xii THE SKIN AND THE KIDNEYS 159 



specific directions can be given for all to follow. Just 

 as in eating and in many other matters, each person 

 may choose for himself within certain general limits 

 that apply to all. 



119. Clothing. The chief purposes of clothing are : 

 (i) to help the skin regulate the body temperature by 

 keeping in the animal heat in cold weather and by 

 permitting it to escape in warm weather; (2) to protect 

 the body against heat, dust, and other uncomfortable and 

 harmful influences of our environment ; (3) to satisfy 

 the feeling among civilized nations that the body as a 

 whole should be covered ; and (4) to adorn and beautify 

 the body by wearing clean and well-fitting garments. 

 The last purpose is often allowed to become so impor- 

 tant as to interfere seriously with the physiologic and 

 hygienic purposes mentioned first. 



All clothing should fit all parts of the body loosely. 

 Tight clothing should be avoided, for it checks the cir- 

 culation of the blood, interferes with the natural functions 

 of the organs and with physical comfort in general. All 

 parts of the body should have the utmost freedom. The 

 arms and legs should not be restricted in their move- 

 ment ; the chest should be free to enlarge in all direc- 

 tions ; and the stomach, liver, kidneys, and intestines 

 should not be pushed out of position. There is, perhaps, 

 no part of the body more abused from poorly fitting 

 clothing than the feet. How often shoes are purchased 

 to " fit the head " and not the feet ! Swellings, corns, 

 bunions, ingrowing nails, and other deformities and 

 diseases of the feet are in every case the result of shoes 



