ils, and with islands
in the upper part of the Health Line (4, Plate XIX.), consumption of the
lungs and tuberculosis will make itself manifest.

When the nails are very flat, and especially shell-shaped (_see_ Plate
V., Part II.), and the Line of Health is deeply marked, paralysis and the
worst forms of nerve diseases are threatening the subject.

When this line is very red in small spots, especially when pressed,
rheumatic fever is indicated.

When twisted, irregular, and yellowish in colour, the subject will suffer
from biliousness and liver complaints.

When found heavily marked, and only joining the Heart and Head Lines
together, it foreshadows brain-fever, especially when any islands are
marked on the Line of Head.

The Line of Health, running straight down the hand but not touching the
Line of Life, indicates that though the constitution may not be robust,
it is wiry, and there is great reserve resistance to disease.

In connection with the examination of the Line of Health, the student
must always look for other indications to the rest of the lines of the
hand, more especially to the Line of Life and Line of Head. For instance,
when the Line of Life looks very chained and weak, the Health Line on a
hand will naturally increase the danger of delicate health; and when
found with a Line of Head full of little islands, or like a chain, such a
Health Line more clearly foreshadows brain disease, severe headaches,
etc.

By a study of this line the most valuable warnings may be given of
approaching ill-health. Whether persons will follow the warnings or not
is a question. My experience is that they do not and will not, and
therefore, whatever is indicated will most probably come to pass.

Providence places many signposts and warnings in our paths, but human
nature is either too blind or too self-confident to notice them until it
is too late.

CHAPTER XI

THE GIRDLE OF VENUS, THE RING OF SATURN, AND THE BRACELETS

These marks are classed among the minor lines of the hands, but they
often have a significance that is of the greatest importance.

The Girdle of Venus is that broken or sometimes unbroken kind of
semi-circular line that is found rising from the base of the first finger
to the base of the fourth (1-1, Plate XX.).

I have not in my experience found this mark to indicate the gross
sensuality that is so often ascribed to it by other writers. It should be
remembered that the hand is divided