| DRESS FOR HEALTH |
There is no physical agent which exerts a more constant or more powerful influence upon health and life, than
the atmosphere. When the body is warm there is a free and equal circulation throughout all the structures.
When the surface is subjected to cold, the numerous capillaries and minute vessels carrying the blood, contract
and diminish in size, increasing the amount of fluid in the internal organs, thus causing congestion.
The blood must go somewhere and if driven from the surface, it retreats to the cavities within. Hence this can
cause pain from the pressure and fullness of the disturbed blood vessels. Cold upon the surface of the skin
shuts up the pore which are among the most active and important excretory ducts of the system. It is evident that
we require suitable clothing, not only for comfort, but to maintain the temperature and functions essential to
health and life.
The chief object to be attained by dress is the maintenance of a uniform temperature of the body. To
accomplish this, it is necessary that the exhalation of the body which are escaping through the pores of the skin
be absorbed or conducted away from the person. These excretions occur in the form of perspiration and the
clothing, to be healthy, should be so porous to allow them freely to escape.
A material should be chosen which is known to be a poor conductor of heat. That is, instead of being dispersed
into the atmosphere, will be retained where it is needed. The better the material is for these purposed, the less
will be needed to be worn. It so happens that all of these qualities are found combined in flannel. The value of
flannel cannot be over-rated because it affords protection from cold during the winter and beneficial during the
heat of summer because it consumes the perspiration and being very porous, allows it to escape.
The skin always feels soft, smooth and pliable when flannel is worn. However, where the skin is very sensitive,
flannel sometimes causes irritation. In such cases, a thin layer of linen, cotton or silk should be worn next to the
skin with flannel over it. Where there is a uniform and degree of heat, cotton and linen are very conducive to
comfort, but they are unsuitable in a climate or season to sudden fluctuations in temperature.
The quantity of clothing worn is another important items. The rule of thumb is to wear the least amount of
clothing to keep the body well protected. It is better to wear one thickness of flannel next to the skin and then
cotton or wool for the outside garment to allow the blood to circulate than to increase the amount of clothing and
be heavily clad.
One should not forget to properly dress the extremities. In the winter the feet should be covered with woolen
stockings. The next matter of importance is to get a thick, broad-soled shoe so that it will not prevent the free
circulation of the blood. Be sure to keep the feet comfortable and warm at all times. Next,keep the legs warm.
The results of the lower extremities are colds, coughs and congestion. Wearing suitable clothing on the legs and
flannels could prevent the above.
The amount of clothing should be regulated according to the heat-generating power of the individual and
according to the susceptibility to cold. Young people can tolerate low temperature of the body better than older
people.
The most harmful errors in clothing are those which affect the chest and body. Tight, underwire bras for
example interfere with the free and healthy movements of the body and effects a pressure which is injurious to
the lymph, respiration and circulation.
Irregular and excessive pressure on the front by imperfectly fitting shoes or boots produce deformities of the
feet and cause much suffering. The high heels which are so common on women's shoes inflict ore than a local
injury. Every time the body comes down upon the raised heel with its full weight a slight shock or vibration is
communicated throughout the entire extent of the spinal column is thereby injured.
It is also very important that clothing be kept clean. That which is worn for a long time becomes saturated with
the excretions and exhalations of the body which prevents free transpiration form the pores of the skin. Unclean
clothing may be the means of conveying disease.
