The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1879-02-14
How TO Keep Warm.


The London Standard in recent issue
says: Strong exercise, for those who can
take it, is no doubt the best of remedies
for chilliness; but thousands suffer from that
complaint to whom strong exercise is at
tainable only once a week, who do not en-
jog it even then, and who find that although
walking produces an effect, it is one which
does not last half an hour after the exercise
has ceased. The chilliness recommences as
they pass through the hall of their own
houses, and in an hour they are suffering
almost as miserably as ever. Nevertheless,
they have during the walk passed through
an experience which, if they would only
comprehend it, would protect them
from one-half the misery they COM
plain of They have not only walk
ed, but they have walked well-clothed.
The Englishman, even if he lives in cities,
understands outdoor life, and if he walks
on frosty day, walks out in thick, close
| fitting boots, in a hat which warns his
head, i'll gloves which protect his hands,
and in a coat which, being half an inch
thick and made OF wool protects him as
well as nature protects most animals 1t is
when lie comes in doors that he dresses
himself foolshly. He has still no guard
against q low thermometer, he loses the
quckness of circulation produced by ex-
ercise, and he is exposed to draughts he
does not fell abroad but he uncovers his
head, uncovers his hands, partially uncov-
ers his feet, and divests himself entirely of
his outdoor fleece. A sheep, or bear
which did the same thing in its house or
den, would die naturally enough ofpuImo-
nary disease. No inhabtant of a country
where cold is sharp enough or long contn-
ued enough to impart self. defensive in
stnct ever does anything of the kind, but
keeps on as much of his outdoor clothing
as will keep up the sense of warmth. The
Russian of the north, fhe cannot thorough
ly warm his house, keeps on his shccpskin
as the Esquimaux wears his fur, as if it
were the clothing nature intended him to
wear The Englishman alone divcsts him
self of SO many articles of dress that he
feels chilly, and then runs to the fire to
warm his hands and feet or enjoy the
higher temperature which fire in the
chimney diffuses for about five feet from
the fender. Warm clothing in the house
would protect him just as completely as
out of the house; but he thinks it undigni-
fed to wear it, and prefers covering over |
fire to clothing himself reasonably, and be-
ing accused Immediately of effeminacv or |
coddling himself. Women are exempt from
this difficulty, and being aware of the pc |
culiar beauty OF shawls as drapery, wear,
when chilly, extra clothing within the |
house, without scruple; but men, unless |
very old, or able to plead weakness of |
the lungs, would not put on a common silk |
skull. cap-the most effective of all protec- |
tions against draughts-for the world, and |
regard the wearing of the great coat in |
doors as preposterous and impossible. Yet |
the extra clothing would warm them com |
plctely, and prevent all the chils which |
they stand in such habitual dread No de- |
fence against draughts is SO perfect as Il |
common silk handkerchief tied over the |
head, and silk vest or one of wash. leath- |
er put on between the shirt and waistcoat |
will keep the body more equally warm than |
a good fire. A wadded coat will enable |
the chilly man to sit and work anywhere |
indoors and SO will an extra suit of thin |
flannel worn during the whole of the ac-
tive day. Just let any one who doubts |
what we say try the very simple expedent, |
when the chilliness becomes unbearable, of |
putting on his dressing gown over his or
binary clothing, and In i've minutes he Will |
be perfectly comfortable and ready for any |
work; while he will not suffer, as he fan
cies he will, when he goes out of doors. |
The popular notion upon this subject is
mere delusion. You are not strengthened |
for outdoor life by shvering indoors, but |
rather weakened, habtual warmth, if not |
too great, being one of the best preserva-
tives of constitutional strength. A chilly |
man might as well refuse blankets in bed |
because they would increase his sense of |
cold when he got up, as refuse warm cloth
ing indoors because out-of-doors he would |
not be sensible of his great coat. The OBJ
.ject is not to be sensible Of pleasant diff |
ference, but to be and remain moderately |
and beautifully warm-to be insensible, |
in fact, to ordinary difference Of tempera-
turc.