How to Read Character.
HOW TO TELL DISPOSITION AND CHARACTER BY THE NOSE.
1. Large Noses.—Bonaparte chose large-nosed men for his generals, and the opinion prevails that large noses indicate long heads and strong minds. Not that great noses cause great minds, but that the motive or powerful temperament cause both.
2. Flat Noses.—Flat noses indicate flatness of mind and character, by indicating a poor, low organic structure.
3. Broad Noses.—Broad noses indicate large passageways to the lungs, and this, large lungs and vital organs, and this, great strength of constitution, and hearty animal
passions along with selfishness; for broad noses, broad shoulders, broad heads, and large animal organs go together. But when the nose is narrow at the base, the nostrils are small, because the lungs are small and need but small avenues for air; and this indicates a predisposition to consumptive complaints, along with an active brain and nervous system, and a passionate fondness for literary pursuits.
4. Sharp Noses.—Sharp noses indicate a quick, clear, penetrating, searching, knowing, sagacious mind, and also a scold; indicate warmth of love, hate, generosity, moral sentiment—indeed, positiveness in everything.
5. Blunt Noses.—Blunt noses indicate and accompany obtuse intellects and perceptions, sluggish feelings, and a soulless character.
6. Roman Noses.—The Roman nose indicates a martial spirit, love of debate, resistance, and strong passions, while hollow, pug noses indicate a tame, easy, inert, sly character, and straight, finely-formed Grecian noses harmonious characters. Seek their acquaintance.
DISPOSITION AND CHARACTER BY STATURE.
1. Tall Persons.—Tall persons have high heads, and are aspiring, aim high, and seek conspicuousness, while short ones have flat heads, and seek the lower forms of worldly pleasures. Tall persons are rarely mean, though often grasping; but very penurious persons are often broad-built.
2. Small Persons.—Small persons generally have exquisite mentalities, yet less power—the more precious the article, the smaller the package in which it is done up,—while great men are rarely dwarfs, though great size often co-exists with sluggishness.
DISPOSITION AND CHARACTER BY THE WALK.
1. Awkward.—Those whose motions are awkward yet easy, possess much efficiency and positiveness of character, yet lack polish; and just in proportion as they become refined in mind will their movements be correspondingly improved. A short and quick step indicates a brisk and active but rather contracted mind, whereas those who take long steps generally have long heads; yet if the step is slow, they will make comparatively little progress, while those whose step is long and quick will accomplish proportionately much, and pass most of their competitors on the highway of life.
2. A Dragging Step.—Those who sluff or drag their heels, drag and drawl in everything; while those who walk with a springing, bouncing step, abound in mental snap and spring. Those whose walk is mincing, affected, and artificial, rarely, if ever, accomplish much; whereas those who walk carelessly, that is, naturally, are just what they appear to be, and put on nothing for outside show.
3. The Different Modes of Walking.—In short, every individual has his own peculiar mode of moving, which exactly accords with his mental character; so that, as far as you can see such modes, you can decipher such outlines of character.
THE DISPOSITION AND CHARACTER BY LAUGHING.
1. Laughter Expressive of Character.—Laughter is very expressive of character. Those who laugh very heartily have much cordiality and whole-souledness of character, except that those who laugh heartily at trifles have much feeling, yet little sense. Those whose giggles are rapid but light, have much intensity of feeling, yet lack power; whereas those who combine rapidity with force in laughing, combine them in character.
2. Vulgar Laugh.—Vulgar persons always laugh vulgarly, and refined persons show refinement in their laugh. Those who ha, ha right out, unreservedly, have no cunning, and are open-hearted in everything; while those who suppress laughter, and try to control their countenances in it, are more or less secretive. Those who laugh with their mouths closed are non-committal; while those who throw it wide open are unguarded and unequivocal in character.
3. Suppressed Laughter.—Those who, suppressing laughter for a while, burst forth volcano-like, have strong characteristics, but are well-governed, yet violent when they give way to their feelings. Then there is the intellectual laugh, the love laugh, the horse laugh, the philoprogenitive laugh, the friendly laugh, and many other kinds of laugh, each indicative of corresponding mental developments.
