The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-11-22
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From the Med,cS lnteligencer.
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The following observations on the use Of Elan
mel as an article of clothing, appears at the
end of DIR. John Armstrong; papers on Pull
monarv Consumption, published few years
ago in London. We know them to be &C.
curately true from personal experience.
When flannel is worn next the skin,
DR.. Barlow remarks, il is almost invari-
ably the practice TO keep it on by night
as by day. This is not only unnecessa-
ry, but injurious. The chief advantage
of using a flannel dress next the skin re-
suits, not from the actual warmth i'm
parted or retained, an effect which
might be obtaiued 10 an equal extent by
an increase of outward clothing but
from the uniformity oftemperature thus
ensured TO so large portion Of the sur
face of the body, and the tendency
which this has TO keep the highly impor-
tant, but too much neglected functions
OF the skin in an active and healthy
condition. During The day. the fire.
quent and oftentimes sudden vicissitudes
CT our climate are such, as TO render The
effects Of flannel, in preserving an equal
ity of temperature, most valuable. But
at night, and during sleep, we are sub
Ject to no such vicissitude Consequent
the same necessity for the use of fan
mel does not then exist. But while the
use OF flannel at night thus appears 10
be necessary, there arc several consid-
erations which show it TO be injurious.
These considerations regard both the
condition Of the body and of the fan
mel itself. Whatever the wants of the
body for warmth during the night may
be, they are general fully Supplied by
the bed-clothes in ordinary use. The
body requires no extraordinary warmth
during sleep; on the contrary, there is
ateuch times even tendency 10 an in
crease of the natural warmth. When
10 this natural tendency the heat caused
by flannel worn next the skin is super
added, the effect is TO keep the skin in a
state of considerable excitement, and to
induce perspirat;on more or less profuse.
These effects are not calculated TO pre-
pare the body for enduring The vicissi-
tudes Of the ensuing day, but rather to
render il more susceptible Of injury
Again, continues DR.. Barlow, the prop
erty which renders wooIIen cloth so
eminently suited TO the purposes in
view, is that of its being slow coAduc-
tor of heat. This property is directly
proportionate Ito its dryness; and is
greatly impaired by its imbibing humidi-
ty of any kind. A flannel dress, how
ever, that is worn next the skin through
out the night, becomes SO charged with
perspiration, that IFS power of conduct
ing heat is thereby greatly increased,
and its preservative effects proportions
bly, diminished. Here then is a twofold
injury resulting from the flannel dress
during sleep namely, diminutiou of
the preservatiye powers Of the flannel,
and an increased susceptibility of the
skin. BY laying aside the flannel dress
on going to bed, and substituting one OF
coarse calico, the body is kept in that
temperature during the night which fits
it for encountering The vicissitudes OF
The following day, while the flannel is
preserved from the de,erioraling effects
of the nightly perspiration, and is re-
sumed in the morning in state which
contributes both TO comfort and protec-
lion. A difficulty, DR.. Barlow su!joins,
is experienced with most people who
have accustomed themselves 10 the
nightly use of flannel, in inducing them
10 alter the habit. Fears of taking cold
creates one great obstacle; and disin-
clination TO the feeling of cold, expert
enced at the moment of changing the
flannel for the calico night dress, espec.
tally 10 winter seasons, is another. Con-
fidence in the medical adviser, howev'
err, is sufficient 10 overcome the first
and a very little experience TO remove
the latter; for, after very few trials
the proposed change is found TO prove
a decided gain, even on the score o
sensation, and the qualification deriveC
from resuming dry and comfortable
flannel in the morning, together witt
the sensible increase of lis utility during
the day, are found to compensate ampl,