Knoxville journal. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1874-1986, 1874-06-25
Clothing and Ventilation.

LINEN next the skin very readily gives
a sensation of cold after the body has
been heated and has perspired, so that it
rather tends to give than toprevent colds.
Muslin absorbs larger quantity of moist
ure, and Is much warmer under the same
circumstances, but wooden, whilst it alb
serbs less, is the warmest of all. As the
skin perspires in hot weather, it is not
desirable to wear linen next it, and muslin
or wooden should be substituted, according
to the heat OF the weather. In cold or
cool weather there can be no doubt that
wooden is preferable, but in the heat of
summer muslin may be substituted. In
our climate we are, however, liable to
chilly evenings with warm days, and a
thin wooden vest is safer than an extra
muslin shirt. In this respect, however,
persons differ, as they do or do not per-
spire readily, and as their skins are sensl-
tive; for he who perspires readily requires
wooden to prevent cold, whilst dry and
hot skin may be sufficiently protected by
muslin clothing. 1t is much to be regret
ted that women do not always wear wool
en- next the skin, whether in summer or
winter, and still more so that there are
men who are much exposed to cold and
do not wear it. All persons should wear
it from their infancy. Clothing at night
is also worthy of attention. A thick and
heavy cotton Counterpart weighs down
the body without giving much warmth,
so that the body is working during
sleep, and is less refreshed in the morn
ing. Except the sheets, all coverings of
the bed should be of wool, which gives
the greatest warmth in proportion to its
weight, and the counterpart should be
either equal to blanket or blanket
should be substituted for it, and a thin
light covering like sheet thrown over it.
If there be too much warmth the body is
relaxed, the skin made sensitive, and
health is impaired. If too little warmth,
the body is unnecessarily wasted by loss
of heat. The rule is, however, a good one,
viz: to keep the feet warm and the head
cool. Hence the number of blankets to
be used must vary with the weather and
season. Young children and old people
need more clothing at night than those of
middle age, and in winter the most is re-
quired for all ages at about four to six
o'clock in the morning, when the cold is
the greatest The sick demand great con-
sideration in this matter, and usually need
more clothing than those who are well.
Pay attention to the ventilation of the
DCu'lOOHi, duu sCC tHht thClC diC tWO
openings into it through which air may
pass all night. The chimney of
the bedroom is often stopped up to
prevent the dust and SCOT falling, but
as this prevents ventilation it is very
improper Better to have dust, which
can be cleared away, than bad health
and fever. It is often very difficult to
ventilate bedroom without giving colds,
because no one should sleep in drau ght
and disease is sometimes produced by
thoughtlessly having too much ventila-
ton. If the door be left very little open
by using peg or chain, and window
be opened at the top for half an inch, it
will usually be enough to secure moderate
ventilation, and the bed should be placed
out of the draught; but the amount must
be tested by the smell OF the room, and if
in the morning 1t is disagreeable it will
be necessary to have more ventilation.
Neither put the bed in draught nor in a
corner so far away that the air about it
cannot be purified by ventilation, and
take care that there is bed-clothing pro-
portionate to the ventilation. Never let
the bedroom or any room become too
warm for want Of ventilation and then
open door or window to cool it, for by
so doing you will be sure to give colds;
but keep proper temperature from the
beginning. Take care also that the rooms
are not too cold by ventilation, or you
may greatly iHjure the health Of children
and old people, but let everything be done
with judgment and northumberland
and Home.