Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 51, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 March 1910 — THE FAMILY DOCTOR [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE FAMILY DOCTOR

Cold Weather Skin Trouble*. It is natural that persons with delicate, thin skins should suffer more or less discomfort in the winter; and when to a delicate skin is added a poor general circulation, the suffering may become a serious matter.

Much may be done to reduce this suffering to a minimum, in the case of persons who are not obliged to expose themselves to the elements in all weather, and even those who are much 'exjx>sed may help their condition by observing a few simple rules. The greatest annoyance in damp, cold countries—in England, especially —is the chilblain. In most parts of America the very cold weather is also dry, and this particular horror does not flourish. The hands and feet are the parts1 most generally affected by chilblain, which is a sort of miniature frost-bite. The intolerable itching which is associated with It Is one of the most trying symptoms. It often Leads to such vigorous scratching that the skin is broken, and ulceration results. But with the warm and dry American domicile there need not be great fear of this particular form of skin trouble.

Some persons always develop skin troubles In a prolonged spell-of very qold weather, and all very delicate skins will suffer from harsh and biting cold winds. Persons who are subject to any form of eczema are especially liable to an attack In cold weather. There are many simple precautions which no one of ordinary intelligence should neglect. Take, for example, the simplest form of all cold weather skin bothers—chapped hands. Many persons will say, “My hands always chap dreadfully in cold weather,” and if cross-examined these same' people seem to regard the chapping as an inevitable condition from which there is no escape. Let such persons try the following simple treatment: Never wash the hands in very cold or very hot water. Use a simple, pure, superfatted soap, dry very thoroughly, and apply some emollient—the old-fash-ioned glycerin and rose water will often work as well as anything. In some cases it will be better not to use soap in any form and to substitute oatmeal. The hands should always be well covered when in the open air. If to this is added proper exercise, in order that the circulation may be good, there will be no chapped hands. The same rules apply to the face and to the skin generally—thorough protection by the clothing, care in bathing, with the use of an emollient all the time, and a good general circulation. —Youth’s Companion.