Sun Worshippers

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 566, 19 January 1929, Page 8

Sun Worshippers

THEIR PAIN AND PENALTY

Remedies, Ancient and Modern

TWO hours with the hot lingers of the sun throbbing on the naked flesh; aftermath, collapse, fever, delirium, and blood-poisoning. Resolution, “never again. This is the worst possible example of what may happen to the sun-bathers and there have been few victims of it this summer. Wisdom comes after minor doses of the sun-ra\ s with the accompanving “surfers' shoulder, blistered nose, and ruddy legs, and the bathers take care to prevent the burn or to cure it with cooling lotions.

Auckland lias not yet imported the bronzing ointment which has been invented for the fair shoulders and arms of the Riviera and the Lido by a Frenchman, and which is said to give the correct tone to the skin from the start and to allow the burning to take place gradually and painlessly. VIRTUE OF OILS But the old and tried remedies are being purchased in large quantities from the chemists of the city. Some of the trades have the remedy close at hand. Painters, for instance, who

have to work in the open, smother their faces in linseed oil, and butchers have heeft known to apply cooling dripping, though there is no evidence that this was used to any extent at the annual picnic this week. There are two schools of sunbathers those who helieve in allowing the sun to do its best and worst, and who then apply the remedies, and those who apply oils and powders as a preventive measure. Often, it has been discovered that oil applied first gives a nastier burn than otherwise would be the penalty. Dark-skinned people of course get off lightly and the bronze of the handsome man comes easily to them. Fairer ones

achieve the correct tone after lamentation. and there are a few nearalbinos who have, no other remedy than to cover themselves up and keep in the shady corner unless they would have a week, of torment in bed.

Carr on oil is the skin-saver sworn to by most bathers. This is a mixture of linseed oil or olive oil with lime water. Sometimes about 2 per cent, of carbolic is added to make the lotion antiseptic. From this humbler remedy, people go to the more expensive forms of lanoline and pottedsoaps or vanishing creams which may cost up to 10s 6d a small jar. Lanoline is an extract of wool-fat, of a yellowish colour, and it is sold to counteract the absence of sufficient oil in the skin. SOUTH SEA REMEDY

Coconut oil is probably the most popular remedy of all. It is used by South Sea island natives mainly to prevent the skin from cracking in the severe sun. The function of all the oils is the same; they exclude the air from the skin, cool it and relieve the pain. Gum preparations which dry like varnishes and protect the skin are also sold by the chemists. Rice and talc powders protect from the direct rays, and these are popular with workmen, as one may see by visiting the site of the new railway station.

The theory of the darkened skin resisting the burn has been put to practical use in the French preparation. If people stained their skins with sienna they would be relieved of some inconvenience. The addition of ochre or iron to some of the preparations would also help. Severe sun-burning, a chemist explained to-day, had exactly the same effect on the skin as burns from fire. The tissue was destroyed, blisters formed, and the victim might collapse, become feverish, semi-con-scious or delirious. There was also the danger of blood-poisoning. Salt should be removed immediately after bathing and before lying in the sun because it added to the pain and inconvenience. A danger of sun-stroke arose from prolonged exposure. Sun-glare is another of the evils which bathers should he prepared for. The back of the eye is a miniature photographic plate and every image implanted there requires constant renewal. Sun-glare is due to the excessive tax on the delicate membranes which have to change their plates in the winking of an eye and produce new nerve matter. Wise ones use tinted glasses to prevent the ultra-violet rays from reaching the retina and are thereby saved from headaches and soreness.