Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1879-01-08
For the Freeman.
A Chat with the Family.
No. IL.
BY AGRICOLA.

Clothing is important to protect the
body from heat and cold. Different quail
tiles of clothing are suited to different
seasons and climates, and are chiefly con-
nected with the relations of fabrics 10
heat and moisture. In cold weather the
object is to prevent the loss of heat from
the body, by conduction and evaporation;
in warm weather the objec. is to promote
this evaporation. Hence we must wear
non conductors and slow absorbers in win
ter, and free conductors and ready absorb
ers in the summer. These objects must
be secured, and with this in view the
fabrics must be selected. As far as con
sistent clothing should be light, durable
and readily cleansed. Linen fabric is II
good conductor, and hence fayors the es-
cape of animal heat. 1t also readily abb
serbs moisture from the surface OF the
body and gives it off again 10 the external
air by evaporation. THIS process produces
rapid cooling in hot weather. But linen
should never be worn next to the skin,
under any circumstances, us it has no
power to prevent sudden chills. Cotton
Is poorer conductor of heat than linen,
and hence warmer. 1t does not so readily
absorb moisture, and, therefore, is safer
for undergarments. Cotton ranks next TO
linen as u fabric for summer wear. 1t is Il
much better absorber of moisture and
conductor of heat than either silk or wool.
Wooden fabrics are coarse and porous,
OBTAINING within their meshes IL large
amount of air. Hence they are slow con-
ductors of heat. Woo,ens also possess "a
great capacity for moisture. though they
receive and discharge it very slowly.
This is valuable quality in articles OF
clothing. Wooden Is II much better pro-
lection against cold than either linen or
cotton, and much warmer when wet. Its
great power to absorb moisture is q highly
important property, as it regulates cvap-
GRAFTON from the surface Of the body and
prevents loo great loss of animal heat. As
an equalizer of temperature and protector
of the surface against sudden chills, wool.
en- fabrics are superior 10 all others, and
should be constantly worn next the skin.
The color of clothing is important only
in relation to solar heat. Black cloth alb
serbs the heat of the sun, While white
cloth reflects it. But with the heat of the
stove color makes no difference. The alb.
sorbing power Of the garment in the sun
light decreases rs the shade grows
brighter, and in this order, black, blue,
green, yellow, white. The darker colored
materials absorb more moisture than the
light colored, the black absorbing nearly
rs much again rs the white.
After all, more depends upon the man
ner of dressing than the material used,
The poorest material, properly worn, is
better than the best improperly put on.
AS | have said, clothing should be light,
Weight does not imply warmth, and often
it becomes source of great discomfort.
Several layers of light, loose fitting gar
ments are safer than II few layers OF heavy
clothing. 1t is the imprisoned air more
than the material which secures warmth,
and hence the number of layers more than
the thickness OF one layer.
Again, loose clothing is warmer than
that which fits the body closely. Besides,
the tight-iitting obstructs the circulation,
restricts the natural motions and healthy
action of the parts affected. A tight
fitting hood or night-dress obstructs the
flow of blood to and from the brain; COM
preston of the chest and abdomen is still
more dangerous, as here are located the
vital organs. This function of the body,
especially, demands the utmost freedom
of movement. Yet, under the influence
of fashion, it is the almost universal prac
tce among young women to bind down
those parts, often TO half their natural di-
mansions. Deformity is one. but not the
worst result. The circulation is restrict
ed, respiration is directly interfered with,
the lungs and heart are compressed, and
the stomach and liver forced out Of place.
The direct results are nee ssarily disease
and premature death. This manner of
dressing is nothing less than suicide.
Think Of this. mothers and daughters.