The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-29
The Top-Button Habit.


A popular medico, who may be seen dai-
| ly upon the block between Frankfort
street and Spruce street, and who not
only takes the best care Of himself but
likes TO give other people advice about
their health. mas for many years past in
The trying months between autumn and
spring. suggested 20 his acquaintance,
whenever hc-iinds the opportunity OF olter-
ing a suggestion, the great advantage Oh
adopting the "tUp-buttOn habit In cola
weather. BY this term he means the
habit Of buttcning the top button OF the
winter oVercoat. lie has been Known
even In this month Of December TO seize
q negligent person when stridng along
the sidewalk between the Tribune Office
and the Sun Office, TO button the top but
ton of his wraprascal, dreadnausht. or
ulster, give him warning against the
dangers which beset him, and SEND MIN
off with a new idea OF the protecuNeness
Of the top-button habit. lie tells MN OF
the ailments, affections, and ahicuons
which may be incurred by ons VINO IS
needless of II. If the habit were uniNei-
sally prevalent among men, huhureds OF
them he says. would be saved IRON the
graveyard every year. Those who do not
know the usefulness Of the habit, or VINO
fail TO work it when it would serve chem
are constantly in danger of catching cold
and when a person catches cold, If II gets
hold of him after he has caught II, ne had
better look out. Out of it may grow any
one of a hundred maladies, not only such
as a sore throat, hacking cough, "a mad
den.ng pain I'm the head, or rheumatism
but a terror that strikes into lungs, the
heart, or other vital organ ana carries
off victims beyond number. by the top
hutton habit, the chest, throat, ana res
nTnfGnffN.
,yarded off, as are also the shiVers the
system is more able TO resist the enemy
and many a valuable life may be saved.
The .op-button habit is one of the great
est of prophyactics in cold we dtner.
est of prophylactics in cold weather. MIL
titudes of the dead would be alive to-day
II thew always followed the habit OF but
toning the top-button when exposed 10
the chilling blasts. humid atmosphere, or
frosty air of winter. We are disposed 10
believe that Or. Perry Is rendering a ser
vice to the community at large, though
perhaps not 10 the medical profession, IN
prompting people to adopt the top-button
habit.
Vast is the multitude Of our citizens
who are reckless In their non-oDserNance
of the habit They stride around the c,-y'
ana an parts OF il, even in these days
counting danger. You Will notlce that
some men who wear four-buttoh over
coat have the lowermost button OF II put
toned: that some OF them button aiso NV
one next above il, and that others button
three of the buttons: but that only a rem
nant of them button that most useful OF
an the buttons. the top button. The up
nor mart of their chests and their threats
are UNPROTECTED. the wind strikes IN the
enemy has an open field What ais
vou2' asks the family physician. Moth
inc hut a cold" replies the anti-top-but-
ton habit man with hoarse voice. \ on
must keep i'm bed" says the physiciah'
viii give YOU something TO take now ana
call again in a few hours. GreWsoihe Us
the subsequent history of many an anti
top buttoner. We nave not uHlc ~ i"'-
low It up.
If is probable that plenty Of men neglect
tho ION hutton because they want TO show
their candy necktie. or their gold pin, OF
tboir weu-starched shirt collar, If not their
anelv shaped neck. An. vain meniWhy
risk your life for vanity?
We fear that the work or reform IN this
matter. as IN other matters, VIII ne SLOW.
Wei there is hope for IL. # mankind can be
led TO think Of IT, We join with the pio-
noer I'm this sanitary reform. ferhaps IL
woiil be well TO get up a Top-Button So
oie,,- nv which funds might be raised Tor
ad,ertisine I'm the best newspaper, the
employment Of speakers. the circulation
of tracts. and the payment Of the society :
officers. ,s
Womankind has a duty here too II
mems wives were to see 20 II every morn
ing that the top buttons of their nus
hands overcoats were buttoned before
thev left the house i'm winter time, the
ton-button habit would soon become as
General as matrimony. and the negligent
men themselves might be led TO thinl. OF
II when starting out for home after bus
mess If one of the duties Of wife is
10 look after her husbands buttons. she
has a right TO see TO IT that all or them
are always properly buttoned
We do not need. however, 10 extend our
remarks upon this feature Of the reform.
Mothers should teach their boys the top
hutton habit. Thoughtful sisters should
tell their rattle-pated brothers about It.
Unmarried women too vii they not think
of IL when they see a lover out I'm the
street on a cold day whit the top button
unhuttoned? \ wise spnster knows how
10 he bold betimes as well as coy
Vow that we have brought this thing
Of public notice through the sun, we shall
look with interest for the rapid extension
ot the top-button habit. II is a lie
saving habit-New York sun.