THE YOUNG SCIENTIST. 
281 
early times, were as wise as serpents in 
the magic of tbe toilet, disdaining neither 
May dew or other simple beautiflers. 
Sea bathing is now so fashionable in 
summer, that it must be spoken of in a 
cosmetic point of view. It is an admira- 
ble tonic to the general system, and in- 
ereases the circulation to a marked de- 
gree. Thus it often improves the looks. 
But as an author of reputation remarks, 
" As an agent for preserving the softness 
and delicacy of the healthy skin, and the 
bright hues of the complexion, it is in- 
ferior to the tepid bath." Those wlio 
live by the sea are often robust and 
eomely, but rarely have fine skins. 
The noble dames of ancient Eome, who 
have never been surpassed in luxury, 
were wont to plaster their faces at night 
with a poultice of bread crumbs and asses 
milk, which, on being removed in the 
morning, left a freshness and whiteness 
Tery much prized in their day. They also 
bathed in fresh milk, which was rather 
a,n expensive luxury. 
Erasmus Wilson is said to have been 
the first to propose sulphur lotions for 
eruptions of the skin. The usual lotion 
of the flowers of sulphur, with glycerine 
water, is a valuable remedy, but from the 
readiness with which the sulphur separ- 
ates, is inconvenient, and is not quite 
satisfactory in its results. A far more 
efficacious mode of using sulphur, is to 
dust it on the face every night with an 
ordinary puff used for toilet purposes; 
recently, however, cases of ^acne of two 
years* standing, which had resisted the 
ordinary methods of treatment, yielded 
at once to sulphur thus applied. If the 
sulphur be scented with oil of lemon or 
roses, it will form an elegant cosmetic. 
Sunburn is a redness which remains on 
the skin after exposure to great heat. 
The skin sometimes peels off, and the 
surface is hot, inflamed, and tender. It 
may be produced by the sun, or by sitting 
too near a hot fire. Those who cherish a 
deli(3ate complexion should never sit too 
near the fire. When the sunburn is only 
occasional, it can readily be removed by 
the following formula. It may be ap- 
plied at night after washing the skin, and 
be allowed to remain till morning. It 
not only lessens the redness, but soothes 
and allays the burning, dry, andjrritated 
feeling : Spermaceti, 2 ounces ; oil of al- 
mond, 2 ounces ; honey, one teaspoonf ul. 
Melt the spermaceti, then add the oil 
of almonds; when they are thoroughly 
mixed stir in the honey. Take the mix- 
ture off the fire, and stir until cold. 
Some persons burn red much easier than 
others, and it is popularly regarded as a 
sign of health. The same difference in 
individuals is observable in tan. This is 
a brown discoloration rapidly produced 
on some skins by the solar rays. Here, 
as elsewhere, the dark hue is owing to a 
minute layer of carbon, which is de- 
posited on the under surface of the skin. 
There are many recipes for removing tan. 
Washing the skin in buttermilk is a do- 
mestic suggestion. Lemon juice is also 
good. The solutions of corrosive sub- 
limate, and other poisonous drugs, used 
by some ladies, are altogther too danger- 
ous, and should be only prescribed by a 
physician. Many a fine skin is spoiled by 
freckles. Some have them only in the 
spring of the year. The exposure to the 
winds of March and its vernal sun, bring- 
ing them out in full force. Others have 
them all the year. Nearly all the means 
proposed in books are powerful caustics, 
which destroy the scarf-skin. A simple, 
harmless, and generally successful wash, 
is a saturated solution of borax in rose- 
water. It should be applied five or six 
times a day, and allowed to dry upon the 
skin. The following is considered good, 
and can be readily made : Best English 
mustard, a tablespoonful ; oil of almonds, 
a teaspoonful; lemon juice enough to 
make a paste. Mix them well and ap- 
ply, spread in a thick plaster, night and 
morning, until the skin smarts. After a 
few days, the scarf-skin will, or should 
loosen, and the freckles disappear. After 
they have gone the surface should be 
washed with borax and water several 
times a day. A delicate and effective 
preparation for rough skins, eruptive 
diseases, cuts, or ulcers is a mixture of 
one ounce of glycerine, half an ounce of 
rosemary-water, and twenty drops of car- 
bolic acid. It is excellent for hives or 
prickly heat, quickly giving relief. The 
