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WHAT CAN BE DONE TO PREVENT BALDNESS? 217
hair several times to remove all soap, tightness of the scalp, as we have already
with several changes of first warm and explained. Massage, therefore, should
then cooler water. It is also important loosen the scalp by lifting it up in folds
to dry the hair and scalp as thoroughly and rolling these folds between the
and promptly as possible, and then to rub fingers. It is an exercise, and better
into the scalp any oil, such as vaseline, in when done by the individual himself.
small quantity, just sufficient to replace Grasp the scalp with the wide open hand,
the oil removed by washing. Medica­ forcibly draw the fingers toward the
ments may be incorporated with this oil)' palm, heaping up a little fold of scalp
application, such as salicylic acid or sul­ under them. Go over the entire scalp in
phur or resorcin (\'/i or 2% of either) this way, changing hands occasionally,
for excessive oiliness of the scalp and for the hand soon tires, until the whole
hair, or higher proportions for more head glows.
troublesome dandruff.
A modern method which is of un­
Brushing and massage are measures of doubted potency in the treatment of pre­
the utmost value in postponing baldness. mature loss of hair is the ultra-violet ray.
From the very ease with which a man's This must not be confused with the com­
hair is dressed he neglects to brush it paratively useless violet ray lamp. The
enough to stimulate the scalp. Some­ ultra-violet ray is colorless; it is the
thing like a hundred strokes of the brush actinic or chemical ray beyond the violet
each night and morning would be a fair in the spectrum, and capable of inducing
amount of brushing for the average scalp. powerful physiological changes which
The hair brush should be one which is the violet light cannot produce at all.
not injured by boiling. There are at least The ultra-violet ray is obtained from a
two popular brushes which meet this powerful electric light which is passed
demand—the so-called prophylactic and through a lens in which cold water con­
the ideal. The former is better for men's tinuously circulates, absorbing the heat
hair and the latter for women's. The but not the light. The cool ray is then
brush should be shampooed as often as focused upon the area to be treated
the seal]), and at least dipped in boiling through a quartz lens, not an ordinarv
water to disinfect it. A man should lose glass lens. The ultra-violet apparatus
no time in getting home from the barber simply places the power of sunlight,
shop to take a thorough shampoo, includ­ which we know is the greatest germicide
ing the hair brush.
and the strongest stimulant of growth
Massage of the seal]) is the remedy and nutrition man can endure, within the
which has given more than one alleged control of the physician at any time of
hair tonic a reputation. Outside of a few any kind of day or night. In the average
medicaments which seem to exert some case of falling hair, when there is not an
effect upon oily and dry dandruff, it is excessive seborrhoea (oily condition of
foolish to imagine that irritants or chem­ scalp or dandruff), three treatments with
icals of any sort can improve the growth the ultra-violet ray. given fortnightly,
of the hair. A "hair tonic" is about as stop the process. In more advanced
logical a thing as a tooth tonic, a skin cases further treatments are desirable.
tonic, a nail tonic or a brain food. And Perhaps the ultra-violet ray—which of
pasting a French name on it doesn't alter course no barber or other unskilled oper­
the fact in the least.
ator can manage—and massage offer the
It is questionable whether the manipu­ greatest hope to the victim of premature
lations a barber calls massage are worth loss of hair.
while. The purpose of scalp massage Eternal cleanliness is the price of a
is to increase the nutrition of the hair good head of hair. Premature baldness
follicles by improving the blood supply. will prevail until the coming of the asep­
Tin- bio • 1 supply is poor because of the tic barber anil the aerated lid.