CHAPTER XXV CLOTHING!
- The Hygienic Object of Clothing. — Even in the say- age state some races clothe themselves thoroughly. The Eskimos, for example, go warmly clad in furs, and the wild Indians who once inhabited the northern United States wore, at least in winter, the skins of animals. In in the tropics, on the other hand, as in northern Africa or the islands of the South Seas, very little clothing is worn, and that more for the sake of decency or ornament than for warmth. In these facts we find the hygienic reason ~
for the use of clothing, namely, to aid the body in maintain- ing its constant temperature. In cold weather, clothing is a kind of portable house, a close and intimate shelter, an indispensable aid to the skin in preventing undue loss of heat; on the other hand, summer clothing should interfere no more than is unavoidably necessary with the dissipation of heat from the skin. If, in winter, warm days come, or if the body becomes heated by muscular activity, or if (as too often happens) houses or public places are overheated, then winter clothing may not only become a burden but may be actually unhygienic. Conversely, if in a change- able climate cold days or nights come in summer, or sea winds blow damp as well as cold, then ordinary summer clothing may prove to be insufficient. Here, as always, the individual must be the watchful guardian of his own wel- fare.
<Callout type="tip" title="Tip: Adapt Clothing to Weather">Clothing should adapt to weather conditions and activities.</Callout>
- Clothing affects the temperature regulation of the body chiefly through its influence upon three processes by which heat is taken from the skin. These processes are (1) con- vection by wind or other currents of air, (2) conduction, and (3) the evaporation of perspiration. We shall deal with each of these in some detail.
<Callout type="warning" title="Warning: Wet Clothing Risks">Wet clothing can lead to chilling and internal congestions.</Callout>
Clothing and the Convection of Heat.— Any fabric whose texture permits the air warmed by contact with the skin to be replaced readily by colder air from without will obviously favor the cooling of the skin by convection; and conversely, any garment which lessens or altogether pre- vents these currents of air through it is to that extent a warm garment. The leather hunting jacket lined with wool or fur is especially warm, and a newspaper under one’s coat or jacket similarly affords a large measure of protection against cold. On the other hand, a rubber coat may be very uncomfortable on a warm day, although the effect in this case is due to its interference with the evaporation of the perspiration as well as to the prevention of the passage of air through the garment.
Clothing and the Conduction of Heat.—Even when there is no passage of air through the clothing, heat may, of course, be transferred from the skin to the outer air by conduction, and some fabrics conduct heat more readily than others. Other things being equal, the rate at which clothing conducts heat depends on the amount of air within its meshes. Thus wool is warmer than cotton, not because of any difference in conductivity of the two kinds of fibers, but because when wool fibers are made into yarn their stiffness and elasticity keep them apart, so that garments woven from this yarn always contain spaces filled with air, which is a poor conductor of heat. Moreover, the same properties of the fibers prevent their being pressed and felted together in laundering, as ordinarily happens with cotton and linen fabrics.
A moment’s thought will show that the warmth of a dry garment will depend on the size of its meshes. These may be so fine and close as to enclose an insufficient quantity of the non-conducting air, or they may be so large as to permit too free circulation. In the latter case heat is carried away from the skin by convection. It is also clear that the warmth of a garment is not determined by its weight or thickness alone.
- Clothing and the Perspiration.—So long as the meshes of a fabric contain air, heat is conducted but slowly from the skin. When, however, this air is partially or entirely replaced by water, the fabric conducts heat from the skin much more rapidly; and if the surrounding atmosphere is distinctly colder than the body, the skin becomes chilled and internal organs congested; hence the danger of wet clothing.
More important still is the relation of clothing to the evaporation of perspiration. We have learned that perspiration is useful to the body only as it evaporates. Consequently the clothing should be such as will permit the perspiration to evaporate almost as fast as it is secreted. The skin will thus be cooled at the time that the needs of the body require such cooling, and the clothing will not remain wet after the secretion of perspiration has ceased and the need for cooling the skin no longer exists. Or, if it is not possible to secure this rapid drying, the fabric should contain, even while moist, a considerable quantity of air within its meshes, thereby checking the loss of heat from the skin.
