Lessons from the past: When to wear rubbers

26 Nov 2017

We notice that many persons wear India-rubbers in cold,dry weather, to keep their feet warm. This is an insidious and evil practice. India-rubber shoes are very comfortable and convenient for covering the feet during wet and sloppy weather, but they should never be worn on any other occasion: their sole use should be to keep out water. They should, however, therefore be put off whenever the wearer enters the house, and be worn as little as possible because they are air-tight and retain the perspiration of the feet. The air cannot be excluded from them, or any portion of the body for any length of time without sensibly affecting the health. It is our opinion that no habit tends more to good health than clean feet and clean dry stockings, so as to allow the free perspiration of the nether extremities.