The choice of a mate.

  • Anthony Ludovici
Date:
[1935]
Catalogue details
    503/546 (page 473)
    or mercury as white precipitate of mercury, they may be harmful. She denies that depilatories and wrinkle removers are harmful, except in the form of paraffin injections and painting with 65 per cent solution of phenol. She condemns henna because it makes the hair brittle, metallic dyes because they may be absorbed and cause chronic poisoning, compounds of metallic salts and pyro- gallic acid because they are toxic and irritant, aniline derivatives because they cause severe and persistent dermatitis, possibly too gastro-intestinal and nervous symptoms (several fatal cases are recorded) and hydrogen peroxide as injurious to the hair shaft. As to hair lotions, she cautions women against quinine, salicylic acid and resorcin, as injurious if too strong. 1 If all this is true, however, we may be pardoned for asking how poor, ignorant girls can possibly apply the knowledge, even if they had it, in buying their cosmetics, especially the cheaper qualities. Other experts report as follows :— Dr. W. Bab condemns henna as a darkener for eyebrows and eyelashes. It led to purulent conjunctivities in his cases, some times followed by more alarming symptoms. 2 He says : “ The ophthalmologist is frequently consulted for acute and chronic irritations of the eyes, which can be traced to cosmetic pro cedures.” 3 Dr. Lester Hollander gives a long list of the causative factors which may be suspected in dermatitis, from hair tonics and dyes to depilatories, deodorants and perfumes. 4 Dr. Sigmund Griinbaum describes a case of dermatoconjuncti- vitis due to Lash Lure (an eyelash and eyebrow dye), and says : “ Intolerance of the conjunctiva and eyelids to mascara [lamp black] is well-known, “ but rarely produces more than itching or burning. But actual dying of the lashes is dangerous. 5 Drs. Samuel Ayres and Nelson Paul Anderson state they have found the parasitic organism Demodex folliculorum in the majority of their patients suffering from acne rosacea and the allied condition (pityriasis folliculorum ), and their material consisted of 72 cases of both conditions. And they say : “ It is felt that the excessive use of cold creams and powder and the substitution of cleansing 1 Ibid., 10.6.33, PP- 1000-1001. 2 Ibid., 21.10.33, p. 65. * J.A.M.A., 16.9.33, pp. 962-963. 4 Ibid., 22.7.33, pp. 239 et seq. 5 Ibid., 29. 7. 33, pp. 363-364. See also a case of dermato-ophthalmitis due to the same cause, reported by Dr. C. E. Horner and other similar cases. (Ibid., n.11.33, pp. 1558-1561).