Face-powders are useful for protecting the face after washing or massage, especially when the air is dry. In moist, hot weather they clry and cool the face. To remove dust from the face, the following soap lotions will be found useful : (t) Almond-oil, ounce; almond shaving-soap, 5 drachms. in a water-bath, and add the oil drop by drop, then add slowly 2 011na'S ut water. Next take io drachms of glycerine to 8 ounces of water and mix the two solutions. (2) Dissolve half an ounce of almond soap in 4 ounces of boiling v, awl-. Mix ounce of glycerine and 4 01111CCS Of Wool-fat ; add slowly the soap and warm solution. To scent, add 10 drops of oil of orange-flower and 5 drops of oil of rose.
All sorts of preparations for removing wrinkles are widely advertised under attractive names, accompanied by extravagant claims of their respective powers. These should be avoided.
The following is an excellent recipe for cold-cream : White wax, ounce ; spermaceti, 2A ounces ; oil of sweet almonds, 2-.1: ounces. lelt together, add T-..1 ounces of rose-water, and beat into a cream.
.1 good face lotion : Glycerine, 2 01111CCS ; bellZ0111, ounce ; quince-seed, ounce ; boiled water, pints. the quince-seed in water and let it stand for twenty-four hours, then strain. Add the glycerine and benzoin after thoroughly mixing them.
A massage cream : Light carbonate of magnesia, to grains ; zinc oxide, t5 grains; glycerine, drachm; mucilage of tragacanth, 5 drachms; rose-water, sufficient to make ounce.
'Alassaging the skin is beneficial, and if done properly may reduce—if it does not entirely remove—m:rinkles. The principle of massaging consists of working parallel to lines and wrinkles. The forehead especially should be treated in this way ; if the cheeks are plump, this treatment should not be applied to them, for it would make them look puffed out and flabby. :Massaging should at all times be done gently. Facial eruptions generally arise from gastric disorders. It is therefore well to give the body a general treatment.
1i:cep the digestive organs active, bathe reg011arly, and drink water between meals. Exercise in the open air is also very essential. A local treatment is tirst to steam the face thoroughly, then dry, and apply cold-cream. Do not try to press blackheads out ; the result is merely to leave red marks and small holes to collect dust and dirt. If pimples are painful, the following lotion will be found soothing : Resorcin, 3 grains ; zinc oxide, 2o grains ; calamine, drachm; glycerine, drachm; rose-water, to ounce. If they are not painful, apply the following lotion night and morning : Alum, A drachm ; sodium chloride, drachm; sulphur, drachm; spermaceti, io grains ; glycerine, 2o drops ; water, to make ounce.
Some women are troubled with a growth of hair on the upper lip. If it is dark, peroxide of hydrogen will bleach it until it is light in colour and scarcely noticeable. However, the only way to remove superfluous hair is by treatment with the electric needle, which can, of course, only be employed by a medical man. Powders and paste merely burn the growth to the surface.
A too strong stimulating diet will sometimes induce a florid complexion.
It is then advisable to give up strong tea and coffee and alcoholic drinks of all kinds, and to eat plenty of fruit and vegetables, and drink all the water possible between meals. It should always be remembered that prevention is better than cure. Moderation in all things—in exercise, in diet, and in work— will produce the best results in the maintenance of health.
PHARYNGITIS.—Inflammation of the pharynx—that part of the ali mentary canal between the palate and the (esophagus which serves as an air passage to the larynx. This affection may he either acute or chronic. For its description, causes, treatment, etc., see THE STANDARD PHYSICIAN, pages Treatment.—Gargle the throat every two hours with one of the following : Dobell's solution, or i teaspoonful of hydrogen peroxide in 2 ounces of water, or Listerine diluted to half strength.