552 THE HYGIENE OF THE HAIR. 



been eraploj'cd too energ-etically, both as to quantity and time. Professor 

 AVilson has seen several instances in which cantharidine has been absorbed 

 into the system and has given rise to ischuria. As a rule, therefore, he 

 rarely uses eantharides, and then always in a guarded manner. Certainly, 

 it is not to be trusted to the acknowledged indiscretion of the public as a 

 popular remedy, xlcetic acid, or rather strong pyroligneous acid, he has 

 discontinued for many years ; but it is still a fuvoi'ite, notwithstanding its 

 strong and disagreeable odor. 



Ammonia is Professor Wilson's favorite stimulant; it is unlikely to 

 create inflammation and its consequences; it is neither absorbable into the 

 system, nor could it do harm if such were the case; and its odor, refresh- 

 ing at the moment of its use, speedily evaporates. In a case of ordinary 

 madesia or falling out of the hair, ho prescribes a lotion composed of strong 

 liquor ammonia, almond oil, and chloroform, of each one part, diluted with 

 five parts of alcohol or spirits of rosemary, and made fragrant by the addi- 

 tion of a drachm of the essential oil of lemons. The lotion should be dab- 

 bed upon the skin of the head after thorough friction Avith the hair-brush. 

 It may be diluted if necessary; it may be applied sparingly or abundantly; 

 and it may be used daily or otherwise. 



There are cases in which a less stimulating and even a refrigerating lo- 

 tion may be de^sired, and where an objection may be raised to the quantity 

 of oil contained in the above. In such cases a lotion of borax and glycer- 

 ine, two drachms of each to eight ounces of distilled water, is cooling and 

 refreshing; this lotion allays dryness of the skin, removes scurf, and sub- 

 dues irritability. 



In cases of complete baldness, and also in alopecia areata, a stronger 

 stimulant application Avill be required. For this he recommends frictions 

 with a liniment comjjosed of equal parts of the liniments of cam2)hor, am- 

 monia, chloroform, and aconite, to be well rubbed into the bare places dai- 

 ly, or even twice a day, so as to produce a moderate amount of stimulation. 

 In cases of ophiasis, due to neuralgia of the cutaneous nerves of the scalp,, 

 this liniment is very Ajaluable. In other cases the liniment of iodine may 

 be painted on the bare patches daily, or they may be rubbed with the oint- 

 ment of eantharides or any other powerful stimulant. The intention of all 

 these local remedies is to stimulate without setting up irritation ; to in- 

 crease the energy of circulation and innervation of the part; and in some 

 instances to abstract the excess of fluids from the tissues of the skin by in- 

 ducing exudation. But these results must be accomplished as far as possi- 

 ble Avithout pain and without severity. 



The constitutional treatment of alopecia should consist in the adjust- 

 ment and regulation of the functions of digestion and assimilation ; and, 

 whore no other special conditions are to be fulfilled, the adoption of a tonic 

 regimen and the administration of tonic remedies. Of these last arsenic 

 bears the palm, and may be advantageously prescribed in doses of two to 

 four minims three times a day directly after food, and in any convenient 

 vehicle. 



