CHILBLAINS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1835, 4 June 1918, Page 3

CHILBLAINS.

The amount of discomfort caused hy chilblains is quite out of proportion to their seriousness, and sufferers are usually willing to take almost any amount of trouble in order to prevent their appearance. It must ho remembered that chilblains are almost always due to defective circulation, combined in many eases with pressure, sometimes with local cold. 1 have known one case where the patient had never had a chilblain until one winter when he happened to take up the study of clay modelling. The constant handling of the cold, damp (day caused such chilblains that his ]lands were for weeks almost useless from the pain and swelling. On discontinuing the modelling the chilblains disappeared, and have not since recurred.

If is clear Hull: Iho chief prccauliou (o lie 1 akou is Hio improvement of the circulation. This should ho helped by taking' brisk daily walking exercise, by beginning the day with ten minutes’ gymnastic or Swedish exercises, by frequent .short periods of massage of the parts usually affected, throughout, the day, and by the avoidance of tight or cramping garments of every kind. Especially should the extremities be kept free; the puffs and sleeves he 100.-re; no garters or such contrivances be worn, and the gloves and shoes be loosely lilting and warmly lined. Thick, soft socks or stockings should he worn. Pressure on any part of the foot should he avoided.

The hands should not he exposed to cold for any length of time, and —should they become chilled — should he warmed rather by rubbing and massage than by holding to a tire. They should he carefully dried after washing.