Volume 1

Health lectures for the people.

Date:
1883-1892
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Health lectures for the people. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    458/896 (page 206)
    powerfully in producing colds and their effects, since they inter- fere with the healthy circulation of the blood in the skin, and reduce its resisting power. The frequent neglect of flannel, or hs partial and inadequate employment, have a like effect. Rely upon it, that the more sound sense, enlightened by a knowledge of the laws of health, prevail in regulating the manner of woman's attire, although there may be some figures less gainly, and some hands and feet a trifle larger than their owners would like, the: grand result would be lives saved, suffering averted, a large increase in the presence among us of typical female humanity, and greater aptitude and power for fulfilling the noble part in the world of her sex. The dress of children, particularly girls, is falso open to many objections, and is only defensible on the condition that ample warm underclothing is worn. Every other means calculated to promote the invigoration of the system will to that extent enable us to avoid a cold. Eegular outdoor exercise, regular meals, regular hours, early rising, and sea-bath- ing in summer, are all helpful to this. Means for strengthening those parts most liable to suffer from a cold, such as the respira- tory organs, should not be neglected, particularly among the young: moderate gymnastic exercise, skipping ropes, chest expanders, dumb-bells, etc., but especially the practice of singing, which assuredly tends to the nutrition of the lungs, and the development of the chest. It is pleasing to think that the teach- ing of singing is now so general in our schools, as its bearing upon the promotion of the health is most important; but it should be practised at home as well as kin school, and by grown people as well as by children, provided, of course, they are in good health. I cannot help thinking that if there were more singing there would be less coughing. A word to those who are susceptible to colds. To avoid them more than the ordinary precautions already dwelt upon require to be taken. Keeping the extremities, especially the feet, warm is of great consequence, and for this purpose, besides warm stockings and stout boots or shoes, an inner sole of felt, flanne], or cork is useful. They should, when in the open air, endeavour to keep moving, and they should breathe, as they were intended