THE SKltf 247 



heat and cold. Coarse cloth in the meshes of which are 

 mmerous air spaces is, therefore, warmer than closely woven 

 loth of equal weight. For the same reason, two or more 

 dcknesses of cloth are warmer than one of equal weight, 

 le air space between the two holding the heat. 

 If we were to live out of doors in the winter, much heavier 

 clothing would be needed than in warm weather; but most of 

 us spend the greater part of our time in rooms whose tempera- 

 ture is very little colder than that of summer and although we 

 do go out into the cold, a comparatively small amount of 

 our time is thus spent. For most people, therefore, it is plainly 

 a mistake to dress the body warmly all the time because of 

 the occasional minutes spent outside. The wiser method is 

 to wear the same amount of clothing that one would wear at 

 those seasons when the outside temperature is about the 

 same as that maintained in one's living rooms in the winter, 

 and then to add upon going out of doors such clothing as is 

 necessary for comfort. If one lives out of doors much of 

 the time in winter the case is different. The amount of cloth- 

 ing needed for very cold weather varies much with different 

 people, depending largely upon whether one has invigorated 

 his skin or has allowed it to become sluggish. One should 

 remember that the primary reason he wears heavy clothing 

 in winter is for comfort and not to prevent taking cold. 

 Indeed, an increase in exercise is a far more efficient means 

 of meeting an ordinary winter's cold than is the practice of 

 bundling the body heavily with wraps. Most people make 

 the mistake of wearing too much clothing in winter, thus 

 reducing their powers of resistance. 



The clothing worn next the skin should be of a character to 

 absorb the water of perspiration readily. Cotton cloth is an 

 excellent absorbent and gives the water off again readily. 

 Woollen, which does not absorb water so readily and is apt to 

 hold it without allowing sufficient evaporation, should not be 

 worn next the skin at times when perspiration is abundant, 



