PREPARING FOR THE HOLIDAY.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XLIII, Issue 2288, 11 March 1912, Page 7

PREPARING FOR THE HOLIDAY.

A MEDICAL MAN'S HINTS. "Well," said the Harley Street physician, "what now ?" "I want to know how I can prepare for my holiday, bo as to get the best out of it." "The feet often give trouble," said the greati specialist. "When your feet are tired you are tired all over. Here is a good way to get your feet into healthy condition. Buy twppennyworth of boric ointment, and) rub a little on the soles, round the sides, and between the toes night and morning for a week before you start. Then, as nearly all feet perspire, you will find it an excellent plan while away to shake half a teaspoonful of boric acid into your boots every day. "But if you want to receive a real foot comfort, here it is. After the socks are washed, steep them in a solution of this same boric acid—a teaspoonful to half a pint of hot water—and hang them up to dry, without wringing. Likewise, when doing much walking, you should change your socks in the evening, and wear twp or three pairs in the week. "And now for the boots. If you merely promenade at the seaside, light City boots will do very well. But for walking on rough country roads, across-country, or among the mountains, you must provide a pair with stout soles and strong uppers. Old boots are as bad as brand-new ones. Buy your holiday boots two weeks before ; wear them only in the house for the first four or five evenings.then wear them all day for the rest of the time before the holiday. "A holiday is of little value to a young man unless he walks or rows or cycles,, or does some other hard work. But if you are going in for a strenuous holiday, you must prepare your muscles and heart. Walk briskly to and from your work every day for two or three weeks, and walk ten or twelve miles, at least every day. "A matter of some importance is to have all your clothes easy-fitting, especially on the shoulders anc around the chest. Buy a pair of braces of the type which leave the shoulders free, or use two separate straps. The joined braces of the ordinary kind draw the shoulders together, bend the head forward by pressure under the neck, and so interfere with free breathing. Don't, on any account, wear a white shirt — at least until the evening. It keeps in the prespiration. Wear instead flannel, or wool and silk, or even loose woven cotton. "Don't wear a belt. Never, in fact, wear a belt, unless, in soldier fashion over the hips. Belts worn round the waist are the cause of most of the ruptures from which so many working men suffer. "Anything else you'd like to know ? Medicine ? No ; I would not advise any medicinal preparation for the holiday. The less medicine a . healthy man takes the better for his stomach and his whole body. "But feed yourself up with wholesome food for a couple of weeks before you go away. Don't smoke at all, if you have the will-power. And sleep seven to eight hours each night. In this way you will put the body and all its organs into good condition for the start."