Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1904-12-20
HOMEMAKERS COLUMN.
on topics Of interest tothe la,iie
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CoaIrNN. Oxford Democrat. Paris. Maine.
Keeping We'll in Cold Weather.

CoIG?sN. Oxford Democrat. Paris. Maine.
Keeping Well In Cold Weather.
The winter and early spring months
are q trying time to many of delicate
constitutions, and few words of warning
and advice may not be out of place.
There are many ideas prevalent, more or
less delusive, as to simple hygienic
rules, which by their application often
bring about results quite contrary to
expectations. One of the most frequent
causes of taking cold in winter ia the
pernicious system of living in overheated
rooms. BY this means the general con-
dition of the body is debilitated and
rendered more liable to contract chills,
ETC., when becoming exposed to low
temperature out of doors. The open
CRATE has many advantages, but when
circumstances permit, hot water or
steam circulated in pipes is far more
healthy, and the temperature of house
is kept more equable.
For sitting room temperature OF 90
to IS degrees is quite enough for health.
The sleeping apartment should be
we'll ventilated, and the temperature
never above 90 degrees; below this is
often an advantage. Windows should
be allowed open, even in the coolest
weather.
Sleeping apartments that are closely
shut up at night are not conducive to
healthy repose. The sense of languOr
and fatigue are always apparent in the
morning. The daily morning bath,
either tepid or the cold plunge, is of
great Importance. Personal cleanliness
is essential to good health.
Clothing is another important factor
In cold weather it is a great mistake to
put on a number of thick, heavy gar
ments which, by their own weight, are
drag upon the shoulders and hips, and
soon cause sense of fatigue. Such
clothing, also, does not allow of the
proper ventilation of the skin, which is
so essential to maintain the body heat at
its normal height.
Underwear of suitable material and
consistence is the foundation of
woman's dress.
1t is erroneous to suppose that the
closer and thicker the material is SO is 1t
the best. By no means. Undergar-
ments should be all wool and open
meshed.
Waists as they are now often worn
with open yoke Of lace, exposing the
neck and chest, are fruitful source of
colds, and ladies at all liable to catarrh
and chest troubles should avoid them.
The complete exposure of shoulders,
neck and upper part of back, which re-
suits from the modern dinner or ball
dress, is wrong and absurd. Serious all
ments can be constantly traced to this
pernicious habit.
The delicate lung tissue is almost d.
rectly exposed to changes of tempera-
ture, especially in the ball room. The
lady, probably overheated with her
exertions, passes either on to balcony
or into another room at a much lower
temperature, nor does she always take
care to throw some covering upon her
exposed skin.
Too much covering around the throat
in cold weather is inadvisable. 1t has
tendency to render it delicate, and liable
to attacks of sore throat, etc.
Outdoor exercise in cold weather Is
essential to health. To keep shut up in
vitiated air, is harmful.
When walking keep the mouth shut
and breathe through the nose. By so
doing the air is warmed in its passage
into the lungs and the risk of catarrh,
bronchitis and perhaps pneumonia Is
minimized.
Food is another commodity which is
necessary for good health. In cold
weather the diet requires to be more
generous than during the summer
months. In winter, especially, we re-
quire foods that act as body fuel, so as
to keep up the normal heat-such as
fats (butter, fats of meat, wheat and
oatmeaD, carbohydrates sugar, starch
es, etc.
Naturally, much depends upon indi-
vidual tastes and digestion. What will
agree with one will by no means suit
another. The most healthful food is
that which is best fitted to the needs of
the user. In general, animal foods have
the most fatty constituents; 80 also have
grains, -four and meal. Potatoes and
milk are low down in the scale in fuel
value. 1t does not necessarily follow
that the higher the price of such foods
as meat, butter and milk. therefore are
they the most nutritious; it has been
found that the cheaper kinds contain
more fuel forming constituents, and
therefore are more suitable.
Alcohol in cold weather is unsuitable,
especially as a means for what is popu-
larly known as excepting out the cold"
Its action is quite the contrary. BY fol-
lowing these few simple rules it will be
found possible to 60 through the coolest
weather and yet keep well.-Ex.