10 
garters anyone with a tendency in the family to the formation 
of varicose (swollen and knotted) veins, had better avoid 
altogether the wearing of knickerbockers. In such cases cyclists 
had better wear the old-fashioned peg-top trousers. 
The bad effects of knickers are accentuated by the sitting 
posture with the legs bent at the knees. 
Socks are better than stockings for the above reasons. The 
socks ought not to be worn with pointed toes. The toe should 
be more square-shaped or slightly slanted off towards the outer 
side. 
Boots ought to be made to fit the foot. The measurement 
of the sole should be taken when standing up with the foot firmly 
implanted on the ground. This can be done by making 
a tracing of the outline of the foot on paper. Pointed-toed, 
high-heeled, and tight boots are the principal causes of corns, 
bunions, and disabling deformities of the foot. The sole ought 
to be as flexible as possible, the heel far back, and never more 
than 34in. high. Lace-up boots are better than elastic sides, 
especially for those who have a family history of varicose veins. 
Beds and Bedding.—Metal bedsteads are better than wood. 
Curtain ‘hangings round the bed are bad. _Bedsteads should be 
easily moved, and so ought to have good castors. The entire 
floor of a bedroom should be cleaned thoroughly at least once 
a week; this cleaning must include the space under the bed ; 
for this and other reasons the bed must not be made, as it often 
is, a cover for the Jumber of the household. 
Spring mattresses of twisted uncovered wires, are by far the 
best kind for health. On this spring base a good thin horse- 
hair mattress should be placed, and, if preferred, there is no 
great objection to placing over this a feather bed. Patients 
liable to asthma cannot always stand feather beds and pillows. 
Feathers give out a little fine dust, not enough to do harm to 
healthy tissues, but enough to cause asthma is some susceptible 
persons, and to do harm sometimes to people who, in con- 
sequence of obstruction of the nose, sleep with their mouths. 
open. Air pillows or good horsehair stuffed pillows are the best 
substitute for feathers in these cases. 
The covering bedclothes should not be heavier than is 
absolutely necessary for proper warmth. Bedclothes must be 
properly aired. When we get up in the morning the bedclothes 
should be taken off, one by one, and spread out, so that fresh 
air can circulatate through them, and they should be left spread 
out in this way in fine weather, with the window wide open, 
for at least two hours. The idea that airing the beds consists 
in sleeping in them is absurd. Sleeping in the bed merely 
uses up the good air in the bed, and passes into its place damp 
foul gases from the skins of those sleeping in them. Colds and 
