Baldness
an absence of hair on the head. Congenital baldness (complete absence of hair at birth) is sometimes met with; but, in most cases, is only temporary, and gives place, in a few years, to a natural growth of hair. Occasionally, however, it persists through life. Senile baldness (calvities) is one of the most familiar signs of old age. It commences in a small area at the crown, where the natural hair is first replaced by down before the skin becomes smooth and shining. From this area the process extends in all directions. It is more common in men than women. Baldness in patches (alopecia areata) attacks chiefly children and young persons, frequently those of debilitated constitutions. The only change at first perceptible is that the hair falls out in one or more places, leaving smooth bare patches. Alopecia areata has been attributed to the action of a parasite; but it is more probably due to some obscure nervous influence.
BALDWIN