The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1881-06-11
Our Oliu.
Heat and Light,

AOuI eAu A4S jaw
The best temperature at which to keep
a room, for health's sake, is about sixty
nine or seventy degrees, above the man
tel-piece. Less than this is far more
agreeable to many, and a greater degree
of heat is unwholesome, to say nothing of
the danger of catching a chill on going
out from a room so heated. Elderly peo-
pie should never put on cold and uuaired
overcoat before going out-of-doors in win
ter it takes but few moments to warm,
so there is no need to run any risk. 1t
does no harm, either, to warm both fingers
aud toes before going out then, if brisk
walk be taken, there is little fear of any
sudden or dangerous lowering of the ami
NAL heat Walking can be done with
greater ease and comfort if the clothes be
light; and it is a very easy thing to have
them made of materials that are both light
and warm. The chest in people advanced
in years needs all the protection you can
give it !, and here | tell you something
worth remembering the back requires
protection from the cold as much if not
more than the breast, and yet protectors
are nearly always worn on the chest only
"A mistake that is fatal to thousands,
The custom of taking cordials, generally
of vinous nature, to keep up the animal
heat, is very bad one. Never take
cordial of any kind if you can really do
without it. Ifone be very weakly in con
stitution, he should consult medical man
on the subject, and do exactly as he ad-
vises
There is no light like the light Of day
the lower animals seem to know this. and
make it their maxim 10 20 early to bed,
aud be astir with the dawn. We human
beings, however, must have artificial light
Of some kind, though we should never for
get that candles, lamps, aud gas all con
sumo our precious oxygen, and produce
poisonous carbouie acid gas aud the lar
ger the burner, the greater the amount OF
oxygen consumed, and the more the need
for perfect ventilation. Even four per
cent. Of carbenic acid gas in bed room
is injurious to health and dangerous to life;
therefore warn my readers against the
too common habit Of burning lights all
night. For many reasons, too numerous
here TO specify, sleeping in the dark IS
more refreshing than 10 a glare Of light,
whether natural or artificial.
Everybody should wear some kind Of
flannel under-elothing all the year round;
though. If | must make au exception, let
me advise them that fanuel be worn ia
winter and silk in summer, and this
mean to refer also to a change, 10 hot
weather. from stockings or socks Of wool
10 those made Of the softer and thinner bat
none the less comfortable material, silk.
Those Who suffsr from cold feet should
wear two pairs Of light soft socks. Old
people should always have their feet thus
clothed, for their hearts are not 50 strong
as they we're 10 by-gone days, and eau not
pump the warm blood to the extrcmitics
with the force they were won't TO. Few
things are more destructive 10, or rather,
I should aay, few things tend more TO waste
the animal heat than cold feet aud cold
hands. The old among Us should protect
both, not forgetting that the spring aud
winter months are particularly fatal TO
those advanced ia life.
The aged ought to wear flannel rather
thau cotton night dress il should Be OF
sufficient length, TOO, ts cover the limbs,
and bed. socks should also BE- wosu these
should be Of the li-hssst. sofsest wool that
can be procured. They should have =
sufficient quantity of bedelothes, aud 10
more, each blanket being light and soft ;
but heavy eounterpaacs should never be
slept under, for the weight Of them makes
sleep fatigueing, instead Of refreshing, as
il ought to be-Harper' Wssk.y-