not prevent the free circulation of the blood. Then for walking,
and especially for riding, when the earth is wet and cold, or when there
is snow on the ground, wear a flannel-lined rubber or "Arctic"
over-shoe. _Be sure and keep the feet comfortable and warm at all
times._
Our next advice is to keep the legs warm. We were called not long ago,
to see a young lady who had contracted a severe cold. She had been to an
entertainment where the apartments were nicely warmed, and from thence
had walked home late in the evening. We inquired into the circumstances
of the case, and ascertained that she wore flannel about her chest, and
that she also wore rubbers over her shoes, but the other portions of the
lower extremities were protected by cotton coverings. In short, her legs
were not kept warm, and she took cold by going out from warm rooms into
a chilly atmosphere. A good pair of woolen leggings might have saved her
much suffering. The results of insufficient protection of the lower
extremities are colds, coughs, consumption, headaches, pain in the side,
menstrual derangements, uterine congestion and disorders, besides
disablement for the ordinary and necessary duties of life. All these may
be prevented by clothing the legs suitably, and wearing comfortable
flannels.
Young people can bear a low temperature of the body better than old
people, because they possess greater power of endurance. But that is no
reason for unnecessary exposure.
The amount of clothing should be regulated according to the
heat-generating power of the individual, and also according to the
susceptibility to cold. No two persons are exactly alike in these
respects. But it is never proper for young people to reject the counsels
of experience, or treat lightly the advice to protect themselves
thoroughly against the cold. Many a parent's heart has ached as he has
followed the mortal remains of a darling child to the grave, knowing
that if good advice had been heeded, in all human probability, the life
would have been prolonged.
The most deleterious mechanical errors in clothing are those which
affect the chest and body. Tight lacing still plays too important a part
in dress. It interferes with the free and healthy movements of the body,
and effects a pressure which is alike injurious to the organs of
respiration, circulation, and digestion. The great muscle of
respiration, the diaphragm, is impeded in its motion, and is, therefore,
unable to act f
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