The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-03-11
e oveRcoATs AND HEALTH.
A Claim That "a l. oetier to Wear Heavy
(lotIjnr Nexs ~ the Eody.


The teaching of modern science and OF
ancient custom gees Ia show that heat pro-
ductiop within the body has much TO do with
the tissue changes concerned in muscular
activity aud with healthy digestion. IL Is
conserved by warm aud moderate, wasted in
evaporatiun by excessive, clothing Finally,
las, a .imrlc nervous reaction. IL Is increased
after tho contact of external cold IL follows
from, these observations that II we te 80 clad
with comfortable Undertaking. that surface
evaporation Is not formed IN excess and Is
rapidiv removed one great cause II chill-sud-
den oVaparati0u-is done away with. Outer
cold. then, provided it Is not too severe, only
touches. as Il were, the spring Of the heat
maxim, mctahoisfn. and, exciting an elastic
rebound in the chain Of vaso-mOtor fbers,
awakcns that oxidatiyc action by which
every tissue Is made 10 yield its share Of heat
10 the body. THIS bracing influence Is lost
wholly or partly to those who are too heavily
clothed, and in lis place we may have a dan.
gerous excess of surface heat
Il Is for this reason that We have before
protested, as we now do, against the indis
criminate use Of the thick and heavy over.
coat. We would rather see men IN fairly ro-
bust condition. especially if young, clad
warmly next the skin. and wearing either
light ton coat or none nj ALL There can b.
no doubt that the habtual use of great coats
is Indirectly accountable for the chills which
they are intended 10 prevent Were the
overcoof worn continuously. il might attain
rs object. It, intermittent use even when
ample Undertaking is worn. affords no solid
Guarantee Of safety, but rather the reverse
The man Of scdentary habits has especial
need 10 remember this. lie emergcs daily
from n warm breakfast room clothed IN his
ordinary winter garments, with probably
wooden underwear. and over adj the heavy
ulster or top coat After a short walk be-
finds that the sense Of warmth he began WITH
/. more than maintained. lie arrives ut his
office or place Of business. and of gogs tfle
overcoat. though the air Of tho newly opened
-oon is as cold as that without and draughty
in addition. During tho day perhaps he
travels 10 and from adjacent business houses
wearing oulv bis house clothing Tho over
cont is Ibid aside TIL closin, time reminds him
If the Journey home. The frequent result Is
that somehow, between the hours Of his d.,
parture and return he Is chilled No doubt
he would run as great risk IT, lightly clad
bo were TO face the rigor Of winter day. IN
this case, however. exercise and habit might
40 much to develop the power OF endurance
and there would, al all epnts, be less danger
II sudden cold dcting upon freely per'pir
Ing surface.
Wooden Undertaking represents state Of
healthy comfort intermediate between these
extremes. and moro resistant 10 chill than
either. in commenting its use, however, we
DO not assert that the influence Of age and
constitution j. TO be overlooked. Youth can
oppose power Of resistance % depressing
agencies which does not reside IN tue worn
out nerve ccnters OF a riper age Similarly,
that elastic reaction which characterizcs the
nervous aud sanguino types Is ~ to be
looked for in tho lax tissues Of tho Emphatic
Tho weaker physique naturally calls for
hscr protection than the stronger, and amy
rule requiring the disu-e Of the overcoat
shonld allow OF reasonable exceptions IN
favor Of tine old and consttutioually feeble.
Unusual severity OF weather, especially II
associated with night air and tho loss of
sleep which this implies. is another condition
which might we'll constitute an exception
I'm such case We are compelled 90 adj some
fora OF overcoat o. Tho ordinary amount o.
clothing Some parts Of the body-for OK
ample the chest throat and feet-aro Ger
tainlv moro susceptible 70 cold than others
Asa useful safeguard, cold on tepid bathing
of such parts is ia mcrited favor. The Gus
tom socommon with many persons, especially
women, Of walking out in thin soled boots
often plays an important part IN catching
cold. The progress ~ time and of rational
thought may bo expected 90 briue in more
comfortable arrangement by clothing the
foot ia wooden hosiery and "a stoutcr boot
InnlnI