Septic Fingers

New Zealand Listener, Volume 4, Issue 91, 21 March 1941, Page 46

Septic Fingers

Now another thing I want to tell you is that on and off for nearly ten years I have had septic finger nails, though luckily only one at a time, and only on the one hand, one nail perhaps being bad

for quite two years. I tried several remedies, but always after a washing of clothes the nail was as bad as ever. My young daughter bought your cookery book, as we only -have a wireless set with earphones and we have not time to "listenin" during the day to anything but war news, so do not get the cookery hints. Well, I looked through the book and saw a remedy for septic fingernails. Having all the ingredients in the house I quickly made a paste of them and applied some on my troublesome finger. I endured about fifteen minutes" intense pain with it, and then, "hey presto," it finished the bad nail! I tried two more applications, but it was not really necessary as I had no pain, It is completely cured, and that is now three months ago. I cannot tell you how pleased I am about it. It seems such a minor complaint and unless one was troubled. with it, one would never believe it could be so painful and annoying. I always read your page in The Listener and cut out the recipes for future reference. I hope you.will be able to help»me about the first part of my letter. I do admire you, and realise what a help you are to so many. With good

wishes for 1941.

Winifred

(Master-

ton).

What a relief about the septic fingernail, Winifred. I only hope the cure will be permanent, At the slightest sign of recurrence, you must at once try it again, I suppose it was the recipe in the "Home Remedies" at the end of the No. 4 Cookery Book-it is also in the "Simple Remedies" in the Hint Book, In case anyone else would like to know it, here it is-one teaspoon each of zinc ointment, powdered alum, and boracic powder, Mix well, and apply round the fingernails at night time. No rag is necessary. I have heard from many who have found it successful, but I did not hear of it hurting so much when first applied. I suppose it depends on the individual case. About the butter-I inquired of Mr. Haydon of the National Patriotic Fund Board, and I learned that butter which is being sold in tins for just this purpose, may be included in our private parcels to friends in England, just as we include tinned meats, and cakes in tins. But you cannot arrange with a Government Department to send butter or lamb home, as we used to like to do as a Christmas present. In our own private parcels, however, we may certainly include the tins of butter. I have seen tins which cost two shillings, and are put up by one of the best known dairy companies in New Zealand. I would not advise buying

butter and enclosing it in a tin oneself. This tinned butter is sealed properly, and is sure to be all right. You can also buy the tinned cheese made by the same company,