The operator now takes up an epilating forceps, such as shown in Fig. 517, and removes the hair. If the hair does not come out of the follicle readily it shows that it has not been destroyed, and the same treatment, just described, must be repeated, but for a shorter duration. [Illustration: FIG. 517.—EPILATING FORCEPS.] When the hair is removed it will show more or less bulb according to its size and nourishment. The physician now proceeds to remove the coarse hairs first. Hairs should not be removed too closely placed, as the current will destroy the tissue between the follicle and cause scarring. It is better to remove the hairs some distance apart, leaving the remaining hairs for later sittings. About forty or fifty hairs may be removed at one sitting. This will require from half to an hour and a half of time, but the operator will soon accomplish considerable work in a minimum of time. Some of the hairs removed will return, showing as black or dark specks in the skin, in from five to ten days. The number returning depends on the operator’s skill. At first he should not be surprised to see fifty per cent come back, but this ratio is reduced so that only three or four hairs out of fifty may return, and perhaps these stunted in growth. The electrolytic removal of hair does not stimulate the growth of the finer hairs of the skin; that general belief has been erroneous. Where there is considerable hair to be removed, as with a beard on a woman’s face, several sittings may be given a week and at different parts of the face, but with the average patient only one sitting should be given each week. More or less edema follows the removal of hair, which may remain for a day or more. Warm applications will help to remove it. The operator should at no time state a definite fee to remove the hair on the face, unless he is certain of the number present. Such judgment is, indeed, very misleading. REMOVAL OF MOLES OR OTHER FACIAL GROWTHS Moles, warts, fibromata, fungoids, and other excrescences are best removed with this method, especially where they are of the nonpedunculated type. It is hardly necessary to state that very light currents should be used for the light flat growths, such as a dark freckle or a small yellow mole. The amount of current required varies from 6 to 24 milliampères, according to the size of the body to be removed. The same procedure as with the removal of hairs is followed. Positive electrode in the hand of the patient, negative pole to the needle holder. The needle is thrust through the growth on a plane with the skin and slightly above it. The current will at once produce a pale color in the mass and white froth will issue about the shaft of the needle. A comparatively greater amount of current is needed for this purpose than with the destruction of hairs. The operator must judge the amount and time required from experience.