The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-08-06
LIFE MASKS DIFFICULT TO MAKE
Process of Taking Them Causes the Sub
jects Much Inconvenience.

1t is not often that men desire that
life mask be taken of their features;
they prefer to wait till after death be-
fore undergoing such an ordeal. Yet
several residents of Chicago have pass
ed through this unpleasant process and
their masks adorn their pariors or Of
fees. Masks from life are taken pre-
cisely in the same way as after death,
save that much greater care has to ne
used as the subjects life hangs on a
very thin thread, or, to be more precise,
two small quilts. 1t requires a great
deal of nerve and patience to undergo,
the sensation being most disagreeable.
When a mask from life is about to be
secured the subject reclines on a long
table and towels are placed around his
neck and forehead to prevent the plas-
ter going where not intended. The
face is slightly creased, but not enough
to fill the pores of the skin Care mas
to be especially taken with the eye
lashes, as otherwise, in the subsequent
operations, these are likely to be pulled
off. A small quill is now inserted in
either nostril to allow the subject to
breath through, and cotton wool lightly
pressed around the base to keep the
liquid plaster from intruding. 4 pair
of scissors is always kept handy so as
to be able to cut off the tops of the
quilts should by any chance the plaster
splash up and cover them.
All being ready, the plaster is care
fully poured over the features. The
following operations have then to be
performed with skill and celebrity: Di-
rectly the plaster lightly covers the
face a small but strong thread is laid on
either cheek, running from the top or
the head down to the neck and is press
ed into the plaster until 1t almost
touches the skin. Additional plaster
is now placed on until the whole is
oh it,rh in, hiIl. "a
has quite set the before mentioned
threads are pulled up through the
mold so as to cut the plaster, other
wise it would be impossible to remove
it from the face. The subject whose
mask is being taken is now having a
lively time. The plaster presses and
burns his cheeks. He thinks Of all the
horrible things that might happen
should those two little quilts get
choked. Not a sound of the outer world
can he hear save some indistinct rumE-
ling and the thud, thud of his beating
| heart almost deafens him. Hours seem
to pass and he is powerless to know
what is going on. He lies helplessy
there and, perhaps, out of curiosity,
| tries to raise an eyelid That settles
| him, as by this time the plaster has
| hardened and holds the lid in an i'm
movable grip. A sickly sensation comes
over him--he feels paralyzed and m
consciously gives a iohS Sioai' ~,
| by the way. can only come through the
| ouills in his nostrils, and it naturally
| alarms the OPERATOR, who Immediately
| shouts as loudly as he can to know
| if anything is the matter. The SUBJECT
| is lust able to hear his voice and so
| raises his hand, a pre-arranged signal
| that "alI's well'
The plaster, through being mixed
with warm water quickly hardens ana
| in the course of about five minutes the
| mold is strong enough to be taken on.