STUDX2'ING STATIC ELECTRICITY PRODUCED ON HAIR BY COMBING 245 Table 2 The mean charge and standard deviation on four 1 g samples of hair, with and without an earthing wire attached to the hair I Not Earthed S.D. Earthed S.D. Shampoo A -- 1 8.5 0.6 10.6 0.9 2 13.7 1.1 12.1 1.2 -- Shampoo 13 -- 1 11.8 1.3 10.8 1.4 2 11.0 1-4 12.0 2.5 There is no significant difference between the results obtained, with and without the hair being earthed. A comparison of the charge produced after shampooing with a number of types of shampoo Samples of hair were washed with five shampoos, each being based on a different type of commercially available alkyl sulphate. The charges on three of them were determined at three different relative humidities. The shampoos were compared on an equivalent basis of the active deter- gent ingredient. The results are shown in Table 8. Table $ Comparison of the magnitude of the charges produced after shampooing with five different types of alkyl sulphate shampoo R.H. 40% 60% 70% Mean S.D. Mean Mean Shampoo Charge Charge S.D. Charge S.D. __-- -- A 18.5 2.17 16.0 1.64 10.2 1.31 B 20.3 1-50 15-2 1.99 9.6 1-14 C 19.4 1.78 13.0 1.75 9.6 1.23 D 18.5 ..... E 20.2 ..... Examination of these results shows that there is no significant difference between any of these shampoos, in regard to the magnitude of the static charge produced on combing the dry hair after treatment with the shampoo. The effect of charge-reducing materials Four samples of hair were given the standard shampoo treatment, and two of them were rinsed in a solution of a cationic detergent. They were then thoroughly rinsed in warm tap water and dried. The charges were determined at a relative humidity of 40 per cent, and a reduction of 95 per cent of the charge was found in both cases.

246 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS As is well known, ethylene oxide condensates were found to inhibit the production of static electricity only so long as substantial amounts were left on the hair. Unlike the cationic detergents, they were not able to resist the effect of thorough rinsing. CONCLUSION It is beyond the scope of the present paper to theorize on the precise origin of the static electricity produced on hair after combing. The paper is merely presented to demonstrate the scope of a new method for making a rapid comparison between the effect of different treatments of the hair. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The authors' thanks are especially due to Dr. R. H. Marriott for his con- tinued interest, help and advice in this work. We should also like to thank the Directors of County Laboratories, Ltd., for giving their permission to publish this paper. [Received: 1st December 1958j REFERENCES • Mills, C. M., Ester, V. C., and Henkin, H. J. Soc. Cosmetic Chemists, ? (1956), 466. 2 Hersh, S. P., and Montgomery, D.J. Textile Research f., 25 (1955), 279. a Wool Industry Research Association Bull. 13 (1951), 279. 4 McLean, H.T. Proc. Am. Assoc. Textile Chemists Colorists (1955), 485. * Hayek, M., and Chromey, F. C. Am. Dyestuff Reptr., 40 (1951), 164. 6 Speakman, J. B. J. Textile Inst., 27 (1936), T185. THE HOSPITAL BEAUTY SCHEME ELEANOR MACDONALD* A lecture delivered before the Society on oe3rd January 1959. The establishment of Beauty Rooms in hospitals, for the treatment of the mentally and physically sick, is described together with the difficulties which faced, and faces, the pioneers. Case histories are quoted to illustrate the success of the scheme. IN MY view, to-day cosmetics have a very special part to play in the lives of women everywhere. To-night's talk is about Beauty work in hospitals, but this only acquires its full meaning when it is remembered that cosmetics not only represent something very important to women, something gay and stimulating, but cosmetics are also tremendously important psycho- logically. I have always felt that it is not iust the precise monetary value * J. & E. Atkinson, Ltd., London, W. 1.