THE FOLLY ANO WICKEDNESS OF TIGHTLACING. -IV.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume X, Issue 16, 22 April 1893, Page 382

THE FOLLY ANO WICKEDNESS OF TIGHTLACING. -IV.

what the doctors say. Dr. Hugh Fenton, M.D., M.A., 27, George-street, Hanover Square, W., writes:—‘As Mis Ramsbotham would say, you have indeed entered upon a “ herculean task ” in crusading against tight-lacing amongst the fair. Beyond all question, could you but succeed you would do mighty service. Unfortunately the lady has yet to be seen who thinks that she herself tight-laces. Every lady, however, can tell you of the most appalling instances of others who do. Even should the flimsiest shadow of suspicion fall upon the mind of any lady that she herself might perchance just “ pull in ” a little on very rare occasions, just for such and such dresses, she thinks, well, doctors are such a lot of old faddists, and that somehow or other she will probably escape from that fearful catalogue of woes that from time to time they parade before her. A good strong, well-made supple girl stands a lot of pulling in before the inevitable comes. It the red nose, the greeny-yellow complexion, and peevish temper come at once, I should have more hope, but unfortunately the tight-lacer signs a bill that matures slowly. In the meantime there is the usual reckless improvident expenditure of health. The day of reckoning comes, though, just as sure as publishing day, and then bow do they reckon ? Fresh bills are drawn, and on heavy terms, maturing much faster than the first. Champagne, sal volatile, chloral, are appealed to in vain to put off the evil day, of course bringing it all the sooner.’

Dr. G. D. Mackintosh writes: —‘ I am pleased to see that you are taking up the subject of tight lacing in your paper, and hope that much benefit will result. The natural shape of a woman’s chest is conical, above it is narrow, but it gradually widens out until below it attains a considerable width ; such is the shape of the natural chest, but modern woman, not content with the form of beauty which God has given her, endeavours to improve His work by the aid of corsets, which, when tightly laced, render the shape of the chest like an egg—viz., narrow below, where it ought to be wide ; they frequently cluse a measure of lateral curvature of the spine and raise the right shoulder higher than the left, but they work their deadliest upon the internal organs. When I was acting as demonstrator of anatomy in Edinburgh some years ago, I had considerable opportunity to observe the effect produced upon these organs by the use of stay pressure, which has mainly two evil consequences — (1) it dislodges the liver and stomach ftom their natural position ; (2) it restricts the breathing power. The liver suffers most, and I have seen its surface deeply indented by the ribs driven in upon it by the unnatural pressure of the stays. Sometimes, indeed, the liver is driven downwards so as to leave in great part the shelter of the ribs. The stomach also is compressed and ■prevented from expanding sufficiently during a meal ; how, then, can digestion be properly executed when these two important organs are so cruelly abused ? Again, with regard to restriction of the breathing power : the act of respiration is due to the alternate increase and diminution of the capacity of the chest cavity. This is effected by (1) movements of the chest walls, (2) by the rise and fall of the diaphragm (the floor of the chest). But the wails of the ehest, when encased in tight stays, can hardly move, and so the diaphragm has to do all the work. Now, this is the very form of breathing for which women are most unsuited, as compared with men, and which, under certain conditions, becomes impossible.’

Dr. Heywood Smith, M.A., M.D„ M.R.C.P., 18, Harleystreet, Cavendish-square, W., writes:—‘You earn the thanks of all right-thinking persons in your fearless crusade against the iniquity of tight-lacing. In my speciality I see much of its ill effects in pressure on important internal organs, in serious hindrance to the proper action of heart and lungs; and I have seen, after death, a woman’s liver furrowed with deep indentations from the impress of the ribs. In such suicidal conduct women illustrate to perfection the French adage, “Il faut souffrir d’etre belle.” I fear, however, that women will not listen to any argument on the score of health, but perhaps they may regard this : Most women dress to please men, and if they only knew how most (sensible) men hate the look of a wasp-like waist, as indicating feebleness of mind in the wearer, as well as unhealthiness of body, and the dislike of such as have the right, on putting a hand round such a waist, to find it like a stiff box instead of a soft, yielding form, they might, perchance, come to think that God has given them a beauty which they are ever doing their best to mar.— The Gentlewoman.