Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-12-09
THE FEET IN WINTER TINE.

No person can be well long whose feet are
habtually cold; while securing for them dry
ness and warmth is the certain means of re-
moving variety Of annoying ailments.
The feet of some are kept more comfortable
in winter ii cotton is worm while wooden suits
others better. The wise course, therefore. is
for each one to observe for himself, and act
accordingly.
Scrupulous cleanliness is essential to the
healthfu warmth of the feet hence all, es-
pecially those who walk great deal out of
doors during the day in cold weather, should
make it point to dip both feet in cold water
on rising every morning, and let them remain
half ankle deep for half a minute at a time,
then rub and wipe dry, dress and move about
briskly to warm them up. To such as can
not well adopt this course, from any cause,
the best plan is to wash them in warm water
every night just before going to bed, taking
the prccaution TO dry them by the fire most
thoroughly before retiring; this, besides
keeping the feet clean, preserves a natural
softness to the skin and has tendency to
prevent and cure corns. Many a troublesome
throat affection and many an annoying head
ache will be cured if the feet are kept always
clean, warm. soft and dry.
The moment the feet are observed to be
cold, the person should hold them TO the fire,
with the stockings off, until they feel COM
fortably warm One of the several decided
objections to furnace heated house is the
want of place to warm the feet, the regis
ters being wholly unsuited for that purpose.
Our worthy citizens do themselves and their
families great wrong if they fail TO have one
room in the house, free to all, where a fire is
kept burning from the first day of October
until the FIRST day OF June, on a low CRATE, on
level with the hearth, after the pattern OF
Andrews a. Dixon, of Chestnut Street, PhiIa-
delphia for the closer the fire is TO the hearth
in a CRATE, or to the floor in a stove, the more
comfortable is it, and the less heat is wasted
This is ono Of the delights Of the good old
fashioned wood fires, the very thought Of
which carries so many of US away to the glad
scenes of childhood and early homes. 1t
ought to be known in New York, where hard
or anthracite coal is burned, that with one of
the CRATES named, filled with hard coal and a
few pieces Of Liverpool OF camel put on top,
nearly all the Advantages of n wood fire are
secured. at least as far as cheeriulnoss, com
fort and warmth are concerned.
Some feet are kept cold by their dampness
from incessant pcrspiration. In such cases
cork soles are injurious, because they soon
become saturated, aud maintain moisture for
long time Soak cork in water for day
or two and sec. A better plan is to cut a
piece of broadclolh the size of the foot, bastc
on it half an inch Of curled hair, wear It in
side the stocking the hair touching the sole ,
remove at night, and place before the FIRE to
dry until morning The hair titillates the
skim thereby warming it some, and conducts
the dampness to the cloth.
Scrupulous cleanliness Of feet and stock
ings, with hair soles. are the best means
known to as Of keeping the feet warm when
they are not cold from decided III health. A
tight shoe will keep the feet las cold as ice,
when loose fitting one will allow them to
be comfortably warm. A loose woolen sock
over loose shoe will maintain more warmth
than the thickest .olod tight fitting boot
Never start ON journey in winter, nor any
other time with new shoe.--HaRs journal
Of Heath