The Cult of the Nose

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 17 July 1914, Page 8

The Cult of the Nose

More than common interest at,iches to one subject dealt with at he Ma;ical Congress in London a ninth ago (says the London "Daily i elegraph"). Science, according to the lecturer, who supported his statements with illustrations, has been turned to the defects of breathing, and many ills are ascribed to them. The nose, a feature more or less ignored, and popularly regarded as a mere decoration to the face (when it does not mar the coun:enance) has, it now appears, -im- , •>ortant functions to perform, and Ls symmetry has a deeper signifi- ' •ance than that of mere proportion in relation to beauty. OomnaraH<■ ely few recognise the necessity of re.ithing through the nose. The air Ls purified, tempered, and moistened ; re it reaches the lungs, when the atural use of the respiratory or- \ vans is made. Not only catarrh, , >ut a whole series of ills, result :om neglect of those most ordinary •;iles of inhaling through the nos'ils. Popular opinion has qualified he person who keeps his mouth; ■(.nstantly open as stupid ; the sur- j ..eons declare that this open mouth, j thirf air of perplexity, anxiety, and! apparent ill-temper are frequently! the mere outcome of stuffed nos- J trils, and discomfort in filling the lungs with sufficient air. ,N 7ASAL PASSAGES SHOULD BE CLEAR. Pictures of patients who have been relieved from unnecessary suffering show men and women before operations whose nostrils are 111----lormed, sometimes one being closed Utogether, or both being partially :.!attened against the side of the nasal formation. Eyes in such cases ?ive the impression of being dull, the mouth droops to one side, remains open, or gets twisted, giving the patient an air of extreme suffering. The operations are simple, and the surgeons declare that they are painless, for the application of i cocaine as a local anaesthetic. ; -.nves sufficient protection against suffering. The work is done from <■ he inside, and no scar remains after 'sealing which takes place speedily. ■Vhen the operation is successful, the ■locked passages are opened up, respiration becomes free and easy, and ■he change in the whole appearance of the affected individual is amazing. Sometimes a long upper lip is altered because the closing of the mouth pulls the face together, proportions appear better, the chin icems to take its proper place in relation to the rest of the features, and the mouth loses its tortured and pee\ ish expression, becoming normal, while the eyes brighten and open more widely. SNUB AND SINISTER PROJECTIONS. Vanity is not the only motive that leads the person inflicted with an unnaturally ="■ formed nose to the ope- , rator. There are, certainly, many instances in which 'women desire to improve their faces so that they may enter into the ranks of the beautiful. The alteration that takes place after the knife has been used is well werth any discomfort endured. .Malformation of the nostrils, a nose of irregular shape, a bridge broken by accident, an exaggerated point, have all caused difficulties for men and women who are compelled to earn their living. An abnormally snub nose has often lost an appointment as saleswoman to a ?irl whose qualifications are otherwise good. A young man whose long and broken nose has given him a sinister expression has been refused as clerk or as representative of a business firm. In these days of competition a repulsive or i ridiculous feature may easily de- : stroy chances in life, and wise, folk seize the opportunity of putting defects right. A smiling face is more attractive at a shop counter than an unhappy and worried one, and ; employers are well aware of the fact. ! Hence the readiness with which i workers put themselves under the care of the nose and throat spe- ' dalists. .In Berlin, more than in most other centres, they are apply- j ing scientific surgery to what has j hitherto been regarded as the pro- j vince of the beauty specialists. j UNSHAPELY FEATURES RE- ! MODELLED. Paraffin is used for the purpose of filling up irregularities and moulding the nasal feature'1' into an approved shape. In other instances a piece of the bone of the patient's leg is utilised, fitted into the cavities, and allowed to become welded into the new formation under the skin, which quickly assumes the improved aspect. A nose of a long, and bird-like outline has a piece cut off the point, or what might be | popularly termed a seam made above the tip, which is then put into place and covered with skin. Bridging of : filling up of snubs that are : too pronounced, and modification of ' beak noses are so artistically performed that the profile of the patient assumes a new aspect. As in the cases of physiological opera- , rions, the correct proportions of the improved feature alter the whole face. One picture, shown was that of a girl whose abnormally long nose spoiled her face to such an extent that she found it impossible to get a position. After the operation her appearance became quite pleasing ; she had no difficulty in securing a good salary as a shop sales- . ivoman. In some instances quite ; slderly people .have placed themsel- i i'es in the hands of the skillofl surgeons, and operations have been performed in the interests of health

and natural breathing. TTie work of the beauty specialist takes on j quite a new interest and importance i when it is realised that even a slight' alteration or modification of the most prominent of the features can do so much to change m. face and to secure a pleasing and attractive personality.