Ilabils.—Keep the bowels regular ; constipation is a prevalent evil, and women are more prone to it than are men. This often results from tight corsets. The stomach, liver, and intestines mast have perfect freedom. Diet is the way to regulate the bowels. Eat plenty of fruit, a moderate supply of vegetables, wear loose clothing, exercise faithfully, and constipation will disappear. It is most essential to get enough sleep. Most people require from seven to eight hours' sleep ; others get along very well with six. Napo leon's dictum—" five for a man, six for a woman, and seven for a fool " showed a lack of understanding on the subject. Ile claimed to get along on only four hours' sleep himself ; but lie had a habit of " napping " during the day, even while in the saddle. Go to bed at a regular hour, and the habit of dropping quickly to sleep will soon be formed. Endeavour to pass gout evenings in a cheerful way, and go to bed in a happy frame of mind, leaving your cares behind you.
Exercise is very necessary, and is best taken in a mild form, and never immediately following a meal. However, from ancient times a short walk has always been recommended after the evening meal. The Romans con sidered a thousand paces the correct length.
Bathing is conducive to health ; a shower-bath in the morning is one of the best forms. Use cold water if you get a quick reaction ; if not, it is better to take the chill off the water. If these rules are followed, the pallid, amemic complexion will quickly give place to the glow of good health, the thin and hollow places will round out, and you will feel as if you had been made over again.
To Reduce Flesh or Obesity.—Avoid starchy foods, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, cereals, and white bread ; all fatty meats, such as goose, duck, pork ; fatty fish, such as salmon or eels ; butter, cream, farinaceous puddings, sweet preserves, and wines and beer, and also drinking during meals. Entire wheat bread toasted, or zwieback, is good.
Substitlites.—Masticate the food thoroughly. Take lean meat, game and poultry in moderation ; lean tongue and ham, white fish, green vege tables, fruit, toast, biscuits, and light wine.
The body should be frequently massaged, especially the abdomen. Take plenty of exercise, both out of doors and in the house. Physical-culture exercises (see THE STANDARD PHYSICIAN') are very helpful in reducing cumber some adipose tissue. Get into a good perspiration, and then rub dry before putting on different clothes. Rubber garments are also used to induce per spiration and reduce the flesh (see OBESITY). Do not lie down after meals.
Do not use drugs which are advertised to reduce flesh, as they are injurious, and will ruin the digestive organs. The following are non-starchy foods : Lean mutton or beef, poultry and game, fish, eggs, lettuce, mushrooms, water cress, onions, cucumbers, tomatoes, grape fruit, oranges, and strawberries eaten without sugar.
Care and Treatment of the Hain—The health of the hair depends upon the care of the scalp ; see that it is kept clean. A shampoo every two or three weeks is not too often ; choose a hairbrush with soft and flexible bristles. The following preparations are excellent for removing dandruff and cleansing the scalp : Toilet ammonia, drachm ; tincture of quillaia, -1 drachm; rectified spirit, 7 drachms ; oil of lavender, io drops.
Egg ShamPoo.—Yolks of two eggs ; boroglycerine, ounce. Add a tablespoonful of water, shake well, then add a pint of water. To stimulate the growth of the hair the following is an excellent tonic : Pilocarpine nitrate, grains ; quinine hydrochloride, 2 grains ; glycerine, 2 drachms. Add rose water to make r ounce.
The hairbrush should be frequently washed. To do so, first remove all hairs entangled in the bristles, then take a strong solution of washing-soda in hot water. Do not immerse more than hall the length of the bristles, then rinse in warm water. Dry with a towel, and. if possible, in the sun or in front of the fire. Brush the hair carefully at night ; do not plait or braid it ; let it be spread over the pillow where the air can get at it.
.laity people use dry shampoos. The following recipes arc excellent for this purpose: (I) Curd soap, drachm; oil of lavender, drachm; solution of ammonia, ounce ; water, 3 ounces ; rectified spirit, 8 olinCeS. (2) ESSenCe of bitter almonds, drachm; strong solution of ammonia, 4 drachms; eau de Cologne, r ounce ; tincture of soapbark, ounces.
11 one prefers a shampoo-powder, instead of using soap for washing the head, the following is a good recipe: 13orax, 3 drachms; washing-soda (dried), drachm ; hard soap in powder, 4 drachms. This may lie scented with rosemary or verbena.
Dandruff is a natural product and is only injurious when existing in excessive quantity. To remove it, the scalp should be massaged thoroughly, and the following is an excellent shampoo for the purpose : Solution of ammonia, 2 drachms; soft soap, 3 drachms. Dissolve in half a pint of water into which a well-beaten egg is slowly stirred.