Outlines of the elementary principles of anthropological education / by Emil. Arnold Praeger.

  • Praeger, Emil. Arnold.
Date:
1850
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Outlines of the elementary principles of anthropological education / by Emil. Arnold Praeger. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    cient abundance^ and to check the effect of the atmosphere which is ready to receive it from us. Again, dress ought to be sufficiently light to allow the superabundant caloric to escape, and the necessary action of the atmosphere on our body to take place. I do not intend to enlarge on this sub- ject with reference to society at large, much has already been said upon it by others, without producing much good. The only remark which I will make is, the dress worn by males and females is not calculated to meet the above-named ends, and more particularly deprives them of the free use of their limbs. Compare the dress of the man or woman with the form given to them by their Creator! or imagine a section of the dress, from head to foot, as usually worn; its contrast with the real figure, would appear most ridiculous, and a satire upon human taste and understanding. Cleanliness.—The action of the skin by absorption and excretion have a great tendency to the preservation of health, its pores should therefore be kept open, and the whole surface of it ought frequently to be cleaned by washing with soap and water. The temperature of the water should depend upon the state of the constitution. Immersing the whole body in tepid or cold water is of the greatest benefit; the ancients were well aware of this, and had public baths of great extent, which the people were obliged to frequent. Bathing, how- ever, should be superintended by an experienced person for benefit to result; the effect likely to be produced upon the nervous system, the blood, &c., of any individual must be known; and that which may prove most beneficial to one, may act injuriously on another. Washing over the whole body every one requires. Though most persons wash their face and hands, and if a little more, the neck, few come to the chest, whilst all parts have a proper claim to the same atten- tion, particularly those covered up almost constantly. The whole body ought to be washed at least once every day, and best in the morning, when the necessary exercise can be taken immediately after it; and the feet particularly ought to receive a little more attention; it is quite a rarity to see