Outlines of chemico-hygiene and medicine, or the application of chemical results to the preservation of health, and cure of disease / by A. Dallas.

  • Dallas, A. (Angus)
Date:
1860
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Outlines of chemico-hygiene and medicine, or the application of chemical results to the preservation of health, and cure of disease / by A. Dallas. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    as from the opposite extreme. In order to balance the temperature properly—for this is the sole and only object why clothes become necessary, nothing should be worn which is not of a loose and open texture, capable of transmitting the effluvia from the body and the external air to it. At the same time, the amount of covering should be such, as not to occasion sensible perspiration. The chief point to be aimed at is to keep the surface of the body warm, but, at the same time dry and free from moisture. When clothing, either from the nature of the fabric, or from the quantity worn, produces and keeps up a sensible perspiration, the consequences cannot help being injurious. In one way, by debilitating the system. And, in another, by exposing it, in this state, to cold chills. What is here stated is applicable, however, only to cold seasons. In the hot weather of summer, free perspiration is desirable, and is then a necessary excre- tion. But, it is not then produced, by clothing. It is the result of natural warmth, peculiar to that season of the year. These remarks apply also to the coverings which should be used, when in bed. These coverings should, likewise, permit air to pass freely to and from the body. The head should not be covered, during sleep. It should be kept cool; particularly of one whose brain is active. The great quantity of blood which goes to the brain, indicates that the head should be kept uncovered, so as to preserve the equilibrium between it and the other extremities. On the other hand, because less blocd goes to the feet, there being no separate organ to supply in these lower extremities, they ought to be well covered. And all this is required, to preserve an equilibrium of temperature, in the several parts of the body. Above all things, a feather bed should be avoided. Its warmth, I would repeat, debilitates, by the constant perspiration attending its use. By its means, a foul vapour encom- pases the body while in bed. A hair mattress, however thin, laid on another of straw, is, without exception, the best form of bed that can be used.