- The Clothing worn next the Skin and the Outer Cloth- ing. — Consideration of the above relations of clothing to convection, conduction, and the evaporation of perspi- rion shows at once that the clothing worn next the skin must fulfill requirements not demanded of the outer cloth- ing. The sole hygienic purpose of the latter is warmth and the fabric should be chosen accordingly. In warm weather, in well-heated rooms, and during muscular activity, warm outer clothing is undesirable; on the other hand, when the body is exposed to cold and is not at the same time engaged in muscular exertion, the outer clothing should be chosen for warmth; and for this purpose woolen fabrics are superior to all others.
The clothing worn next the skin must, in addition, care for the perspiration. For those forced by age or other physi- cal disability to lead sedentary lives, woolen underwear is very useful in cold weather. Since in the case of such persons the blood is not brought to the skin by muscular activity, it is necessary that the skin be kept warm and internal congestions prevented. For such persons woolen fabrics are probably superior to all others. Moreover, during exposure to extreme cold, when little or no perspiration is secreted even during vigorous muscular work, woolen underwear is superior for every one because of its greater warmth.
For healthy people, however, in the full vigor of life, taking daily muscular exercise but not exposed to extremes of cold, woolen underwear presents many serious drawbacks. In the first place its very warmth is objectionable during muscular activity, because it makes more difficult the discharge of the surplus heat. In the second place, wool absorbs the perspiration very slowly and so prevents its evaporation from the outer surface of the garment; the perspiration does not cool the body as it should, but remains between the skin and the garment,—an unhealthy condition for the skin. In the third place, when the garment has once become ‘wet through,’ i.e. the air within its meshes has been largely displaced by water, it dries more slowly than a linen or a cotton garment.
It is better, in other words, for healthy people to depend on the outer clothing, including overcoats, etc., for warmth, when protection against cold is needed, rather than upon even moderately heavy underwear. In this way it is possible readily to relieve the body of its heavier clothing when it becomes necessary to get rid of surplus heat, i.e. in warm rooms and during muscular activity in only moderate cold weather, and yet to protect oneself against cold when such protection is necessary.
Of late years the attempt has been made with considerable success to weave linen, and even cotton, so as to contain fairly large meshes between the threads. The perspiration is rapidly brought to the surface of the garment through the threads by capillary attraction and so evaporates quickly; for this reason, the garment dries readily, and even while wet usually retains a considerable quantity of air within its meshes.
The thickness of underwear, as well as of the garments worn immediately over it, should be determined by the amount of exposure to cold when at rest. When our houses or offices are properly heated (65°—70° F.) in winter, heavy clothing is as much to be condemned as the too common overheating of our rooms, and for the same reason. When, on the other hand, our work is out of doors in cold weather but involves only a small amount of muscular activity, warmer clothing should be worn; in this case the use of heavy woolen underwear is advisable.
It is unnecessary to go further into details. The stu- dent can solve special problems for himself, always remem- bering that proper clothes are such as will prevent undue loss of heat and consequent chilling of the skin (with accom- panying internal congestions) when the body is at rest.
- The Outer Clothing. — Of this little need be said. By varying the thickness of the outer clothing we adapt it to the conditions of life. It must also be chosen with refer- ence to its permeability to air. In hot summer weather it should be as thin and porous as possible; in winter it should protect from wind. When still further protection is needed, it may be obtained by the use of overcoats, gloves, muffs, lap robes, or other wraps.
