Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-02-24

From Harper's Bazaar.
When wewant an energetic phrase to describe
our winters we call them ''Stberian winters"
and We think that we are speaking metaphor
cally. But the winters OF our northern states
are actually as cold as those Of considerable
part Of Siberia say nothing of the extremes
Of northern Siberia, where the cold weather
for the whole northern hemisphere, 30 to speak,
Is manufactured. But while In western Siberia,
except in the high ATTITUDES. mercury does not
freeze every year, in nearly all of our northern
states and territories 1t freezes Cat minus $50
F.) from time to time though happily not every
year. 1t Is thus against winters that may be
fairly called Siberian in their severity that we of
the northern states have to protect ourselves.
And our winters are not only excessively cold in
their extreme temperatures they are also ex-
cessiVely variable. In none of our northern or
northwestern states can an equally cold winter
be found. How many an invalid has been lured
away from his home, never to return, by false
promises in this respect!
Our winter climate, then, is % climate of
variability. The two points which wish to
make about winter clothing depend directly
upon these two characteristics
a. Theseverity of our winters makes woollen
clothing essential, and especially flannel under
Robust persons will get along well
enough with the ordinary "mixed underwear"
but IN winter fannels are the warmest, in sum-
mer they are the coolest of garments to wear
next the skin. How is this paradox explained?
The fbers of the wool touch each other but
slightly; In other words, the texture Of the
flannel is loose, and the interstices are filed
with air. which is one of the slowest of con-
ductOrs of heat, so that the warmth of the
body is retained-of course by virtue of the
entangled air, and not mainly by the fiber
OF the wool itself On the other hand,
whom fhn olD<h Sc
thin, the insensible perspiration which con-
stantly passes through the woollen tissue evapo-
rates readily, and cOOls the surface of the body
Count RumfOrd who made the first important
experiments on this subject, says that by wearing
flannel ''the pores of the skin are disencumbered
and they are continually surrounded by a dry
and salubriQus atmosphere" He adds that the
more general use of flannels would prevent q
number Of diseases. A poor conductor of heat,
q substance that allows the ready escape of per-
SEPARATION. comfortable, light, and plant fabric.
and one that 1t Is difficult to wet through, it is
by far the best of all materials for underwear
No other possesses all these good qualities and
1t Is surprising to find a popular English writer
saying in recent manual OF Health and Occupa-
ton, that 'for the well-to-do silken undergar-
ments are better than flannel" In what re-
spect? This is the rapture Of dogmatism.
Whether for the ''well-tO-do," in the English
writer's phrase, or for ordinary people. the pre-
eminent value OF flannel for under-clOthing is
well established.
think that careful housekeepers will thank
me for word about how to treat flame 50 as
to prevent most of the shrinking which is their
one fault and a fault which prejudices MANY
people against their use:
1. Get quality OF flannel that is little loose
Iy woven. not of too tight a texture, and buy
or cut the garments rather large allowing about
two inches in the length of an under-shrt
against the moderate shrlnkage that cannot be
prevented.
Q. In washing the flannels do not allow soap
to be rubbed upon them, and do not let the gar
ments themselves be scrubbed or rubbed; this
fulls the material, and makes them shrink
They should be washed by squeezing them in
hot and strong suds, and then rinsed out in
very hot water. Both to the strong suds and to
the very hot water add liquid ammonia in the
proportion OF tablespoonful to the gallon.
The French housekeepers who are very practi-
cal people, have found out that this is better
than bOrax for the purpose.
3. DO not put the f1annels aside wet. Put
them out to dry as soon as they are washed.
and iron them before they are entirely dry, so
as not TO have to dampen them again. Iron very
thoroughly.
Following these rules will prevent nearly all
shrinkage.
A word should be added about mixed wear
for under-clOthing. This is what is generally
found in the shops ready-made; only in the
large towns will you find ready-made all-wool
A mixture of cotton and wool.
If the cotton and the wool are carded together
before weaving, washes very we'll. Canton
1annel makes good winter under-clOthng. But
The Atwood is the best; and the garments are
they wear so much better than mixed goods
that it is economical as well as healthful to use
them.
CO. The second feature of our climate is it's
od'1ability. The second practical point In
winter dress is to dress according to the ,reather
III fn cd aft nnc fhoo
clothing to the greater or less cold of the day;
t requires little care and forethought, but it
8 worth the trouble. One may be helped in this
matter by the weather bulletins. trust that
shall not compromise the serious purpose of this
paper by giving bit of advice which will seem
troll to some of my readers. 1t is none the less
sound. and it is this: Dress according to the in
locations of the signal service when you can,
hat Is. to say, when they are borne out by
existing weather. They are generally borne
'ut; the morning papers tell us pretty
what sort of weather we are
% have during the day, and for all
but the most robust persons It Is a simple mat
er OF duty to guard against the waves of cold
,r heat that leap upon US from the west. Is 1t
growing colder when YOU leave home in the
ng eastward from st. Paul, and the mercury
reezing in northern Minnesota? Then put on
1Our warmest OvercOat. and tie silk handker-
'hief or comforter around your neck; and do
lot forget the wOollen stockings. Is it mild
winters day, with promise of still higher tenn
,erature before night2 Then leave the wraps
It home; they will be overheating, and make
he skin too tender.
In fine. dress according to the actual need of
he day, not forgetting what the day may bring
orth in the way Of change before its close.
Keep warm in the cold. and by keeping always
warm enough and not too warm you will defy
he doctor for many day.
TITUS MUNsON COAN.
KraO, the ''Human Monkey, i
l. II. Keane in Nature.
Through the courtesy of Mr.. Farini. / have