the point of a knife. Afterwards sponge the part with warm water and dry without rubbing. It is necessary that there should always be an interval of twenty-four hours between any two applications of this powder. Rusma dépilatoire des harems.—Take 2 oz. quicklime, with which mix oz. of orpiment or realgar, and boil the whole in 1 lb. of caustic lye. By way of a test, dip a feather therein; the falling off of the beard when it is taken out indicates a suitably prepared - rusma. It is applied to the hairy portions of the body to be depilated, and then washed off with warm water. This depilatory is of great causticity, and often attacks the skin simultaneously with its operation upon the hair—hence its application should be made carefully and with much circumspection. Here is the mode of using in the Turkish harems this rusma, called also by the Arabs and Persians nourei, nuret, nûre. The proportions of this mixture are varied according to the age of the persons who are to use it, the nature of their skin, and color of their hair; sometimes 1 oz. of orpiment is used to 8 oz. quicklime, again, 2 oz. orpiment to 2 oz. lime, and sometimes 3 oz. orpiment to 15 oz. lime. The third mixture is the most active. To temper its dangerous causticity, it is mixed with an eighth of starch, and formed into a paste with a little warm water. In this way it is applied to the hairy part, and there left for several minutes, moistening occasionally to prevent its drying too quickly, and now and then essaying whether the hair detaches easily and readily; generally it appears burned, then the operation is finished. A use of this article in other than very small quantities engenders a dangerous inflammation of the skin. A printed envelop containing these directions should accompany each package. Pommade dépilatoire de Turquie, à la rose.This is the rusma mixed with lard, a little cochineal, and some drops of essence of rose. Poudre dépilatoire parfumée, à toute odeur, or poudre subtile. It is evident to the perfumer that he can change the odor by substituting any other perfumed powder. Use plain starch and an inodorous soap, when a powder destitute of fragrance is required. This powder, when applied, is thinned with a little water. Poudre dépilatoire simple.-Mix together Quicklime Powdered orris Cire dépilatoire.-Take Bungundy pitch Sap green 4 oz. 11 oz. 1 lb. oz. Melt the pitch in a stoneware vessel, and then add the sap green, strain through a strong cloth, roll the composition in a marble slab, and divide it into small pieces or forms. To apply this wax, it is warmed by the heat of a candle flame and then gently rubbed over the hairy part; it comes off then with the beard attached. Extrait dépilatoire.—Pulverize and mix together Quicklime 2 oz. oz. Nitre Sulphur Powdered orris Sieve, and add a pound of good lye. 2 drms. 2 drms. 2 oz. These recipes are here given as necessary to a complete and thorough instruction in the art of the perfumer; but it is, indeed, scarcely questionable whether the danger to be apprehended from their use is not a conclusive offset to any advantages they may otherwise possess. No depilatory containing arsenic can be applied without liability of injury to the system or the skin. Arsenic, which is a main ingredient of all of them, is one of the most virulent poisons known; and, as it must necessarily be used with great caution, in order to prevent injury, it is better to substitute something else, the employment of which, at the same time that it is equally effective, shall be less hazardous in its application to the skin. With this view the following recipes have been devised: Chinese Depilatory. 1 lb. Pearlash and sulphuret of potassium, each, 2 oz. Triturate together, sieve, and preserve the fine powder in a well-stopped bottle. It is used as is the Poudre subtile. Rayer's Depilatory. Carbonate of potash 1 oz. 2 oz. 1 drachm. CHAPTER XXVIII. OF MISCELLANEOUS POWDERS. Poudre de gomme (for false toupets).—Powder equal parts of gums Arabic and tragacanth, and add one-fourth of powder of orris, or white perfumed powder with a third of pulverized sugarcandy. When used, this composition is to be made into a pasty consistence, with a sufficient quantity of water. Poudre steatite de Florence (for drawing on boots). The steatite (soapstone) is a variety of talc, white, gray, or green, and sometimes, but rarely, red and yellow, of specific gravity, varying from 2.60 to 2.66. It is a very soft stone, and can be colored of many shades with substances soluble in oils, acids, alkalies, and alcohol. It is used naturally or colored, according to choice. The unctuous property of this substance renders it particularly applicable in facilitating the entrance of the foot into the boot. It suffices merely to sprinkle the powder in the interior of the boot. |