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.

[798 Mothers’ remedies]

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.