THE WOMAN'S WORLD.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 12524, 17 March 1904, Page 3

THE WOMAN'S WORLD.

HOW TO CURE SUMMER TROUBLES. With the oncoming of thai seasonal hallucination, associated with, spades, -buckets, and ruinous bills foi the luxuries peculiar , to holiday apartments, the eyes of British maid and matron fix ; themselves in' alarm where the more or less truthful mirror reflects' the tricky art of Sol' in painting the human face. It may be observed by those who have leisure that there are four schemes of colour. First there; is the genuine honest brown burning, that . need only be continued to give one the appearance of a mahogany carving. This 'is arrived at when, the skin is sensitive 'by very gradual exposure to unclouded rays. Then there is a muddy brown, seen in localities where the exposure is frequent but the sun has not great power. In the next place we see a vivid red unaccompanied by tenderness. Or the redness may be combined with , such tenderness. And, lastly, we may find a light buff coat over which darker 'spots—the hated freckles—are scattered. A nut-brown complexion is certainly preferable to one that resembles dough. Hence many girls should rather seek sun-burning than strive to avoid it. On the other hand, a red skin is not appreciated outside , the wigwams of American Indians, and if it be accompanied by skin -irritation, the annoyance may reach a degree demanding quite solemn deliberation. Before going further let me state certain first principles; it is always possible by,the us© of suitable agents to guard against skin irritation from sun heat; but if the skin be exposed to the sun it is not possible to entirely prevent deepened colouration. One may mitigate this, and that is all; the results will depend or the duration and intensity of the sun's action, and the character of the remedies employed. One of the simplest preventives is a film of powdered wheat starch placed upon a thin coating of some emollient, as a 20 per cent, solution of glycerine. This may be applied before going into the sun. On returning within doors one may wash the face with elder-flower water, and then brush over it, avoiding the eyes, a ! lotion made by adding to two drachms of dilute hydrochloric acid sufficient water to ' make Boz. If the official solution of perchloride of mercury is substituted for the acid, the lotion will be stronger. This treatment is suited for skins that do not become tender. It is immaterial whether the burning be red or brown. From many recipes and " wrinkles" for treating the skin after sun-baking, the following are selected : — (1) Cucumber in slices, loz; milk, one pint. Boil and strain. The lotion is to be used when freshly-made, and quite, freely. (2) Slices of raw meat, preferably veal, to be bound upon the face by bandages or adhesive strapping, and left in position for some hours. . (3) A lotion made by boiling parsley in water, straining and adding either ten per cent, of lemon juice, or two per cent, of citric acid. Persons who suffer from sun-caused tenderness should avoid acid preparations. Perchloride of mercury will be of no use whatever. If the rather costly but quite curative products of the laboratory cannot be afforded, cold cream, or a 20 per cent, solution of glycerine, or a two per cent, solution of isinglass may be used. A lotion for household purposes consists of one drachm of carbonate of zinc, one drachm of prepared chalk, and sufficient glycerine or starch to make 2oz. It should be applied when it can be left on the skin for some hours.

As an emergency application for cooling the skin, vinegar and water may be recommended. Cold poultices made of starch and bran, or almond water, are soothing. . The latter can be prepared by boiling one ounce of either powdered bitter almonds or bran in half-a-pint of water for a few minutes. . For summer freckles there are many recipes, if few cures. Here are some formulas: —(1) Chloride of ammonia, two drachms; lavender water, two drachms; elderflower water, to make lOoz. (2) Sulpliocarbolate of zinc, two drachms; glycerine, 3oz; rosewater, 3o?; rectified spirit, loz. (3) Dilute hydrochloric acid, one drachm; rectified spirit, loz; water, to make 7oz. (4) Solution of acetate of lead, loss; rectified spirit, to make Boz. (5) The official solution of perchloride of mercury. (6) A one per cent, solution of perchloride of mercury this is apt to blister. For tender and perspiring feet (hi- routine will prove a blessing:—Bathe them nightly in a solution' of rock suit, dry thoroughly, and don in the *norning clean socks or stockings that have been soaked in a hot saturated solution of boric acid and dried without wringing. If tannoform can be afforded, it may be dusted between the toes. For perspiring hands a little tannoform. on the palms may be tried. Or the palms may be brushed over with 15 drops of eau de Cologne containing 20 per cent, of tincture of belladonna. Fan de Cologne and acetic acid form a very convenient preparation that can be retained on a. sponge in a capped bottle. If passed over the palms, and they are allowed to dry by evaporation, perspiration will be lessened. Soft corns may be painted nightly with salicylic acid • collodion mixed with 25 per cent, of liquid extract of cocaine. Another plant is to apply cocaine until the part is numbed, and then to use lunar caustic. ITo prevent the sweating that aggravates i their tenderness dust freely with tanno- ! form. How to guard against summer flushing: Let the footgear be very easy and very porous. Have the waist and neck free from constriction. The clothing must be as cool as custom will allow. .If practicable, wear silk in place of kid gloves. Choose cold fowls and. drinks in preference to hot, but'do not partake largely of iced articles. Anything very cold taken into the stomach may occasion facial flushing by reflex action. Pickles and strong condiments are to be avoided. The food should contain less fat and sugar than in the winter. The excretory system must act regularly; this is of the very first importance, and common care will ensure it. The face should be guarded against direct sun rays. Any perspiration should be allowed to evaporate in the natural manner, for this will cool the skin more thoroughly than bathing it.