HEALTH NOTES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 28 September 1907, Page 4

HEALTH NOTES.

The perfect health which constitute: beauty ought t 0 he within the reach o every woman whose means- enal.le he; to command plain wholesome food, rcu lar employment, comfortable sicepiii. quarters, a fair amount of exercise,am a contented mind. This last goes a louj way, and oeeupation is equally desir able.

\ery late hours, lack of proper food • and rest, perpetual sedentary cmploy- ■ meat are the portion of too many wo- , men, and are, unfortunately, very cotii dueive to ill-health. Good teeth are both necessary for [ health and good looks. With bad teeth j we have bad indigestion, and when that lis the ease the whole system is upset, for the teeth and the digestive organs work reciprocally in a measure. Had teeth predispose to indigestion, and indigestion in turn indirectly reflects further mischief upon the teeth, thus mutually affecting each other. The contention advanced is, not tint the possessor of a sound set of teeth cannot suffer from indigestion, but that a deficiency in these organs is generally a primary cause of that complaint," and does more to contribute to the miseries of human existence than any oilier source of disease. The teeth are intended to perform an important part in digestion, and a visit to the dentist often cures indigestion. If the food be imperfectly chewed and swallowed in masses—bolted, in factit is less easily attacked by the digestive fluids, ami may remain in the stomach a long time undigested, causing all sorts of discomfort. Hut if properly ground down into a pulp these fluid's get at it immediately. Therfore directly we are the unfortunate possessor of a decayed or hollow tooth, we should have it stopped or extracted. Irregularity of the teeth interferes materially with mastication, in addition to causing a displeasing appearance; but a cure may be effected by a timely visit to the dentist, who by the aid of a mechanical contrivance, so constructed as to induce rather than compel an errant tooth to move in the desired direction, would put matters right. The

treatment is merely a question of patience, not of pain. The teeth should be brushed regularly night and morning, and if necessary a good dentifrice used. Tooth washes and powders should be of four kinds; either astringent, antiseptic, alkaline, or neutral; but never acid, as that will soften tl name], and in time cause decay. Alkalincs tend to neutralise the acidity caused by the decomposition of acid foods. A stringent or antiseptic powders or washes are beneficial in hardening and preserving the gums; and neutral preparations, such as chalk, pumice-stone, and the like, produce a polishing effect only. • One of the best whitening dontrifrics is areca nut. It may be safely used by all, as it is a capital deodoriser as well as a cleanser, and will not scratch the enamel as many otherwise satisfactory powders are apt to do. For those who prefer to mix their own, the following is an excellent powder;— Orris root 2oz, precipitated chalk 2oz, camphor 2 drachms, quinine half a drachm; perfume with a few drops of oil of cloves. If the,gums are spongy or loose from the teeth add a tcaspoonful to half a tumbler of tepid water of tincture of myrrh 3 drahms, Eau do Cologne loz, borax 1 drachm. A pinch of powdered borax in tepid water makes an excellent wash to rinse out the mouth the last thing at night.

Never fail to consult ,% dentist directly a spot of decay forma on any tooth, even if it gives no pain. Decay is often infectious, and destroys a 'neighboring tooth. Another trouble summer brings to many is tenderness of the feet. To prevent" this they should be bathed daily with a little vinegar in the water, and powdered with boracie and starch pow der—two ounces of the latter to one or boracie.