DANGER TO HEALTH

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 June 1938, Page 4

DANGER TO HEALTH

CHANGE IN SEASONS. COLD WEATHER PRECAUTIONS. It is proverbial that the change from summer to winter and vice versa carries in itself definite dangers to health. This is partly a superstition ranking with those attached to the tides and the changes of the moon, but there is also the underlying truth that sudden drops in the temperature really lower the resistance to infections, and that there is more danger from colds at this time of the year. There is no truth in the idea that the is “thicker” in winter or in cold climates, and that the danger lies in the effect of the temperature on the thin blood. In fact, there is no demonstrated difference in the blood in different seasons or in different climates.

At the same time, it is necessary, or at all events wise, to take certain precautions when the cold weather begins. Clothing must be increased, but there is a tendency to overdo the change in clothing. There is no need for the abrupt and complete change that many men and women make, sometimes quite arbitrarily on a certain date. It is usually wise to wear heavier undergarments, but these should not be as heavy as many, especially men, adopt. The garment worn next to the skin should be either very light wool or made of cellular woven cotton. Either of these entrap air, warm it, and use it as an insulating material against the outside cold. This is effective as long as there is no opportunity for wind to blow through the outer garment. This wind will blow away the layer of air that gives the warmth and render the clothing an ineffective protection against cold. In windy weather the outer garment should be of windproof weave. The best of these is Egyptian cotton gabardine, kid, leather, or fur. Rubber overcoats have the wind-protecting quality, but do not allow the vapour of perspiration to escape, and cause unpleasant dampness. Where the climate of winter is mild as in our capital cities a light woollen singlet or a “cholera belt” is all that is necessary, combined with a tightly-woven coat or cloak for outdoor wear. This belt is simply a light woollen abdominal binder, which should be tight-fitting to retain its glace. This is a useful garment for all the year wear, and protects against the sudden cold changes of the summer months, and allows the wearing of lighter garments in safety. Safety and comfort lie in the fact that for indoors and in still air loosely-woven wool or cotton will keep one warm, but for outdoors and especially in a strong wind a thin, close-ly-woven, or other windproof material will give more protection than a large number of woollen cardigans or jumpers.

Where central heating is in use, and this is becoming more widespread each year, the clothes worn in the house should be of light summer character, and suitable windproof garments worn out of doors. This is the invariable rule in European and American cities.