The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1830-08-18
DISTORTION OF THE SPINE

y FemdteS an producing and confirming De.
JoTmsy q the SPINE: By E. w. Duffin, Sur.
The foregoing is the title in full of thin
uuooecImo volume which has Just been re-pub-
ilshed from the London copy. The topic which
II treats OF Is one of exceeding Importance, and
the observations of the writer seem those of a
well-intormed and sensible mind Distortion
OF the spine, in greater or less degree, is q
much more common deformity than persons
generally suppose. The author before US, in
quoting remark of an ancient writer, that " OF
nity females OF the higher or more civilized
ranks OF society, scarcely two could be found
who had not the right shoulder HIGHER and
more projecting than the left, adds that with
a slight modification, the same observation
might be made of females Of the upper classes
at the present day. But small portion of
these instances are set down to original debility
OF frame and manifest disease; by far the lar
ger part are traced to defects or omissions in
the physical education of females-to sedentary
and other injurious habits acquired at fashiona-
bic seminaries, or to an equally unwise system
OF education under the paternal roo-to viii
ated taste with respect to female attire-and to
many absurd customs and restraints of society
resulting from false notions of refinement
One OF the great causes of physical debility
and subsequent deformity, set down by Mr.
Duffin, is the fact that, in the progress of So
clety, the quantity of information necessary 10
be acquired by young females has increased
and is increasing" while the time allowed for
the acquisition is actually diminished BY the op-
GRAFTON OF various circumstances. In the first
| place, the natural and proper desire of parents
TO see their daughters established in life, leads
to early marriages. By the Paris statistic reg
lsters, it appears that far the greater number of
females have become wives before the compile
ton OF their twenty fourth year. Girls are gen.
orally withdrawn from school and introduced in
to the world between the sixteenth and eigh-
teenth year. All the studies, all the accom-
plishments of modern society are to be achieV-
ed before that period and the consequence is,
system OF education TO which the body claims
no attention. except from the dancing master
and the corset and dress maker. The remedy
OF all this is stated in one line" abrdge the
study ard increase the recreation"
But among the most fruitful sources of de-
formity and weakness of which the work be-
lore us treats, the pernicious practice of tight
laclng occupies prominent consideration. On
this head we have said much and as we have
reason to think, not altogether without some
good effect. But the fashion still exists, though
abated of somewhat of its ridiculous excess
Perhaps, if it were to fall into total desuetude
some other would spring up in its place, not
less absurd and it may be more injurious. Peo-
pie have always had great propensity for i'm
proving nature. " Natures iourneymen''
are for ever trying their clumsy hands on the
productions of her plastic and peerless hand
and of the modes in which they have attempted
to better her work, there is none so reprehen-
sIble as the corset. When the savage paints
his body from head tc foot, he does not injure
himself, but only ofends the eyes of the more
civilized. When he fialtenS has nose till il lies
down like ree-toad on log, though there
may be some pain and Inconvenience in the
process, no permanent evil results from it.
Sometimes in addition to the beauty of fairness,
the savage admires sill; at either nostril still,
however, his general health and the duration
of life are not affected. There are some tribes
that think they can better nature with respect
to the shape of the head, which they manage
to mould into the more graceful form of SUI
gar-loaf Another nation, displeased with the
other extreme of the human person, imprison
their feet in wooden shoes of the size Of snuff
boxes; and both these latter plans of beautify-
ing the body are doubtless attended with abid-
ing bad results. But it was reserved for the
more civilized portions of the world to mend
nature in the very seat of vitality. Modern
notions of economy are shocked at the mon
strous and wasieful space taken up by the
lungs, the heart, the stomach, and sundry other
uncomfortable parts of the system, and fashion
has undertaken to pack them as a pedlar does
his wares in the smallest possible compass. 1t
is in vain that the anatomist says that it will
not do-does'nt the miliner know best! And
what if health is lost-beauty is gained by the I
sacrifice, and " who the choice can doubt ?"
Some of our readers may " doubt" between
reason and fashion when, as it is too often the
case, and particularly in respect to corsets.
they point opposite ways. To such we cOrdi-
ally recommend the little book we have named
They will find it written in an agreeable styls
and repete with precepts and observations cal
culated to oe highly useful to those who have
the direction of the education of young females.
N Y. EUening Post.