II. On a remarkable alteration of appearance and structure of the human hair

Abstract

I have the honour of submitting to the Royal Society a specimen of human hair of very remarkable appearance. Every hair is brown an white in alternate bands, looking as if encircled with rings; and this change of aspect extends throughout the whole length of the hair, and gives to the general mass a curiously speckled character. The brow segment of the hair, which represents its normal colour, measures about 1/50 of an inch in length, or something less than a quarter of a line; the white, or abnormal segment about half that length, namely 1/100 of an inch; and the two together about 1/36 of an inch, or one-third of a line. The hair was taken from a lad aged seven years and a half, a gentleman’s son; he is reported as being “an active, healthy boy, quick and intelligent.” He was delicate up to the age of four, having suffered in quick succession the diseases of childhood, a severe attack of croup, and several attacks of convulsions. The change in the appearance of the hair was first noticed when he was between two and three years old, and increased perceptibly during the last two years. There is no similar alteration of structure of the eyebrows and eyelashes. His complexion is dark, while that of a younger brother is fair; and the latter is free from any alteration of the hair.