Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1883-06-08
TIE HAIR.
How II should be Cut-lIats and Hair.
Dr. Shoemaker In Medical and Surgical Reporter

DR.. Shoemaker in Medical and Surgical Rcporcr.l
1t may be that cutting and shaving may
for the time increase the action of the
growth, but it has no permanent effect
either upon the hair-bulb or the hair-sac,
and will not in any way add to the life of
the hair. On the contrary, cutting and
shaving will cause the hair to grow longer
for the time being, but in the end will in
evitably shorten its term of life by ex-
hausting the nutritive action of the hair
forming apparatus. When the hairs are
frequently cut, they will usually become
OF the fine and delicate hairs The pig
instance, becoming chestnut, and black
the ends of very many will be split and
ragged, presenting a bush-like appear
ance. Ii the hairs appear stunted in
their growth upon portions of the scalp
or beard, or gray hairs crop up here and
there, the method of clipping oil the ends
of the short hairs, of plucking out the
ragged, withered, and gray hairs, will
allow them to grow stronger, longer, and
thicker.
Mothers, in rearing their children,
should not cut their hair at certain pc
riods of the year during the supersti-
tious period of full noon, in order to in
crease its length and luxuriance as they
bloom into womanhood and manhood.
This habit of cutting the hair of children
brings evil in place of good, and is also
condemned by the distinguished worker
in this department, Professor Kaposi, of
Vienna, who states that it is well known
that the hair Of women whopossess luxu-
RANT locks from the time of girlhoodnev-
er again attains its original length after
having once been cut.
Pincus has made the same observation
by frequent experiment, and he adds that
there is general opinion that frequent
cutting OF the hair increases its length
but the effect is different from that gen
orally supposed. Thus, upon one occa-
sion he states that he cut off circles of
hair an inch i'll diameter on the heads of
healnhy men, and from week to week
compared the intensity of growth of the
shorn place with the rest of the hair.
The result was surprising to this close
and careful observer, as he found in some
cases the numbers were equal, but gene.
rally the growth became slower after cut.
ting, and he has never observed M in.
crease in rapidity.
l might also add that l believe many
beardless faces and bald heads in middle
and advancing age are often due to con
slant cutting and shaving in early life
The young girls and boys seen daily upoi
$ our streets with their closely-croppet
t heads and the young men with theil
! clean-shaven faces are year by year b,
I this fashion having their hair-forming ap
o paratus over-strained.
u The stiff hats, SO extensively worn by
Q men, produce more or less injury. Pre-
mature badness most frequently attack
r that part Of the head where pressure i
}, made by the hat.
II As regards the head-covering of wo
men, the fashions have been for severa
a years favorable to proper form. Th
n bonnet and hat have become quite small
e and cover but little of the head. Thi
q beneficial condition, however, is in par
h countcrbalanced by the weight of falls
It curls, ETC., with which women dress thei
It heads. Ablution with soap and waite
d should be performed once or twice wee
q at least, particularly to the head an
Is beard, in order to keep open tho hal
y tubes, 80 that they may take in oxygen
ID give out carbon, carry on their nutrition
IL and maintain the hairs in fine polishe
Is and healthy condition.
'f' /: is injurious to both men and wome