is that some of them shrink considerably when washed. Woollen materials should be shrunk by soaking in hot water before use. Combinations and garments intended to fit close to the figure should be bought a size larger than is actually required, and when washed, the following plan should be adopted. The clothes should be soaked for half an hour in warm, but not hot, soap and water, about 108° Fahr. (30° Reaumur) is a sufficient heat. This will dissolve the fatty matter they have absorbed from the skin, and they should then be washed by passing through the hands, but not rubbed, which will spoil the texture of the wool. Any very dirty places should be specially soaped and brushed with a soft brush. If after this treatment the garments are not quite clean, soak them again in water with less soap than before, and pass them again through the hands; finally, rinse them quickly through clean cold water. After this washing they should be stretched with the hands, and hung up at full length to dry. When nearly dry they should be ironed, and before this they must not be placed near the fire. Woollen materials should not be mangled, as mangling spoils their texture. When precautions such as these are taken the size and shape of garments can hardly be injured by washing; but as laundresses are generally very careless in these matters, woollen clothes should be washed at home, and they should be washed frequently.
Mr. Bernard Roth, F.R.C.S., has remarked on this point:— "No doubt many of the objections
