River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1880-02-05
BACK HAIR.
An expert" Tells How the Supply Of
Feminine Tresses is Kept Up.

The Scientif3 Ame1ican has dilated on
the subject of "Back HAIR" and an
nounces that "false hair having come
to be recognized as a necessity of the
modern female existence, it may be of
interest to learn how this constantly III
creasing want is supplied" We trust
that the revolving account of the
sources of supply which follows these
words may have created due conster-
nation among the wearers OF false hair,
but we also trust that there may be
many scientific Americans who will
have OWNED for themselves the fact
that nothing so detestable as hair OBJ
tanned in the ways and pre- pared by the
processes described in this article, ever
approaches the head of lady.
AS a matter of personal experience,
and as the result of observation in
wide family circle, the writer is able to
assert that "false hair" is very seldom
worn by ladies. additional hair, how
ever, is constantly used by those who
neither ignore the dictates OF fashion
utterly, nor yet consent to be led by
them beyond the bounds OF good sense
or good taste, or propriety or of neat
ness. In regard to this additional hair,
it is certainly 'of interest to learn how
this constantly increasing want is sup
Piled" 1t is even singular that no
statement explaining this matter has
yet appeared, and that the Scientific
American, whose supply of back hair
can hardly entitle him to the position
of an expert" should be the only ex-
ponent of the subject.
AS the birds shed their delicate feath-
ers, and as the inferior animals lose
their coats, which are replaced by new
ones, so the human head gradually
changes its covering of hair, and from
the yearly sheddings of her own hair,
preserved with perfect neatness and &C
curate care, are fashioned for each lady
the various additions of pntfs or plaits
or curls, as the case may be, which are
demanded by the style of couture in
vogue. This shedding Of the hair is a
constant process, but in our climate is
mostly observable in the autumn, when
q large harvest Of hairs can usually be
gathered in. The revolving picture of
those uncleanly "snarls of combings
which thrifty servant girls save up and
sell" can have no relation to the toilet
of any lady. The hair of those who
have learned how to preserve it is con-
stantly washed-daily if possible-with
a small soft sponge, slightly wet. To
the water used is added, in cold wealth
er, little glycerine, and occasionally,
in warm weather, the very smallest dash
Of ammonia or of soda. The process of
separating the hair inch by inch, and
washing each parting with small
damp sponge, is slow, but is rewarded
by the results of perfect freshness and
increased growth, and, as many a lady
can testify, half the valuable and pleas
ant reading of the day can be accom-
plished while this pleasant process is
performed by herself, or by her maid, if
she have one. The hair thus washed
is lightly combed and then brushed I'M
til dry, and then the gatherings from
brush and comb laid in clean, light
wisps, in small covered basket kept
for the purpose. Every gatherer Of
hair looks with daily surprise on the
accumulating store, and, certainly,
twice a year the family hairdresser will
be intrusted with q sufficient quantity
to make up in any form that may be
desired. Thus, by clearly and simple
process, with only the small expense Of
manufacture, all the additional hair
necessary is obtained, exactly matching
that on the head which it is to adorn,
even to the newly-acquired threads of
silver, which add to the couture the
charm of fitness when middle age sets
seal on the brow. With the bath, a
morning plunge of the face to the sum-
nit of the head strengthens the front
hair. while this immersion, if made
with the eyes open, gives lasting vigor
to the sight which nothing else can be-
stow. The occasional aid of judicious
hairdresser is invoked for more ample
brushing and washing, as we'll as a care
full clipping, TO give strength to each
separate hair, and promote its growth.
May it not be hoped that this admission
to glimpse of the "tOilttte des DANES
will calm the anxietIes excited by dread
jul descriptions of dead hair" chair
on foot" and hair "redolent of the sep
ulchre, the gutter the servants comb, .
and will tranquilize both satirical and
scientific Americans as to the question,
show this constantly increasing want is
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