is made from the ash of plants, which gives it a mildness not
approached by even the most expensive soaps obtainable.

If the hands have become chapped, fill a pair of old loose kid gloves
with well wrought Lather (_see_), putting these on just when getting
into bed, and wearing till morning. Doing this for two or three nights
will cure chapped, or even the more painful "hacked" hands, where the
outer skin has got hard and cracked down to the tender inner layer.

Chest Pains.--_See_ Angina Pectoris.

Chest Protectors.--These are often piled on the front of the body,
while the far more important _back_ is left exposed. In many cases of
delicacy and cough, particularly with women, it is far more effective
to protect the upper back with warm extra flannel than to place
covering on the chest. This alone will sometimes cure distressing
coughs. In every case, such "protection," whether to back or breast,
should be such as to secure free escape of perspiration (_see_
Underwear). A sheet of fine wadding is excellent. Where less heat is
desired, new flannel is the best. Often, also, chest trouble is best
helped by protecting the soles of the feet. If these and the back are
kept warm, there is little fear or harm at the front of the chest. Let
the back covering, where it is used, come down as far as the top of the
hip bones.

Chilblains.--These occur in hands and feet where the circulative power
is feeble, either from weakness or from tight pressure of boots or
gloves. The cold has power, owing to lack of circulation, to partly
kill the skin, which thus becomes painfully inflamed, and swells. To
increase and maintain circulation in the part is to cure it. In the
early stages, when heat and itching are felt, a good rubbing with hot
olive oil and cayenne tea will often cure. But if this fail, pack the
foot or hand in cloths soaked with vinegar. If the pain is great, place
the packed foot or hand in hot water for a few minutes or more. After
this immersion repack with vinegar-soaked cloths, cover well up with
dry flannel, and wear this packing all night. In cases where weakness
is the root of the trouble, rub the back once a day with hot oil until
a glow of heat arises all over it. Do this daily for a fortnight _at
least_. Where tight boots or gloves are the cause, these must be
discarded for more easily fitting ones.

Child-bearing.--Simple remedies such as we advocate are found of
immense service in mitigating both t