THE ÜBIQUITOUS MICROBE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXI, Issue 147, 22 June 1906, Page 6

THE ÜBIQUITOUS MICROBE.

IN BARBERS' SHOPS. NEED FOR "CLEANLINESS. "Barbers' rash" is ■ a disfigurement which many a man has had to suffer in his time. . It comes from a razor which has not been properly cleansed after an operation on an unhealthy skin. Of course,- there. are barbers in Wellington ■who" 1 fak<J_j>roJjer- precautions to keep their instruments clean, "but there are others,? ' ThY microbe ' finds a refuge on EomVoj the implements which. are wielded by day on the heads and chins of men, and the peace^bf the bacillus is little disturbed. The Chief Health Officer.. (Dr. Mason) has recognised the danger of disease that lurks in barbers' boudoirs, and has issued circulars to his officers throughout the colony, eetting out the stringent regulations adopted in Glasgow. "After consultations between the Health- Committee of the Town Council, the Hairdressers' Guild and the Glasgow and District Hairdressers' Assoelation,'', , the message runs, "the following • -regulations for the conduct of hairdressers' establishments in the 'city- have been agreed- to: — All shelves, fittings, and tables on which -instruments are placed to be of glass, marble, 'or .other • similar material. Clean towels, etc., to be used for customers, and a fresh piece of paper or clean linen to be placed on the back of chair or head-rest. No sponges, towelettee, or combs to be used unless disinfected. RazoTs to be wiped on paper. 'Clean hair brashes only must be used. Shaving brashes, after use, to be placed ir> a disinfecting solution. Liquid "or powdered soap or shaving cream only to be used. Cut hair falling on the floor to be swept up and removed, and floors to bo kept cleanly. No general alum, crystals, or blocks to be used as a styptic unless carefully washed, but liquid or powder applied on towel or cotton wool, or by spray, is to be preferred. The most scrupulous cleanliness to be observed in all that pertaind to the business. The following recommendations are also made: — Regular customers and subscribers should be strongly recommended to provide their own toilet articles, razors, brushes, etc., which would be exclusively reserved for the owner's use. All cut hair and paper to be burned. No customer apparently suffering from any skin or hair affection to be attended to save at his own home or office, or in a private room. Charges should, if necessary, be remodelled to enable hairdressers, etc., not only to comply with the letter, but the spirit or the above without loss. Machine or rotary brushes should be discouraged." "Dr. Mason has received letters from Jjarbera approving the text of the promulgation, and the public would no doubt like to see the tenets put into universal practice. This important matter will be brought under the notice of the next Municipal . Conference.