DISPOSITION AND CHARACTER BY THE MODE OF SHAKING HANDS.
Their Expression of Character.—Thus, those who give a tame and loose hand, and shake lightly, have a cold, if not heartless and selfish disposition, rarely sacrificing much for others, are probably conservatives, and lack warmth and
soul. But those who grasp firmly, and shake heartily, have a corresponding whole-souledness of character, are hospitable, and will sacrifice business to friends; while those who bow low when they shake hands, add deference to friendship, and are easily led, for good or bad, by friends.
THE DISPOSITION AND CHARACTER BY THE MOUTH AND EYES.
1. Different Forms of Mouths.—Every mouth differs from every other, and indicates a coincident character. Large mouths express a corresponding quantity of mentality, while small ones indicate a lesser amount. A coarsely-formed mouth indicates power, while one finely-formed indicates exquisite susceptibilities. Hence small, delicately formed mouths indicate only common minds, with very fine feelings and much perfection of character.
2. Characteristics.—Whenever the muscles about the mouth are distinct, the character is correspondingly positive, and the reverse. Those who open their mouths wide and frequently, thereby evince an open soul, while closed
mouths, unless to hide deformed teeth, are proportionately secretive.
3. Eyes.—Those who keep their eyes half shut are peek-a-boos and eaves-droppers.
4. Expressions of the Eye.—The mere expression of the eye conveys precise ideas of the existing and predominant states of the mentality and physiology. As long as the constitution remains unimpaired, the eye is clear and bright, but becomes languid and soulless in proportion as the brain has been enfeebled. Wild, erratic persons have a half-crazed expression of eye, while calmness, benignancy, intelligence, purity, sweetness, love, lasciviousness, anger, and all the other mental affections, express themselves quite as distinctly by the eye as voice, or any other mode.
5. Color of the Eyes.—Some inherit fineness from one parent, and coarseness from the other, while the color of the eye generally corresponds with that of the skin, and expresses character. Light eyes indicate warmth of feeling, and dark eyes power.
6. Garments.—Those, who keep their coats buttoned up, fancy high-necked and closed dresses, etc., are equally non-communicative, but those who like open, free, flowing garments, are equally open-hearted and communicative.
THE DISPOSITION AND CHARACTER BY THE COLOR OF THE HAIR.
1. Different Colors.—Coarseness and fineness of texture in nature indicate coarse and fine-grained feelings and characters, and since black signifies power, and red ardor, therefore coarse black hair and skin signify great power of character of some kind, along with considerable tendency to the sensual; yet fine black hair and skin indicate strength of character, along with purity and goodness.
2. Coarse Hair.—Coarse black hair and skin, and coarse red hair and whiskers, indicate powerful animal passions, together with corresponding strength of character; while fine or light, or auburn hair indicates quick susceptibilities, together with refinement and good taste.
3. Fine Hair.—Fine dark or brown hair indicates the combination of exquisite susceptibilities with great strength of character, while auburn hair, with a florid countenance, indicates the highest order of sentiment and intensity of feeling, along with corresponding purity of character, combined with the highest capacities for enjoyment and suffering.
4. Curly Hair.—Curly hair or beard indicates a crisp, excitable, and variable disposition, and much diversity of character—now blowing hot, now cold—along with intense love and hate, gushing, glowing emotions, brilliancy, and variety of talent. So look out for ringlets; they betoken April weather—treat them gently, lovingly, and you will have the brightest, clearest sunshine, and the sweetest, balmiest breezes.
5. Straight Hair.—Straight, even, smooth, and glossy hair indicate strength, harmony, and evenness of character, and hearty, whole-souled affections, as well as a clear head and superior talents; while straight, stiff, black hair and beard indicate a coarse, strong, rigid, straight-forward character.
