The Sun.
London, England, 1869-02-09 00:00:00

COSMETICS.

The Herald calls attention to the subject of cosmetics.
Many preparations of a dangerous kind are, our contempo-
rary reminds us, sold with impunity, though stated to be
harmless. The reader must be content with a few references
to those which are of an objectionable character. Skin cos-
pieties act in various ways, and must be classed under several
heads—(a), those which act mechanically, e.g., powders of a
gritty:nature; (b), those which act as irritants,'e. g., powders
•A other composition and such remedies as horseradish ; (c),
:hose which act as:sedatives, e.g., liquids containing prussic
acid ; (d), astringents and stimulants, e.g., sulphur, lead,
bismuth, and mercury preparations. The simpler powders
are more or less preparations of starch, but sometimes are
made of talc, light carbonate of magnesia, or French chalk.
These do little harm if used in moderation, and if ablution
oe free and frequent, but there is risk that they will
try the surface too much, and act as mechanical irritants.
There are other powders of a very deleterious character.
Some of the '• pearl whites" and "pearl powders"
of the shops are preparation of bismuth, and now and then
contain arsenic. The long-continued use of bismuth makes
the skin sallow and hardens it considerably. "Flake white"
:s mostly nothing but carbonate of lead, a very poisonous
compound ; it is one that should never be used to the skin,
but unhappily it is employed in theatres ; and,
lastly, other powders contain white precipitate, or
an active mercury compound : mercury and lead
poisoning therefore are possible occurrences. Arsenic
has also been used. The liquid paints and lotions for the
icnosmtapnlecxesiocn oorrfotseinvecontain le,irniata; d or
an
dbismuth,
unpleasant
caonndseign muesnocees
have resulted from their use. A comparatively harmless
powder is one composed of oxide of zinc and talc. The
"liquid blanches" may contain sugar of lead, though
sometimes only harmless substances. Carmine and
rouge (the Herald goes on to say) have been
largely used to give the bloom of health to tie
cheek. They are generally innocent compounds. The form cr.
is the prodedus
aac tfil oot
little
safflower.
rloi. ex
Ofdc oxide
ti
tinnl
veoa 1
o iungsee usually--theci
stt, olemlaasbttitinenerj dui
rs
of'
iinitrsh.
thoughished
he
ialumillbartatnhnlay be adulterated with mercury. The moral
semathloeirnoagl:
of the
ought to
ovlbmle edonatt
nieteor
iiisrotteheitis
tshuemimmebdlicnpfr:om"
dangerous cosmetics under the colour of harmleSsstiolapplica-
tions ; but, until that desideratum is obtained, there is a
speedy means of detecting both imposition and danger,
analyst.a d tli a t
The
ean m
main
appeal
safeguardto t the
in
e
the unerring
criticism of h
use of cosmetics is
the avoidance of all compounds into whose composition
any metallic preparation enters."

Her Royal Highness the Countess de Paris was
safely delivered of a son at York House, Twickenham, on
Saturday, at ten minutes to two o'clock p.m. Dr.
Priestley and Dr. Gueneau do Mussy were in attendance.
The mother and child are doing very well. The infant
prince was baptised on Sunday afternoon, at York House,
by the Rev. Monsignor Weld, of Isleworth, and received
the names of Louis Philippe Robert. He assumes the
historical title of Duke of Orleans, which by
tlutlamentoll fathez of the Count do rialto,