The Corset as a Cause of Gallstones.

White Ribbon, Volume 12, Issue 135, 15 August 1906, Page 11

The Corset as a Cause of Gallstones.

Two causes are now clearly recognized as being especially productive of gallstones ; namely, the corset and the sedentary life. The recognition of these causes explains the fact observed by

Dr. Schroder that gallstones occur nearly five times as frequently in women as in men. The corset produces gallstones by compression of the biliary passages in such a way as to interfere with the proper outflow of bile. fight belts and bands may produce precisely the same effect. The sedentary life tends to produce gallstones because of the weakness of the abdominal muscles which results from the sitting pisture, and the lessened strength and activity of the diaphragm that naturally follows inactivity. In a healthy, well-developed person, the descent of the diaphragm with each inspiration compresses the liver, gall-bladder, and bile passages in such a way as to empty them of blood and bile, the blood being forced onward toward tlie heart into the hepatic vein, while the bile is forced into tin* intestine. The effect of this action of the diaphragm is very greatly increased by exercise, whereby this great breathing muscle is made to contract with unusual vigour. It is tlius apparent that in a person who neglects to take daily active muscular exercise, there is necessarily a decided tendency to stagnation of the bile. This retention results in the formation of the calculi. — Exchange.