6. Abundance of Hair.—Abundance of hair and beard signifies virility and a great amount of character; while a thin beard signifies sterility and a thinly settled upper story, with rooms to let, so that the beard is very significant of character.
7. Fiery Red Hair indicates a quick and fiery disposition. Persons with such hair generally have intense feelings—love and hate intensely—yet treat them kindly, and you have the warmest friends, but ruffle them, and you raise a hurricane on short notice. This is doubly true of auburn curls. It takes but little kindness, however, to produce a calm and render them as fair as a Summer morning. Red-headed people in general are not given to hold a grudge. They are generally of a very forgiving disposition.
SECRETIVE DISPOSITIONS.
1. A man that naturally wears his hat upon the top or back of the head is frank and outspoken; will easily confide and have many confidential friends, and is less liable to keep a secret. He will never do you any harm.
2. If a man wears his hat well down on the forehead, shading the eyes more or less, will always keep his own counsel. He will not confide a secret, and if criminally inclined will be a very dangerous character.
3. If a lady naturally inclines to high-necked dresses and collars, she will keep her secrets to herself if she has any. In courtship or love she is an uncertainty, as she will not reveal sentiments of her heart. The secretive girl, however, usually makes a good housekeeper and rarely gets mixed into neighborhood difficulties. As a wife she will not be the most affectionate, nor will she trouble her husband with many of her trials or difficulties.
Dictionary of Medical Terms.
Found in this and other works.
Abdomen—The largest cavity of the body, containing the liver, stomach, intestines, etc.
Abnormal—Unhealthy, unnatural.
Abortion—A premature birth, or miscarriage.
Abscess—A cavity containing pus.
Acetic—Sour, acid.
Acidity—Sourness.
Acrid—Irritating, biting.
Acute—Of short duration.
Adipose—Fatty.
Albumen—An animal substance resembling white of egg.
Alimentary Canal—The entire passage through which food passes; the whole intestines from mouth to anus.
Alterative—Medicines which gradually restore healthy action.
Amenorrhœa—Suppression of the menses.
Amorphous—Irregular.
Anæmia—Bloodlessness.
Anæsthetics—Medicines depriving of sensation and suffering.
Anatomy—Physical structure.
Anodyne—A remedy used for the relief of pain.
Ante-natal—Before birth.
Anteversion—Bending forward.
Antidote—A medicine counteracting poison.
Anti-emetic—That which will stop vomiting.
Antiseptic—That which will prevent putrefaction.
Anus—Circular opening or outlet of the bowels.
Aorta—The great artery of the heart.
Aphtha—Thrush; infant sore mouth.
Aqua—Water.
Areola—Circle around the nipple.
Astringent—Binding; contracting.
Auricle—A cavity of the heart.
Axilla—The armpit.
Azote—Nitrogen.
Bacteria—Infusoria; microscopical insects.
Bicuspid—A two-pointed tooth.
Bile—Secretion from the liver.
Bronchitis—Inflammation of the bronchial tubes which lead into the lungs.
Calculus—A stone found in the bladder, gall-ducts and kidneys.
Callous—A hard bony substance or growth.
Capillaries—Hair-like vessels that convey the blood from the arteries to the veins.
Carbonic Acid—The gas which is expired from the lungs.
Cardiac—Relating to the heart.
Catarrh—Flow of mucus.
Cathartic—An active purgative.
Caustic—A corroding or destroying substance.
Cellular—Composed of cells.
Cervix—Neck.
Cervix Uteri—Neck of the womb.
Chronic—Of long standing.
Clavicle—The collar bone.
Coccyx—Terminal bone of the spine.
Condiment—That which gives relish to food.
Congestion—Overfullness of blood vessels.
Contusion—A bruise.
Cuticle—The outer skin.
Dentition—Act of cutting teeth.
Diagnosis—Scientific determination of diseases.
Diarrhœa—Looseness of the bowels.
Disinfectant—That which cleanses or purifies.
Diaphragm—Breathing muscle between chest and abdomen.
Duodenum—The first part of the small intestines.
Dyspepsia—Difficult digestion.
