Tannin hair dye. I (in the white bottle).—Pulverized gall-nuts 14 ozs., water 16 ozs., rose water 16 ozs. Boil the gall-nuts in the water, strain the boiling fluid through a close cloth into the rose water, and bring the fluid thus obtained, while still hot, into the bottles, which should be immediately closed. (It is absolutely necessary to bring the fluid hot into the bottles, as otherwise mould is readily formed.) II (in the dark bottle).—Nitrate of silver 5 ozs., distilled water 1 quart. Add water of ammonia to the silver solution until the precipitate at first formed is redissolved.
Melanogène. I (in the dark bottle).—Nitrate of silver 5½ drachms, distilled water 2¾ ozs., water of ammonia 1 oz. II (in the white bottle).—Pyrogallic acid ½ drachm, 40 per cent. spirit of wine 17 ozs.
Eau d'Afrique. I (in the dark bottle).—Nitrate of silver 1½ drachms, distilled water 3½ ozs. II (in the white bottle).—Sodium sulphide 4½ drachms, distilled water 3½ ozs.
Krinochrom. I (in the white bottle).—Pyrogallic acid 5½ drachms, distilled water 6¼ ozs., alcohol 5½ ozs. II (in the dark bottle). Nitrate of silver 6¾ drachms, water of ammonia 2 ozs., distilled water 10½ ozs.
Copper hair dye. I (in the white bottle).—Potassium ferrocyanide (yellow prussiate of potash) 7 ozs., distilled water 1 quart. II (in the dark bottle).—Cupric sulphate (blue vitriol) 7 ozs., distilled water 1 quart. Add to the cupric sulphate solution water of ammonia until the pale blue precipitate at first formed is dissolved to a beautiful dark blue fluid. This hair dye gives a dark brown color, but great care has to be exercised in its use, the yellow prussiate of potash being very poisonous.
Depilatories.—While the number of agents for promoting the growth of the hair is a very small one, and their efficacy not above doubt, there are, on the other hand, quite a number of very effective agents for the removal of hair, sulphur combinations being most frequently used for the purpose. Rhusma is a depilatory which has long been known, and is still almost exclusively used in the Orient. It consists of 1 part orpiment and 6 parts of lime slaked to a powder. Mix intimately by passing the ingredients through a sieve, and preserve the mixture in tightly-closed vessels. For use, stir some of the powder to a paste with water, and apply it to the place upon which the hairs are to be destroyed. As soon as the layer of paste begins to dry remove it with a thin shaving of wood. Owing to the energetic action of this depilatory upon the skin, ladies are advised not to use it for the face.
Combinations of sulphur with the alkalies and alkaline earths are much used as depilatories. Of these, sodium sulphydrate, however, should never be used, without the advice of a physician, as it acts very energetically upon the skin, and frequently leaves scars behind. Calcium sulphide is contained in Boettger's depilatory. It is usually prepared by heating at a low red heat in a securely-closed crucible an intimate mixture of 100 parts of finely-powdered quicklime with 90 parts of precipitated sulphur. Of the calcium sulphide thus obtained, mix 1 lb. with 8 ozs. of starch and 7 drachms of lemon oil. Apply the paste to the place upon which the hairs are to be destroyed, allowing it to remain 20 to 30 seconds. The action of barium sulphide, which is frequently used as a depilatory, is much less energetic than that of calcium sulphide. It is, for instance, a constituent of Bartholow's depilatory, which consists of barium sulphide 1 part, caustic lime 1 part, and starch 2 parts, made into a paste with alcohol.