Page:Personal beauty how to cultivate and preserve it in accordance with the laws of health (1870).djvu/234

 palatably done up by that apothecary-in-chief, Organic Nature, in familiar articles of food.

As for the iron, if any one would make a first-class ferruginous tonic, he cannot do better than take a gallon of hard cider, and throw into it a couple of handfuls of the scales, which the brawny arm of the blacksmith scatters from his red-hot bars in starry showers. A small wineglassful of this before each meal will work wonders.

Besides the friction we have mentioned as a stimulant to the skin, and which is not well borne by every one, there is another resource—electricity. The use of this agent in medicine is becoming more and more extended every year, and in its different forms, its value as a cosmetic is very great. One of the simplest means of applying it is to wear silk next the skin. As we have already said, any friction then disturbs the electrical condition of the skin, and produces a flush. If the battery is used, brushes made for the purpose are passed rapidly over the surface, causing a not unpleasant tickling sensation, and bringing the blood to the minute vessels with marked force. That method which is called "general electrization," is especially applicable to cases such as we have been describing.

General paleness, we have said, is hardly a disease, as many persons have it all their lives, and seem to enjoy good health. But when a limited portion of the skin becomes much whiter than the rest, and especially