Dysuria—Difficult or painful urination.
Emetic—Medicines which produce vomiting.
Enamel—Covering of the teeth.
Enema—An injection by the rectum.
Enteritis—Inflammation of the intestines.
Epidemic—Generally prevailing.
Epidermis—Outer skin.
Epigastrium—Region of the pit of the stomach.
Epilepsy—Convulsions.
Eustachian Tube—A tube leading from the side of the throat to the internal ear.
Evacuation—Discharging by stool.
Excretion—That which is thrown off.
Expectorant—Tending to produce free discharge from the lungs or throat.
Fallopian Tubes—Tubes from ovaries to uterus.
Fæces—Discharge from the bowels.
Fœtus--The child in the womb after the fifth month.
Fibula—The smallest bone of the leg below the knee.
Fistula—An ulcer.
Flatulence—Gas in the stomach or bowels.
Flooding—Uterine hemorrhage.
Fluor Albus—White flow; leucorrhœa; whites.
Flux—Diarrhœa, or other excessive discharge.
Fomentation—Warm or hot application to the body.
Friable—Easily crumbled or broken.
Friction—Rubbing with the dry hand or dry coarse cloth.
Fumigate—To smoke a room, or any article needing to be cleansed.
Function—The office or duty of any organ.
Fundament—The anus.
Fungus—Spongy flesh in wounds; proud flesh.
Fusion—To melt by heat.
Gall—Bile.
Gall-Stones—Hard biliary concretions found in the gall bladder.
Gangrene—The first stage of mortification.
Gargle—A liquid preparation for washing the throat.
Gastric—Of the stomach.
Gastritis—Inflammation of the stomach.
Gelatinous—Like jelly.
Genitals—The sexual organs.
Genu—The knee.
Genus—Family of plants; a group.
Germ—The vital principal, or life spark.
Gestation—Period of growth of child in the womb.
Gleet—Chronic gonorrhœa.
Glottis—The opening of the windpipe.
Gonorrhœa—An infectious discharge from the genital organs.
Gout—Painful inflammation of the joints of the toes.
Gravel—Crystalline sand-like particles in the urine.
Guttural—Relating to the throat.
Hectic—A fever which occurs generally at night.
Hemorrhage—A discharge of blood.
Hemorrhoids—Piles; tumors in the anus.
Hepatic—Pertaining to the liver.
Hereditary—Transmitted from parents.
Hernia—Rupture which permits a part of the bowels to protrude.
Hygiene—Preserving health by diet and other precautions.
Hyperæmia—Excess of blood in any part.
Hysteritis—Inflammation of the uterus.
Impregnation—The act of producing.
Incision—The cutting with instruments.
Incontinence—Not being able to hold the natural secretions.
Influenza—A disease affecting the nostrils and throat.
Infusion—The liquor in which plants have been steeped, and their medicinal virtues extracted.
Inhalation—Drawing in the breath.
Injection—Any preparation introduced into the rectum or other cavity by syringe.
Inspiration—The act of drawing air into the lungs.
Insomnia—Sleeplessness.
Involuntary—Against the will.
Introversion—Turned within.
Jaundice—A disease caused by the inactivity of the liver or ducts leading from it.
Jugular—Belonging to the throat.
Kidneys—Two organs which secrete the urine.
Labia—The lips of the vagina.
Laryngitis—Inflammation of the throat.
Larynx—The upper part of the throat.
Lassitude—Weakness; a feeling of stupor.
Laxative—Remedy increasing action of the bowels.
Leucorrhœa—Whites; fluor albis.
Livid—A dark colored spot on the surface.
Loin—Lower part of the back.
Lotion—A preparation to wash a sore.
Lumbago—Rheumatism of the loins.
Malaria—Foul marsh air.
Malignant—A disease of a very serious character.
Malformation—Irregular, unnatural formation.
Mastication—The act of chewing.
Masturbation—Excitement, by the hand, of the genital organs.
Matrix—The womb.
Meconium—The first passage of babes after birth.
