THOSE CHILBLAINS AGAIN

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 8, Issue 78, 5 June 1945, Page 7

THOSE CHILBLAINS AGAIN

Chilblain weather is with us again —and .so are the early crops of chilblains. If chilblains were caused solely by cold and wetness. then we'd all have them. As it is, only some unfortunate people get them —■ others dodge them. It has. been suggested that lack of calcium in the blood is a cause of chilblains. There is no scientific l»sis for this.—the laboratory shows that chilblain .sufferers have just as much calcium in their blood as others and that calcium taken by the mouth doesn't as a rule increase the calcium in the blood. Calcium injections do help, however so try some through your -doctor if you've really had chilblains. And in some people in spite of the laboratory ? calcium by the mouth does help. You need cod liver oil at the same time 7 or halibut oil. The vitamin D in the fish oil helps the body to absorb the calcium. Of course, you can take your calcium naturally by drinking plentv of milk which is the. richest ~ 9 dietary source of calcium. A chilblain is just blood-vessel trouble—bad circulation. You can't hope to dodge chilblains if you keep your feet in damp sodden shoes. Mother should have soft woolly slippers for inside the house, and a pair of watertight overshoes for outside kept, on the back porch. Never let your feet get thoroughly chilled—for then you'll warm them and bring on chilblains. Keep your hands warm with gloves. Change shoes and slippers often so that the feet are dry. Paint tlie actual chilblain with Friar's balsam. Eat dairy products, vegetables, and fruit daily; drink more milk; keep warm and dry.