Scientific.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 378, 6 August 1903, Page 7

Scientific.

UGLY. MOTHER of four healthy, 1| . handsome little ones, is also the mother of a fifth, aged eighteen months, who possesses health, but is almost hideous. ' The ears are large ;«id;'Jrpiinent|fhf' hair of the head is harsh, dry,' and scanty. Eyebrows and -lashes ?are nearly absent; arid as for the nose, it is nearly shapeless—just a lump.' She asks whether the child is to grow up a physical disgrace to his relatives, or if something can be done to lessen his ugliness. A great deal can be done, and without any large expenditure. First, as to the ears ; fasten them flat to the head nightly by passing over the parts a broad webbing band, slightly less in circumference than that of the head, having about twoinches of the webbing removed, and its place supplied by broad elastic strongly sewn in position. This will be better than an entire elastic band, especially in summer. If this be done regularly the ears will soon be leas prominent, and in time they will lie close to the head. Next, as to the nose; there are, commercial machines for altering the shape, but if expense be a consideration one may get any working cutler or smith to make a spring clip in one piece of thin iron. It should be a full inch broad, and the length before being bent should be about four inches. Have this perforated. on wash leather, Xiet the child wear" the clip one "hour daily;,- When this* is in position the free ends should point upwards towards the forehead, and the bridge, or bent part, of the clip should be below the nose, nearly, or quite, touching the upper lip. It will also be a good plan to teach the child to compress its nose near the bridge with finger thumb. A good dentist ought to be consulted as to the teeth, and it is desirable that they should be; carefully inspected by him from time.to time. Whatever their shape, the exercise of skill will keep them regular. To ensure their being white is also easy. In treating the hair the mother must be largely guided by its peculiarities and those of the scalp. It is far easier to arrest dandruff in the child than in the adult; also it is easier to develop a good growth of hair. That which will succeed with the child will utterly fail when he has reached maturity. If there is dandruff rub on the scalp nightly a little* of the following, and in the morning wash away with soft water: One entire raw egg, one ounce of glycerine,cold water to make six ounces; the ingredients beaten together until the mass is quite uniform. This will also strengthen the hair. The child will have to wear a cap during the night; this must be washed frequently, or it will breed bacteria by the million. When the mother has satisfied herself that f<he dandruff has disappeared, she may stimulate hair growth by using a capsicum lotion once or twice weekly, One part of the tincture to nine parts of water will do. If the hair be rather dry, a little melted lanoliue'can be" used now and again. A fine toothed comb cannot be allowed under any circumstances. The comb should have large, well-rounded teeth, and the .scalp should be massaged with it. The head must be kept clean by periodical washings. Rinsing must always follow soap and water washing. For the lashee a little lanoline, thinned with almond oil, ie not without value. But for these and the brows I would rather prescribe by post.—Edwin Wooten. ; \ *