Show 1 I HOW TO fO TREAT BALDNESS 1 j T HERE are several causes for baldness and T THERE for each there is a special treatment Before Before Before Be Be- fore selecting a treatment it is necessary to know which of the causes Is responsible for otherwise the condition may easily be made worse These causes and the several treatments are arc described fully in the New York Medical Journal by Drs George M. M MacKee and George C. C Andrews of New York Baldness is normally only one of the symptoms symptoms symptoms toms of old age When it comes early in life it itis itis itis is due to one three of things Some other general disease heredity or seborrhea this last a disease disease dis dis- ease else of the scalp In addition to these there are several local causes which occasionally produce baldness but they are rare The first of the three is the easiest to cure It follows typhoid fever pneumonia scarlet t fever and similar diseases It may also accompany excessive excessive ex ex- worry severe sever shock mental strain or pregnancy One of its principal l symptoms Is that the hair comes out all over the head It Itis is brittle dry breaks off and splits If treated at once it is almost certain to be cured but if associated associated associated as as- with a chronic systemic disease the cure euro is doubtful A tonic wash and massage are usually usually usually ally all al that is necessary In hereditary baldness the hair begins to thin at the temples and on the vertex of the head It also ceases to grow The baldness progresses slowly and is usually incurable though occasionally occasionally occasionally occasion occasion- ally an unexpected and brilliant result is obtained in early cases The seborrhoea cases are due to a contagious bacterial infection They begin by showing dandruff after awhile the dandruff becomes 0 heavy and waxy If taken early enough it can usually be cured in later stages rarely There is another distinct type that may appear appear ap ap- appear ap- ap pear z af any age and shows itself by the hair failing falling falling fall fail ing out in patches or even all over the body The patch form is generally curable the total form scarcely ever Drs MacKee l and Andrews give many bits of practical advice such as the following It is the scalp not the hair that should receive re- re receive receive re re- treatment When the hair Is white and beta beta- eta eta- must never be used and only with ex ex- extreme extreme extreme caution when it is yellow or light brown for a single application of a lotion containing either of of these remedies may turn white hair to toa a yellow green or yellowish green color and the color cannot be removed Light brown and golden gold gold- en cn hair is affected more slowly it may turn green or more commonly auburn Even with dark hair it is wise to watch carefully for changes chang in color The ointments made by some druggists druggists' are area a disgrace to the art Sulphur and mercury must never be used atthe at atthe atthe the same time otherwise a deposit of black sulphide sulphide sulphide sul- sul J of mercury will form on the hair scalp i forehead and fingers If one happens to use a hair lotion containing sulphur the shampoo oil 4 suspension or ointment must not contain mercury mercury mercury mer mer- cury and vice versa Daily brushing in most cases is beneficial s If the hair is very dry brittle and breaks readily brushing is perhaps harmful As a general rule rulea a shampoo should be given once weekly Castile soap will wiIl answer most of the requirements Certain it is that most patients who have once had will have repeated attacks throughout their lives Such persons should keep an antiseptic and stimulating hair lotion on their dresser and at the slightest evidence of of 1 trouble begin to use it it It is unwise to try to treat ones one's own incipient baldness for nothing is easier than to use the wrong medicine Not all barbers or hairdressers hair dress ers are competent to treat it for they are not specialists in skin diseases and are likely to give a sulphur lotion where one of oil and mercury is needed or one of capsicum and cantharides cantharides' I where a sulphur ointment is called for The only safe Eafe thing to do is to consult a specialist in skin diseases S |