Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-10-30
a CURE ron slAckHeADs.


The most usual Of all face blemishes
Ii undoubtedly blsckhcads. Acne 10 an
affectstion Of the sebace0us glands, and
to fully understand its causes and treat
ment knowledge of the glands 10 nee
eessry. The entire face 10 covered with
fine hairs. At the side Of each hair root
two small glands are located. These
glapds are supplied with secretion for
the nourishmeDt OF the tiny hair. This
secretion IL called sebum, and the glands
which secrete Il are called sebaceous
glands.
The cause Of acne or blackheads is that
the sebum dries over the entrance OF one
or more of the Riands and converts the
gland into closed sac; the glands con-
tinually secrete and finding no outlet
distend. Upon the surface the distended
gland shows but tiny white head. IL
It be squeezed out between the fingers
the mass OF dry sebum IL forced out In q
worm-like thread. This has given rise
to the idea that the sebum Is a flesh
worm. 1t is nothing OF the sort. IL Is
the beginning of acne. The condition
may stop here by the deposit OF sebum
being forced out--plenty OF wsrm water
and soap will do i,--or IL will become
aggravated by infection with one OF the
color producing bacteria and become
blsckened. The spot Is then called n
blsckhead. There is 4 common belief
that blsckhesds occur only upon faces
II persons who do not use sufficient soap
and water, but this is wrong conclu-
sion. There Is no doubt that the color
ing Of the blxckhead Is neither dirt nor Is
il due to dirt, but 10 the growth OF GER
tain organisms.
Like the fret stage OF scue--white-
hesds-this stage may be cured In n
similar msnner-by causing the glands
10 discharge the foreign matter, and thus
allowing them TO return TO their normal
condition. In this is not done the black
heads continue IN grow slowly and in.
definitely and finally become small
assesses or pustules.
Tie Assesses or pustules invsriab bly,
leave scars wherever they appear.
The cure for acne IL simple and salts
factory II properly carried out. Also
lutte cleanliness Is the starting point. The
msiter from any pusiules 10 OF \ highly
infectiye character, aud the contents OF
one pustule Is sufficient TO inoculste
every gland 10 the body, and since these
assesses open themselves IL not prop.
erly attended TO. ,his Is the explanation
why when one pustule appears upon the
face so msny others are apt TO follow.
Soap and water figure largely In the
cure.
Persons liable 10 acne should WISH
their faces frequently with warm water
and the hes, soap. Ii Ia exceedingly
important to use the very best Of
soap. Good soaps are sntiseptic, ordi-
nary soaps are not: besides they are M
irritsnt. A good sulphur soap Is best.
Rubbing the face gently with = moder-
Ately rough towel after Ii has been well
washed with plenty Of warm wster and
sulphur sosp will remove the dried Sc
crctious from the glands; when there
are pustules upon the face the rubbing
must be done very carefully, 30 rs not
TO difuse their contents elsewhere upon
the face.
Acne usually appears upon the faces
~ those who are absolutely healthy, and
even II IL be otherwise internsl treat
meut has no beneficial effect. However,
there Is one general treatment that Is OF
great value because Il has distinct local
action. This Is fresh sir-sslt air prefer
sbly-snd sunshine. Fresh air and sun
shine are Invaluable In the treatment Of
acne because they kill the various MI
crobes which Turk about the face.
With the exception Of the following
ointment-sulphur ointment, one part
and lsnoline, TWO psrts-no cosmetics
should be used while the cure Is pro-
crossing. The above ointment should
be applied every night and washed of In
the morning. The cure should BE- effected
in about three or four weeks.-Daily
Eastern Argus.