Membrane—A thin lining or covering.
Menopause—Change of life.
Menstruation—Monthly discharge of blood from the uterus.
Midwifery—Art of assisting at childbirth.
Mucus—A fluid secreted or poured out by the mucous membrane, serving to protect it.
Narcotic—A medicine relieving pain and producing sleep.
Nephritis—Inflammation of the kidneys.
Neuralgia—Pain in nerves.
Normal—In a natural condition.
Nutritious—A substance which feeds the body.
Obesity—Excess of fat or flesh.
Obstetrics—The science of midwifery.
Oculus—The eye.
Œsophagus—The tube leading from the throat to the stomach.
Optic Nerve—The nerve which enters the back part of the eye.
Organic—Having organs.
Os—Mouth; used as mouth of womb.
Ostalgia—Pain in the bone.
Otitis—Inflammation of the ear.
Ovum—An egg.
Oxalic Acid—An acid found in sorrel, very poisonous.
Palate—The roof of the mouth.
Palliative—To afford relief only.
Palpitation—Unnatural beating of the heart.
Paralysis—Loss of motion.
Parturition—Childbirth.
Pathological—Morbid, diseased.
Pelvis—The bony cavity at lower part of trunk.
Pericardium—Sac containing the heart.
Perinæum—The floor of the pelvis, or space between and including the anus and vulva.
Peritonitis—Inflammation of lining membrane of bowels.
Placenta—After-birth.
Pleura—Membrane covering the lungs.
Pleurisy—Inflammation of the pleura.
Pregnancy—Being with child.
Prognosis—Prediction of termination of a disease.
Prolapsus—Falling; protrusion.
Prolapsus Uteri—Falling of the womb.
Prostration—Without strength.
Pruritis—A skin trouble causing intense itching.
Puberty—Full growth.
Pubes—External part of the organs of generation covered with hair.
Puerperal—Belonging to childbirth.
Pulmonary—Pertaining to the lungs.
Pulmonitis—Inflammation of the lungs.
Pus—Unhealthy matter.
Putrid—Rotten, decomposed.
Pylorus—Lower opening of the stomach.
Rectum—The lower portion of the intestines.
Regimen—Regulated habits and food.
Retching—An effort to vomit.
Retina—Inner coat of the eye.
Retroversion—Falling backward.
Rigor—Chilliness, convulsive shuddering.
Sacrum—Bone of the pelvis.
Saliva—Fluid of the mouth.
Salivation—Unnatural flow of saliva.
Sanative—Health-producing.
Sciatic—Pertaining to the hip.
Scrofula—A constitutional tendency to disease of the glands.
Scrotum—The sac which encloses the testicles.
Sedative—Quieting, soothing.
Semen—Secretion of the testes.
Sitz-bath—Bath in a sitting position.
Sterility—Barrenness.
Stimulant—A medicine calculated to excite an increased and healthy action.
Styptic—A substance to stop bleeding.
Sudorific—Inducing sweat.
Tampan—A plug to arrest hemorrhage.
Tonic—A medicine which increases the strength of the system.
Testicle—Gland that secretes the semen.
Therapeutic—Treatment of disease.
Tissue—The peculiar structure of a part.
Tonsils—Glands on each side of the throat.
Trachea—Windpipe. Triturate—To rub into a powder.
Tumor—A morbid enlargement of a part.
Ulceration—The forming of an ulcer.
Umbilicus—The navel.
Ureter—Duct leading from kidney to the bladder.
Urethra—Duct leading from the bladder.
Uterus—The womb.
Vagina—The passage from the womb to the vulva.
Varicose Veins—Veins dilated with accumulation of dark colored blood.
Vascular—Relating to the blood vessels.
Vena Cava—The large vein communicating with the heart.
Venous—Pertaining to the veins.
Ventricle—One of the lower chambers of the heart.
Viable—Capable of life.
Vulva—Outer lips of the vagina.
Womb—That organ of the woman which conceives and nourishes the offspring.
Zymotic—Caused by fermentation.