The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-03-31
Shaving the Beard.

Shaving the Beard.
The more reflect upon the mysteries of neu-
rology and animal chemistry, the more confident
| am that, while the least susPectlng it, tri-
fling in our daily life producing imPor.
tant effects upon corporeal systems; and
declare it my deliberate conviction that the hab
II, which may almost be styled American, OF u.s.
ing the razor upon The face, is sufficient 10 cause
| large proportion Of the lamentable evils which
affect the human race in this country.
1t appears by experiment that the beard, ii
shaved groves four five times faster than if un
shorn. In this calculation, an item is ommltted
which it is difficult 10 estimate i. G., the stimulus
gwen the beard by the first application the razor
in adolescence, the experiments being made upon
boards after they have acquired an unEatufaiy ra'
pld growth. The effect Of this early stimulus
may be fairly counteda at double the natural growth;
then reckoning the difference in size and weight OF
the fibre, which is TREBLE and we find the fruitful
truth to be, that we thirty times the natural
quantity Of beard Thus it is evident that the
true beard is exhausted at very early age, after
which the system is forced 10 supply a substitute.
Now nature will not submit with impunity to extra
ordinary demands upon her vi gOr, and that which
requires her to produce in lifetime thirty times
as much beard as she was first inclined to, must
certainly be considered as SUCH She is fatgued
in proportion to the effort, let the particular Gind
"
but though her recuperative powers are great, she
insists upon having repose, even when working at
rate chosen by herself. If that repose is denl-
ed her she takes her revenge by breaking down
the mechanism. Who then can estimate the re-
venge she will take for being compelled to labor
without rest under on uncompromising task
master!
I'd. The chemical Laboratory of man furnishes
in just proportion the ingredients required to dePo-
site IN suitable quantity the bones, skn hair nails,
&C., and it is obvious that superstraining O. those
chemical elements which enter into the compost
ton of ae beard must deprive Of their just due all
the other tissues which are wholly or in part com.
posed Of the same elements. Such injustice to
other structures they must inevitably feel, and the
entire system must suffer from disturbance OF the
balance of power requisite to health action Of its
various parts.
Sd. The proper calorfcation of the BODY is one
of the most essential conditions of its healthy ac-
ton; and the non conducting properties OF the
beard ought to be a caution against lrfng with
so powerful an agent, more especially when one
considers its intimate connection with the ca'orlfic
organs of the BRAIN and with the respiratory organs.
The popular notion, that, as women are beardless,
men may be or not as they please, is founded in
misapprehensien. A man and woman form one
specimen Of the geHus homo, and from phys!oo.
gical point Of view must be considered one and the
same. The absence OF beard IN women IS counter
vailed by some other differences in her constitution,
which it would be needless to point out even if we
knew them. 1t suffices to know that nature is per.
feet 10 her work.
4th. The errors Of the father shall be visited
upon the children unto the third and fourth genera
tioE; the tree being known by its fruit, for
rupt tree cannot bring fourth good fruit; which,
simpIi6ed, is " like begets like" No person who
feels the force of this law in all its fulness can ex
Pect TO transmit to his Posterity vigorous pulmo-
nary organs, if he has done the best he could to
ruin his own. Daughters and sons by nature
equally their fathers heirs, and if consumption Of
the respiratory organs spares more men than wo
men, the outdoor exercise of men must in part
account for the difference.
The mania which has ever possessed man for
dsfguring himself is astonishing. Not satisfied
with Gods most perfect handwork different tribes
and nations varously undertake to beautfy it, thus
fairly making themselves laughing stocks for each
other; but it is TO be hoped that the "pioneers OF
civilization :" will come out from the category of
those who tattoo the skin, fatten The skull, shave
the crown taper the waist, stint the feet, circum.
scise, and slit their ears and noses.
1t is with difficulty that old habits are renounc-
ed, even when is convinced that life can be
prolonged and made happier thereby; but it is
a question for young men seriously to consider,
whether, on starting in life, they will addict them
selves to habit which at once wastes the time,
sours the temper, is against nature, and conse.
queny involves their health and that of their off.
spring.
Nature has made her terms with US how we
may enjoy our daily existence and Iengthen out
our lives; these terms are Ito know her laws and
not infringe them.
Boston Medical and Surgical Journal.