Hi guys,
Was at a boot sale at the weekend and found an old almanac which gave various remedies for hair loss. Thought I'd share them because they're so weird - not to be taken seriously, of course. The book was published about 1920 - anything that calls a phonograph a 'marvellous contraption' gets my vote.
'Pomade Against Baldness - Beef marrow, soaked in several waters, melted and strained, half a pound; tincture of cantharides (made by soaking for a week one drachm of powdered cantharides in one ounce of proof spirit), one ounce; oil of bergamot, twelve drops.
Erasmus Wilson's Lotion Against Baldness - Eau-de-Cologne, two ounces; tincture of cantharides, two drachms; oil of lavender or rosemary, of either, ten drops. These applications must be used twice a day for a considerable time.
Baldness When Caused By Ill Health Or Age - Rub onions frequently on the part requiring it. The stimulating powers of this vegetable are of service in restoring the tone of the skin, and assisting the capillary vessels in sending forth new hair. Should it succeed the growth of these new hairs may be assisted by the oil of myrtle berries.'
As far as I know cantharides is an active ingredient in Spanish Fly. Strange thing is that most of the other medical advice in the book is sound. But I guess hair loss has always been a business.
Was at a boot sale at the weekend and found an old almanac which gave various remedies for hair loss. Thought I'd share them because they're so weird - not to be taken seriously, of course. The book was published about 1920 - anything that calls a phonograph a 'marvellous contraption' gets my vote.
'Pomade Against Baldness - Beef marrow, soaked in several waters, melted and strained, half a pound; tincture of cantharides (made by soaking for a week one drachm of powdered cantharides in one ounce of proof spirit), one ounce; oil of bergamot, twelve drops.
Erasmus Wilson's Lotion Against Baldness - Eau-de-Cologne, two ounces; tincture of cantharides, two drachms; oil of lavender or rosemary, of either, ten drops. These applications must be used twice a day for a considerable time.
Baldness When Caused By Ill Health Or Age - Rub onions frequently on the part requiring it. The stimulating powers of this vegetable are of service in restoring the tone of the skin, and assisting the capillary vessels in sending forth new hair. Should it succeed the growth of these new hairs may be assisted by the oil of myrtle berries.'
As far as I know cantharides is an active ingredient in Spanish Fly. Strange thing is that most of the other medical advice in the book is sound. But I guess hair loss has always been a business.
