- mended as substitutes, but there is nothing equal to the
old-fashioned Welsh flannel.
312. If a boy have delicate lungs, do you approve of his wearing a prepared hare-skin over the chest?
I do not. The chest may be kept too warm as well as too cold. The hare-skin heats the chest too much, and thereby promotes a violent perspiration; which, by his going into the cold air, may become suddenly checked, and may thus produce mischief. If the chest be delicate, there is nothing like flannel to ward off colds.
313. After an attack of Rheumatic Fever, what extra clothing do you advise?
In the case of a boy, or a girl, just recovering from a severe attack of rheumatic fever, flannel next the skin ought always to be worn—flannel drawers as well as a flannel vest.
314. Have you any remarks to make on boys' waistcoats?
Fashion in this, as in most other instances, is at direct variance with common sense. It would seem that fashion was intended to make work for the doctor, and to swell the bills of mortality! It might be asked, what part of the chest, in particular, ought to be kept warm? The upper part needs it most. It is in the upper part of the lungs that tubercles (consumption) usually first make their appearance; and is it not preposterous to have such parts, in particular, kept cool? Double-breasted waistcoats cannot be too strongly recommended for delicate youths and for all men who have weak chests. 315. Have you any directions to give respecting the shoes and the stockings?
The shoes for winter should be moderately thick and water-proof. If boys and girls be delicate, they ought to have double soles to their shoes, with a piece of bladder between each sole, or the inner sole may be made of cork; either of the above plans will make the soles of boots and
