Of Medicine, in Eight Books

by Aulus Cornelius Celsus

When the hairs of the head fall off, the principal remedy is frequent shaving: though labdanum mixed with oil, conduces also towards keeping them on. I here speak of the hair, which falls off after an illness. For no remedy whatever can prevent the heads of some people from becoming bald by age.

CHAP. II. OF A PORRIGO.

We call that disorder a porrigo, scurf, when certain small scales arise amongst the hair, and are loosened from the skin; they are sometimes moist, much more frequently dry. It happens sometimes without any ulcer, sometimes in a part that is ulcerated, and is sometimes attended with a bad smell, sometimes with none. It usually occurs in the hair of the head, more rarely in the beard, sometimes also in the eye-brows. And as it never comes without some antecedent disorder in the body, so it is not altogether useless. For when the head is free from disorders, then it does not appear: when there is any disorder there, it is more expedient, in such a case, that the surface of the skin should be here and there corrupted, than that the noxious matter should be turned in upon a more noble part.

It is more proper then to cleanse it by frequent combing, than to repel it entirely. But if that method makes it more offensive (which may happen by the excessive discharge of humour, and more so, if the humour be fetid) the head is to be shaved often; and treated with some gentle repellents, such as nitre with vinegar, or labdanum with myrtle oil, and wine, or myrobalans with wine. If these have little effect, we may use some of the more powerful ones; but, at the same time, we should be aware, that this practice is hurtful, when the disorder is recent.

CHAP. III. OF THE SYCOSIS.

There is an ulcer, which from its resemblance to a fig, by the Greeks, is called sycosis[ FQ ], because flesh sprouts up from it. And this is the general name. Under it are included two species. The one is a hard and round ulcer; the other is moist and unequal in its surface. From the hard one the discharge is very small and glutinous; from the moist, it is in greater quantity and fetid. Both kinds occur in the parts covered with hair: but that which is callous and round, most frequently in the beard; the other, which is moist, chiefly in the hair of the head.

To both of them it is proper to apply elaterium, or lintseed powdered, and made into a paste with water, or a fig boiled in water, or the tetrapharmacum plaister softened with vinegar. Eretrian earth also liquified with vinegar is proper to lay upon them.

CHAP. IV. OF AREAE.

There are two kinds of areae. Both of them agree in this, that the surface of the skin mortifying, the hairs first decay, and then fall off; and if the part is wounded, thin and fetid blood is discharged; and both kinds increase in some people quickly, in others slowly. It is then worst, when it has rendered the skin thick and fat, and entirely smooth. That, which is called alopecia[ FR ], spreads in no certain form. It is found both in the hair of the head, and in the beard. But that, which from its likeness to a serpent is called ophiasis[ FS ], begins at the hinder part of the head; its breadth not exceeding two fingers; it creeps with two heads to the ears; in some, even to the forehead, till the two heads are joined in the fore part. The former species happens at any age; the latter commonly to infants. The first hardly ever terminates without medicine; the other often goes away of itself.

Some scarify these kinds of areae gently with a knife. Others anoint them with escharotic medicines mixed with oil; and especially burnt paper. Others apply turpentine resin with thapsia. But nothing is better than daily shaving with a razor; because, when the cuticula is gradually cut off, the small roots of the hairs are laid bare. Nor should this be given over, till it appears, that the hair grows thick. It is sufficient to rub the part, that is frequently shaved, with copperas.