Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/198

 BEAUTY 176 LfEsction may spread, the bald patches multi- plying rapidly, and, in some cases, complete baldness may in time ensue. Occasionally, how- ever, the patches remain stationary, or gradually become covered with hair. These cases are exceptional, and it is therefore advisable to adopt treatment immediately the patches make their appearance. The cause of the affection {alopecia areata) is a kind of fungus which invades the scalp and hair. If a few of the short impoverished hairs left on the surface of or round the bald patch are extracted, and placed under the microscope with a solution of potash, a minute fungus may be seen dotted all up the hair filament, bulging the substance, sometimes bursting through the fibrous structure, and then cohering and winding around the filament like ivy clinging to the oak. Sometimes it resembles a miniature vine, the spores clustering together look like bunches of grapes. Ointments of tar and sulphur of varying strength are generally employed in the treatment of alopecia, and very strong stimulating" lotions are sometimes needed. The following lotion has been useful in many cases under doctor's orders : Tinct. capsici 2 dr. Tinct. cantharides 2 ,, 01. terebinthinae 2 ,, The strength of the application to be em- ployed, however, varies with the circumstances. Constitutional Causes When falhng of the hair is due to exhausting illness, or to a generally weak, debilitated state of the health or nervous system, internal treat- ment is also necessary. Cod liver oil and various tonics, such as quinine, nux vomica, iron, etc., are frequently prescribed, and attention must also be paid to the diet. A change of air and nourishing food, combined with a nerve tonic, will often effect wonderful results in restoring tone and vitality to weak and falling hair. To he continued. BEAUTY CULTURE FOR WOMEN No. 2.— THE IMPORTANCE OF THE BATH Treatment of a Greasy Skin — How and How Not to Take a Bath — The Effect of Swimming on Beauty and the Figure — The Value of Bran Baths and Astringent Lotions Catisfactory results will be obtained on a muddy, greasy skin if it is steamed and massaged at night and in the morning, and, instead of being washed, is dabbed with the following lotion : Rose Water Glycerine Alcohol Borax Then rub with : Eau de Cologne Spirits of lavender Soft Soap 10 grammes 10 80 40 A Note of Warning Nature has a way of justifying herself. If you put her out of your consideration, she will put you out of hers. It is wise, therefore, always to remember that she is your best friend. Aid her, do not try either to supplant her or ignore her. The luxurious Turkish woman ages quickly. She is too luxurious, too fond of eating sweetstuffs, too fond of hot baths, and not fond enough of the open air. The healthy skin glows under the action of cold water and a fresh wind. It disHkes the hot, dry air of artificially heated rooms, and it rebels against too much steaming or protection by veils, furs, feathers, and heavy clothing. An Irish girl is young and pretty when a Turkish woman is old, and an open-air English woman is still a girl when her less- wise sister is resorting to make-ups. "The Order of the Bath " Every famous beauty has made baths the corner-stones of her structure of beauty-culture, and many and Weird have been the concoctions which have been used, or which are said to have been used. But probably the sealed jars of Ninon de L'Enclos and Cleopatra were filled with nothing more startling than freshly gathered dew or asses' milk. It is certain that the efficacy of a beauty- bath depends mainly upon the water. Hard water destroys the bloom of the skin. Soft water, especially rain-water, cleanses, softens, and brightens the skin, and will restore a bloom which time or ill-health have removed. The Uses of the Bath The uses of the bath proper are two. The warm bath dissolves the fatty accumulations which clog the pores, and assists the system in forming that rich blood which alone can make a really good complexion.