THE SKIN. 221 



531. It is manifest, then, that there can be no positive 

 and universal law for the quantity of clothing. This must 

 be as diverse as are men's habits, health, and exposures. 

 What is enough for one man may be too much for another ; 

 and what is only sufficient for comfort and for security from 

 disorder at one time, or in one assemblage of circumstances, 

 may be oppressive at another time, and in other circum- 

 stances. 



532. Dr. Wilson says, " I have endeavored to establish 

 as a law of health the necessity of preserving an agreeable 

 temperature of the body" " I should wish it to be under- 

 stood, also, that the feelings, if the nervous system be sound, 

 are a proper channel for arriving at a knowledge of the 

 state of the warmth of the system." * It may be said, then, 

 in general terms, that every one should-- wear sufficient 

 clothing to make himself comfortable, and to secure his body 

 from disturbance of health. More than sufficient clothing 

 prevents the free radiation of heat, and causes its accumula- 

 tion in the skin. The blood-vessels of the surface being 

 stimulated to over-exertion, the perspiration is increased from 

 the over-action of the blood-vessels, and carries off the sur- 

 plus heat by evaporation. If a person wears less than this, 

 the heat is carried off too rapidly by radiation, and he is 

 chilled ; the perspiration is checked, the cutaneous blood- 

 vessels are contracted, the balance of the circulation is dis- 

 turbed, and internal derangement follows. 



533. In good health, a sudden and momentary chill from 

 exposure to cold air, or a cold shower-bath, is not followed 

 by these unpleasant consequences. On the contrary, re- 

 action takes place in the cutaneous blood-vessels, and a glow 

 of heat follows ; and one is, perhaps, the warmer for this 

 sudden transition. But continued cold is injurious both to 

 the cutaneous circulation and to the internal health. 



534. There is a great difference in the power of bearing 

 cold, which comes from the habit of exposure. The driver 



* On the Skin, p. 108 



19* 



