The
Hair (part III)
SCURF, or dandruff, unless in a most aggravated
form, is not a disease. It is the result of neglect,
or, in plain English, uncleanliness. Scurf, or furfura,
is a natural and healthy formation and very frequently
is produced by rapidly growing and very luxuriant
hair. You may keep dandruff from accumulating, but you
cannot prevent its formation. When the scurf is
excessive, despite great cleanliness, it denotes an
unhealthy condition of the scalp. In such cases, the
following lotion may be used, but always in
conjunction with very frequent washings: --
Extract of rosemary 1 drachm.
Tincture of cantharides 1/2 drachm.
Solution of carbonate of potassium 1 1/2 drachms.
Distilled water 4 fluid ounces.
Where there is itching with the scurf or dandruff,
the cause is sometimes found to be parasitical. In
such cases, washing the head frequently with a good
bichloride of mercury soap is most effective. This
soap can be purchased at any drug store.
The following substances are also employed for
removing parasites: Naphthol, mercurial ointment,
tobacco, cocculus-indicus, pyrethrum, carbolic acid,
and sulphur. Any of these remedies can be procured in
the form of powders, lotions, and ointments, and some
in the form of soap. A good druggist will be your best
guide in the matter. Naphthol and corrosive sublimate
are well adapted for the cleanly removal of the
parasites. Pure naphthol and pure kerosene are too
inflammable and malodorous to be recommended as
applications. If used, they should be rendered less
dangerous by mixing them with olive oil. Soda, borax,
vinegar, alcohol, and diluted acetic acid are useful
also for destroying the nits.
Allies of these parasites in their invasion are a
low tone of the system, induced by poor and
insufficient diet, also bad ventilation, and other
unhygienic conditions. These constitute, under the
circumstance, a true disease, and it is necessary in
such cases that the sufferer should be invigorated by
tonics, and at the same time that all depressing
influences be removed.
VIGIER'S REMEDY FOR PARASITES
Doctor Vigier declares that the following formula
will destroy parasitical life. It may be used upon the
face or head:
Bichloride of mercury in solution 5 grammes.
Glycerine . . . . . . . 100 grammes.
THE HAIR
TO KEEP THE HAIR AND SCALP HEALTHY
To prevent dandruff always use scrupulously clean
hair brushes and do not use a fine comb. Do not wear
anything which will heat the head. The following is
recommended as a most excellent preventive of
dandruff:--
Tincture of cantharides 1 ounce.
Liquid ammonia 1 drachm.
Glycerine 1/2 ounce.
Oil thyme 1/2 drachm.
Rosemary oil 1/2 drachm.
Mix all together with six ounces of rose water. Rub
the scalp thoroughly with this preparation until no
further evidence of dandruff is noticed.
To keep the hair and scalp both in a healthy
condition, it is necessary that they should be kept
scrupulously clean.
SHAMPOO FOR DANDRUFF
Yolk of one egg, one pint of hot rain water, one
ounce of spirit of rosemary; beat the mixture up
thoroughly, and use it warm, rubbing it well into the
skin of the head. Rinse thoroughly in several waters.
This wash is good for dandruff where the ordinary
shampoo fails.
TO CLEANSE THE SCALP
This is by no means easy with some constitutions.
Lately I have heard of the wonderful effect produced
by rubbing the scalp with a fresh lime. I advise
subjects with obstinate cases to try this:--
Divide the fruit in two, and as you need it, cut it
for a fresh surface. At the end of a week wash the
head with a yolk of an egg beaten in half a pint of
warm water; afterward rinse thoroughly, and repeat the
whole process at the end of another week, if
necessary.
ECZEMA OF THE SCALP
A good remedy for eczema of the scalp can be
prepared as follows:--
Cocoa butter, twenty grammes; spermaceti, ten
grammes; salicylic acid, two grammes. Mix in pomade.
Then apply to the affected spots. Allow the pomade to
remain on all night. Wear a nightcap, if possible, to
prevent soiling the bed linen. In the morning wash the
whole head carefully and gently with a pure hygienic
soap and warm water. Rinse and dry thoroughly. Repeat
this operation night and morning as long as necessary.
FALLING HAIR
Where there is great physical debility and a great
failure of health in connection with the falling hair,
a course of tonic medicines taken internally is often
very serviceable. A few excellent hair tonics to be
used externally are made as follows:--
FOR FALLING HAIR
Phenic acid 2 grammes.
Tincture of nux vomica 7 1/2 grammes.
Tincture of red cinchona 30 grammes.
Tincture of cantharides 2 grammes.
Cologne 120 grammes.
Sweet almond oil 60 grammes.
Apply to the roots of the hair with a soft sponge
once or twice a day. This lotion is especially good
for very dry hair.
THE JABARONDI TONIC FOR FALLING HAIR
This tonic is not a very late discovery. It has been
used for some time and is excellent for falling hair.
It is made as follows:-
Hydrochlorate of pilocarpine 6 grains.
Tincture of jabarondi 4 drachms.
Spirit of rosemary 2 drachms.
Yellow vaseline 4 ounces.
Alcohol 4 ounces.
It must be applied to the scalp every night. Rub it
in thoroughly.
WHEN THE HAIR HAS FALLEN OUT AFTER FEVER
This is very successful when the hair falls out
after a fever:-
Cologne 8 ounces.
Tincture of cantharides 1 ounce.
Oil of English lavender 1/2 drachm.
Oil of rosemary 1/2 drachm.
Apply to the roots of the hair once or twice a day.
It is positively necessary that the scalp should be
kept clean. Shampoo at least once a week.
CASTOR-OIL HAIR TONIC
Castor oil 80 grammes.
Bay rum 80 grammes.
Tincture of cantharides 10 grammes.
Twisting the hair tightly at night is a very
injurious habit. The hair needs ventilation, and to
prevent the free circulation of the air through its
roots not only interferes with the growth of new hair,
but weakens the roots of the old. Every woman should
brush her hair carefully at night before going to bed
and braid it loosely for the night toilet.
A child's hair should be washed at least once a
week. The olive-oil soap shampoo mentioned on page 520
is best for children's hair: First wet the hair
thoroughly with warm water, then rub the shampoo
mixture well into the roots. Rinse thoroughly in
several waters. Then carefully dry.
FOREIGN REMEDIES FOR FALLING HAIR
Doctor Monin, the celebrated French hygienist,
highly extols the following preparation for falling
hair:--
White vaseline 40 grammes.
Castor oil 20 grammes.
Gallic acid 5 grammes.
Essence of lavender 10 drops.
For premature baldness, I have tried Professor
Lassar's treatment with great success. The hair is
first washed with a good tar soap. It is afterwards
rinsed with warm water, and then a cooler water. The
hair is partially dried, and the following wash
applied with friction to the scalp:--
Solution of corrosive sublimate (5 %) 150 grammes.
Glycerine and cologne water each 50 grammes.
After thoroughly rubbing this solution into the
scalp, rub it with alcohol to which a little 5 per
cent. napthol has been added. Let the hair dry, after
which the scalp must again be rubbed with a liniment
made as follows:--
Salicylic acid 2 grammes.
Tincture of benzoin 3 grammes.
Sweet almond oil 100 grammes.
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