438
Selected Messages Book 2
They prevent the clothing from falling close about the body. Mothers
then dress the upper part of their limbs with muslin pantalettes, which
reach about to the knee, while the lower part of their limbs are covered
with only one thickness of flannel or cotton, while their feet are dressed
with thin-soled gaiter boots. Their garments being kept from the body
by hoops, it is impossible for them to receive sufficient warmth from
their clothing, and their limbs are continually bathed in cold air. The
extremities are chilled, and the heart has thrown upon it double labor,
to force the blood into these chilled extremities, and when the blood
has performed its circuit through the body, and returned to the heart, it
is not the same vigorous warm current which left it. It has been chilled
in its passage through the limbs. The heart, weakened by too great
labor, and poor circulation of poor blood, is then compelled to still
greater exertion, to throw the blood to the extremities which are never
as healthfully warm as other parts of the body. The heart fails in its
efforts, and the limbs become habitually cold; and the blood, which is
chilled away from the extremities, is thrown back upon the lungs and
brain, and inflammation and congestion of the lungs or the brain is the
result.
God holds mothers accountable for the diseases their children are
compelled to suffer. Mothers bow at the shrine of fashion, and sacrifice
the health and lives of their children. Many mothers are ignorant of
the result of their course in thus clothing their children. But should
they not inform themselves, where so much is at stake? Is ignorance
a sufficient excuse for you who possess reasoning powers? You can
inform yourselves if you will, and dress your children healthfully.
Parents may give up the expectation of their children’s having
health while they dress them in cloaks and furs, and load down those
portions of the body with clothing where there is no call for such
an amount, and then leave the extremities, that should have especial
protection, almost naked. The portions of the body, close by the life
springs, need less covering than the limbs which are remote from the
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vital organs. If the limbs and feet could have the extra coverings usu-
ally put upon the shoulders, lungs, and heart, and healthy circulation
be induced to the extremities, the vital organs would act their part
healthfully, with only their share of clothing.
I appeal to you mothers, do you not feel alarmed, and heart-sick,
in seeing your children pale and dwarfed, suffering with catarrh, in-