Wrapping Up For Cold.

Otago Witness, Issue 2513, 14 May 1902, Page 64

Wrapping Up For Cold.

When the bitter winds come out of the north and east, it is more important, to put on -warmer underclothing than to add another outer -wrap. Also, it is often the lower part of the body rather than, tile upper that stands in need of further protection. Different people take cold in different parts of the body, some invariably in the head, others in the throat, others in the chest, but it ia not because that part in particular has been exposed, to the cold, and it does not follow that the person subject to sore throats should have the neck constantly mufHed, nor the one troubled with nasal catarrh should have the head always enveloped in shawls. The "cold" is probably preceded by a shiveriness of the whole body, and perhaps -a sensation of chilliness in the bowefe. It is unwise, of course, to. expose unnecessarily a pai-b which is kno\vn to be Veak, or peculiarly susceptible to cold ; but the main thing, to be aimed at ia to have the whole body thoroughly protected from the most penetrating coldrr* there is not then any danger to chest', throat, or Lead of a person in ordinary health. " Let us consider the importance of digestion, lor example, in cold weather. It is then that we require more food and, if possible, more perfect digestion to supply our blood with rich materials . to keep the inner fire burning. Now, the } lower half of the body is almost entirely, ! filled with the various digestive organs, * and these cannot do their work properly if dulled even in a slight degree ; tne speedy result is blood chilled, poor, and j sluggish, and some disturbance and perhaps inflammation in a distant part of the body — say the throat — that may have been quite sufficiently wrapped up. We all know this trouble ; for at the first symptom of a chill — wherever it may be — we prescribe a hot drink, that the whole internal passages may first be warm and comfortable, through them the blood, and, finally, the part where we feel most discomfort. For those who are liable to "take cold"' it is therefore of the utmost importance that they keep the lower part of the body warm. If there is any tendency to chill in the ordinary clothing, it is advisable to wear a cholera belt. According to the figure it may have to be shaped ; but for a slight figure a straight-knitted belt answers quite well. Knit it round like a stocking, with a band top and bottom two or three inches wide on finer needles than the centre part. These remarks apply to children, especially girls, even more than to grown-ups. Children keep themselves warm, when they run about ; but when they come to sit. in school for hours, perhaps with a draught? along the floor, then they suffer from cold. More important than a muffler is a warm and close covering for the legs ; and make sure that the cold will never be allowed to reach the young, tender bodies.