The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1913-07-16

ton OF what might De called luis
heat-equalizing function OF the hui
man organism. This function OPP
crates through the well-known prin-
ciple of evaporation. With the nor
NAL person perspiration is much
more profuse in warm weather than
in winter. Its increase provides for
a greater amount of evaporation
from the surface of the body. The
drier the air, the more rapid is the
evaporation and the more cooling
it's effects, and conversely, the more
moist the air-the greater its de-
gree of humidity-the slower is the
evaporation and the greater the de-
gree of discomfort.
This is illustrated by the appli-
cation Of ether or ethyl-chloride, to
the skin or flesh in preparing fol-
small surgical operations. The
evaporation Of these chemicals is so
rapid as eventually to freeze the
part to which they are applied and
thus to produce insensibility to pain
during the operation.
The explanation of this result is
difficult to put In understandable
language to any but trained
scientist, but in a general way it
may be said that with the evapora-
ton of moisture what is known as
latent heat is released into the air,
thus reducing the actual tempera-
ture of the body Or surface on which
this evaporation has taken place.
In order to keep most comfortable
On a warm day It is necessary that
evaporation shall be normal and az
unrmpeded as possible by the cloth.
ting, and this brings up the matter
of materials best adapted to warm
climates. On this subject DR.. Alvah
H. Doty of New York, says: "The
materials commonly employed in
the manufacture Of clothing consist
Of linen, cotton, wool, silk and fur.
Both cotton and linen are good con-
ductors of heat, that is. the warmth
of the body passes quickly through
these fabrics to the outer world.
Therefore, in cold weather they do
not offer the protection extended by
wool and silk, which are poor con-
ductors of heat. Neither cotton or
linen is as Microscopic as wool and
silk, that is, they do not absorb
water and give it off as slowly, but
quickly lose it by evaporation. A
very familiar example of this is
when cotton or linen underclothing
becomes wet from perspiration in
the summer, evaporation takes place
so rapidly that the body becomes
quite cold, whereas If wool Is used,
the chilling takes place more slowly.
Silk, has to a lesser extent, the
properties of wool just referred to,
and it may be used as substitute II
its added expense is not prohibitive.
Air is also a poor conductor of hea:
and cold, and for this reason, loose
" woven faDrics which contain air
in their meshes are warmer than
those which are closely woven. Two
or three layers of clothing are
warmer than one of equal thickness,
because the air which is bad con-
ductor is between the various lay
ers."
From this the deduction may be
made that cotton and linen are best
adapted to summer wear in south
ern climates, and that as few layers
OF such material as are necessary,
should be worn to secure the largest
degree OF comfort through evapora-
ton of the surface moisture of the
body.
1t Is a well-known fact that sun
stroke is practically unheard of in
Florida. The State Board of Health
has record of but one such case in
the periol of its existence, twenty
five years. Yet a temperature Of
S5 to 80 degrees continued through
several days in northern city,
usually brings large number of
fatalities from this cause. The doc
tors are not yet quite ready TO an
nounce an explanation of the fact.
1t may be said that Florida people
being accustomed to high tempera-
"a L.