68 WET AND COLD FEET. 



is so beneficial in gently stimulating the latter by 

 friction on every movement of the body is alto- 

 gether prevented, and the action of the cutaneous 

 nerves and vessels, and consequently the heat gene- 

 rated, rendered lower in degree than would result 

 from the same dress worn more loosely. Every 

 part and every function are thus linked so closely 

 with the rest, that we can neither act wrong as re- 

 gards one organ without all suffering, nor act right 

 without all sharing in the benefit. 



We can now appreciate the manner in which wet 

 and cold feet are so prolific of internal disease, and 

 the cruelty of fitting up schools and similar places 

 without making adequate provision for the welfare 

 of their young occupants. The circumstances in 

 which wet and cold feet are most apt to cause dis- 

 ease are where the person remains inactive, and 

 where, consequently, there is nothing to counter- 

 balance the unequal flow of blood which then takes 

 place towards the internal parts : for it is well 

 known that a person in ordinary health may walk 

 about or work in the open air with wet feet for hours 

 together without injury, provided he put on dry 

 stockings and shoes immediately on coming home. 

 It is therefore not the mere state of wetness that 

 causes the evil, but the check to perspiration and the 

 unequal distribution of blood to which the accom- 

 panying coldness gives rise. Wet and damp are 

 more unwholesome when applied to the feet than 

 ' when they affect other parts, chiefly because they 

 receive a large supply of blood to carry on a high 

 degree of perspiration, and because their distance 

 from the heart or centre of circulation diminishes 

 the force with which this is carried on. and thus 

 leaves them more susceptible of injury from ex- 

 ternal causes. They are also more exposed in situa- 

 tion than other parts of the skin ; but cold or wet 

 applied anywhere, as to the side for instance, either 



