Its absence denotes an extremely robust, strong constitution, and a healthy state of the nervous system.
If a hand has the Line of Health, the best position for it is to lie straight down the hand, and not approach or touch the Line of Life (3-3, Plate XIX.).

When found crossing the hand, and touching or throwing branches across to the Line of Life, it foretells that there is some illness at work which is undermining the health.
If it rises and seems like a branch from the Heart Line, especially if both these lines are broad in appearance and with the Health Line running down the palm coming in contact with the Line of Life, it is a certain indication of weakness or disease of the heart.
The student should always observe the kind of nails there are on the hand when thinking out the diseases indicated by the Line of Health.[6] [6] _See_ Chapter on Nails, page 136.
When the finger nails are short, without moons, and round, and the Line of Health is strongly marked, he may be sure that nervous weak action of the heart is decidedly threatened.
When the nails are long and almond-shaped, there is danger of weakness and delicacy of the lungs.

With the same shape of nails, 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.