The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-02-16

A reception was given last evening
at the Commercial club by the state
BOARD of BARRIERS to the members of
the profession in st. Paul and Mime
apolls. There were about $50 in at
tendance.
DR.. Matthew Green, dentist, acted as
master OF ceremonies. At o'clock the
assemblage was called to order and
Mayor Doran made a brief address of
welcome and congratulation
one of the objects of the meeting
was to afford an opportunity for dis
cussion of subjects looking to the i'm
provement Of the conduct of the bust
ness and the advancement of it's gen.
eral interests
DR.. Burnside Foster read a paper on
the general subject of the profession.
He pointed to the antiquity of the bar
ber's trade and to the period when
they were classified with surgeons in
many of their services to humanity.
One of the most important functions
or public government, he said, had re-
lation to the protection of the public
health. There are certain contagious
diseases not recognized by boards of
health which are introduced through
| the barber shops. His own experience
taught him that this was a danger
| Which should not be overlooked, and
that by the adoption of very simple
! and inexpensive precautionary meas
! ures these dangers might be entirely
/ avoided. The remedy is in the hands
! of the BARRIERS themselves. He con-
sidred the prevention of disease a much
higher art than it's cure, although it
| was not so profita BILE.
There are many skin diseases, he
/ said, some being caused by animal
parasites and some by syphilis. He de-
| scribed the methods of transmission of
! the animal and vegetable microbes, but
said the germ of syphilis had not yet
| been discovered, but the poison was
| readily conveyed from one to another
! and the perfect barber must see to it
that nothing is allowed to touch his
| customers that has a communicating
| effect
The first point of Importance was the
care of the BARRIERS hands. He should
| after each operation thoroughly cleanse
| his hands by some disinfecting solu-
ton, such as corrosive sublimate, BIZ
chloride of mercury or the like. Dr.
| Foster condemned the use of a single
cup and brush for general use, and
pronounced the practice as disgusting
! He expressed disapproval, also, Of
even the individual cup and brush
| though danger from the accumulation
Of poisons might be obviated by the
utilization of a tightly fitting lid for
the cup. He recommended the discon-
tinuance altogether of the use Of the
brush, believing it might be advan-
tageously superseded by the employ
ment of sterilized gauze, which was
exceedingly cheap. A small piece Of
this could be used for creating lather,
! and on conclusion of the operation
! thrown away.
He recommended also the use of soap
Clipped dry from block, thus necessi-
tating an entirely fresh application of
scan and lathering process with every
! subject.
Powder boxes should not be used
| Neither should one sponge be applied to
more than one face. A fragment of the
sterlized gauze could be used instead
! of the sponge; and the same material
| could be rubbed upon block of pure
niagnesia, and thus applied to the face
He referred to the care exercised by
the surgeon in his operations and his
use Of antiseptics, and believed that
| BARRIERS should exercise equal care, and
| that the more widely the BARRIERS care
| full practices became recognized. the
! larger his business would expand.
A towel once used should not be
used again until it was washed or
i sterilized. Hair brushes used should
be made of metal only, as it was i'm
i possible to keep the bristle brushes
pure. He also urged care in the use
of proprietary hair tonics.
DR.. Fosters address was listened to
most attentively, and he was warmly
arplauded on its conclusion.
w. E. Murray, secretary of the state
| board. also spoke briefly. After singing,
by Prof. John Gehan's quartette, a
paper was read by O. D. Howard on
'The Model Barber Shop
Ex-President T. J. Petit spoke on
'"The Barber School," calling attention
| to the unwho!esome practices in those
pretended educational Institutions, con-
| spicuous among which is one IN Mime
| apolis.
Condo Hamlin spoke on 1.-The Learned
| Professions" in a humorous strain, and
j. V. Matthews, president Of the board,
j read a paper on THE Pioneer Barber"
In response to a hearty call, w. w.
Irwin made a speech congratulating the
BARRIERS upon their efforts to elevate
their calling. He was followed by T.
| J. Lowers, treasurer Of the state board
after which there were brief talks until
1O:45 o'clock, when the discussion clos
| ed.
unTnD