f the head and
the back of the head are stroked similarly. After this the whole head
is rubbed briskly with the finger-points. This should be done often,
even four or five times in the day. If the patient objects, it is being
unskilfully done; the right sort of rubbing is always pleasant. A
squinting eye has been cured in a few rubbings, where the case was a
simple one. If the head becomes very hot, it may be cooled as directed
above for Children's Sleep. Squinting may be produced or increased by
that state of the stomach and bowels in which worms are bred.
Face, Skin of.--To secure a healthy appearance of this is worth much
trouble, and any eruption or unhealthy redness is a great trial,
especially to ladies. To cure and prevent these, it is usually
necessary to look first to the _diet_. A disagreeable redness of the
nose, and pimples in various places, is the common result of too much
rich food, not to speak of alcoholic drink, which is always most
injurious to the face skin. The use of corsets is another fertile
source of this trouble, and many in their desire to improve their
figure ruin their faces. Plain, easily digested food is to be taken.
Tea must only be used _at most_ twice in the day, and should be
exceedingly weak. Half-a-teacupful of hot water should be taken before
every meal, and everything possible done to promote digestion. The
whole skin must be brought into a healthy state by daily washing with
M'Clinton's soap (_see_ Soap); no other should be used for toilet
purposes. It is far better than the boasted and expensive "complexion
soaps," and can now be had in various forms. Many faces are injured by
the kind of soap used in washing. The use of the kind we recommend is
remarkably pleasant and beneficial, and a full account of it, and of
our motives in recommending it, will be found under article Soap. If,
however, the face will not stand the touch of water at all, good
BUTTERMILK (_see_) forms the best wash and cooling application. Also a
_cloth mask_ may be worn all night, lined inside with soft creamy soap
lather. In violent face irritation this last treatment is especially
valuable.
For pimples on the face, the general treatment for the skin mentioned
above (_see_ Eyes, Inflamed) is to be used, especially applied to the
skin of the back. The buttermilk wash may also be used, but the best
effect comes from the general treatment of the skin.
Fainting.--Fatigue, excessive heat, fright, loss of
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