most fundamental of
all, by a due process of transference, mental agony calls into action
this same set of muscles, to shut out any possible addition to the agony
already present.

The lines of determination, similarly, about the mouth, are those of the
individual who has the courage to say "No" to the tempting morsel when
he doesn't need it; and the lines of weakness and irresolution are those
of the nature which cannot resist either gastronomic or other
temptation. Similarly, the well-known lines of disgust or of discontent
about the corners of the mouth are the unconscious contractions
accompanying nausea, and preparations to expel the offending morsel
whether from stomach or mouth.

If, on the other hand, our first glance shows us that the deepest
pain-lines are those about the nostrils and upper lip, especially if the
wings of the nostrils can be seen to dilate with each breath, and
breathing be faster than normal, our clew points in the direction of
some disease of the great organs above the diaphragm--that is, the
lungs or heart.

Signs in this region might refer to either of these, for the reason
that, although a sufficient intake of air is one of the necessary
conditions of proper oxygenation, a free and abundant circulation of the
blood through the air-cells is equally essential. In fact, that common
phenomenon known as "shortness of breath" is more frequently due to
disturbances of the heart and circulation than it is to the lungs,
especially in patients who are able to be up and about. If, in addition
to the danger signal of the rise and fall of the nostrils with each
breath, we have a pale, translucent skin, with a light, hectic flush
showing just below the knife-like lower edge of the cheekbone, a widely
open, shining eye, and a clustering abundance of hair of a glossiness
bordering on dampness, red lips slightly parted, showing the teeth
between, a painfully strong suspicion of consumption would arise
unbidden.

This pathetic type of face has that fatal gift which the French
clinicians, with their usual happiness of phrase, term _La beaute du
diable_. The eager eyes, dilated nostrils, parted lips, give that weird
air of exaltation which, when it occurs, as it occasionally does in the
dying, is interpreted as the result of glimpses into a spirit world.
When to this is added the mild delirium of fever, when memories of
happier days and of those who have passed before rise unbidden and
babble themselv