Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 2, 1802).djvu/455

Rh cases, in which cutting off the hair is attended with dangerous effects, especially during a state of convalescence from acute diseases. In a periodical work lately published in France, two instances are related of women, in a very promising state of recovery from a putrid malignant fever, whose hair had been cut, and who both died shortly after this imprudent action. A third owed her preservation only to her youth, and the energy of her constitution.

The hair is, by all nations, considered as an ornament to the person, more than as a covering for the head, provided by the beneficent hand of Nature. Hence various pomatums, and other secret preparations, have been imposed upon the public, for the purpose of "making the hair grow long and thick." We are no advocates for contrivances, which to our certain knowledge are generally composed of noxious ingredients, such as the calces of lead and mercury. Those persons who cannot be dissuaded from the use of artificial means, may with safety employ a mixture consisting of equal parts of olive oil and spirits of rosemary, to which may be added a few drops of oil of nutmeg. If the hair be rubbed every night with a little of this liniment, and the proportion be very gradually increased, it will answer every purpose to be attained by those boasted preparations which are sold by empirics.

Another source ot fraud is that of changing the colour of the hair to a darker shade: with this intention various liquid remedies are vended by perfumers, under different alluring appellations. These, however, being likewise prepared from lead, antimony, and other metallic solutions, no prudent person will be induced to purchase them. The only method that can be pursued with impunity, is to cut the hair close to the head, and to pass a leaden comb through it every morning and evening, by which simple practice the hair will assume a darker colour; the perspiration of the head will not be impeded, and, consequently, the health of the individual rather promoted than injured.

Hair constitutes a very considerable article of commerce, especially since the fashion of wearing wigs has prevailed among all ranks, and has lately been extended to both sexes. The hair of this, and other northern countries, is preferred to that of the southern climates of Italy, France, &c. The chief quality of hair consists in its being well fed, as it is termed by hair-dressers, so that it be neither too coarse nor too slender. Hence thick hair is less susceptible of the artificial curl, and is disposed to frizzle; but, if it be too delicate, it will retain the curl only for a short time. The length of good hair is usually estimated at 25 inches; and, in proportion as it is shorter, it becomes less valuable. There appears to be no stated price for this article; as, according to its quality, it is sold at from 5s. to 5l. per ounce: it pays, when imported, a duty of 2s. $4 1⁄2$d. per lb.—With respect to the various operations which hair undergoes previously to being manufactured into wigs, we trust the reader will excuse our silence.

The hair of beavers, hares, and other animals, is used in various manufactures, especially that of hats, of which they constitute the principal material.