FASHION AND HEALTH.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 255, 1 December 1914, Page 4

FASHION AND HEALTH.

Lady Warwick, who, the cables tell us, has now taken up "gardening" as a profession, is probably the most versatile women of to-day. She has also been busy writing on "The Call of Fashion and Claims of Health.''

j "I have a great resj>ect for Dame Fashion," she says; "but, speaking as i woman to woman, I cannot help rejgi'etting that her parents were not put through' a course of medical training before she was. born. Fashion, as wc all know, is often abused for what are really the faults of tliose who gave her birth. Therefore, i perhaps, half a dozen simple lectures in anatomy and physiology might save many old-time errors. What form of absurdity have sve been spared, hi the past? Do we not all look back almost with a shudder to the days of the wasp-like waist and, the misplaced internal organs; to the heels so high that '.natural movement was almost impossible? "The rage for hair dye and the unblushing change of colour at the season's dictation; the fashion of keeping a dead complexion and giving it the semblance of life in death for all social | occasions;.the abuse of powder and cosmetics —these crazes are diminishing to a remarkable extent, chiefly because they have not fulfilled their purpose—they, have failed to disguise the simple truth that health is the first condition of beauty." .. Do wc not all remember the descrip-

tion in "Martin Chuzzlewit" of Mrs Gamp's false hair? It was wrong to call it false, because in truth it deceived

•nobody. To-day, alas! there are many Sarah Gainps existent. Happily, the hair dye and tightlacing are both passing out. The latter has probably accounted for more indigestion among women than anything else. And more than one eminent doctor, has declared that the epidemic of appendicitis amongst fashionable women can be traced to the abuse of the corset. With the change of modes, therefore, I frankly think .our sex is growing sensible, and we may in time hope for such perfect health that the signs of fading years even may be combatted. For Dame Fashion has now a new world to cater for. The girl who has been brought up to play tennis, hockey, golf, and even crieket, who rides and [boats, has tasted the pleasure of i( free [action," and the joy of unrestricted [movement. She has learnt that a ! little massage and fresh air day and | night help her greatly to keep her I youth and health. And she will not sacrifice middle age and the years beyond it to a few foolish excesses.