Dress
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place, cannot perform their work properly. It is impossible, under
such circumstances, to take a full inspiration. Thus the pernicious
habit of breathing only with the upper part of the lungs is formed, and
feebleness and disease are often the result.
The dangers resulting from compression of the waist are not real-
ized by the majority of women, though many able pens have treated
upon the subject. Many claim that tight-lacing is now nearly or quite
abandoned, and such may think these remarks are uncalled-for; but
it is true today that the clothing of most women is worn too tight for
the proper action of the vital organs. Every article of dress upon the
person should be worn so loose that in raising the arms the clothing
will be correspondingly lifted.
Another error in the dress of women of the present day is that of
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wearing their skirts so that the weight is sustained by the hips alone.
This heavy weight, pressing upon the bowels, drags them downward,
and causes weakness of the stomach and a feeling of lassitude, which
leads the sufferer to incline forward. This tends further to cramp the
lungs, and prevent their proper action. The blood becomes impure, the
pores of the skin fail in their office, sallowness and disease result, and
beauty and health are gone. Ladies may resort to cosmetics to restore
the tint of the complexion, but they cannot thus bring back the glow
of health. That which renders the skin dark and dingy, also clouds the
spirits, and destroys cheerfulness and peace of mind. Every woman
who values health should avoid hanging any weight upon the hips. The
shoulders should sustain the weight of every article of clothing worn
upon the person. This will go far to prevent the weaknesses which
prevail among women to such an alarming extent.
The limbs, which should have even more covering than any other
portion of the body, because farthest from the center of circulation, are
often not suitably protected; while over the vital organs, where there is
naturally more warmth than in other portions of the body, there is an
undue proportion of covering. The heavy draperies often worn upon
the back, induce heat and congestion in the sensitive organs which lie
beneath. This fashionable attire is one of the greatest causes of disease
among women. Perfect health depends upon perfect circulation. If
the limbs are properly clothed, fewer skirts are needed. These should
not be so heavy as to impede the motion of the limbs, nor so long
as to gather the dampness and filth of the ground, and their weight