New-York tribune., 1882-04-09
TIE BEARDED LADY.
Dr.. 0eorgs IT. For IN The Medical Reco

Dr.. GcOrge II. Tor an me Mtdicdt Rec0rd.
The growth of hair upon the female face TO the
treatment Of which | again invite attention, is A
defOrmity which is very frequently observed. Per-
hars few physicians have an adequate idea Of its
prevalence. In nearly every Z" museum of living
curiOsltes" q bearded woman figures az one OF the
chief attractions, and it s quite probable that but
a small proportion OF bearded women are willing 10
advertise their misfortune for pecuniary gain. I
think there at least half dozen OF this class on
exhibition throughout the city. OF the number Of
ladies in private life who endeavOr, by artice Of
various kinds. to conceal the unpleasant fact that
they have or might have a beard, IL would be very
difficult to form an estimate have no donbt that
there are hundreds Of such cases speak now
merely of those who might raise thick and long
growth of HAIR which would deserve the name Of
beard OF those who have comparatively Y mode
rate growth upon the face, and particularly upon
the chm, the number is beyond computation.
Frequently the opinion and adylce OF the phys-
clan sought respecting this abnormal and obnox-
ions grOwth-and what does he say In all prob
ability he will tell the patient that depiatores are
merely palliative, advise her TO pull the hairs out
or to let them alone, and declare that 1t Is very
trifing matter, and perhaps add loosely that 1t is
not likely to cause death. Such an opinion never
satisfies the patient for no woman ever yet derived
consolation from the fact that ugness is not fatal
normal growth OF hair Is not always a trlulng
matter. 1t may not kill the patient, II is true but
it is certain to occasion great annoyance IL very
apt to affect her disposition and to nure her pros
poets in life, especially il she be young and unmar-
ried aud it may eventually ruin both her health
and her happiness by producing mental disquie-
chclia The frequent occurrence of facial hairiness
among insane women has been observed by several
writers. and although in such cases the insanity
has usually preceded the abnormal growth of
hair have no doubt that in many instances the
mental worry caused By slight facial hairiness has
acted as exciting cause and served to develop an
insane tendency DR.. }. c. White mentions the
case of a lady who searched long for surgeon who
would fay the lower part OF her face and thus
overcome the obnoxious growth. have certainly
treated one or two females who Were monomanlacs
on the subject of their facial hairness, even when
this has been very slight and the most satisfactory
result of treatment in these has been the I'M
provement in general health which has followed
the removal of the hair which served to make
their lives unhappy.
OF the advances which dermatology has made in
recent years. the deveOpn ent of the operation for
removal of hair Is without doubt the most brilliant
In the Archires of DermdtolOgy, five years ago, my
friend DR.. Duhring of Philadelphia reported the
case of bearded woman, whom many OF you have
doubtless exhibition, and alter en- exhaus-
tive descrpti and discussion OF interesting pOns
concluded with the following paragraph: ln
regard to the question which was asked Inc by the
patient, whether the growth on the tace could be
successfully and permanently removed and need
not add that it is TO her source Uf intense moTtlh
cation and dIstress, would say that the only JUS
tfable means at our command are palliative, con-
sisting in either the daily use OF a razor or In The
employment of a depilatOry powder" This was
written only five years ago, and represented ad-
vanced opinion ut that time. | quote it simply to
show that dermatology in America is not mere
reflex of European thought but that II Is aIive ana
advancing.
In the ngnI OF WudJ Has Dtcu dCCoulpIISuCh ny
several in this country, it is apparent that in one
respect at least are IN advance OF our dermato-
logical brethren abroad, who, as Dr. HeItzmann re-
marks, do not know anything about permanent and
safe depilatlOn.
hairs by electIoysis has been described by several
who have written on the subject, and the descrip
tions differ merely in a few non-essential points.
The operation is a simple one, which any physician
with a steady hand and keen eye can readlly per-
form although as in many other simple operations
peculiar dexterty is required, anu lar more Satls
factory results are obtained after certain am0unt
of experience. An ordinary gavanlc battery Is re-
quired and a fine needle, which Is 10 be attacbeu 70
the negative cord. The number OF cells required
for the operation depends upon the activity OF the
battery the decacy of the patients skin. ana the
strength of the hairs to be removed, and should DO
determined in each by the effect which Is pro-
duced. | commonly use from ten TO sixteen cells OF
zinc carbon battery, or corresponding number
of chloride of silver battery. The needle Is intro
duced into the follice by tho side of the hair If
this is kilfuliy done, no pain whatever Is felt Dy
the patient. The spOnge.cup or sponge tipped POSI-
tive electrode should not lie used to complete the
circuit The electrOlytlc action now manitests IL
self subiectIyely in the form OF q sharp stlnglng
sensation and effectively in the form Of slgnt
hypcremia around the needle. In few seconds
the hypernmia will give place to a blanching OF the
SKIN and little froh will appear at the mouth OF
the foicle. IL the hair be now seized with pair
of forceps and the Gentlest traction exerted II VIII
be found to be loose in the fOlce IN the course OF
from ten to twenty seconds, provided the needle
has been skilfuly introduced. With the hnest
flexible needle It is extremely to produce
wheals or pustulatiOn. In many cases the effect OF
the operation is simply to leave red points, when
soon disappear. -.
The operation is by no means pleasant one but
rarely does n patient make any complaint OF PAIN
The majority say it is not as unpleasant as having
teeth filed in q dentists chair. and with the hue
needle the painful sensation is greatly reduced.