filled with very fine particles of scurf, dirt, or when parasites and
their eggs infest the hairs. It should, however, always be borne in
mind that combs are only for the hair, and not for the scalp or the
skin, which is too often torn and dug up by carelessly and roughly
pulling these valuable and important articles of toilet through the
skin as well as the hair.

The brush with moderately stiff whalebone bristles may be passed
gently over the hair several times during the day, to brush out the
dust and the dandruff, and to keep the hair smooth, soft, and clean;
rough and hard brushing the hair with brushes having very stiff
bristles in them, especially the metal or wire bristles, is of no
service, but often irritates the parts and causes the hair to fall
out. [Dr. Shoemaker then denounced the use of the so-called electric
brush, saying its use was injurious, as also was the effort to remove
dandruff by the aid of the comb and brush. Continuing, he remarked:]
And now the question arises, Should the hair be periodically cut? It
may be that cutting and shaving may for the time increase the action
of the growth, but it has no permanent effect either upon the
hair-bulb or the hair sac, and will not in any way add to the life of
the hair.

On the contrary, cutting and shaving will cause the hair to grow
longer for the time being, but in the end will inevitably shorten its
term of life by exhausting the nutritive action of the hair-forming
apparatus. When the hairs are frequently cut, they will usually become
coarser, often losing the beautiful gloss of the fine and delicate
hairs. The pigment will likewise change--brown, for instance, becoming
chestnut, and black changing to a dark brown. In addition, the ends of
very many will be split and ragged, presenting a brush like