Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1821-06-28
From a Virginia Pepper.
EFFECT OF FLANNEL WORN IN CONTACT WITH
THE SKIN
ITO The Editor


Having been frequently questioned on
the propre,y Of wearing flannel next the
skin, and, as have always esteemed it
highly injurious habit, carried TO the extent
it is at the present time, | think it my duty.
for the benefit Of enquirers, and as many o.
theirs as it may concern, to make public my
opinion, and my reasons therefor.
From persons Of debiltated habit, having
been relieved of disease by wearing flannel
next their skin-more especially affections
OF the lungs, 'he practice has been adopted
no, only as a remedy for, but it is without
restriction, advised as preventative OF such
complaints; and it is even advised TO those
| in perfect health. and frequently adopted BY
them, ! suppose, to render them more heal
thy.
Flannel worn in contact with the skin, is
undoubtedly. highly advantageous remedy
in many winter diseases, more especially ca
tarrh and rheumatism and have no doubt
but that persons OF consunptive constitution
have had their lives prolonged by wearing
flannel, through the whole OF The cold seasons
of the year
But such persons have been for some years
past, much in The habit Of abusing this RENE.
dy, BY Continuing the application OF i,
throughout the year. Emaciated, a. they
! may be, they suffer themselves to be still
more reduced by an excessive and constant
perspira,ion, induced and kept up BY the
heat and friction of flannel, in addition 10 the
heat OF summer.
In the winter of 1918, whilst was stu
dent OF medicine, being considerably alarm
ed at cod had contracted Of unusual Sc
verify and duration; was induced to resor:
to the use Of waistcoat, and drawers of fan.
mel from which derived considerable ad
| vantage AT the commencement OF the IN.
suing summer, being somewhat apprehen-
sIve OF breast complaint, 10 consequence
OF The seventy OF MY winters attack. Twas
induced to believe in conformity with the
generally received opinion, that i. was ne
cessary TO continue the use of the nanneI
through the summer. for the more complete
restoration OF my health In the course OF a
few weeks the waistcoat became 50 in,ole.
rable that threw it off, but continued the
drawers. In few more weeks. | perceived
! the skin. that was in contact with flannel.
had less healthy appearance than that OF
The RESI- OF my body. and the muscles were
soiier-these appearances continuing TO in
| crease. |, il short time threw them aside
More efeclually TO convince N. self. whether
this really were the effect OF the flannel in
the summer OF 1914, after examining hoIb
NY arms, and having them examined by
some OF my fellow students. The il appearance
beng The same, drew sznDsl sleeve on
one OF then next TO The skin. and wore :, .,
weeks. IN The months OF July and August: On
Withdrawing the sleeve, the difference in
the APPEARANCE Cf be two arms was reu,ar-
kable-the skin OF The arm ;ha, had been
enVeioped In flannel, was pale. faccid and
( paPiiiour, somewhat resembling the skin Of
picked fowl the muscles were soner and
! less elastic than those of The otb.r arm
which was in every respect, of a HEALTHY al
pearance. On removing the flannel. the
flesh in few day. recovered its natural an.
pearanoe.
The result OF the above experiment. gives
only miniature view OF the emaciatng ef.
feet OF flannel, worn in contact with the
whole body: for In this case, besides the
primary effect il has on the skin itself, and
the superficial muscles. /, has Sc secondary e.
feet, on the sitals : especially on the ston-
aeh and lungs BY sympathy. The sympathy
existing between the skin and those paris. is
eEIneed By The effect produced On them
from various applications made 10 the skin.
Tobacco leaves, for example, applied 10 The
skin, affect the stomach 50 much as 10 pro-
duee vomiting !; and to stop obstinate yon-
ling, iaudanun AMI other anodynes. are
frequently applied 10 the skin over the ~.
sion OF the stomach, With the bappiest IF.
'eet. 10 prove sympathy between the
sk'n and lungs. lit such thing is question:
ed, We need only refer 10 the effects of fan
mel. which being worn,next to The skin. will
generally IN The course OF twenty hours Ioos.
en- Phlegm IN the lungs. and break a cough
TIA remedy has the power TO effect such
change. as this in tbe lungs. il must. If long
Continued without in;ermissions, bare the