It might be possible to make footwear in such a manner as to overcome this feeling as to wearing them—of the nature of sandals, or part sandals and part shoes—such as slippers or “pumps.” At any rate it is advisable never to wear other footgear than half-shoes, and the author of this work wears such even in winter time without inconvenience and without feeling cold. The best half-shoes for summer wear would be those made of canvas with leather soles. It goes without saying that one has to get accustomed to this habit of wearing low shoes, by beginning in warm weather and continuing uninterruptedly to the winter, and even throughout that season, unless very severe weather prevails, when gaiters should be worn above them. If porous woolen socks of the best quality are worn in conjunction with the half-shoes cold is not felt, especially if we do not remain still but walk about briskly, which will practically convince us of the necessity of walking and running for exercise. Rubbers are unquestionably unhealthy things to wear, and to many will cause a disagreeable sensation owing to the hindrance to foot perspiration. It is advisable to take off our shoes, as the Mohammedan does, as often as possible during the day; for instance, while working or reading, and at any time when we are in private, and only put them on again when visitors are present. Everybody appreciates what an agreeable sensation it is to take off one’s shoes and have a good airing of the feet, especially after a long walk, in which latter case a foot-bath is also a capital thing which will certainly increase our comfort, especially if we have been wearing sandals or half-shoes and we have been wandering about the country exposed to dust. We have referred more fully to the use of the foot-bath in another chapter. In the same way as with our footwear, we should reform our ways by removing the yoke which cruel fashion obliges us to wear round our necks—the high, stiff collar. How long shall we continue to put up with these continuous impediments to our health? Top hats! tight collars! tight boots with a pointed toe! and a fur coat over our dark clothes! How can the sun and air penetrate such idiotic harness, and how can the poisonous exhalations of the body find their way into the fresh air when they are retarded by very heavy and warm woolen underwear? We must again repeat that we catch cold much more easily when we are clad too warmly than too lightly. The more freely we perspire in our clothes the more easily we catch cold. We found this from personal experience. We were at one time always catching cold, in consequence of too sedulously wrapping ourself in woolen garments and heavy clothing. But since we have taken to wearing linen or cotton underwear and light clothes, with half-shoes, carrying our hat in the hand, and the overcoat rather on the arm than on the body, we now rarely ever catch cold.