DANDRUFF AND SHAMPOOING Dandruff. — Dandruff is a very common disease. It is caused by the formation of a scurf on the scalp which becomes detached in fine, dry scales. Unless these scales are re moved from the hair by frequent brushing they give it a dry and lus terless appearance. They also tend to accumulate on clothing and to give the impression of uncleanliness. Advertised preparations for the cure of dandruff are not only usually of no avail, contrary to the claims which are so persistently advertised in their favor, but are often positively inju rious.
Among the causes of dandruff may be mentioned weakness of the scalp from infectious diseases or otherwise, pressure of heavy and close hats and caps or of the hair matted upon the scalp, excessive use of hair oils and dyes, and other causes. These condi tions should be avoided as much as possible, and the scalp should be kept perfectly clean, with due atten tion to instructions already given for its care. Hygienic measures for the improvement of the general health are also very important. Substances which are especially recommended for dandruff are yolks of eggs with chlo roform, borax with or without cam phor, carbolic acid, soda, and chlorate of potash.
Add 10 drops of chloroform to the yolk of an egg, and beat with an egg beater to a stiff consistency. Rub the size of an English walnut of this mixture into the scalp with the tips of the fingers, taking care to rub it thoroughly into the roots of the hair. Afterwards wash the scalp with cas tile or lanolin soap, and dry thor oughly with a soft towel. Some phy sicians claim that this is the only remedy for dandruff that is at once harmless and efficacious.
Or pulverize 1 ounce of borax and ounce of camphor, and dissolve in 1 quart of boiling water. Use this solution cold. Moisten the hair fre quently. Some of the camphor will sink to the bottom of the ves sel, but enough will remain in solu tion to be effective. After using, rub a little neat's-foot oil into the scalp.
Or dissolve 1 ounce of flowers of sulphur in 1 quart of water. Shake frequently while dissolving. Allow the solution to stand until it settles, and saturate the hair with the clear liquor night and morning.
Or put a lump of fresh quicklime the size of a butternut in 1 pint of water. Let it stand 12 hours. Strain through a linen cloth and add 4 pint of white-wine vinegar. Rub this mix ture into the roots of the hair with the finger tips. If white-wine vine gar is not obtainable, the best that you have will do.
Or mix 2 ounces of glycerin with dram of carbolic acid and 1 dram of oil of bergamot or other perfume. Rub this mixture into the roots of the hair with the finger tips and af terwards use bay rum. This tends to keep the hair and scalp in good con dition and to prevent the formation of dandruff.
Or dissolve 1 thimbleful of pow dered borax in 1 teacupful of water. Rub this mixture into the scalp with the fingers, and follow with a brisk brushing. Where the dandruff is plentiful, use this mixture daily for a week. Afterwards use twice a week until a cure is effected.
To Shampoo the Hair.—Shampoo ng is a word which means cleansing the head and hair. The base of the best shampoo mixtures is undoubt edly yolk of egg. Castile soap, how ever, is highly recommended. Borax, ammonia, sal soda, and salts of tar tar are added on account of their cleansing properties; alcohol or bay rum to cut the oily substances and as preservatives; distilled water and rose water for convenience of appli cation.
Perhaps the best of all shampoos is the yolk of an egg beaten up with a pint of soft warm water. Apply at once, and rinse off with warm water and castile or other hard white soap.
Or add 6 drops of chloroform to the above.
Or salts of tartar may be used for this purpose and is commonly em ployed by barbers. Dissolve i ounce of salts of tartar in 1 pint of soft water; apply freely and rub to a lather. Wash with soft warm water and castile soap.