Page:Personal beauty how to cultivate and preserve it in accordance with the laws of health (1870).djvu/129

 The latter depends often on serious disease. We see it in consumption, and in certain disorders of the heart. It should be regarded with anxiety, and means adopted to restore the general health.

Pale lips betoken general feebleness of circulation. They are very common in young girls inclined to chlorosis or green-sickness. Generally, a judicious course of tonics with bathing and exercise will remedy them. Some girls bite and suck their lips in order to make them red. It is a foolish habit, which may injure their shape. No coloring matter should be put on the lips, as it may be too readily swallowed. But if persons will employ something, then the least injurious is the rouge en feuilles, of Monin of Paris. A soft, moist, woollen cloth is pressed on the paper, and then passed gently over the lips. This gives them a rosy tint, which is tolerably durable and very natural. What cautions are necessary in using rouge, and which are the best preparations, we shall discuss in full when we treat of the skin.

Dryness, brownness, and cracking of the lips, when obstinate, usually depend on some disorder of the stomach or internal organs. We were recently consulted on this account, by a lady who had tried in vain sundry "lip-salves," which her druggist had in his shop. On inquiry, we found she was suffering from one of those numerous complaints peculiar to her sex. We treated her for this, and when it was