absorbed by various Substances. '235 



appears hot to the touch, in consequence of its parting 

 freely with its heat, while another body, which is actually 

 at the same temperature, but which withholds its heat 

 with greater obstinacy, affects the sense of feeling much 

 less violently. 



It is well known that woollen clothes, such as flannels, 

 &c., worn next the skin, greatly promote insensible per- 

 spiration. May not this arise principally from the strong 

 attraction which subsists between wool and the watery va- 

 pour which is continually issuing from the human body? 



That it does not depend entirely upon the warmth of 

 that covering is evident ; for the same degree of warmth, 

 produced by wearing more cloathmg of a different kind, 

 does not produce the same effect. 



The perspiration of the human body being absorbed 

 by a covering of flannel, it is immediately distributed 

 through the whole thickness of that substance, and by 

 that means exposed by a very large surface to be carried 

 off by the atmosphere ; and the loss of this watery va- 

 pour, which the flannel sustains on the one side, by 

 evaporation, being immediately restored from the other, 

 in consequence of the strong attraction between the flan- 

 nel and this vapour, the pores of the skin are disen- 

 cumbered, and they are continually surrounded by a 

 dry, warm, and salubrious atmosphere. 



I am astonished that the custom of wearing flannel 

 next the skin should not have prevailed more universally. 

 I am confident it would prevent a multitude of diseases ; 

 and I know of no greater luxury than the comfortable 

 sensation which arises from wearing it, especially after 

 one is a little accustomed to it. 



It is a mistaken notion that it is too warm a cloathing 

 for summer. I have worn it in the hottest climates, and 



