The title adds an important layer: Dead Sea mud is used as a facial mask. Googling seems to confirm that it's purchased as a cosmetic. It's something one might indulge in as part of a spa experience--which is related to, but very different from, the N's childhood convalescence. If we read the title and know that the N. was expecting something pleasurable, but was suddenly reminded by the smell of a time of childhood pain, our re-experiencing of the feeling behind the poem gets larger.
I'm glad Quincy raised the question, or I might not have thought about this.
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