Second:—­Heal the resultant sores with soothing applications like vaselin and a little camphor in it.

Third:—­Boil and disinfect all underwear and bedding or any article liable to give an abiding place to the parasite.  It is easily cured with proper treatment.

Dandruff (Seborrhoea).—­The scurfs or scales (dandruff) upon the scalp are formed from seborrhoea.

Definition.—­The word seborrboea means to flow suet or fatty fluids.  Seborrhoea is a functional disorder of the sebaceous gland (fatty, suet matter) and this secretion is somewhat altered in character.

Varieties.—­There are three varieties.  These depend upon the character of the material excreted.

1.  Oily seborrhoea (seborrhoea oleosa).

2.  Dry seborrhoea (seborrhoea sicca).

3.  Mixed type of both.

Oily seborrhoea.—­Symptoms.—­This appears most frequently upon the nose and forehead and sometimes upon the scalp.  The skin looks oily, glistening, with the appearance of dust adhering to it.  Small drops of oil are seen to ooze out of the follicles and when wiped off it reforms at once.  The ducts of the follicles appear gaping or they are plugged with black-heads (comedones).  The hair is rendered unusually oily, when it appears on the scalp, and it is especially noticeable on bald heads.  It is very common in the negro, almost natural or physiological.

Dry Seborrhoea.—­This is a more common form and occurs upon the hairy or non-hairy parts, but chiefly upon the scalp (dandruff).  The affected parts are covered with grayish, greasy scales, which are easily dislodged, the skin underneath is oily and slate gray in color.  This type of the disease forms one type of dandruff.  When it is of long standing the hair becomes dry and falls out.

[84 Mothers’ remedies]

Mixed type.—­This type is common upon the scalp.  The surface is covered, more or less, with scales and crusts.  If the disease continues long the hair becomes dry, lusterless and falls out.  Permanent baldness may result.

Causes.—­These may be constitutional and local.  “Green sickness” (chlorosis), disorders of the stomach and bowels are often the cause.

Local.—­Uncleanness, lack of care of the scalp, heavy and airtight hats may cause it.  Some writers claim parasites are the cause.

Mothers’ remedies.—­1.  Dandruff, Home Preparation from New York State Mother.—­“Into one pint of water drop a lump of fresh quick-lime, the size of a walnut; let it stand all night, pour off the clear liquid, strain, and add one gill of the best vinegar, wash the roots of the hair with the preparation.  It is a good remedy and harmless.”

2.  Dandruff, a Barber’s Shampoo for.—­“Shampoo with the following: 

Sassafras          5 cents worth
Salts of Tartar   10 cents worth
Ether             10 cents worth
Castile Soap       5 cents worth

Dissolve the above in one gallon of soft water.  Rinse the hair thoroughly and repeat as often as necessary.  This recipe was given me by a barber and I find it very good,”