Lisa Murphy
Corporal
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2019
- Location
- Washington State
Found this in the "The Ladies’ Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness. A Complete Hand Book for the Use of the Lady in Polite Society. Containing Full Directions for Correct Manners, Dress, Deportment, and Conversation; Rules for the Duties of Both Hostess and Guest in Morning Receptions, Dinner Companies, Visiting, Evening Parties and Balls; A Complete Guide for Letter Writing and Cards of Compliment; Hints on Managing Servants, on the Preservation of Health, and on Accomplishments. And Also Useful Receipts for the Complexion, Hair, and with Hints and Directions for the Care of the Wardrobe," by Florence Hartley (Now there's a Victorian title!!)
"TO REMOVE BLACK STAINS FROM THE SKIN. -- Ladies that wear mourning are much incommoded by the blackness that it leaves on the arms and neck, and which cannot easily be removed, even by soap and water. To have a remedy always at hand, keep, in the drawer of your washstand, a box, containing a mixture in equal portions of cream of tarter, and oxalic acid (POISON). Get, at a druggist's, half an ounce of each of these articles, and have them mixed and pounded together in a mortar. Put some of this mixture into a cup that has a cover, and, if afterwards it becomes hard, you may keep it slightly moistened with water. See that it is always closely covered. To use it, wet the black stains on your skin with the corner of a towel dipped in water (warm water is best, but is not always at hand.) Then, with your finger, rub on a little of the mixture. Then immediately wash it off with water, and afterwards with soap and water, and the black stains will no longer be visible."
From the Poison Control Help Line:
"Oxalic acid is toxic because of its acidic and chelating properties. It may cause burns, nausea, severe gastroenteritis and vomiting, shock and convulsions. It is especially toxic when ingested. As little as 5 to 15 grams (71 mg/kg) may be fatal to humans."
"TO REMOVE BLACK STAINS FROM THE SKIN. -- Ladies that wear mourning are much incommoded by the blackness that it leaves on the arms and neck, and which cannot easily be removed, even by soap and water. To have a remedy always at hand, keep, in the drawer of your washstand, a box, containing a mixture in equal portions of cream of tarter, and oxalic acid (POISON). Get, at a druggist's, half an ounce of each of these articles, and have them mixed and pounded together in a mortar. Put some of this mixture into a cup that has a cover, and, if afterwards it becomes hard, you may keep it slightly moistened with water. See that it is always closely covered. To use it, wet the black stains on your skin with the corner of a towel dipped in water (warm water is best, but is not always at hand.) Then, with your finger, rub on a little of the mixture. Then immediately wash it off with water, and afterwards with soap and water, and the black stains will no longer be visible."
From the Poison Control Help Line:
"Oxalic acid is toxic because of its acidic and chelating properties. It may cause burns, nausea, severe gastroenteritis and vomiting, shock and convulsions. It is especially toxic when ingested. As little as 5 to 15 grams (71 mg/kg) may be fatal to humans."