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CHAP. XII.]
Veils—Gloves—Waterproofs.
201

veil should not be tied tightly, or it will break and spoil the eyelashes; but I do not agree with those medical men who would abolish its use altogether, for in windy and dusty weather, or when travelling, I find a thin veil is a great protection to the eyes.

Gloves, like other articles of dress, ought to be pervious to perspiration and transpiration, and they ought not-to fit too tightly, or the circulation will be impeded, and the hands will feel cold and swell. Suède gloves, although by no means perfect from a sanitary point of view, are better than kid; silk are better than Suède, and woollen gloves are better than either for use, if not for ornament, and there is no reason why growing girls should not wear them, although I can understand that their grown-up sisters would not wish to emulate them in this respect, on the grounds that woollen gloves are "so dowdy." I have seen buckskin driving and tricycling gloves ventilated by means of eyelet-holes, and this is a very good plan.

When in Chapter II. I spoke of the functions of the skin, I endeavoured to show how very important it is that they should be in no way impeded, and that no reabsorption of excretive matters should take place. For this reason mackintoshed or waterproof articles should not form articles of ordinary dress. I referred briefly to this subject when speaking of infants' clothing (p. 69), and I should add also that the waterproof dress-preservers which most dressmakers insert beneath the arms are injurious. They certainly prevent the