CHILBLAINS AND CHAPS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1731, 28 June 1917, Page 4

CHILBLAINS AND CHAPS.

Now the cold, damp weather is here, those poor unfortunate folk who are prone to chilblains are no doubt complaining already that they can hardly walk, or that their hands are almost useless! Chilblains arc no joke to the possessor. It is really pitiful to see how children suffer from them. Poor miles! Mother-sometimes has a hard job to get the little shoes on at all when school-time comes. There are very many prescriptions for. the cure of chilblains. The best prescription of all is—prevention. Chilblains are due to the paralysis by cold of the blood-vessels in (lie parts affected. Any part may be touched, the fingers and toes being the most usual. Now, it stands to reason that if the cause is paralysis of the blood-vessels by cold, the best way to ward off the -approach of chilblains is to keep the circulation good. A child who has a naturally sluggish circulation should be encouraged in outdoor games, especially skipping, the sovereign remedy for chilblains. Women who suffer from this compaint should try joining a gymnastic class; they will soon find themselves cured. Avoid tight boots and gloves, and wear warm stockings and woollen gloves in cold weather. Of course, damp is very bad, so make certain that the bools are always quite watertight. If a chilblain has formed it should be treated at once. In the first stage a chilblain, is white and cold; in the second stage hot, congested, itching, and red. Take it in its first stage, for if allowed to go on it may break, and will be very painful and much more difficult to cure. Here is a good prescription for chilblains in their first stage. This is also very beneficial if rubbed on for sprains. CHILBLAIN OINTMENT. - One drachm rock camphor, ono egg, quarter pint.turpentine, half a pint vinegar. Thoroughly beat (he egg, add the turpentine, and mix I well. Add the vinegar. But in a widc-moulh buttle until quite mixed, shave up camphor small, pul in and shake. (Ark, ami keep in a cool place. Another splendid remedy is to paint the place wejl over with collodion; or it can be dusted with starch and wrapped in cotton wool. Great care should be taken that the skin does not break; but if it does so, apply some boracic ointment and cover with clean rag. Be very particular to keep it clean and covered, or dye may get in from the glove or stocking and cause bloodpoisoning. Chapped hands arc also a great trial to many people in the cold weather. They are best avoided by washing in cold water, and by not wearing woollen gloves next to the skin on any account; if you wish to wear woollen gloves, pul: on a pair of cotton ones first. Do not expose your hands to the air when they are damp. This is often a means of setting up “chaps.” 'When they have appeared, the best means of curing them is to apply, glycerine (if you are lucky enough to have some in the house) and wear cotton gloves at night. Cracked lips are best treated with cold cream.