The mean temperature of England is about 50 degrees of Fahrenheit—it sometimes rises 25 degrees above this, in the height of Summer,—falls about as much below, in the depth of Winter—and in Summer frequently varies from 20 to 30 degrees between Mid-day and Midnight.
The restoration, and the preservation of the Health, especially of those who have passed their Fortieth Year,—depends upon minute and unremitting attentions to Food,—Clothes,—Exercise, &c. which taken singly may appear trifling—but combined, are of infinite importance.
“If you are careful of it, Glass will last as long as Iron.” By a regular observance of a few salutary precepts, a delicate Constitution will last as long, and afford its Proprietor as many Amusements, as a Strong Body,—whose Mind takes but little care of it.
Invalids are advised to put on a Great Coat when they go out, and the temperature of the external air is not higher than 40. Some susceptible Constitutions require this additional clothing when the Thermometer falls below 50; especially at the commencement of the Cold weather.
A Great Coat must be kept in a Room where there is a Fire,—if it has been hung up in a cold damp Hall, as it often is, it will contribute about as much to your Calorification,—as if You wrapped a Wet Blanket about You.
Clothes should be warm enough to defend us from Cold[43],—and large[44] enough to let every movement be made with as much ease when they are on,—as when they are off.
Those whose employments are sedentary,—especially hard Students—who often neglect taking sufficient Exercise[45], suffer extremely from the pressure of tight Waistbands—Garters, &c. which are the cause of many of the mischiefs that arise from long sitting—during which they should be loosened.
Braces have been generally considered a great improvement in modern dress—because they render the pressure of the Waistband unnecessary, which when extremely close is certainly prejudicial—but we have always thought they have produced more inconvenience than they have removed—for if the inferior Viscera get thereby more freedom of action—the superior suffer for it—and, moreover, Ruptures are much more frequent—the Girdle which formerly prevented them being removed,—and, instead of that useful and partial horizontal pressure, in spite of the elastic springs which have been attached to the Braces, the whole body is grievously oppressed by the Vertical Bands.
The best material for Breeches, is the elastic worsted stocking stuff.
Tight Stays—and Braces—obstruct the circulation of the Blood, &c. are the cause of many Chronic Complaints, and often create Organic Diseases[46].