The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1895-10-26
Dangers in Flannels.
From the New York World.


\ physician who has given much
thought to the hygiene of clothing has
come to the conclusion that many deaths
are caused by heavy WOODEN underclothing.
1t can be proved that fannels are often
the cause of severe colds. To have u
cold is to be in diseased condition, and
that means a loss of vitality and shorten
inc of life 1t may even mean sudden
death
One can easily demonstrate in one S own
person on small scale the i'll effects Of
excessive fannels. Bind your hand in
thick wOolen bandages and leave it in that
condition for night In the morning you
will find it damp and fabby, the pores all
open. 1t is in the most susceptible condi
ton for catching cold. If the whole body
were brought to the same state the result
! of exposure of cold air would inevitably be
disastrous.
That the whole body is often brought
to Il nearly similar condition is certain.
The majority of people during the winter
encase themselves in heavy. tight WOODEN
| or flannel garments. These provoke per-
, spiration and do not absorb it. The result
is that the wearer' skin is hot damp and
highly susceptible to the infammatory eff
fects of cold. \ slightly lowered temper
ature can hardly fail to bring on a cold
Heavy woolen undertaking is able to
do all the more harm because it has the
weight of ancient domestic tradition. Few
{ do To ha Il +hof,.
mothers. Woolen undertaking, accord
ing to modern experience, should be as
light as is consistent with comfort. There
are many persons who 90 through the
winter healthily in cotton underwear, and
these are probably the most fortunate class
of the population. But the warmth pre-
serving qualities of wool are not to be
! ignored.
One of its great properties is that it is u
bad conductor of heat. The heat of the
body, therefore, is not given out by it.
1t also does not absorb perspiration freely
This is a quality Of doubtful value.
While it is agreeable not to have your
undertaking glued to your skim it is in
! furious to carry deposit of moisture which
may become cold and do harm in all parts
of the body.
| The object, therefore, should be to wear
undertaking which does not cause ex-
cessive perspiration. 1t should be light
and loose. Wool is apparently the best
material for the majority of people
The subject of colds receive too little
attention. Many people are resigned to
the perpetual possession of them. They
should be regarded as disease, dangerous,
offensive and mclean Patent medicine
advertisements print eloquent descriptions
Of their final effects.
These remarks are applicable to those
who have neglected themselves too long
and are fit subjects for the hospital or pro-
lOnged medical treatment \ wise atten-
ton to clothing and the general health is
more valuable than all remedies and treat
ment
Colds are probably the chief cause Of
illness and disease among human beings.
They give little trouble to animals who
wear no clothing.
Arguing from these facts, some en-
thusiasts would say that the less clothing
you wear and the more you expose yourself
the healthier you will be.
But state of civilization of considerable
antiquity has made it necessary for man to
preserve his natural heat by artificial
means. 1t is not permissible to abandon
clothing entirely in this country. Nor is
it advisable to wear as little as the public
authorities will permit during an American
winter
Neither warm clothing nor artificial
heat will satisfactorily replace the natural
heat of the body. TO preserve this should
be the first aim Of all who wish to avoid
colds, Good food, fresh air and exercise
are obviously the principal means
In the care of the body the skin should
take an important place. As far as colds
are concerned it is all important, because
they rarely occur unless the skin is in
certain condition.
When the pores Of the skin are opened
the cold air enters where it is not wanted
and causes an inflammation. In cold
weather the pores should be closed.
Cold water is an excellent vehicle for
closing the pores. The weight Of ex
perience seems to prove that it is better to
use warm water first. Much depends on
the individual constitution
The water cleanses and softens the skin
and relieves the body of superAuous mois-
ture, the frequent source of colds. Fol
lowing this, the cold water will close the
pores and put the skin in sound, normal
condition. No one should stay in cold
water long enough to feel discomfort.