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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 8, Issue 7 (November 1, 1933)

Clothing In Relation To Health

Clothing In Relation To Health.

At the present time there is a prevalence of infectious diseases—measles, mumps, influenza and skin troubles (rashes, pimples, boils, etc.). One of the many factors conducive to ill-health is the misuse of clothing. Although the modern woman has discarded the thick dresses and heavy underwear of a bygone day, there is still an absurd number of people who swaddle themselves and their children in layers of thick and often shrunken underwear, and who are surprised that they are forever catching colds and other maladies.

It is essential to allow free access of air to the body so that the skin may function satisfactorily. The skin is an excretory organ, and the chief organ for regulating the temperature of the whole body. When the atmosphere is warm, or when extra heat is produced by muscular exertion, sweat is poured out from the glands and evaporates on the skin, thus abstracting heat and cooling the body.

It will be seen that it is necessary to wear porous, loosely woven undergarments to allow for evaporation of moisture, and free ventilation to the skin.

Another factor in the maintenance of good health and resistance to germ invasion is the frequent changing of underclothing. It is especially necessary in the case of children. The garments become impregnated with sweat and germs, and wearing them day after day, and perhaps during the night as well, infects the skin, causing the rashes and spots, and even boils, which frequently cause so much discomfort to children and also to the older folk. Vests that are worn during the day should on no account be worn at night. One garment at night is all that is necessary. Loosely woven and porous garments are very easily washed and dried, and the little extra trouble is offset by improved health and vitality.