Democratic Sentinel, Volume 22, Number 28, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 30 July 1898 — Where Fingers Are Clumsy. [ARTICLE]

Where Fingers Are Clumsy.

The countries where the long finger nail Is most affected are Slam, Annum, Cochin China and China. The approved length varies from three or four to twenty-three inches. A Siamese exquisite permits the nails on his fingers to grow to such an extent that his hands are practically useless. The aristocrats who affect these nails cannot write, dress themselves or even feed themselves. The Siamese hold the long finger nail In the same reverence we hold the family tree. Many of them never have their nails cut from the day of tbelr birth. On the first fltnger the nail is of moderate length—three or four Inches —while on the other fingers the nails grow occasionally to two feet The thumb nail, which Is also allowed to grow long, after reaching a certain length curves around like a corkscrew. In both China and Siam the owners of long nails wear metal cases over them to preserve them, made of gold or sliver, and Jeweled. While long nails are not regarded as singular In China, they are rarely met with except on fanatics and pedantic scholars. Among the fakirs in Hindoostan a peculiar custom is that of holding the hand tightly clenched and In one position so long that at last the nails gr&w through the palm, emerging at the back of the hand and growing thence almost to the wrist. When the wasted muscles refuse to support the arm any longer it Is bound in position with cords. In Nubia the long nail Is regarded as indicative of good breeding. The aristocrats comstantly subject their fingertips to cedar wood fire to insure a good growth. The inhabitants of the Marquesas islands are among the most expert tattooers on earth, r-nd not even the crown of the head, the fingers and the toes are exempt from the needle. The hands are ornamented with utmost care, all the fingers having their own pattern, so the hand would look aA though Incased in a tight-fitting glove were It not for the Anger nails of enormous length which complete the hand adornment of the wealthier natives.