Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1906-12-12

vermiform appendix Is a useless evolu-
tionary remnant In the body. But the
question Is whether we ought 20 await
the slow course OF evolution or to use
our common sense and abandon the
ancient garment at once.
Why DO we wear white shlrts7 Ages
ago IL was only the wealthy who could
afford % clothe Themselves IN linen.
The possession OF linen underwear was
then a mark OF social position. and
there was an obvious advantage in
making public display OF H.
We may put down three fourths Of
the discomfort OF the hot summer to
the account Of the starched shirt. II
prevents the very process devised by
nature 20 keep the body cool-the evap-
Grafton OF sweat. In 50 far as IL hin
ders this natural process in summer.
the white shirt favors disease. But In
winter II IS n fruitful cause OF Illness.
In winter the mere wearing OF n
white shirt would no doubt leave a
man no better and no worse II he We're
content 10 wear It for his own satisfac-
ton. But the curious law OF evolution
comes in and cOmpels him to wear Il
injury.
Wherever evolution Is at work ii
leaves vestiges-literally. footprints.
Probably it Is millions Of years since
the vermifOrm appendix became a use
less organ. but it still survives. All
evolutionary survivals appear 10 be
harmful The appendix is the seat Of
appendicitis In the inner corner Of
the eye there is the remnant Of a once
useful third lid, which now only lodges
dust and causes irritation.
The lord chancellor's wig was once q
comfort in ancient drafty legislative
chambers ana now merely serves to
make sensible man look ridiculous
and give him headaches.
People who drew up laws were long
ago paid according to the number OF
words. but the multiplicity Of words
now only causes confusion. So the
white shirt that was once a badge OF
wealth and culture. being no longer Of
value for that purpose. is only a cause
Of discomfort and disease
It. Is necessary 10 cut q piece out Of
the vest ana the coat. just over the
most important organs OF the body. in
order 10 prove 20 our neighbOrs that
We wear white shirts Consequently
in the winter time we expose the lungs
and the air passages to the cold wind
ana the cold rain.
From the point Of view OF health
nothing could be more stupid. Bron-
chitis IS one or the most deadly of all
diseases I'm this country. Bronchitis is
simply Inflammation Of the bronchial
tubes. This Inflammation is excited
by a chill chilling of that part Of
the body left exposed in order to show
that we wear white shirts.
The white shirt. in fact. might ap-
pear in the ,ables of the registrar gen
eral as the cause Of SO many deaths.
perhaps 100000 4 year
And does It really improve u mans
appearance: BY virtue Of the associa-
ton OF ideas IL certainly does. Usual
ly men who do not Wear white shirts
are not given 10 cleanliness. The man
who wears q white shirt washes his
face and hands and brushes his clothes:
hence when we see white front and
+ white cuffs we experience that pleas
ant sensation produced by general
--Nt.N@+NH' VI AAAt llNlHlA anu tlOIulHE.
But that 4 few square inches Of white
clothing over the chest makes man
look better is an absurd conclusion.
The case FOR the white shirt has not
a leg to stand upon. The garment is
uncomfortable. unhealthy and unbe-
coming. And as il has lost the only
useful function it ever poSsessed-that
Is. It's symbolism of exceptional wealth
we ought 10 discard II altogether
The difficulties OF this course are very
great no doubt. What we want IS an
"anuwhite shirt society" which would
agree TO wear. from some prearranged
date. dress designed wholly with re-
gard FOR comfort, health and beauty
7. +. Manning in London Gossip.