Tama County Republican. (Toledo, Tama County, Iowa) 1867-1872, 1871-01-12

In August we published a report
OF an examination OF hair dyes, stat.
ing that 10 out of l6 contained lead.
The number of inquiries asking about
the 10th one, which contained no
lead, has been amusing. We might
have saved great deal of writing
had we said that the 10th dye con-
tanned Nitrate of Silver, which is
nearly as Objectionable as lead. The
receipt of 50 many letters upon the
matter Of hair dye leads us to ask,
why dye the hair at all? There
seems to be no efficient preparation
for changing the color OF the hair,
which has not metallic base, and
which, by its continued use, is not
likely to produce injury to the health.
But leaving the question OF health
out OF the consideration, il scents to
us an utterly useless practice. We
say useless, because it deceives no
one. \ person who dyes the hair
may think it SO cleverly done that it
will appear like the natural color.
This is a.grcat mistake, for any one
with halt an eye for color viii detect
dyed hair across the room or street.
Ii the hair turns gray, let it be gray
rather than sail under false coiors.
We cannot conceive of any argu-
ment for dyeing the hair that does
not apply equally well TO painting
the checks. Yet many who color
the hair would he Mortified if any
one should suggest the use Of rouge.
A word about the treatment ofthe
hair. There is much less use made
of hair washes and the like. than
there was some years ago, but much
more than there ought to be. Hay
ing been in the way OF knowing the
composition OF many Of these, we
can assert that as a general thing
they are 81 no value except rs they
induce people to take care OF their
hair. Some thirty years ago a prep
aration called Balm Of Columbia"
was exceedingly popular. 1t was al
"herbya smelling wash, but it was a
capital thing for the har. The di-
rectioEs were to wet the hair thor
oughly with the Balm and brush
Nth q stiff 6rasA fw hay an how. The
whole value of this celebra ed Balm
lay in these directions-and they are
good to this day, though the stuff
they accompanied has long ago pass
cd to the limbo OF things forgotten.
There is wondrous virtue in a stiff
hair brush, we'll applied. The major
ity OF the brushes sold are poor
things, fit only to polish the hair.
Don't buy a brush by the back, but
by the bristies; these should be un
bleachcd and uncvcn-unbleached
that they may retain their elasticity
the longer, end set unevenly IN order
that the brush may penetrate better.
Have brush that will go through
the hair, quite down to the scalp, and
use it thoroughly, daily; and there
will be very little need Of anything
beyond water as hair wash Avoid
shampooing liquids, as tl.ey contain
a strong alkali, which removes the
uaHei VII, &c, ~ 10 VI wv, poo ~ ehe
same time takes out the natural oily
secretion OF the scalp. CASTLE soap
and water will be found quite as ct
ficacious, though little more troub-
lesome in its application. A solution
Of borax is frequently used to cleanse
the hair, and SO is the yolk Of an egg.
Where the hair is brushed thorough
ly there will seldom be any need Of
applying oil; though there are some
whose halr is SO very dry that little
oil seems necessity, and beet mar.
row or solution OF castor oil in al
cohol are frequently used. Glycer-
inc dissolved in water or Bay rum
makes pleasing hair dressing.-
{ American Agricul,urst.