Have a moderately fine flannel, and persevere in its use; the skin in a few days will bear it comfortably. The Angola and wove-silk waistcoats have been recommended as substitutes, but there is nothing equal to the old-fashioned Welsh flannel. 312. _If a boy have delicate lungs, do you approve of his wearing a prepared hare-skin over the chest?_ I do not. The chest may be kept too warm as well as too cold. The hare-skin heats the chest too much, and thereby promotes a violent perspiration; which, by his going into the cold air, may become suddenly checked, and may thus produce mischief. If the chest be delicate, there is nothing like flannel to ward off colds. 313. _After an attack of Rheumatic Fever, what extra clothing do you advise?_ In the case of a boy, or a girl, just recovering from a severe attack of rheumatic fever, flannel next the skin ought always to be worn—flannel drawers as well as a flannel vest. 314. _Have you any remarks to make on boys’ waistcoats?_ Fashion in this, as in most other instances, is at direct variance with common sense. It would seem that fashion was intended to make work for the doctor, and to swell the bills of mortality! It might be asked, what part of the chest, in particular, ought to be kept warm? The upper part needs it most. It is in the _upper_ part of the lungs that tubercles (consumption) usually first make their appearance; and is it not preposterous to have such parts, in particular, kept cool? Double-breasted waistcoats cannot be too strongly recommended for _delicate_ youths and for all men who have _weak_ chests. 315. _Have you any directions to give respecting the shoes and the stockings?_ The shoes for winter should be moderately thick and water-proof. If boys and girls be delicate, they ought to have double soles to their shoes, with a piece of bladder between each sole, or the inner sole may be made of cork; either of the above plans will make the soles of boots and shoes completely water-proof. In wet or dirty weather, india-rubber overshoes are useful, as they keep the _upper_ as well as the _under_ leathers perfectly dry. The socks or stockings, for winter, ought to be either lamb’s-wool or worsted; it is absurd to wear _cotton_ socks or stockings all the year round. I should advise a boy to wear socks, not stockings; as he will then be able to dispense with garters. Garters, as I have remarked in a previous Conversation, are injurious—they not only interfere with the circulation of the blood, but also, by pressure, injure the bones, and thus the shape of the legs. Boys and girls cannot be too particular in keeping their feet warm and dry, as cold wet feet are one of the most frequent exciting causes of bronchitis, of sore throats, and of consumption. 316. _When should a girl begin to wear stays?_ She ought never to wear them. 317. _Do not stays strengthen the body?_