478 JOURNAL OF THE SOCIETY OF COSMETIC CHEMISTS be drawn. In other words, some attempt should be made to "sell" the new product to the panel, asking them to indicate whether they agree with the claims or disagree. A possible mode of doing this would be to state in the pamphlet that: "This is a new product. We, in designing and formulating it, believe that if it is used in accordance with the directions given below, you will find (1) It does... (2) It does... (3) It does..., etc. "Would you please be good enough to use this preparation in accordance with the directions and let us know whether, in your opinion, the product fulfills these claims? It is realized that the product may not be equally satisfactory to everyone. It may not suit you. In this case, please indi- cate what faults, if any, you find. Your observation will help us to achieve the perfection which we are striving for. "If you feel you would like to continue the testing, please ask the inter- viewer for a further supply. It will be gladly given on request." To sum up, one can say that the organizations carrying out consumer research do not like single placement tests, the reason being that they know the results obtained more often than not lack precision. It is suggested that this is because the members of the panel, if ignorant, may condemn and that asking questions, often loaded, can vitiate the results. As a result, novel product's can fail to get full recognition of all their attributes. In such instances, panel testing can destroy the creative spirit of the research workers in that it can crush their enthusiasm in their painstaking and often very strenuous work. But even worse, it can damage or even destroy the confidence of the salesmen and this could be catastrophic. INCREASE IN DUES Membership dues for the U.S. Society of Cosmetic Chemists will be increased to $20.00 per year starting January, 1961.

PATHOGENESIS OF ALOPECIA By NORMAN ORENTREICH, M.D.* Presented May 12, 1960, New York City PRESCRIPTIONS FOR THE TREATMENT of disorders of the hair, such as hair loss in men, hair loss in women, dermatitis of the scalp and graying, date back over 5000 years to the Egyptian papyri which were the pharma- copeas of their day. The biblical classification of hair loss was simple--contagious or non- contagious. The following is our attempt at an etiologic classification of hair loss: ETIOLOGIC CLASSIFICATION A. Congenital and Inherited B. Neoplastic (a) Benign (b) Malignant C. Acquired (a) Traumatic (1) Physical (2) Chemical (3) Ionizing Radiation (b) Hormonal (c) Infectious (1) Localized (2) Systemic (d) Neurologic and Psychiatric (e) Poisons, Drugs and Occupation (f) Nutritional and Metabolic (g) Dermatologic Disorders Hair loss can involve the living hair follicle or the keratinized hair shaft. When the hair shaft alone is involved hair loss is temporary since the follicle continues to produce hair. Involvement of the living follicle may result in stoppage of hair growth and the falling out of hair. This may be followed by the immediate regrowth of a new hair, the temporary failure to regrow a hair or the persistent inability to regrow a hair from an existing follicle. If the follicle is destroyed loss of hair is permanent. * Assistant Clinical Professor Dermatology and Syphilology, New York University Post- Graduate Medical School (Dr. Marion B. Sulzberger, Chairman), New York, N.Y. 479