood. If this happens, use some antiseptic. Cases of blood-poisoning that have resulted fatally have been caused by such wounds. If you wear colored hose, have them washed before wearing, as the dye may be injurious.

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BUNIONS.--These painful enlargements are due to a too short shoe, or one that does not fit well. Better discard such footwear; it will be cheaper in the end. Paint the sore joint with a mixture of equal parts of glycerin, tincture of iodine and carbolic acid; using a camel's hair brush. Stockings that are too short may produce the same affliction.

CHILBLAINS.--People who have, or do not want chilblains should avoid woolen stockings. Neither should they "toast their toes" at the fire, wear bed-socks, or take a hot water-bottle to bed with them. Warm the feet by exercise, or vigorous rubbing. If very painful, try ice-cold applications, tincture of iodine, camphor, and tincture of chloride of iron are healing.

INGROWING NAILS.--A bad case should be taken to the chiropodist. Shaving the nail thin on the top, or cutting a V-shaped piece out of it, tend to relieve. Raise up the nail and put a bit of absorbent cotton under it. The best way is to avoid foot troubles by wearing well fitting shoes which are sufficiently large.

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NURSERY HINTS AND FIRESIDE GEMS

For Mother and Her Little Family

TEN COMMANDMENTS FOR RAISING CHILDREN.

1. Thou shalt not frighten thy child by threats of punishment.

2. Thou shalt not visit thine own disappointments upon thy child, nor speak to him sharply without just cause.

3. Thou shalt not administer any rebuke while feeling anger toward thy child.

4. Thou shalt not require more of thy child than of thyself.

5. Thou shalt not speak discourteously to thy child.

6. Thou shalt not lie to thy child, neither break thy promise, nor deceive.

7. Thou shalt not waste thyself upon the effort to destroy evil tendencies and wrong activities in thy child, but shall remove temptation from him and cultivate his virtues and his righteous activities.

8. Thou shalt not curtail thy child's liberty but shall insist he respect the liberty of all others, even as his is respected.

9. Many hours shalt thou labor with thy child and do all thy work, dressing him, feeding him, teaching him, amusing him, but for one hour out of every seven waking hours shalt thou let him alone, and bother him not, neither thou, nor thy husband, nor thy nursemaid, nor thy friends, nor thy relatives nor any that are in thy house. For in that hour shall the Lord come unto him.

10. Thou shalt not force thy child in any respect, neither physically, mentally or morally. Thou shalt not force obedience, for forced obedience is not righteous; but thou shalt gently lead thy child along the way that he should go, having first passed over the road thyself.

THE PRAYING OF A CHILD.

Pray, little child for me tonight, That from thy lips like petals white, Thy words may fall and at His feet Bloom for His path with fragrance sweet! Pray, little child, that I may be Childlike in innocence like thee, And simple in my faith and trust Through all the battle's heat and dust!

Pray, little child, in thy white gown, Beside thy wee bed kneeling down; Pray, pray for me, for I do know Thy white words on soft wings will go Unto His heart, and on His breast Light as blown doves that seek for rest Up the pale twilight path that gleams Under the spell of starry dreams!

Pray, little child, for me, and say: "Please, Father, keep him firm today Against the shadow and the care, For Christ's sake!" Ask it in thy prayer, For well I know that thy pure word 'Gainst louder tongues will have been heard, When the great moment comes that He Shall listen through His love for me!

Oh, little child, if I could feel One atom of thy faith so real, Then might I bow and be as one In whose heart many currents run Of joyful confidence and cheer, Making each earthly moment dear With sunshine and the sound of bells On the green hills and in the dells!

Pray, little child, for me tonight, That from thy lips in sunward flight, One word may fall with all its sweet Upon the velvet at His feet, That He may lift it to His ear Its tender plea of love to hear, And lay it, granted, on the pile Signed with the signet of His smile!

[NURSERY HINTS AND FIRESIDE GEMS 801]

Motherhood.--Motherhood is a profession that is overworked. The hours are long and holidays and vacations are few and far between. Mother gets a great deal of maudlin sympathy and not enough tangible aid, says a writer in the Housekeeper. Our poetic conception of the true mother is that her whole life is bound up in the welfare of her children and her family. At what age are her children not, for her, a matter of serious concern? She has ever had plenty of material which she can manufacture into worry and heartaches. Many mothers consume too much of their own nervous energy and jeopardize their health in what they think their bounden maternal duties. There is a judicious limit of all things even though they are virtues.

Mother.--The babe at first feeds upon the mother's bosom, but is always on her heart.--H. W. Beecher.

Baby's Layette.--The principal thing to be borne in mind regarding the baby's layette is that all the clothing should be light, soft, in both surface and texture, and porous also in order that the evaporation of perspiration and a certain ventilation of the skin may take place. Perfect simplicity, not only in material and trimming, but in the whole plan of the little garments will testify to good taste and common sense, and at the same time tend to eliminate much fretfulness and wailing.

Baby.--A sweet new blossom of humanity, fresh fallen from God's own home, to flower on earth.--Massey.

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Boy's Garments.--Don't burden the boy with a whole array of separate garments, but give him a few good, heavy things. The lessened number will allow him freedom, and his comfort, too, is to be considered. Boy's trousers are now fully lined, and these with the right sort of underwear will give him the requisite warmth with very little unnecessary weight.

Boys.--A torn jacket is soon mended, but hard words bruise the heart of a child.--Longfellow.

Pretty Things for Baby.--Among pretty articles for baby there are tiny ribbon garters to hold up the little sleeves, in colors to match the blue of the eyes or the pink of the cheeks, and there are huge soft rosettes of ribbon and hand embroidered strings for the cap, and gold baby pins and fleecy robes and bow-decked quilts.

Baby.--A rose with all its sweetest leaves yet folded.--Byron.

Baby's Outing.--It is always better for a baby, no matter how young, to go out in a carriage than to be carried. Young babies are much more comfortable lying full length on a pillow placed in the carriage and properly covered than when carried in the arms.

Baby.--A lovely bud, so soft, so fair, called hence by early doom; just sent to show how sweet a flower in paradise would bloom.--Leigh Richmond.

Wild Flowers.--Children who gather wild flowers should be taught that they must not put them in their mouths. The buttercup, which is harmless enough to handle, contains an acid poison that will produce sore mouth, and taken into the stomach worse effects might result. It also contains a narcotic principle, anemonin, which has the property of diminishing the respiration and heart action.

Flowers.--It is with flowers as with moral qualities, the bright are sometimes poisonous, but I believe never the sweet.--Hare.

Reasoning versus Punishment.--There is one great point that all mothers should observe and that is not to punish children when reasoning would bring the same results. For needless correction blunts a child's sensitiveness. To state that it brutalizes him is putting it too positively, but it tends to develop indifference and hardness that one does not want a child to possess,

Discipline.--Be ever gentle with the children God has given you.--Watch over them constantly; reprove them earnestly, but not in anger.--In the forcible language of Scripture, "Be not bitter against them." "Yes, they are good boys," said a kind father. "I talk to them much, but I do not beat my children: the world will beat them." It was a beautiful thought, though not elegantly expressed.--Burritt.

Baby's Kimono.--The little flannel kimonos or wrappers, so convenient to slip on the baby before the morning bath, or if the room is at all chilly, may be made up in pretty styles, in delicate colors, bound with silk, and tied with tiny bows to match.

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Early Schooling.--Of ten infants destined for different vocations, I should prefer that the one who is to study through life should be the least learned at the age of twelve. --Tissot.