270 UNCONSCIOUS NERVOUS OPERATIONS 



be worn in moderate weather ; nor should fur garments 

 be retained indoors as when sitting in an assembly 

 room. The practice of muffling the throat in wraps of 

 fur should be avoided, as liable to render the larynx 

 unnecessarily sensitive to cold, and to cause the evil it 

 is intended to prevent. 



400. Waterproof wraps, which prevent the escape of per- 

 spiration, should be worn only as a protection from rain or 

 snow. 



401. Light-colored clothing reflects the rays of heat and 

 absorbs but little warmth, while dark colors absorb heat 

 and reflect little. Hence the common custom of wearing 

 light-colored garments in summer and dark ones in winter 

 is founded in reason. 



402. Frequent changes of clothing, especially of that 

 which touches the skin, are needful. The pores of a 

 fabric soon become filled with the poisonous waste mat- 

 ters secreted by the skin. The clothing worn by day 

 should never be worn during the night also. If it is to 

 be resumed in the morning, it should be exposed to free 

 circulation of air during the night. Night clothes and 

 all bedding should be carefully sunned and aired each 

 day. 



403. It is important that all clothing and bedding 

 should be thoroughly dry. Damp clothes do not retain 

 the natural heat of the body, but rapidly conduct it away, 

 leaving the surface chilled and the system exposed to 

 attacks of disease. Especially should shoes and stockings 

 which have become wet be removed as soon as possible. 

 Many a serious or fatal illness -has resulted from neglect 

 of this precaution. Damp bedding is especially dangerous 

 to health, as the relaxed condition of the body during 

 sleep renders it an easy prey to every cause of disease. 



