Chapter X – Signposts in the Child’s Life
 

Chapter X of The Story of Hair serves as the concluding chapter of Charles Nessler’s work.

Here, Nessler brings together his central ideas and applies them to one of the most important stages of life: childhood.
 

His core argument is clear:

👉 the development of a child can be observed and guided through visible “signposts”—with hair playing a central role
 

To explain this, he introduces a striking metaphor:

the child as a living machine, whose development depends on correct handling, timing, and natural regulation.
 

The Child as a “Living Machine”

Nessler opens with a provocative idea:

If children were produced like machines, they would come with instructions and guaranteed outcomes.
 

He imagines:

• a “manufacturer’s manual” for each child

• indicators showing development

• measurable outputs
   

These indicators would include:

• nervous activity

• energy consumption

• rest cycles

• and importantly: hair condition

👉 Hair becomes one of several visible “readouts” of internal development.
 

Key Indicators of Development

Nessler describes multiple “controls” of the human organism:

• speed (nervous activity)

• fuel (nutrition)

• rest (recovery cycles)

• output (physical signs like hair)

“These chimneys… are the truest speed indicator yet discovered.”
 

He uses the image of chimneys:

• hair follicles = outlets

• body processes = combustion

• waste = released through skin and hair
   

👉 Again, hair becomes a visible diagnostic system
 

The Role of Feeding and Nutrition

A major section focuses on infant feeding.

Nessler argues:

• feeding should follow natural needs

• artificial routines disrupt development

• overfeeding leads to imbalance

He even suggests:

• cow’s milk as substitute for human milk (if necessary)

• natural nutrition over structured systems

👉 Key idea:

Children should not be fed by schedule, but by biological demand.
 

Against Rigid Rules and Schedules

One of the strongest arguments in the chapter:

👉 modern routines damage natural development
 

Nessler criticizes:

• fixed sleep schedules

• strict feeding times

• imposed discipline

“Most rules are based on personal convenience… not on the needs of the child.”
 

He argues that:

• children naturally signal what they need

• adults override these signals

• this leads to long-term imbalance
   

Sleep, Rest, and Natural Rhythms

Nessler describes sleep as a natural recovery system.

He explains:

• the body releases waste during rest

• circulation changes during sleep

• energy is restored automatically
   

👉 Key idea:

Rest should be:

• natural

• not forced

• not regulated by the clock

Children, in his view, already know when to:

• sleep

• wake

• eat

• move
   

Critique of Modern Parenting

A recurring theme:

👉 adults impose artificial systems on children
 

He argues that:

• family routines are built for adult convenience

• children adapt to these systems

• this weakens natural instincts
   

Example:

• children forced into fixed routines

• reduced spontaneity

• loss of natural regulation
   

Original Excerpt (1928)

“Rules for children are really rules for the benefit of adults.”

“Nature will take care of this because the child is nature itself.”
 

Hair as a Sign of Proper Development

Nessler returns to one of his central ideas:

👉 hair reflects internal balance

He suggests:

• proper development → healthy hair

• imbalance → weak or disturbed hair

Hair becomes a visible confirmation that:

• nutrition

• activity

• rest

• and instinct

are functioning correctly.
 

The Importance of Activity

Another key point:

👉 children need movement and activity
 

He criticizes:

• lack of physical engagement

• excessive rest

• passive lifestyles
   

He argues that:

• activity regulates internal processes

• inactivity leads to stagnation

• stagnation affects hair and health
   

Childhood as Foundation of Life

Nessler treats childhood as decisive:

👉 everything is formed here

He suggests:

• early habits shape the individual

• natural development leads to strength

• artificial control leads to weakness

Hair, once again, is presented as a long-term indicator of these early influences.
 

Conclusion of Chapter X

Chapter X concludes Nessler’s entire framework.
 

His key ideas:

• the human body is a self-regulating system

• children naturally follow biological needs

• modern society interferes with this process

• hair reflects the success or failure of development

• ​

This chapter brings together:

• biology

• psychology

• lifestyle

• social critique

into one final model.
 

Modern Scientific Perspective

Modern science does not support the idea that children function like machines with simple measurable outputs such as hair.

However, several underlying ideas are partially valid.
 

✔️ What aligns with modern understanding:

• children have natural biological rhythms

• overregulation can interfere with development

• nutrition and sleep are essential

• stress can affect physical development

❌ What is outdated:

• hair as a reliable indicator of development

• simple “energy system” explanations

• mechanical view of the human organism

• universal rules based on observation alone
   

Modern view on child development

Today, development is understood as a complex interaction of:

• genetics

• environment

• nutrition

• emotional care

• social context

Hair plays only a minor role and is not used as a diagnostic tool.
 

Final Interpretation

Chapter X reveals the full scope of Nessler’s thinking.

He does not simply study hair—he attempts to explain:

👉 how humans grow, develop, and function

Hair becomes, in his system:

• a signal

• a symptom

• a reflection

of the entire organism.
 

​

→ Chapter 9
→ Chapter 11

→ Back to Overview
→ The Permanent Wave – Invention, Method and Impact

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Original Chapter (1928)

Below you find the original scanned version of Chapter X from The Story of Hair by Charles Nessler.

Download Chapter X (Original Scan, 1928)