Page:Personal beauty how to cultivate and preserve it in accordance with the laws of health (1870).djvu/333

 be bestowed upon it in reference to cleanliness, combing, and brushing, as on the hair. When thick, it should be brushed out every morning with the following mixture, which will keep it clean, and strengthen the roots:—

Take— Borax in powder     a teaspoonful; Rosemary water      half a pint.

Mix, and keep in a well-corked bottle.

If the hairs are bristly and uneven, they should be carefully trimmed, and one of the pomades may be used, sold for the purpose. They are usually of an innocent character, being a variety of soap perfumed and colored to the taste, and often with the addition of a little wax to give them greater coherence.

Care should be taken not to pluck at, twist, pull, or rub the beard, as so many have a habit of doing in moments of reflection or embarrassment, as thereby the hairs are loosed, and soon a rough or ragged appearance is produced.

DISEASES OF THE BEARD.

There are some diseases which are peculiar to the portions of the face covered with hair. The simplest of these is dandriff, that excessive deposition of minute branny scales which we have already mentioned in connection with the hair. It can be cured by the means there recommended.