88 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



the contrary, they prove the value ; for as consumption is most rare 

 in extreme northern climates, and at great elevations, so in these locali- 

 ties are variations of climate less marked. It remains yet for statis- 

 tics to show whether in the most favored patches of earth, where, 

 with the absence of climatic variations, there is a genial but temperate 

 warmth, the disease is less prominent and less fatal. 



Rule IV. The Dress of the Consumptive Patient should be 

 adapted to equalize the Temperature of the Body, and so loose that it 

 inUr feres in no way with the Animal Functions. — Instinctive sensa- 

 tions both in health and disease naturally dictate the above rule. But 

 it is too commonly the fact that these sometimes are disobeyed. Some 

 persons think it a hardy, and therefore a beneficial, plan to dress 

 lightly in all weathers. Foolish mothers send out their children in 

 mid-winter with bare legs and chests ; young ladies go to balls and 

 evening parties with the upper part of their light dresses open over 

 the throat and bosom. Others go on a different tack ; they must at 

 all seasons be smothered up. in flannels and outer dresses, layer upon 

 layer, carrying with the severest fatigue as much weight of cloth as 

 they possibly can. Such persons on both sides evidently misunder- 

 stand the uses of clothes, or think them only ornamental appendages. 

 Clothes are useful, in a sanitary point of view, simply as equalizers of 

 temperature. Heat is transmitted slowly through flannel, so flannel 

 is warm. For this reason, flannel which should be worn in winter is 

 unnecessary in summer, unless it is of light and porous structure. 



I speak here of the body in health. In the consumptive patient, 

 the principle is modified. He, from the deficient play of his lungs, is 

 virtually always living in winter ; and we may find him on the hottest 

 days breathing with anxiety, and with his hands and feet and brow 

 cold. 



For the consumptive, therefore, flannel clothing is always required, 

 and it should cover the whole of the body. The thickness of flannel 

 must vary according to the sensations ; as far as is possible, the feel- 

 ing of absolute cold ought to be at all times prevented. The con- 

 sumptive should sleep also in flannel ; not in the dress worn during the 

 day, but in a flannel gown. The shoes worn should be lined with 

 flannel. 



A common practice in the selection of clothes is to imagine that 

 the weight of a garment conveys an idea of its warmth-sustaining 

 power. This is an absurd error, and for consumptive persons this 

 mistake about heavy clothing must be carefully avoided. They may 

 safely trust to flannel of so porous a texture that it can be breathed 

 through without offering any appreciable obstacle to the breath, and 

 they may then walk out as warm as they can be made by clothing, 

 without the risk of being wearied from the burden beyond their powers 

 of endurance. 



All absurdities in the way of hare-skins, warm plasters, and the 



