ORANGE-RED UNDERWEAR. 



531 



actual but only relative to the fluid elements. The other theory is 

 that the increase is an actual one, the number of red cells being augmented 

 by the stimula of heat and light upon the blood regenerating organs. 

 Whatever weight of evidence may be attached to our examinations, the 

 results are strongly in favor of the first explanation. As will be shown 

 later, the heat is greater under the orange-red underwear and perspira- 

 tion more profuse, while the actinic rays of the sun, which are credited 

 with causing the increased stimulation according to the second theory, 

 are retarded by the color. 



Blood pressure. — The instrument used in these investigations was 

 the Eiva-Eocci, as modified by Doctor Cook of New York, this instrument 

 having a 4-inch arm piece. Only the systolic pressure could be measured 

 with this apparatus, but as comparative results alone were needed, this 

 was not a serious objection. 



The following table gives the average readings of the two groups at 

 quarterly intervals. About 2,000 observations were made upon 480 

 men wearing the special underwear and about 1.500 observations upon 

 420 men wearing the white. The readings are in millimeters cf a 

 mercurial column. 



Table IV. 



Group. 



Jan- 

 uary. 



April. 



Au- 

 gust. 



- Decem- 

 ber. 





mm. 



124.8 



123.3 



'mm. 

 121.1 

 120.6 



mm. 

 117.9 

 118.1 



mm. \ 



125.5 



122.9 



White _ _ - 





It will be seen that there was a noticeable falling off in blood pressure 

 in April, 3.7 millimeters for the special groups and 2.7 for the controls. 

 This is explainable by the great increase in atmospheric temperature from 

 January to April and the consequent loss of body fluids by perspiration. 

 In August there is a still greater drop in pressures, the loss from the first 

 of the year being 6.9 millimeters for the special group and 5.2 millimeters 

 for the white group. The heat of April, although modified by rains, has 

 moderated but little, while the long continued heat, together with 

 increased humidity has had its enervating effects. However, by De- 

 cember, the climatic conditions of January are closely approximated -and 

 it is seen that the average blood pressures have increased to very nearly 

 or quite their original point. At the end of the year the average of the 

 special group was 0.7 millimeter over that of January, while for the white 

 group there was a loss of 0.4 millimeter. A comparison of the two groups 

 shows that during the hot periods the loss for those wearing the orange- 



