Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-05-07
GO UP, THOU BALDHEAD.
The Causes ThatProduce Badness In
the Average Man.


Badness is produced by a failure of
normal nutrition in the papille at the
base of each hair follicle. Imperfect
work being done in the capillaries,
which are here richly distributed, the
cells which constitute a hair-shaft are
not formed in their due proportion, the
old shaft thus feebly sustained becomes
loose and drops away. leaving nothing
in its place. This failure of nutrition
may have a sudden cause, of which the
effect, will be but temporary. For in
stance, an attack of typhoid fever often
leaves the papille of the scalp so much
enfeebled that rapid badness ensues.
The papilla. however, still retain their
vitality, and, as the system regains its
strength, they quickly recover their po-
tentiality, and the hair comes again,
perhaps thicker than before. In the
same manner certain cutaneous affec-
tions may cause the hair to fall by an
action on the papille which is but tenn
porary; in such cases recovery, perhaps
with assistance, perhaps without it, is
possible. In the great majority of in
stances, however, where the head is
bald the failure of nutrition of each
papilia has come on SO gradually and
has continued so long that the papille
no longer exists; it has passed away by
atrophy; its capillaries have become
obliterated, and even the follicle no lon
ger constitutes a depression in the
cults, and the scalp has the smooth and
shining appearance which we so well
recognize. 1t is easy, therefore, to see
that in such cordition as this no re-
newed growth of the hair is to be ex-
pected, for the anatomical structure
which causes its development and con-
tlnued it had ceased to exist. and the
countless remedies which are so freely
advertised as being able to rejuvenate
bald heads are utterly of no avail. They
serve only to illustrate the greed and
the i'm udence of the inventors, as we'll
as the credulity of the purchasers. But
such is the desire to escape the appear
ance of growing. old" that no doubt
they will hold their ground for all time
to come.
But now arises tho question, Can not
the application of the various agents
to the scalp at the time when the hair
is beginning to loose its hold be of ser
vice in stimulating the follicles and
pa"illa into renewed and permanent
rigorp To this question it is not possi-
bic, on theoretical grounds, to say no,
absolutely; but in practical fact that is
the only true answer to give in the vast
majority of cases. The cause of the
falling of the hair has been already sta
ted, and safe reasoning tells us that
our only hope can be in that which can
restore the failing vitality, and we well
know that we should not expect to Sc
cure this on any other part of the skin
by filthy oils and washes. Proper
cleansing of the scalp is as important
as it is of all other parts; nothing else
should be applied to it but common
sense. There can be little question but
the continued close covering of the
head with hats and caps is one very
constant cause of badness.
Women, in our own communities,
seldom lose their hair, except from
sudden causes; and among those ma
tions where the mead is habitually left
bare or but slightly covered badness is
practically unknown. At the same time
the beard, which is of the same class of
hair as that Of the scalp, but which is
always uncovered. does not fail with
age. A reform in our style of head
gear is very desirable, but it is not at
all likely to be accomplished. The sug-
eestion was some time ago made that
bald heads might perhaps be covered
anew with hair by ''skin grating No
doubt such bits might be attached, but
the whole matter is merely wild fam
cy. without practical value We can
make ''skin gratis take hold, but it is
only where tie skin is destroyed and
the sllr-ace raw and exposed, common
ly rendered so by disease.
Assuming that some person would
to have his scalp peeled away
IN preparation for the operation, and
then assuming that some other person
could be found who would consent to
appropriate his own scalp to cutting
out the proper bits for the work, yet
then the very best possible success must
be extremely imperfect. The denuded
surface would heal SO rapidly between
the gratis that no extension on their
part could take place, and head with
small specks of hair here and there
would be the only attainable results.
'Crazy patchwork is fashionable, but
perhaps not many would care to wear
it in that way. The result of all seems
to be that when badness has come
slowly and naturally it has come to
stay, and our only wisdom is to be con-
tent. -Springfeld Mass J Republican.