Blackheads or " Flesh Worms."— The fatty substance which exudes from the sebaceous glands of the skin, if not removed by washing, sometimes hardens and corks up the gland itself. As the gland continues to secrete this substance it accumu lates and causes a hard lump or swelling. When these blackheads are numerous, they become very unsight ly. The best treatment is to press out the contents between the fingers or press the hollow end of a watch key over each speck. The entrance to these glands is in spiral form like a corkscrew. Hence the contents when pressed out have a vermiform appearance, and are supposed by many to be small animal creatures, hence called " flesh worms," but this is not the case.
A warm face bath twice a day, and gentle friction from a soft towel, as above directed, is the best preventive and remedy for this condition. Spe cifics for blackheads are the sulphate of zinc or of copper, or common pot ash properly diluted.
To use, mix 20 grains of sulphate of zinc or copper in 1 pint of dis tilled water or rose water, or mix 1 dram of fluid potash with 1 ounce of oil of sweet almonds. Then add 6 ounces of pure soft water. First press out the contents of the black head, rub with a rough towel, and apply this lotion with a camel's-hair brush or soft rag.
A face wash containing fluid pot ash, 1 ounce, cologne, 2 ounces, alco hol, 4 ounces, is also beneficial.
Freckles.—Freckles are discolora tions formed in the deeper layers of the skin by the action of sunlight. Hence to affect them directly it is necessary to work through the outer layers of the skin with a remedy that will change the deposits of coloring matter. Freckles, accordingly, offer great resistance and are not amena ble to ordinary treatment. Some au thorities are of the opinion that in digestion may result in a deposit of carbonaceous or fatty matter beneath the skin, which, when acted upon by sunlight, will produce freckles. Hence, as a preventive, attention should be paid to diet and exercise to promote the normal secretions. The skin should be kept scrupulously clean by daily bathing, and the ac tivity of the pores should be pro moted by friction with a coarse towel. These methods are safer than the use of astringents or mineral emulsions, and the latter should never be employed without the advice of a competent physician. The only cer tain preventive is the wearing of a brown veil whenever the complexion is exposed to sunlight.
Moth Patches.—Apply a solution of common baking soda to the patches with a soft rag or camel's hair brush several times a day for two or three days. Allow this to dry
on. This treatment is usually suffi cient. Afterwards cleanse the face with a bran bath and the skin will usually be found clear and brilliant.
Or keep alum at hand and rub oc casionally on the moth patches. This will usually cause them to disappear.
Moles.—Depilatories advertised for sale for the removal of moles are dangerous and their use is not rec ommended. They frequently continue eating into the flesh until an ulcer is formed, and occasionally blood poi son sets in. Some moles are of the nature of tumors, and too much care cannot be exercised in treating them. Concentrated acetic acid applied by means of a hair pencil will some times do the work. if this succeeds once it can be used again, but it will not prevent the blemish from return ing. Care must be taken that the acid does not extend to surrounding parts.
Moles can sometimes be destroyed by the use of a burning glass. The patient must take his place in the clear, strong sunlight, and focus the burning glass on the affected part for about five minutes at a time daily, until the mole has been de stroyed. Needless to say, this is a painful process, but it cannot be re garded as dangerous.
The electric needle in the hands of a competent physician is a thor oughly safe and reliable method of treatment.
Pimples.—Tbe immediate cause of pimples is usually an excess of fatty matter in the skin. They are very common in young persons from four teen to twenty years of age. They are often caused by constitutional conditions, and when very numerous are often persistent until the general health is restored. Exercise, atten tion to the diet, and general hygienic measures are recommended. A warm face bath with a heaping teaspoonful of borax in the water will be found helpful.
Sears.—Little scars are often left on the face after eruptions. A course of electric massage treatment soon effaces them. For home treat ment, every night apply to the face a cold compress, keeping it on until the flesh becomes pink, then anoint the little spots with ointment of zinc oxide.
Ointment for Wrinkles or Relaxed Skin.—To 10 grains of camphor add 2 ounces of prepared lard and 1 fluid dram of rectified spirits of wine. Apply a little of the ointment at night, previously washing the face, and strengthen the body by means of tonics and nourishing diet.
Or bathe the parts where the wrin kles appear with alum and water. This will tighten the skin.
Or fresh butter, 2 drams; essence of turpentine, 2 drams; mastic, 1 dram.