Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-08
Winter and Its Dangers.


ton. has contributed the latest addition to the
series of american Health Primers" The top
les discussed in this small volume are quite va
rious, including the mschiefs produced in a
specially aggravated form during the cold sea-
son of the year by insufficient Clothing, care
leSSneSs in bathing, and indifference to ventila-
ton. sunshine, and exercise. On some of those
heads the authors views will be found to differ
from those of eminent European authorities, but
1t is fair to remember that our climate and
modes OF life may entail some divergence in the
application of hygienic rules. We refer particJl-
larry to DR.. OSgOOdS structures on the practice,
so universal among the English upper classes,
and which has numerous American votarieS,
that, namely, of taking cold Tub" or shower
bath on rising in the morning. The author
seems to discover species OF irritation at the
fact that people should be so "daft on the sub
ject OF the morning bath that, in spite OF ma
lures warnings" t.ey persist in the mad habit,
and actually feel morally superior" to the mis-
guided ones who choose more fitting hour for
their additions.
DIR. Osgood protests, with earnestness, that a
bath before breakfast, like long walk or ride,
for that matter, costs altogether too much, and
is grievouS blunder regarded as preparation
for encounter1ng cold day. He declares that
diminished power of resistance, laSSitude, and
lack of physical tone, are the natural results of
winter morning bath, only avoided in the case
of exceptionally hardy and vigorous constitu-
tons. He denies what other authorities main
tain viz, that the capacity of prompt reaction
and active circulation can be secured by the ha-
bftual application of cold water, followed, of
course, by the requisite amount of friction In
his crusade against the morning bath he will
not admit that the so-called hardening process
experience. Curiously enough, however, he
takes quite opposite ground In his suggestion
for the right treatment of cold feet. Reminding
US that many persons are constant sufferers
from chilliness OF the extremitieS, he says the
most ''simple and sensible" means of overcom-
ing the trouble is to dip the feet into cold water
after which, of course, they should be briskly
rubbed with crash towel or hair mitten until
they are in glow. Pursue the practice, he
continues twice daily, and In a short time the
feet will remain warm for hours" 1t is a little
difficult to see why rule that works so we'll for
one member should not answer In normal cases
for the whole body. OF course nobody would
claim that the cold morning bath is suited to
all persons, or to the same person at all epochS
of life, or In all grades Of physical condition.
There are times when women, obviously, ought
not to indulge in it, and In like manner, young
shock of immersion, If, indeed, their use Of the
cold bath should not always be regulated by
medical advice. &c. too, male adult who finds
upon experiment the glow of reaction impos-
Sible or hard to compass may reasonably gain
say the beneficial influence of cold water on his
own system. He should be sure, however, that
the experiment has been fairly tried-that he
has proceeded by degrees from bath slightly
tepid, or just deprived of chillineSS, to water
suffered to remain In the bathroom and thus
acquire its temperature before plung1ng into the
untempered element freshly drawn from pipe or
well.
In chapter pert1nently headed, pulmonary
Food" the author has collected a good many
facts and suggestions bearing on the subject of
ventilation. He points out that while writers
on hygiene differ somewhat as to the quantity
OF fresh air required by single adult In a
given room, yet twenty-five hundred cubic feet
per hour Is generally deemed the smallest
amount compatible with comfort. OF course, In
sick rooms the supply should be greater, ac-
cording to the malady, bad case of smallpox,
for instance, needing some 500 feet every hour,
DR.. OsgoOd applies these data to our household
economy with interesting results. He takes
what may be considered room of average size
in somewhat af11uent mansion; the apartment
is fifteen feet square and twelve feet high, con-
tanning, therefore 2,700 cubic feet of air, or
little more than enough to serve one person sixty
minutes; the question is, will it be renewed after
the expiration of the hour? To some extent, no
doubt, through cracks In the floors and walls.
and through joints in door frames and window
frames, but these avenues are very likely to be
narrowed in proportion to the wealth OF the oc-
cupant. The luxurious, very probably, will have
their double windows, their weather strips,
heavy curtains, and portiereS. They will actu-
ally spend money to keep out fresh oxygen,
whereas the poor man In his house of imperfect
carpentry cannot hinder the tnroad of fresh air
in all directions Happily, in these days of i'm
proved architecture and household equipment,
the beauty and utility Of open fires are fast
gaining recognition, and we need not say that
where these exist, simple and effective means
of ventilation Is provided. DR.. OSgOod's re-
hinder Is pertinent, however that while the
fireplace may be ornamented In summer with
flowers and grasses,l it must never be closed
IN y Sun.