Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1886-01-08
Hints on UndercIothine.

There are few matters concerning health
that are more completely misunderstood by
the average man or woman than the subject
of underclothing. As now Is the time at
which it is important to begin to exercise
special care to avoid taking cold, it will not
not be out of place for me to say few words
on this important question.
In the first place, may say that in our eli
mate some kind of underclothing should be
worn by man, woman and child all the year
round, summer as well as winter though, of
course, it should vary in character with the
season. There are, doubtless, many who wear
nothing of the Sort winter and summer, and
who have thus far escaped all i'll consequences
or at least think they have. In all probabili
ty, however, they are deceiVing themselves.
They NAV not yet have suffered any serious
inconvenience from their neglect to properly
clothe themselves, but they are quite certain
ly, even though the process goes on slowly,
weakening their resisting powers, and are
hence rendering themselves less capable of
bearing up against the attacks which morbid
influences are constantly making. Every
year finds them more apt to suffer from slight
ailments, each one of which debilitates the
system advancing age makes them more
susceptible, and at last pneumonia, pleurisy,
or some other serious disease strikes them
down. The changes in our climate are 30
sudden and severe rs to require all the vital
strength of the organism 10 combat them,
and If the body be not properly protected
the danger is greatly increased. Even with
all the care that can be exercised the barriers
are often broken down.
There are many men and women within
| my personal knowledge who, cannot. even
for a single day, omit their customary wool.
en- shirts or drawers without contracting a
cough, or becoming subject to rheumatic or
neuralgia pains. One of these is gentleman
holding a high Office under the government
of the United States. He dislkes the sepsa-
ton of wool next to his skin, and has repeat.
| eddy tried 10 harden himself to the point of
being able to dispense with the thick flannel
shirt that his wife insists on his wearing. As
often, however, as he has made the attem ut
he has been obliged, after few hours absti.
nence, to return to the disagreeable garment.
For gentle reminder comes to him in the
form of a slight stitch in his side while be ia
smiling the fresh morning air on his way to
his office. By the time he has gone a few
blocks whether on foot or in his carriage il
is painful for him TO breathe, and the suffer.
ing goes on increasing till he is forced to &c
home and put on the protecting shirt very
much to his wifes delight at the fulflment OF
her predictions.
There is a widely prevalent idea that sill
Is the best substance from which to make un
derclothing, and | have known many pool
girls to stint themselves in the necessaries o.
life in order TO save enough money TO pur
chase silk undergarments. But silk ia no
the best material with which to make under
clothes, so far rs concerns their health pre-
serving qualities, whatever may be its ad
vantages so far ~ beauty and immediate
comfort are concerned The chief object o
Undertaking is the retention of the nAtura
heat of the body in such way that low ten
peratures and sudden changes will not aifec
the surface. Several years ago performed
some experiments which went to show be
yond doubt that silk is below wool in ii