The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-08-02
:Meofcat.
From the Boston Medical Intellisencer.l
HgTR- CITT1TNG.

Stare not, gentle reader, at seeing
this word at the head of an article in a
medical journal We have been accus-
ed of using terms unineliigible to COM
mon readers we venture 10 assert thai
no such objection can be urged to- the
term. hair cutting. Every body under
stands its meaning, though most persons
are not aware in what way it can affect
every body's health.
In previous volume of our paper,
we have spoken of the effects of the
h,ir on the animal spirits; word or
two at present on the influence il exerts
over the body. In hair-cutting, as in
every thing else, there is always fash
ion at whose shrine health may be east
iy sacrificed. Once it was customary
not only TO shorten The hair, but 10 thin
it out, and to the dexterity with which
this operation was performed, we look
ed for the evidence OF skill on the part
of the artist. For long series of years
this fashion prevailed. The air was
thus allowed access 30 the head, evap-
GRAFTON went on freely, and The matter
of perspiration not being confined, was
not compelled 10 concrete and accumu-
late around the roots ofthe hair. This
commendable practice no doubt derived
lis origin from the just and admirable
doctrine Of one Of the Fathers of Med-
cine who comprised The great rules OF
hygiene in these thrce--KEEP THE FEET
WARM, THE BOWELS OPEN, AND THE HEAD
COOL. These wonderfully comprehen-
sive and saIutary directions were follow
ed implicitly until our own day; but we,
in The phrenzy Of fashion, have fallen
from the faith Of our Gts..,Li:ars. .nste23
Of the inick-soled shoes and home-knii
stockings Of former times, silk and pru-
na!!!sa are the only protection allowed to
the feet. Ice creams and cogniac are a
sore aviation from the second and not
the least important of the rules, and to
complete our apostacy the hair dresser
has entirely abandoned the small seis-
sors, and it is the universal fashion 10
have the hair as thick as it will grow.
1t is frequently shortened only to make
il grow the thicker, and the macassar
oil and many other such nostrums find a
ready sale for the purpose Of ettectlng
the same object.
By this mode of dressing the hair, il
must be evident TO every one, that a
degree Of heat is maintained in the head
which is ,unfavorable TO health. The
matter of perspiration concretes around
and fills up the pores, and the cooling
effects ola free evaporation OF the Sc
GREETED Huids,are entirely lost. Add tc
this the uncleanIiness of the practice
and the manifest disadvantage which
must result from any occasional expos
ure, and which might have been pre-
vented by keeping the head habiually
cool, and no observing or sensible mar
can be induced 10 submit to the present
style of hair-cutting. We would gladly
say more on this subject if we thought
by so doing we could restore the goot
old practice Of Minning out the hair
but our readers will be led. by what We
have already remarked, to reflect seri
ously on this subject, and if each one
exerts his individual influence, we may
hope ere long TO close up this avenue
TO disease.