Boracic acid in the form of a powder may be dusted on the feet with quite satisfactory results in removing a dis- agreeable odor. If the feet perspire very freely bathe them every morning in salt and water to harden them, and always wear woolen stockings — thin merino in the summer and heavier ones in the winter, as cotton, silk or lisle thread hosiery will increase the difficulty. If the feet are tender bathe them daily in tepid water containing a little alum or tannin or a weak decoction of white oak bark or tincture of arnica and water ; and if much exercise is taken wear soft woolen or merino hosiery, which will prevent the formation of blisters or tender spots. It is also well to sprinkle the stockings on the inside along the sole with powdered starch or carbo- lated talc. Very sensitive or tender feet should never be 478 BE A UTY. bathed without being afterward rinsed in or rubbed with any of the astringent or hardening washes suggested in (•his chapter, or in the one including remedies for exces- sive perspiration. As in the latter trouble, woolen or merino hose are best adapted to tender feet since they are much softer than either cotton, silk or lisle thread. CHAPTER XXXIV. HOW TO REDUCE OR ACQUIRE FLESH. It has been proven that in some instances obesity is a disease which requires not only a special diet but medici- nal treatment. But more often it is the result of a con- stitutional tendency to embojipoiiit^ or of too great an indulgence in rich food and drinks, too much sleep and too little exercise. Where it is an actual disease a phy- sician should be consulted ; if it is constitutional and not inconveniencing, " let well enough alone ; " but if it interferes with the comfort of the individual independent of her health, let her follow the suggestions given those whose adipose tissue is the result of self-indulgence and a source of annoyance and mortification to them. It is said that Falstaff sighed in vain for his too, too solid flesh to melt, and many another mortal has done the same ; but as a rule the corpulent individual regards one means of causing his flesh to decrease — exercise — with a repugnance equal in strength to the protests he offers upon any attempt to limit the quantity of his food. With- out a proper amount of exercise and some restraint in the matter of diet, the sufferer from obesity need expect no diminution of his or her sufferings. Drastic drugs, labeled as anti-fats will simply reduce the flesh of an individual temporarily and so weaken the system and lower the vitality as to often render him or her an in- valid; and not infrequently is this invalidism attended 479 48o BEA UTY. with fatal results. A home hygienic treatment of one's own case, if faithfully and patiently followed, should bring relief with no lessening of the strength \ and when it does not, then it may be inferred that the difficulty is constitutional or is a regularly developed disease and that the individual would increase in avoirdupois even though he fasted.

AI-modernized reading of the original text

Boracic acid in the form of a powder may be dusted on the feet with quite satisfactory results in removing a disagreeable odor. If the feet perspire very freely bathe them every morning in salt and water to harden them, and always wear woolen stockings — thin merino in the summer and heavier ones in the winter, as cotton, silk or lisle thread hosiery will increase the difficulty. If the feet are tender bathe them daily in tepid water containing a little alum or tannin or a weak decoction of white oak bark or tincture of arnica and water ; and if much exercise is taken wear soft woolen or merino hosiery, which will prevent the formation of blisters or tender spots. It is also well to sprinkle the stockings on the inside along the sole with powdered starch or carbolated talc. Very sensitive or tender feet should never be 478 BEAUTY. bathed without being afterward rinsed in or rubbed with any of the astringent or hardening washes suggested in (•his chapter, or in the one including remedies for excessive perspiration. As in the latter trouble, woolen or merino hose are best adapted to tender feet since they are much softer than either cotton, silk or lisle thread. CHAPTER XXXIV. HOW TO REDUCE OR ACQUIRE FLESH. It has been proven that in some instances obesity is a disease which requires not only a special diet but medicinal treatment. But more often it is the result of a constitutional tendency to embonpoint or of too great an indulgence in rich food and drinks, too much sleep and too little exercise. Where it is an actual disease a physician should be consulted ; if it is constitutional and not inconveniencing, " let well enough alone ; " but if it interferes with the comfort of the individual independent of her health, let her follow the suggestions given those whose adipose tissue is the result of self-indulgence and a source of annoyance and mortification to them. It is said that Falstaff sighed in vain for his too, too solid flesh to melt, and many another mortal has done the same ; but as a rule the corpulent individual regards one means of causing his flesh to decrease — exercise — with a repugnance equal in strength to the protests he offers upon any attempt to limit the quantity of his food. Without a proper amount of exercise and some restraint in the matter of diet, the sufferer from obesity need expect no diminution of his or her sufferings. Drastic drugs, labeled as anti-fats will simply reduce the flesh of an individual temporarily and so weaken the system and lower the vitality as to often render him or her an invalid; and not infrequently is this invalidism attended 480 BEAUTY. with fatal results. A home hygienic treatment of one's own case, if faithfully and patiently followed, should bring relief with no lessening of the strength \ and when it does not, then it may be inferred that the difficulty is constitutional or is a regularly developed disease and that the individual would increase in avoirdupois even though he fasted.

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