Slimness versus Scragginess

Ladies' Mirror, Volume 5, Issue 1, 1 July 1926, Page 34

Slimness versus Scragginess

The line is so terribly easy to overstep —from plump to frankly fat, and from lovely slimness to unbecoming scragginess. And now that backs are once more .being worn, the rounded contours of shoulders and arms only throw more sharply into relief the ageing '"saltcellars" and drooping sagginess which come to all those who have dieted and exercised every ounce, of superfluous flesh —unless they are still on the right side of twentyfive. Few women pay as much attention to the throat and neck as to the face, and yet the throat needs even more care if it is to be kept equally youthful and beautiful. The sagging of the skin means that the muscles underneath have lost their elasticity, and ordinary

massage will do little to restore it. Pinching and kneading of the muscle's is what is needed. Bathing the skin in very hot water and then a liberal supply of good cold cream is the first step. Then with the tip of finger and thumb, start at the base of the neck and work up towards the chin, pinching up tiny pieces of skin as you go. It is best to smear the fingers with cream before starting, and to continue for about ten minutes for several days. Pay particular attention to the skin over the collar bones and work from them right up to the ears, as one of the largest muscles runs in this direction, and if its tone is restored, the whole neck improves very quickly. If the throat is lined, sponge with warm water and then apply a liberal supply of skin food, patting it in. and if it is very bad, warm oil is even more efficacious, either patted in or applied on a piece of lint, which is kept moist with warm oil added when necessary.

T?or any discoloration after wearing furs during the colder months, rubbing with the juice of a lemon is good, or two or three applications of hydrogen peroxide (twenty volumes). A good astringent lotion is made from camphor water, which can be bought very cheaply at the chemist's, and it is even more improved by adding a teaspoonful of the simple tincture of benzoin to a pint of the water. The camphor lotion can be made at home by crushing a piece of block camphor and then adding a pint of water in a widemouthed bottle. Shake well every few hours until the water smells strongly of the camphor, and then strain. Often actual "salt-cellars" are due to faulty breathing, and unless

the air passage is quite clear nothing is likely to bring about an improvement, so first see that there is nothing blocking either nostril. If you know that you suffer from enlarged tonsils and adenoids it is wise to consult a surgeon, from your general health point of view, quite apart from your appearance. If all is clear, try the following exercises, which will help matters wonderfully. Otand .before an open window and shut your mouth tightly. Now pressing your forefinger against one nostril, take three short, sharp breaths through the other nostril, and then repeat with the alternative nostril. Repeat five times, and this will ensure your nose passages being clear. Now do these exercises for the actual neck muscles and be sure that your shoulders arc kept perfectly still. Only do it for ten days at a time, and then let several weeks go by without exercising in case

you are owr-developing the neck muscles. Let the head fall back as far as possible, and then forwards on to the chest as far as possible. Turn the head to the left and then to the right, each movement to be done smoothly and without any suspicion of jerkiness. Without raising your left shoulder, try to let your left cheek touch it, and then' do the same with the other shoulder. Finally, complete the course by shrugging the shoulders several times, keeping the head quite still and letting the shoulders make as big an excursion as possible each time.

But don't forget that deep, regular breathing is the basis of a symmetrical and beautiful neck. If the "salt-cellars" are but part of a general thinness which you want to remedy, then a teaspoon ful of olive oil three times a day is helpful, and cod liver oil and malt works wonders. If you object to the "fish-and-treacle" taste of the latter, you can get the cod liver oil alone in capsules which are quite tasteless. Regular meals with an abundance of butter and cream and thick soups will do much to increase your weight. And, finally, don't worryfor worry is the greatest reducer known.