severe burns covering a large surface. It is about the
only way in which a person suffering from such an extensive burn can be
made comfortable. It is also one of the most perfect forms of
treatment in a case of that kind. The serious character of the burn
depends not so much upon the severity as upon the extent of the
surface involved. Therefore, one who has been seriously burned could
remain immersed in a bath at 98 degrees F. for many days continuously,
or until the skin has had a chance to heal. Immersion in water is a
natural condition, for there was a time away back when all the animal
life of the earth was found in the water. It was only through special
variation in the character of evolution that certain forms of life
finally became adapted to a life outside of the water. Therefore,
immersion in water, except for the head, is not entirely an unnatural
condition.

CHAPTER XVIII: Some Facts About Clothing

The statement is often heard that a man is made or marred by the clothes
he wears. This is frequently said with a view to emphasizing the
importance of being presentably appareled, but it has a meaning beyond
this. To a certain extent we are really made, or we may more properly
say marred, by the clothes we wear. Civilized costumes have become what
they are through the dictation of the creators of style, the
clothing manufacturers. Every year the styles change through the
commands of those whose profits are increased by this continual
variation in the fashions. It is said that a woman would rather be out
of the world than out of style. Therefore, each year she discards her
old-style costumes and buys the latest modes.

We have to recognize, however, that clothing is a necessary evil at this
period of human progress, so-called. There was a time when clothing was
worn entirely as a matter of protection or as a means of adding warmth
to the body. There was no thought given to the necessity for covering
the body, for every part of the human anatomy was as commonplace as
nose, fingers and toes. But now clothing is commanded as a means of
hiding our bodily contour. Prudery has come in and branded the human
anatomy as indecent and consequently it must be covered.

Now in considering what we should wear we are compelled to adhere, at
least to a reasonable extent, to what we call style, but beyond this
our first thought must be for bodily comfort. And in speaking of comfort
we mean