118 Oti ilie State of Medicine in 



Turkish Cosmetics. — The Turkish ladies make use of a cos- 

 metic which Dr Oppenhcim strongly recommends to such of our 

 fashionables as are in the habit of employing the deleterious sub- 

 stances called rouge. It consists of a peculiar preparation in 

 the form of a powder, derived from the bulbs of the Irisjloren- 

 tina. The bulbs are dried and powdered, and the powder is 

 macerated in water, after which it is squeezed through fine soft 

 linen. This is twice repeated, and the residual powder which 

 remains in the bag is carefully dried and kept in bottles. A 

 little of this powder is placed on the cheek, and the part is then 

 gently rubbed for several minutes with the palm of the hand ; 

 a sensation of heat in the cheek is thus produced, which is ac- 

 companied by a natural looking red blush, which lasts for se- 

 veral days without fading, and is not spoiled by perspiration or 

 heat. The antimonial cosmetic which they call surmeh, is used 

 for dyeing the eyelashes and edges of the eyelids, and they dye 

 the hair of a beautiful black, by means of a paste formed with 

 burnt nut-galls, boiled with vinegar, and applied very hot. 

 The pulvis depilato? ius rttsma, so generally used in Turkey, 

 consists of orpiment and quicklime, and is applied, as was be- 

 fore observed, for the purpose of destroying the hairs of the 

 axillae and other parts in females. It is formed into a paste 

 with warm water, and laid on in a thin layer, which is then 

 washed off in a few minutes. It does not destroy the roots 

 of the hair, and consequently does not prevent its subsequent 

 growth. Another preparation, used for the same purposes, and 

 whose active ingredients are the same, is called 0th ; in consist- 

 ence it resembles very fine aluminous clay, and is made into a soft 

 mass by means of trituration, with scented soaps and rose leaves. 



Hanging a Company of Chemists, — Although moderation in 

 both eating and drinking is very general among the Turks, and 

 the use of wine forbidden by their religion, yet it does not appear 

 that they are longer lived than other European nations. The in- 

 habitants of Chios * indeed, both Turks and Christians, are cele- 

 brated for their longevity. Dallaway conversed with a bride- 

 goom in Chios, who was 120 years of age, and whose son, then 



• This beautiful island counted 90,000 inhabitants in 1822, before the de- 

 vastations of the Turks, who destroyed 89,000. 



