The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1916-08-25
I. J. J. j. !. j. j. j. i !. !. :
SUMMER COMFORT.

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How to be comfortable, though
warm.
It's a problem not confined to the
people of Florida, for to the citizens
of the Peninsular State, the heat OF
summer is not so serious a matter as
it is in that tier of states just north
of the almost forgotten Mason and
Dixon Line. In those less favored
communities it sometimes becomes a
matter of life or death. In Florida
it is merely a question of inconveni-
ence. During the present season al
most two hundred deaths were occa-
stoned by high temperatures in one
shot spell" in Chicago, more than
have occurred from the same cause in
Florida, in twenty or fifty, years,
probably more than during the entire
history Of the state.
And so in this far southern part of
the United States, the heat of the
summer months is not a thing to be
worried about, for it is not danger
Gus to human life or health, and the
matter Of being comfortable is the
weightiest problem to be considered in
connection with the weather.
The normal temperature of the hui
man body is 9S6 degrees, summer and
winter, and the work of the heat
equalizing functions of the body is to
maintain this degree as closely as
possible. The natural variations
from it are slight and depend main
ly upon individual pccuIiarities, upon
the hour of day or night, the effects
of eating and drinking and a few 9TH
err more or less indefinite causes, but
any marked variations from it are
likely to be followed by serious re-
suits.
Personal comfort depends much up
on the rapidity of evaporation of nat.
ural moisture from the surface of the
skin. Such evaporation is slow if the
surrounding air is charged with hui
midity. If the atmosphere is dry, per-
spiration is absorbed more quickly
from the skin with corresponding
increase of comfort. The draft from
a rapidly moving electric fan is re-
viving because it quickly removes the
surface moisture, replacing it with
drier air, even though it does not re-
duce the temperature of the atmos-
phere.
The matter of personal comfort,
therefore, depends largely upon the
kind and weight of clothing and
whether the fabric has the tendency
to promote the proper and normal
evaporation of surface moisture, or
to retard it. 1t is essential that the
clothing shall be of such material as
to permit as nearly as possible such
normal evaporation, and this brings
up the question of clothing fabrics
best adapted to warm climates.
Cotton and linen. are best because
the heat and moisture of the body
more easily pass through them to the
outer air. In colder weather, be-
cause of this same degree of conduc-
tivity, they are poor protection for
they admit the colder air from the
out side. These fabrics lose absorbed
moisture quickly by evaporation; that
is, they dry quickly. Wool and silk
absorb moisture less quickly and they
give it off, or dry, more slowly.
The conclusion follows that cotton
and linen are best adapted to summer
wear in southern climates, and that as
few layers of these materials as are
necessary, should be worn, to secure
the greatest degree of comfort
through evaporation of the surface
moisture of the skin.
Summer diet-the kind and quanti-
ty of food and drink-has much, very
much, to do with bodily comfort.
Some foods are heat producers, that
is what they are for. You don't
need as much meat in summer as you
do Cor think you do) in winter. Eat
fruits and vegetables in preference
and don't make experiments with
your diet in summer. If you want TO
take chances, try it in colder weather
when the body is better able to with
stand shocks and surprises.
Remember that water cooled with
out actual contact with ice is the best
summer Cor winter) drink yet discov-
cred. Drink all of it that you want,
especially between meals. Battle Of
ten. Keep the body clean and the
mind clear. Keep your hardest wor-
rying for the cooler months, see that
your conscience is in good working
order and you will find the Florida
summer a most delightful season and
decidedly comfortable, greatly to be
preferred to that of sections much
further north.-State Board of Health
Bulletin.