224 



CLOTHING AND ITS USES 



birds." Heat does not easily escape through dry air, 

 and clothing prevents its escape by holding air in little 

 pores of the cloth. Fur of animals, a natural covering, 

 is very warm, yet averages in the case of many animals 

 about 98 per cent air and only two per cent hair. The 

 outer clothes, both of boys and girls, should not be very 

 tight fitting, and not too heavy, especially if heavy under- 

 clothing is worn. Tight-fitting clothes interfere with the 

 circulation of the blood and are not hygienic. Clothing 

 should therefore be loose and the weight distributed as 

 nearly equal as possible on all parts of the body. Get the 

 habit of wearing an overcoat, and take it off when you go 

 into the house. Learn to wear different weights of clothes 

 according to the temperature, keeping lightweight and 

 more porous ones for the hot weather. If you get wet, 

 do not sit around in wet clothes. 



Care of the feet. It is very important to remember 

 to keep the feet dry. Wet feet are one of the most 



common causes of colds. 



For ordinary wear, 

 heavy-soled shoes may 

 keep the feet fairly 

 dry, but in case of rain, 

 it is better to wear rub- 

 bers, although most 

 people consider them 

 a nuisance. Our feet 

 surely should receive 

 our best care, for they bear our body weight the greater part 

 of the working day. They, are often harmed in youth by 

 shoes, especially in the case of girls, who pride themselves 

 on the shapely appearance of the feet and ankles. The 



A great help in preventing a cold. 



