[Dr. Shoemaker here gave an interesting history of the growth and
development of the hair and its uses, which we are compelled to omit.
Then, proceeding, he said:] Now, the hair, which fulfills such an
important function in the adornment and health of the body, requires
both constitutional and local care to keep it in its normal, healthy
state. When I say constitutional care, I mean that the various organs
of the body that assist in nourishing and sustaining the hair-forming
apparatus should, by judicious diet, exercise, and attention to the
nervous system, be kept healthy and sound, in order that they in turn
may assist in preserving the hairs in a vigorous condition.
In the first place, that essential material, food, which is necessary
to supply the waste and repair of all animal life, should be selected,
given, or used according to good judgment and experience.
Thus, mothers should feed their infants at regular intervals according
to their age, and not permit them to constantly pull at the breast or
the bottle until the little stomach becomes gorged with food, and some
alimentary disorder supervenes, often setting up a rash and
interfering with the growth and development of the hair. It is
likewise important, in case the baby must be artificially fed, to
select good nutritious food as near as possible like the
mother's--cow's milk, properly prepared, being the only recognized
substitute. Care and discretion should likewise be taken by parents
and nurses, after the infant has developed into childhood, to give
simple, substantial, and varied food at regular periods of the day,
and not in such quantities as to overload the stomach.
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