Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-08-20
LAWS FOR HAIR.

The general law for the care of the hair
is cleanliness. But this essential condition
is not always to be brought about by the
same methods. In some cases the scalp
and the hair itself require washing as often
as once every month in other instances,
once in three months is sufficient When
the hair is in healthful condition the
glands at the roots are strong and vigor-
GUS and supply natural oil. These glands
often become obstructed or weak in their
action and finally dead. So long as they
are inactive through obstruction or weak
ness, the hair may be restored, but when
they are actually dead, and the scalp as
sumes shining appearance, nothing will
remedy it. Badness may be prevented !;
it cannot be cured. The distractions
are to be removed first by thorough
ly washing or shampooing the head.
This is to be done by using water and
CASTLE soap as warm as it can comfortably
be applied. 1t must then be thoroughly
rinsed. Three or four rinsings with tepid
water are not too much. After this clean.
ing, the hair for a day or two is apt to be
harsh and dry. Special attention should
then be given to rubbing and brushing the
scalp. One of the most effectual methods
W MY T. viz Siih0S IA gnu WI hilS OAQCi
and to bring out the natural oil, is to rub
the head gently (either night or morning,
when you have the most time to devote to
its care) with the balls of the fingers. In
this way the hair is not only separated.
and the air allowed to pass through it,
thus drying it from an unpleasant moist
ure, but the pressure upon the secretions
OF oil causes activity and brings it to the
surface. The hair should be thoroughly
brushed every night or morning with brush
of good stiff English bristles Wire brushes
irritate the scalp and are very detrimental.
For the same reason fine tooth combs should
not be used. 1t should always be remem-
bered that while friction is necessary, irri-
tation is to be avoided. Excessive irrita.
ton will itself produce dandruff, the most
common of the scalp diseases, and often the
forerunner of those of more serious nature.
In cases where the dandruff is excessive
and of a dry, scaly nature, the scalp should
often be washed, and always carefully.
But even in such instances the hair itself
requires occasional washings to cleanse it
from dust. In such instances it is neces-
sary to apply some safe and reliable wash,
which should be free from oil. After the
dandruff is removed proper care and atten.
ton will promote luxuriant growth, and
where there is not actual badness will re-
store natural vigor In order to keep the
hair healthy it is essential that it should
be trimmed about once month
Merely chopping off the ends does not
answer this purpose. The hair should be
examined under microscope and every
end that is split-all hair splits after
time-should be trimmed off, These split
ends are dead hair, and no matter how
scanty the hair is the sooner one is rid OF
this much of it the better. The first time
it is trimmed in this way from quarter to
half an inch should be removed after that
regard to dressing the hair, the present
style of wearing it low is healthful. The
crown of the head should be kept free.
The excessive use of pufs and heavy
chignon braids was very disastrous to
free and healthful growth. But while with
the adults it requires great faith, great care
and great perseverance to produce salts
factory results, careful attention bestowed
on children's hair not only tells at the time,
but makes it so vigorous that it
is not easily affected in after
life. The practice of parting it
at the sides, Just above the ears, and
pulling it towards the top, is very injuri-
Gus, making the crown soft and tender and
the hair diseased. Crimping the hair may
be done without much injury, if great care
is used. Instead Of braiding in ten or
twelve small. tight braids, there should be
but two. The buttons at the back of chill
dren's dresses, or aprons, often ruins the
hair by snarling and breaking it, and
luxuriant curls or flowing tresses have
sometimes to be shorn close just for this
reason. The prevailing notion is that chill
dren's hair should always be cut But, il
the child is perfectly healthful and the hair
good, it is only necessary that the ends
should be carefully trimmed every month.
For delicate children, the hair should be
kept cut close till they are twelve or four
teen years of age. The most sensible and
healthful style for girls for school and ordi-
nary wear is to braid it firmly and leave it
hanging downthe back. FOOD and Health