Some people do not use sufficiently warm clothing in cold weather, but most adults make the opposite mistake. The custom of using very thick clothing in cold weather appears to have been inherited from the time when houses were poorly heated, when transportation from place to place was in cold cars or carriages, and when, in general, the human race was more exposed to cold than it is to-day. Where these conditions prevail, as they still do in many country districts, heavy clothing should no doubt be worn in winter. The same may be said of driving in open vehicles, such as sleighs, ete. But in cities, where houses are more likely to be overheated than underheated, where steam and electric cars are far from being chilly, where, in short, we need not generally be exposed to cold except when walking or taking other muscular exercise, the main dependence for protection against cold should be upon the outer wrappings rather than upon the underwear, the coat and trousers, or the dress. We do not change to heavy clothing in summer when the thermometer falls to 65° or 70° F., and there is no reason why we should use such clothing at these temperatures in winter. The precautions which many take against sudden changes of weather are often excessive.
Clothing not the only Protection against Cold. — It must be remembered that we have another means of pro- tection against cold besides clothing, and that is muscular activity. Even if, as often happens, a balmy morning passes into a chilly afternoon, most people, especially those living in cities, should be able to keep warm by a brisk walk when going home; a little exposure to cold will not harm, but will rather harden, a healthy man or woman. If we are tired out and ought not to walk, we can usually ride in a heated car. To wear heavier clothing than the probable necessities of the case demand, merely because there is a chance that suitable weather for such clothing may overtake us, is in general unwise. Oppressed with its weight and warmth, the usual result is a disinclination to any vigorous muscular activity while out of doors, and this in the long run is more dangerous than a comparatively brief chilling of the skin.
Clothing should not be Heavy. — The reference in the last paragraph to the burden of heavy clothing deserves fur- ther consideration. The terms “warm,” “thick,” and “heavy,” as applied to clothing, are often used as if they were synonymous, although a thick garment is not necessarily a heavy garment, and a thinner but more loosely woven coat may be warmer than one which is thicker but more closely woven. In the selection of clothing it is always advisable, not only as a matter of personal comfort but also as a matter of practical hygiene, to avoid heavy fabrics. While this holds especially for invalids and elderly people, to whom the burden is more oppressive, it also holds for the young and strong. The clothing should be such as will interfere in the least degree with the freedom of bodily movements. Not only should every one avoid such fashions as tight lacing and high-heeled boots, — so senseless as to be beneath the contempt of those who respect the human body and care for its physical well-being, — but care should be taken to have the clothing everywhere loose enough to be comfortable and, above all, light enough so that its weight is not a burden. For this reason a very close weave is objectionable except in windy weather, since it gives great weight of fabric with but small air contents.
<Callout type="important" title="Important: Loose Clothing for Comfort">Clothing should be loose and comfortable to allow free movement.</Callout>
Key Takeaways
- Clothing should adapt to weather conditions and activities.
- Woolen underwear is suitable for cold climates but can be burdensome during exercise.
- Lightweight, breathable fabrics are preferable in warm weather.
Practical Tips
- Choose clothing that allows for free movement to prevent overheating or chilling.
- Layer your clothing to adapt to changing temperatures and activities.
- Use natural fibers like linen and cotton for better breathability.
Warnings & Risks
- Wearing heavy clothing in warm weather can lead to excessive sweating and discomfort.
- Avoid tight-fitting clothing that restricts movement and airflow.
- Be cautious of synthetic fabrics that may trap moisture against the skin.
Modern Application
While the specific techniques for selecting appropriate clothing have evolved, the principles of adapting to environmental conditions remain crucial. Modern materials offer improved breathability and moisture-wicking properties, but the core idea of choosing clothes based on activity level and weather remains essential for maintaining body temperature in survival situations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How does clothing affect body temperature regulation?
Clothing affects body temperature by regulating heat through convection, conduction, and evaporation. Proper clothing can prevent excessive loss or gain of heat, keeping the body at a constant temperature.
Q: Why is woolen underwear not recommended for healthy individuals in warm weather?
Woolen underwear absorbs perspiration slowly and does not allow it to evaporate effectively, leading to an uncomfortable and potentially unhealthy condition between the skin and the garment. In warm weather, lightweight breathable fabrics are more suitable.
Q: What is the importance of adapting clothing to different activities?
Clothing should be chosen based on the activity level to prevent overheating or chilling. For example, heavy clothing may be necessary for sedentary indoor work but not during physical exertion where it can become a burden.