5828. Treatment of Ingrowing Toe Nails

5828.    Treatment of Ingrowing Toe Nails. Begin the effort at cure by simple application to the tender part of a small quantity of perchloride of iron. It is found in drag stores in a fluid form, though sometimes in powder. There is immediately a moderate sensation of pain, constriction or burning. In a few minutes the tender surface is felt to be dried up, tanned or mummified, and it ceases to be painful. The patient, who before could not put his foot to the floor, now finds that he can walk upon it without pain. By permitting the hardened, wood-like flesh to remain for 2 or 3 weeks, it can be easily removed by soaking the foot in warm water. A new and healthy structure is found firm and solid, below. If thereafter the nails bo no more cut around the corners or sides, but always curved in across the front end, they will in future grow only forwards; and by wearing a shoe of reasonably good size and shape, all further trouble will be avoided.

5829. To Prevent the Nail Growing into the Toe

5829.    To Prevent the Nail Growing into the Toe. If the nail of your toe be hard, and apt to grow round, and into the corners of your toe, take a piece of broken glass and scrape the top very thin; do this whenever you cut your nails, and, by constant use, it makes the corners fly up and grow flat, so that it is impossible they should give yon any pain. Do not fail to try this.

5830. Remedy for Blistered Feet from Long Walking

5830.      Remedy for Blistered Feet from Long Walking. Rub the feet, at g.»ing to bed, with spirits, mixed with tallow dropped from a lighted candle into the palm of the hand.

5831. Method of Preventing Cold Feet at Bed-time

5831.      Method of Preventing Cold Feet at Bed-time. Draw off your stockings just before undressing, and rub your ankles and feet well with your hand, as hard as you can bear the pressure, for 5 or 10 minutes, and you will never have to complain of cold feet in bed. It is hardly conceivable what a pleasurable glow this diffuses. Frequent washing of the feet, and rubbing them thoroughly dry with a linen cloth or flannel, is very useful.

5832. Chilblain

5832.    Chilblain. This is an inflammatory swelling, of a purple or lead color, produced by the action of cold. Children, especially those of a scrofulous habit, and elderly persons, are generally most liable to chilblains. The common cause is holding the hands or feet to the fire, after exposure to cold. The sudden change of temperature partially destroys the vitality, and prevents the proper flow of blood through the part. As chilblain is only another name for a languid circulation in the part affected, indicated by a congested skin, or a low form of inflammation, the value of most of the following receipts will be apparent when it is noticed that they are all calculated to act as stimulants of the blood-vessels, and thus promote the motion of the partially stagnant blood which gives rise to the heat and itching that are so distressing. (See No. 5006 (Compound Gall Ointment).)