The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-09-24
Poisonous Face Powders.

in reference to the case:
"What are the activeingredients con-
tanned in the face powders and rouge
commonly sold in the drug stores?'
"Bismuth and white lead.'
els not arsenic also used?"
cit may be occasionally, from a MIS-
taken notion Of its properties. 1t will not
act in the way desired if applied exter-
nally, but when taken internally in small
doses it clarifies the skin. Many WON.
en-, to add to their beauty, take arsenic
powders. 1t is a dangerous habit; like
opium-eating, when once acquired, dif-
ficult to shake off, and if persisted in is
finally fatal to health and life. The
powders are not sold in the stores, but
can be easily obtained by such as de:
sire them"
"What is the character and effect of
bismuth and white lead?"
"Well, they are mineral poisons, like
arsenic. Bismuth, in the form of nj
trate, commonly known as white bis
muth, is probably the oftenest used in
compromising powders and rouge. 1t
has remarkable adhesive properties and
is less injurious than white lead. Bis
muth is locally hurtful when applied ex-
ternally, but not an active poison like
lead. l recently made an analysis
of a face powder sent to me by we'll
known society lady. 1t was composed
almost wholly Of pure lead, in the high
est degree injurious. Lead is readily
absorbed into the system. 1t is cumu-
lative poison, and the symptoms, while
inactive for q time, may suddenly as
sumo very serious aspect. In the use
OF powder and rouge the lead and bis
muth act only during the time they re-
main on the skin, and require to be Of
ten renewed"
"Is it your belief that one of these
drugs is contained in all the staple pow
der and rouge manufactured" 60
Eyes, undoubtedly. An analysis
made in New York laboratory some
years since showed that out of about
fifty of these preparations examined
only one or two were free from mineral
poison, and they were comparatively use
less, for this reason, for the purpose for
which they were designed"
"What is the direct effect of bismuth
when applied externally, as in face pow
ders?' z
"It generally closes the pores, thus
checking the perspiration, irritates and
dries the skin and imparts to it a pre-
maturely old and leathery appearance.
"And how would you describe theef.
feet of white lead, following the use of
powder and rouge?"
LEAD causes roughness and blotches
on the skin by degrees, and by absorp-
ton all the symptoms Of lead poisoning,
such as indigestion, constipation, con-
WILSON'S, extreme nervousness and de-
preston Of spirits, loss Of appetite, etc.,
in short, general lowering Of the tone
Of the whole system"
(which do you consider to be the
more injurious, the powder or the liquid
cosmetics?"
1.-THE liquid rouge is more penetra-
tive and liable to absorption, hence more
dangerous. But with both the liquids
ard the powders it may be safely said
that the more effective they are the more
injurious"
"How about the lip balm?'
"It has strong adhesive properties,
but is probably non-poisonous."
"And the preparations for turning
blonde the hairp"
(" Well, the most of them are hum
bugs. One Of these preparations, which
was brought to me by 3 dealer who
wished to test It chemically ere he in
vested, I discovered to be nothing but 4
solution Of sulphurous acid gas in water
and utterly WORTHLESS. It sold for 81
per bottle, but I would Ike to take q
contract to supply it to dealers for
twenty-five cents per barrel"
"Why Is it that these poisonous min.
erals arc 30 generally used in the manu-.
facture Of cosmeticse"
"Because ali vegetable preparations
are too light and not sufficiently adhe.
sive. For such purposes bismuth and
lead are the best known agents and the
most commonly employed" ~
The last authority consulted BY the
reporter was . noted physician and sur
geon. He said; 9
"Cosmetic il . term used formerly by
Hippocrates, the father Of medicine, In
tho sense Of adornment, and was applied
even to the bracelets worn upon the
wrists. Now It signifies In common
usage the art Of embellishing and pre-
serving beauty. Among the mssns usu.
ally employed to effect this end are the
oxides Of lead, bismuth, mercury and
arsenic" 80
an what form are they chiefly
used!"
IAN powder, rouge, essences, fancy
soaps lin fact, nearly al the toilet prep
arations come under this head"
"What b the immediate effect re-
suldng from the use Of such prepara-
ti0nsf' IS t85s
"Cutaneoas diseases and dsbilitation
Of the nervous system. What We would
recommend e. . substitute for these
pernicious powders and lotions i FIRE.
quent ablutions In cold water and bath
ing, with well.regulated outdoor exer-
else. The complexion, when one Is in
good health, needs not the artificial aid
Of any cosmetic"
"Belladonna and arsenic are extern
sively used BY the fair sex, ! am told?"
." Yes. Belladonna, whom applied ex-
ternally 10 the lids, imparts 3 brilliant
lustsr TO the pupils Of The eyes and
causes them to dilate, while arsenic,
taken internally, gives : peculiar gloss
and glow to the complexion. Women,
like jockeys, l regret 70 say, feed Or
senic."
|" Powdsrs and rouge ore held to be
highly harmful 70 health BY physictanse'
. Assuredly thy are."
Tho wits Of r. G. Griggs, Prssident
i - AhA whAANnM amA YaEA Ella RaSl.