Document jLpOLZ2dXBQ0k5n1jz5dVw0Q

I At May, 1 9 3 6 . 1. M easure fo o t size. 2. Measure leg length. 3. Measure stretch at tops-- should be IIV2 or 12 inches. 4. Measure stretch at ankles-- should be about 8*4 inches. 5. Check reinforcements: garter tops (look for runstop construction), heels, toes (look for ring-toe rein forcement, and for runstop construction between toe and instep). 6. Count fashion marks--should be about five above knee, and 25 or 30 below calf. 7. Inspect for defects: rings, shadows, vertical stripes, and other variations in shade; "slugs" and fuzzy spots; holes and mends; sleazy places. Other Buying Economies It is economical to buy two or three or even more identical pairs of hose at one time. Then, when one stocking of a pair develops a run or gets snagged beyond repair, its mate can still be used with stockings from other pairs. Since very sheer hose and hose meant for wear with "barefoot san dals" and therefore poorly reinforced cannot be expected to wear long any way, it is doubtful whether it is eco nomical to buy any but cheaper brands. Experienced buyers of hosiery can often save money by shopping in " bar gain basements" or other places where hose stamped "irregulars" are sold. The defects for which they have been thrown out of first grade are sometimes in places where they do not show, and of such a kind as not to decrease the durability of the stockings. You must inspect such hose with extreme care, however, to be sure that you have dis covered all their defects. Look partic ularly for holes and other defects in construction, and check up carefully on elasticity, especially at the ankles. Lead Hazard in Toys Th e Fear of Many Mothers That cheap toys, such as are found in the 5-and-IO-cent stores, are painted with poisonous lead paints is probably groundless. Tests made by Consumers Union on a large number of toys pur chased in Woolworth, Kress, and Kresge stores showed no lead in the paints used on any of these toys. The metals of which many small toys are made, however, are not equally innocent of hazard to young children. .Numerous small, one-piece metal toys such as soldiers, automobiles, air planes, etc. were found to be made of a soft metal alloy containing a high percentage of lead. In no case was die metal completely covered by paint, and in some cases the metal was en tirely bare--a serious hazard to young 1hildrcn, who enjoy their toys with their mouths as well as with their inds. Bare lead is dangerous even to uler children, since it rubs o2 on the Lead hands and can be carried to the mouth. The hazard is especially great be cause lead is a poison which accumu lates in the body, and can do great damage in amounts almost infinitesi mally small. Some medical authorities believe that lead presents one of the gravest hazards of childhood, being responsible for many obscure ailments which can be diagnosed only with the greatest difficulty. Lead paint used on floors, porches, cribs, and other furni ture sometimes causes acute lead poi soning of children. Practically every one stores some lead in his body from the many foods which are contaminated with lead. The more there is stored up, the greater is the hazard from any additional source of lead. The pur chase of lead toys should, therefore, be scrupulously avoided. Fortunately, the metal alloys which are likely to contain lead can be easily detected. Usually, though not always, they are shiny, and so soft that a deep scratch can be made on them with a nail file or pin. The only small metal toys similar to those described which were found to be free of lead were a number bearing the brand name Tootsietoy. Repainted toys should be avoided unless there is some way of being as sured that lead-free paints were used. In some cities, old toys are collected and repaired, and repainted for dis tribution to children in poor families at Christmas time. There is always the danger that persons unaware of the hazard will use ordinary lead paint3. In one city, children were employed to do the repainting, and many of them were poisoned by the lead^paint3 pro vided for tire work. 5