Page:Every Woman's Encyclopedia Volume 1.djvu/622

 BEAUTY 596 with the glycerine ; gradually add the water and lastly the perfume. Hair bleaches are less used than formerly, as they are found to considerably injure the hair. Peroxide of hydrogen was the medium used very largely a few years ago to obtain the golden or " cornfield " shade then so much in vogue. A ten vol. solution of peroxide of hydrogen is the strength generally employed. After washing and drying the hair, the solution is applied care- fully with a sponge or with a small hair- brush damped with it. It is used once a week or fortnight, according to the colour of the hair. The effect of the continued use of peroxide of hydrogen is to cause the hair to become very dry and brittle, to break off at the roots, and, frequently, to become prematurely grey. A solution of bichloride of tin, with a mordant of hydro-sulphuret of ammonia, gives a rich golden tint to light hair and an autumnal brown to dark hair. Acetate and nitrate of lead, with a mordant of chromate of potash, gives a yellow hue. A solution of sulphate of copper, sixty grains* to one ounce of water, well applied to ther hair, and, an hour afterwards, the samej quantity of ferro-cyanide of potassium ini water, will dye light hair a rich goldeni brown. It is not advisable, however, tqj experiment in making hair dyes at home^i The manufacture of such preparations musti always be left to the chemist. It must be: remembered that all dyes have only a mechanical effect on the hair already formed, and no effect on that which is in formation,] DISEASES OF THE SCALP AND HAIR Affections of the Scalp — Ringworm, its Cause and Treatment T^HE scalp, like other parts of the skin, is Some of these may" be traced to hereditary tendencies ; others are due to contagion, while many are caused by neglect. One of the most common scalp affections is ringworm. This generally attacks children, although it is sometimes seen in adults. It is so contagious that one child may infect a whole school, and it is unfortunately one of those diseases of the scalp which does not readily yield to treatment unless taken in the first stage. Failure on the part of parents or those having the care of the child to recognise the affection often results in its making enormous headway before medical treatment is obtained. There is a popular idea among ignorant people that ringworm is an affection caused by a small worm which burrows under the skin, travelling in circles, hence the name " ringworm." As a matter of fact the disease is caused by a vege- table parasite or fungus which consists of spores and tubes. The favourite, if not exclusive seat of the parasitic growth is in the hairs and hair- roots. After it has gained a lodgment in the follicle, it almost immediately invades the hair- root, infiltrating it among and between the fibres of the hair. There are three stages of ringworm. The first is characterised by small round patches or rings of a pinkish colour, and -rather rough sur- face, the margin being of a brighter pink than the central part. Occasionally, httle rings of vescicles are developed, but these last but a short time, and may easily escape notice. The second stage is of longer duration, and corresponds with changes in the structure of the hair and the development of the parasite on the surface of the skin. It shows itself on the broken hairs in the form of an asbestos-like covering of a dull white colour. These sheath-like coverings more or less sur- round the broken hairs, and when the covering is complete the hairs are entirely hidden and can only be recognised by the little prominences produced ; when these are numerous the surface looks as if covered with white frost. The third stage, which, happily, is not often reached, is a serious development, as acute inflammation occurs m the minute tress, or follicles, in which the hairs are set. This leads to the destruction of the hair and the formation of permanent bald patches. The disease seems to originate spontaneously in some children of weak constitutions and debilitated health, but it is principally propa- gated by contagion. Treatment should com- mence by washing the head with hot water and carbolic soap. If the affection has made much headway it is generally best to cut the hair close to the scalp. In quite young children very strong remedies are not advisable. As a rule, if in the first stage, it will only be necessary to paint the parts afiected with a little tincture j of iodine for a few days, and this should be j followed by the application of white precipitate ointment. Extraction of all the diseased hairs is often advocated, but this is not very easy, and breaking them off at the roots is, of course, useless. In older children stronger treatment may be applied than in the case of those who are very young. One of the best known remedies is oleate of mercury combined with lanoline. The follow- ing is a good formula : Hydrarg oleat.. .. .. .. . . i dr. Ac. carbolici J ,, Lanoline q.s. ad. i oz. This should be applied twice daily. 1 Another excellent remedy is made up as follows : Chrysophanic acid i scruple White vaseline. . . . . . . . i ounce Ung. aqua rosse .... .. . . i ,, Apply with a fine^ soft brush to the diseased part once a day until the skin becomes inflamed ; then wash off with brown Castile soap and dress with olive oil or simple cerate. Be careful to keep this preparation out of the eyes. A pre- paration which has recently been greatly ex- tolled is a four per cent, solution of formalin in glycerine. First remove all grease with oil of turpentine ; then apply the formalin-glycerine several times for about an hour. It is claimed that, in the first stage of ringworm one treatment of this kind generally suffices. If the system is in a weak condition, cod-liver oil should be given, and, in some cases, an iron tonic is advisable. - The diet should be nutritious ; good milk and fresh butter should be given generously, and the child should have as much opportunity as possible for open air exercise. To be continued. The following are good firms for supplying materials, etc., mentioned in this Section: Messrs. Thomas Belvoir ("Culto" Nail Polish and "Cultone" Tooth Polish); T. J. Clark (Glycola) ; Icilma Co., Ltd. (Toilet Preparations) ; A. & F. Pears, Ltd. (Soap) ; Wright, Layman and Umney, Ltd. (Coal Tar Soap).
 * subject to many and various affections.