s," "toilet fluids," etc., are generally apt to
produce skin diseases. They contain, in almost every instance,
substances which are either directly or indirectly poisonous to the skin.
The "tooth washes," "powders," and "dentifrices," are hurtful. They
crack or wear away the enamel of the teeth, leave the nerve exposed, and
cause the teeth to decay. If you are wise, dear reader, you will never
use a dentifrice, unless you know what it is made of. The principal
constituent of these dentifrices is a powerful acid, and there are some
which contain large quantities of sulphuric acid, one single application
of which will destroy the best teeth in the world. The "hair dyes,"
advertised under so many different names, contain such poisons as nitrate
of silver, oxide of lead, acetate of lead, and sulphate of copper. These
are fatal to the hair, and generally injure the scalp. The "ointments"
and "unguents," for promoting the growth of whiskers and moustaches, are
either perfumed and colored lard, or poisonous compounds, which contain
quick lime, or corrosive sublimate, or some kindred substance. If you
have any acquaintance who has ever used this means of covering his face
with a manly down, ask him which came first, the beard, or a troublesome
eruption on the face.

Dr. Harris, the recent Superintendent of the Board of Health of New York,
has frequently pointed out the evils resulting from the use of these
compounds. Dr. Sayre mentions several cases of fatal poisoning by the
use of hair dye, which came under his notice.

The newspapers frequently contain such advertisements as the following:

A RETIRED PHYSICIAN, OF FORTY YEARS' practice, discovered, while in
India, a sure remedy for consumption, bronchitis, colds, etc. Having
relinquished his practice, he has no further use for the remedy, and
will send it free on receipt of a three cent stamp to pay return
postage.

Sometimes the advertiser is "A lady who has been cured of great nervous
debility after many years of misery." Again, the advertiser is a
"Retired clergyman," or a "Sufferer restored to health, and anxious to
benefit his fellow men." In whatever form the announcement is made, the
advertiser is usually one and the same person--an ignorant knave, who
lives by his wits. He advertises largely in all parts of the land,
spending thousands of dollars annually, and it would seem that even an
idiot could understand that the most benevolen