Dry cuticles need special care and there is an admirable oil made for them which heals and softens and keeps them in good condition for the future, All creaming and the zpplication of the cuticle oil should be done when the hands are slightly damp after washing. If the cuticles are broken, they should be treated to two or three hot oil baths. Olive oil heated to a comfortable warmth should be used and the fingertips soaked in it for a few minutes. If the cuticle needs trimming, it is better to leave it to the attentions of an expert, for it must be done very carefully Indeed and avoided altogether if possible. Cuticles which are constantly trimmed tend to be-some thickened.
There has recently been an epi-domic of brittle fingernails which seem to break or crack at the smallest provocation. Occtsionally there is a constitutional cause, but there must be something more general than this io account for the number of people nowadays who complain of the trouble. So far it remains a mystery. Possibly a lack of animal fats in the diet is responsible. Lard is rich in Vitamin F which makes for healthy nails among its other virtues. Another theory also concerns diet. A too dry diet is sometimes held responsible and this can be counteracted by drinking more water between meals.
Nail varnish is sometimes blamed for brittle nails, but if there is any fault here it probably lies with the ipe a LiT
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.