In addition to directions for sponge-washing the hair without immersing the whole head--where much of the soap would likely remain in the hair after the process is over and therefore stiffen it--there are period arguments for and against vigorously immersing and washing the whole head full of hair. Arguments against: It causes headaches, earaches, toothaches, complaints of the eyes, wrinkles, and head colds.
********* Imagine tons of wet hair in a fireplace or coal stove heated house....on a cold day.... in a age without antibiotics. Which puts me in mind of one of my favorite paintings by one of my favorite artists: "Sunday, Women drying their hair" by John Slone.. This is 1912 so it's not really Victorian, but... http://www.metmuseum.org/special/americanstories/objectView.aspx?sid=5&oid=35 Notice the length. _______________________________________________ h-costume mailing list [email protected] http://mail.indra.com/mailman/listinfo/h-costume
