Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1888-11-23
THE HOUSEHOLD.



DR.. W. F. Hutchinson, writing for the
November issue Of the American Magazine,
disagrees with the generally accepted theory
that furnace heat is unhealthful lie says
After watching sick beds in rooms heated
by steam, 10y stoves, by open fires and by
furnace heat. / am decidedly in favor of
the last, provided sufficient moisture be
added 10 the heated air before it comes into
the living rooms. Steam heat is too dry,
open fires cannot keep up an even tempera
ture nor warm a room in northern mid
winter, and stoves burn oxygen from air
too rapidly without providing a fresh sup
ply. What is essential from sanitary
point in heating houses, is to have the TEN.
perature even throughout There is prob
ably no better way of catching cold. Of Law
ing foundation for bronchitis or pneumonia
than stepping out of a warm bed into a cold
or cool hall. Every skin pore is open aud
relaxed, every nerve Of resistance is half
asleep, and the insidious chill which has
proven forerunner TO so many dangerous
diseases of chest and throat sends one
shivering back TO blankets that are some
time in getting warmed up again While
sleeping room temperature should be lower
than the rest of the house-kept so by open
windows and if this suggestion is followed
ly wanderings A proper range 4 night is
go to 81 f. Beside the bed of those who
are given to nocturnal excursions should
always stand pair of bedroom slippers.
ready to be slipped on at short notice for
cool currents of air are always playing
about floors, and bare ankles are exceeding
ly sensitive to small temperature variations
There is change Of late years in the
winter heat of American homes With al
most universal substitution of better forms
OF heaters for old-time stoves, and better
understanding Of health laws by the people
has come cooling down of the suffocating
temperature that made our homes dry fore.
ing houses and sent our people out into
wintry cold about as well fitted to face it
as il they were naked Except in rooms
where are sick or aged persons. mercury
should never rise above 20 nor fall below
% narrow range, truly but within
such strict limits lies the zone of health
Proper clothing for winter includes soft.
firm wooden textures next the skin. If some
OF the various varieties of health wear can
not be obtained, a good substitute may be
found in vests and drawers made of pure
flannel Looseuess Of fit is essential, for
IN such pliable folds as these garments are
heat is entangled as in a net and retained,
while outside cold is barred entrance Nv
patients often say to me, doctor, cannot
bear wool next my skin it causes intoer-
able itching and is uncomfortable every
well, reply; but try it for just ~ hours
longer, and then if you are still restless YOU
may change" Inside the given time the
cutaneous nerves have become accustomed
to the new conner, and have welcomed him
as far better friend than the one set aside
and in week the most delicate patient
would not change back again at all Be
sides additional warmth, there is an electri.
cal action aroused by friction of wool against
human skin that promotes capillary circu-
lation, keeps skin functions going, and large
ly contributes to general health if that sin
gular way which have named for want of
"A better term, vitalizing power. For cleo.
tricty is close kin to life how near. mo-
one can tell