MH page 293

Another evil which custom fosters is the unequal distribution of the clothing, so that while some parts of the body have more than is required, others are insufficiently clad. The feet and limbs, being remote from the vital organs, should be especially guarded from cold by abundant clothing. It is impossible to have health when the extremities are habitually cold; for if there is too little blood in them there will be too much in other portions of the body. Perfect health requires a perfect circulation; but this cannot be had while three or four times as much clothing is worn upon the body, where the vital organs are situated, as upon the feet and limbs.

Unequal distribution of clothing prevents perfect circulation, leaving extremities cold and internal organs congested. Makes empirical statements regarding thermal insulation, blood distribution, and circulatory health.

A multitude of women are nervous and careworn because they deprive themselves of the pure air that would make pure blood, and of the freedom of motion that would send the blood bounding through the veins, giving life, health, and energy. Many women have become confirmed invalids when they might have enjoyed health, and many have died of consumption and other diseases when they might have lived their allotted term of life had they dressed in accordance with health principles and exercised freely in the open air.

Proper dress allowing freedom of motion and adequate fresh air are essential to maintaining vitality, preventing chronic illness, and preserving life. The paragraph combines general statements about lifestyle factors with specific empirical claims regarding clothing restriction, ventilation, and disease outcomes.

In order to secure the most healthful clothing, the needs of every part of the body must be carefully studied. The character of the climate, the surroundings, the condition of health, the age, and the occupation must all be considered. Every article of dress should fit easily, obstructing neither the circulation of the blood nor a free, full, natural respiration. Everything worn should be so loose that when the arms are raised the clothing will be correspondingly lifted.

Clothing should be adapted to environmental and individual factors while avoiding any obstruction to blood circulation and respiration. This paragraph provides specific design criteria for health-promoting clothing, addressing circulation and respiration.

Women who are in failing health can do much for themselves by sensible dressing and exercise. When suitably dressed for outdoor enjoyment, let them exercise in the open air, carefully at first, but increasing the amount of exercise as they can endure it. By taking this course, many might regain health and live to take their share in the world's work.

Graduated outdoor exercise combined with sensible clothing can restore health to those experiencing physical decline. Asserts a therapeutic effect of sensible dress and graded exercise on failing health.