THE HEALTH OF WOMEN

Taranaki Daily News, 9 July 1929, Page 11

THE HEALTH OF WOMEN

SHINGLE AND TIGHT HATS. WARNING AGAINST BALDNESS. Sydney, June 27. A theory that the low relative humidity of t'he atmosphere and much sun-' shine are causes of the great prevalence of skin cancer in Australia is discussed by Dr. Herman Lawrence, dermatologist, of Melbourne, in an article in the current bulletin of the Victorian Health Department. Dr. Lawrence states tlri't a great number of persons have the power of acquiring pigmentation of the skin as a protection against the penetrating efleets of the solar rays, and it was said that Australians were rapidly becoming a dark-skinned people. That statement was not scientifically correct. The advisability of allowing persons with nonpigmenting skins to enter Australia and work in the inland areas, however, was open to question. The article continues: —“The present day exigencies of society for ladies — partial nudity and the shingle—are already reaping a toll in the form of solar ray blemishes, and actual precancerous conditions have developed in some cases. A fashion of dress obtaining in Europe and suitable for the climate there is by no means advisable to adopt for Australia. . As regards the shingle and the closely-fitting cloth hats, conditions annulling the functions of the hair will show in future that baldness Js not for men only. "Pityraisis capitis, a precursor of baldness, is becoming much more prevalent in the female ecalp. Tho comman use of hair-brushes at clubs and business places favours the spread of baldness. Persons who sunburn badly, and especially those who arc developing the ekin irritation known as Keratoses Solaris, should take a lesson from Xray workers and prevent as well as they can any unnecessary exposure of the affected skin to the sun’s rays.”