Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-08-20
CONSUMPTION.
From The Note Book of Physician.

If atmospherical changes have so powerful
and, in so many respects, so deeterious an
influence on health, 1t is reasonable to sup
pose that one of the principal objects in clo-
thing the body should be to protect it from
those injurious agencies; but this is often the
least circumstance attended to, and the taste
and richness Of dress are considerations of
much greater Importance than its utility
Men have been accused of Overlooking
themselves; and the preiudices of DR.. Chey.
against the use of flannel underwaist-
coats, as tending to increase too much the in
sensible perspiration, is by many still perpet-
uated. There can be no doubt, however,
that with respect to clothing, nothing tends
so greatly to maintain health as preserving an
equable temperature of the surface, and moth
ing tends to insure this more certainly, than
such non-conducting substance as flannel.
In this variable climate in particular, and for
those predisposed to Consumption, too scan
ty clothing is always hazardous. One day
displays within its limits all the seasons
ne informing dwaHens son, IUIiu i-l.:
Gus, yet, before the sun hath run his down
ward course, the air feels chilling, and the
GOODNESS of winter closes in the day.
If active exercise cannot be taken, the
maintenance of the warmth of the surface by
clothing is essential for equalizing the circu-
lation, and preventing those CONCESSIONS
which occur, and which by favouring the for
nation and disposition oftuberculous matter,
tend to induce consumption even In the I'M
predisposed. Warm clothing, especially
flannel next the skin, is on the same account
peculiarly requisite to those of sedentary
habits and occupations, and another precau-
ton ought never to be forgotten, namely,
that the warm clothing of winter should not
be too SOON laid aside in the spring, nor too
late resumed in the autumn.
If the defective clothing of males be inju-
rious, that of young females is still more
SO, and although sanctioned by custom, yet,
In this county, it is far from being adequate
to protect those who are in any degree pre-
disposed to Consumption from the Injurious
influence of the vicisstudes of our climate.
This observation is applicable both to the
chest and to the lower limbs, the latter OF
! which, in fashionable women, are covered on.
| ly with the thinnest silk stockings in winter
as well as in summer.
AS there is nothing new under the sun, we
find also that the fashion of displaying the
shoulders of the ladies, which prevailed in
the time of Louis XIV, is again brought for.
ward at the present period. Without wish.
ing to make single moral comment on the
custom of displaying without biushing, the
female shoulders and bosom, have merely tt
advert to it in reference to health; and as
suredly, were it the custom to have the ches
fully exposed throughout the whole day
there could be no objections to it as far as
concerns health but when it is warmly GOV.
cred up, as it usually is in the morning
throughout the day, and until the evening
and then fully exposed, the custom is faI
from being devoid, Of danger. have known
instances where it has proved the exciting
cause OF pulmonary disease, and consequent
~ OF fatal effects. it is perhaps allowable
that the female sex should be as careful Of
their beauty as of their health but il is pro-
per women should be informed, that the exis.
tence of the former cannot be maintained
without the presence of the latter. This
chest may have Its full expansion, and respi
ration be carried on free from the smallest int
Pediment' without that temporary exposure
wnich renders the individual susceptible o.
risN from those currents Of air and alterna
tioDs oil temperature, which so generally pre-
vaii IN evening parties and crowded assem-
pies, In which ladies appear in full dress.
wore mischief, undoubtedly, results from
.he absurd use of stays, and especially from
s'e present manner in which stays are con
suucted' The object being to compress the
tbs Iateraiiy, not only to give an elegant cur
Vature TO the sides, but, as no shoulder straps
are worn, to keep up the dress thence il is
necessary 70 lace tight, and to let the under
part o, the culrass, for it may properly be Sc
named, rest upon the launches. The actor
OF the lower part of the chesti is thus impeded
concessions take place, and the causes of Con
sumption are favored. it js impossible will