Abstract
Forty-five samples of hair were analyzed, the specimens being obtained from indian, negro, Japanese and Caucasian subjects. After subjecting the hair to the action of digestive juices and alcohol and ether the percentage content of sulphur, nitrogen, carbon and hydrogen in the remaining keratin was determined. The analyses indicate that the chemical composition of human hair is influenced by six factors, as follows: (1) Race of the subject; (2) sex of the subject; (3) age of the subject; (4) color of the hair; (5) purity of breeding of the subject; (6) whether the hair sample is obtained from a dead or living subject.
The average percentage composition of the forms of hair (keratin) analyzed is given below.
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