CLOTHING.
The great advantages to be derived from a proper regard to the wearing apparel in pregnancy, leads me to make in this place some general remarks on the subject, which I shall follow with more special advice in regard to this particular period.
It is an old maxim, that those who accustom themselves to go habitually clad in thin garments are the most hardy, vigorous, and free from disease.
The question then arises, how far is it safe, in each individual case, to diminish the amount of clothing worn?
It is very evident that no great change should be made suddenly.
By practicing the various natural means of hardening the system and invigorating the general health, such as daily bathing, going often into the open air, and avoiding overheated and illy-ventilated rooms, and, in short, pursuing such a course of daily regimen as sound physiology dictates, almost all individuals may very soon bring themselves to need a much less amount of clothing than is usually worn.
At the far-famed hamlet Graefenberg, in Germany, many persons wear very thin clothing, even when the weather is frosty, and the snow deep upon the ground. According to the rules of fashion there, no cravat of any kind need be worn upon the neck. Even the breast may be left exposed, to receive the invigorating effect of the cool, fresh air. It is amusing even, to see there, as I have often done, old men who have become so hardy and vigorous that they could brace themselves up against the snow-storm with bare and uncovered breasts, with a thin coat, and perhaps no vest; and all this with apparent luxury and comfort. It is indeed surprising to witness what habit is sufficient, in a short time, to accomplish in these matters.