Dissolve an ounce and a half of Salt in a pint of Mint-water; boil them together, and skim the Liquor. This is a very useful Wash for the face after the Small-Pox, in order to clear away the scabs, allay the itching, and remove the redness.
Infuse in a sufficient quantity of clear Water, some Bran, Yolks of Eggs, and a grain or two of Ambergrise, for three or four hours; then distil the Water, which will prove an excellent Cosmetic, and clear the skin surprisingly. It is of service to keep it in the sun eight or ten days, in a bottle well corked.
The distilled Waters of Melons, Bean Flowers, the Wild-Vine, green or unripe Barley, and the Water that is found in vesicles on the leaves of the elm-tree, may also be used for the same intention.
83. An excellent Water to clear the Skin, and take away Pimples.
Take two quarts of Water, in which a quantity of Horse-beans has been boiled till quite soft; put it into an alembic, and add two handfuls of Pimpernel, the same quantity of White Tansy, a pound of Veal minced small, six new-laid Eggs, and a pint of White-Wine Vinegar; distil this mixture in a water-bath, and it will afford an excellent Lotion to remove all eruptions on the face, if washed with it every night and morning.
Knead a Loaf with three pounds of Wheaten Flour, a pound of Bean Flour, and Goats Milk, with Mild Yeast or Leaven. Bake it in an oven, scoop out the crumb, and soak it thoroughly in new Goats Milk and six Whites of Eggs; add an ounce of calcined Egg-shells. Mix all well together, and distil in a sand heat. You will obtain an excellent cosmetic water, by washing with which every day, the face will become smooth and clear.
85. Venetian Water to clear a Sun-burnt Complexion.
Take a pint of Cow's Milk, or, in the month of May, a pint of the Water that distils from the Vine when wounded, eight Lemons and four Seville Oranges cut in thin slices, two ounces of Sugar Candy, half an ounce of Borax in fine powder, and four Narcissus Roots beaten to a paste; distil these ingredients in a vapour-bath. Rectify the distilled Liquor by the same method, and keep it in a bottle closely corked.