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If little Tommy has his face washed thoroughly once a day to take off
the grime and the dirt, it is all that is necessary. As a matter of fact,
more washing—if it needs too much soap—is bad for him; a damp faceflannel
(if it must be used) is all to the good, but you can only expect
his face will get a bit scurfy if all the natural greases have been washed
off several times a day.
Having regard to the fact that the first of these trials did not take
place in Barking until the end of 1950, only eighty-three children were
tested during that year, but it is anticipated that many more will undergo
this prevention course in 1951.
Question:—My daughter is fourteen years old and gets spots
on her face. One neighbour tells me I ought to take her to the
Skin Clinic; another neighbour tells me she will grow out of it.
What ought I to do?
Answer:—The answer to this question is that the two submissions
are correct. I think that the girl should undoubtedly be taken to the
Skin Clinic, but it is equally true that a girl of fourteen is likely to grow
out of her spots.
I think the two points to make are—firstly, that there is no earthly
reason why a girl of fourteen should go on having spots if there is no
need, and, secondly, that there is no such thing as a skin disease; that
is, as a separate entity.

Spottiness should never be looked upon as natural and something
which will naturally clear up; it should always be the subject of enquiry.
Question:—My children all seem to get dry scurf on their
faces. No one pays much attention to it except myself. Should
they pay more attention?
Answer:—The answer is unquestionably Yes. As I have pointed
out elsewhere any trouble to do with the skin is so very often merely the
expression of some constitutional disturbance or other peculiarities.
Children who get dry scurf on their faces almost invariably belong
to a group of children who have fine, thin, sensitive skins, and where there
is not so much natural fat in the skin as there is in that of ordinary people.
The first thing to remember is that most of us wash too much and
use far too much soap. This takes away these natural greases from the
skin and renders the skin more liable not only to major ailments, but to
minor ailments such as dry scurf.
SKIN CLINIC
Consulting Skin Specialist: Dr. Deville.
Number of sessions held by
Consulting Skin Specialist
Number of examinations by
Consulting Skin Specialist
51
354
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