The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1838-12-05
EFFECTS OF TIGHT LACING.
From Mrs. Sigourney's Letters.

From Mrs. Si2ourneyS Letters
Mothers ought TO be ever awake 10 the evil
of compression in the region Of the heart an
lungs. slight ligature there in the Garlic
stages of life, is fiaughi with danger. TO dis
turb or impede those laborers, who turn tn
wheels of life, both night and day, how absur,
and ungrateful. Samson was bound in fetters
and ground in the prison house, for while,
but at length he crushed the pillar Of the tenn
Dle, and the lords Of the Philistines perished
with him. Nature, though she may be long
III resenting wrong, never forgcts il. A
ganst those who violate her laws. she often ri
ses as giant in his might, and when they least
expect it, inncts fearful punishment.
Fashion seems long enough to have attack
ed health in its strong holds. She cannot even
prove that she has rendered the form more
graceful, as some equivalent for her ravages.
In ancient Greece, to whom our painters and
scuptors still look for the purest models, was
not the form left untutored the volume of the
lungs allowed free play? the heart permitted
without manacles to do the great work which
the Creator assigned it
The in urics inflicted by compression Of the
vital parts are too numerous 10 be here recoun-
ted. Impaired digestion, obstructed circu!a-
ton, pulmonary disease, and nervous wretched-
ness, are in their train. A physician dstn-
guished by practical knowledge of the Protean
forms of insanity, asserted that he gained many
patients from that cause. Another medical
gentleman of eminence led by philanthropy, to
investigate the subject of zig lacing, has as
sured the public that multitudes annually die
by the severe discipline of busk and corset
His theory is sustained by collateral proof, and
illustrated by dissections.
1t is not sufficient, that we mothers protect
our younger daughters, while more immediate
ly under our authority, from such hateful prac-
tees. We should follow them until princi-
pie is formed, by which they can protect them
selves against the tyranny of fashion. 1t is
true, that no young lady acknowledges herself
to be laced too tight. Habits that shun the
light, and shelter themselves in subtcrfuge are
ever the most difficult to eradicate. A part of
the energy which is essential to their reforma-
ton must be expended in hunting them from
their hiding places. Though the sufferer from
tight lacin2,will not own herself TO be uncom-
Portable, the laborious respiration, the suflused
countenance, the constrained movement, and
perhaps the curved spine, bring different testi-
mony.
But in these days of dihused knowledge, of
heightened education, is it possible that any fe-
male can put in jeopardy, the enjoyment of
health, even the duration of existence, for a
circumstance of dress Will she throw an H.
lusion over those who strive 10 save her, and
like the Spartan culprit, conceal the destroyer
that feeds upon her vitals! We know that
il is so. Who that has tested the omnipotencc
offashon will doubt it This is by no means,
the only sacrifice of health she imposes. But
it is a prominent one. Let us be fully aware
Of the dangers of structure on the lungs and
heart, during their season of developemcnt
Why should not we bring up our daughters.
without any article Of dress which could disor-
der the seat Of vitality. Our sons hold them
selves erect, without busk or corset or frame
work of whale-bone. Why should not our
daughters also Did not God make them E.
qually upright! Yes. But they have sought
out many inventona."