The native American., 1838-12-01
ON HEALTH.
by MRS. sIGo URNEY.

qulre LOT our uauShteTS SOou constltutioH! Is
there truth in the sentiment, that our sex are be-
coming more and more efeminate! Are we as
we'll versed in the details Of housekeeping, as
able to bear them without inconvenence, as our
mothers? Have our daughters as much stamina
of constitution, as much aptitude for domestic
duty, as we ourselves possess? These questions
are not interesting to us simply as Individuals.
They affect the welfare Of the whole community.
For the ability or inability of woman to discharge
what the Almighty has committed to her, touches
the equilibrium of society, and the hidden springs
of existence. Tenderly interested as we are for
the health Of our offspring, let us devote peculiar
attention to that of our daughters. Their delicate
frames require more care in order to become Vi
gorous, and are in more danger from the preva-
lence of fashion.
plead for the little girl, that she may have air
and exercise, as we'll as her brother and that she
NAV not be too much blamed, if in her earnest
play she happen to tear or soil her apparel.
plead that she be not punished as romp, II she
keenly enjoy those active sports which city gen
tility proscribes plead that the ambition to
make her accomplished do not chain her to the
piano, till the spinal column, which should con-
solidate the frame, starts aside like broken reed;
nor bow her over her book, till the vital energy
which ought to pervade the whole frame, mounts
into the brain, and kindles the death-lever.
Surely we ought to acquaint ourselves with the
outline Of the mechanism Of this our clay temple,
that we interfere not through ignorance, with
those laws on which its organization depends.
Rendered precious, by being the shrine of an
undying spirit, our ministra'ons for its we'll
being assume an almost fearful importance. Ap-
pointed, as the mother is to guard the harmony
of its archtecture to study the arts on which its
symmetry depends, she is forced to perceive how
much the mind is affected by the circumstances
of its lodgment, and is ncited to cherish the NOR
tai for the sake Of the immortal.
Does she attach value to the charms of intel
lect. Let her see that casket which contains
them be not lightly endangered nor careless
ly broken. Does she pray for the welfare Of the
soul! Let her seek the good of its companion,
who walks with it to the gates of the grave, and
rushes again to its embrace on the morning OF
the resurrection.
Those who educate the Young should be ever
awake to the evils of compression in the region OF
the heart and lungs A slight lgature there IN
the earliest stages of life, is fraught with danger.
To disturb or impede the laborers who turn the
wheels of life, both night and day, is absurd and
nnoratefnl. Samson was bound in fetters, and
ground in the prson-house for while, but at
length he crushed the pillars of the temple, and
the lords Of the Philistines perished with him,
Nature, though she may be long in resentng an
injury, does not forget it. Against those who
violate her laws, she often rises as giant IN his
might. and when they least expect 1t, nfllcs a
fearful punishment. Fashion seems long enough
to have oppressed and insuted health in It's strong
holds. She cannot even prove that she has rem
dered the form more graceful, as some equivalent
for her ravages In ancient Greece, to which
our painters and scupors still look for the purest
models, was not the form left unortured! the vol
ume of the lungs allowed free play? the heart per-
mitted without manacles to do the great work
that the Creator assigned 1t!
The injuries inflicted by compression Of the
vital parts, are too numerous to be readlly re-
counted. Impaired digestion, obstructed clrcula-
ton, pulmonary disease and nervous wretched-
ness are in their train A physician, distinguish
ed by practical knowledge of the Protean forms
of insanity, asserts that he gains many patients
from this cause. Another medical gentleman of
eminence, led by philanthropy to investigate the
subject of tight lacing, has assured the public
that multitudes annually die by the severe dlscl-
pline of busk and corset. This theory is sus-
tanned by collateral proof, and illustrated by dis
sections.
It is not sufficient that we, mothers, protect
our younger daughters, while Immediately under
our authority, from such hurtful practices. We
should follow them until principle is formed by
which they can protect themselves from the ty-
ranny of fashion. 1t is true, that no young lady
acknowledges herself to be laced too tight Habits
that shun the light and shelter themselves under
subterfuge, are ever the most difficult to eradicate.
part Of the energy which is essential to their
reformation, must be expended in hunting them
from their hiding places. Though the sufferer
from tight lacing may not own herself to be I'M
comfortable, the laborious respiration, the con-
strained movement, perhaps the curved spine,
bring different testimony.
But in these days of dfused knowledge, of
he;ohtened 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 illusion over those
who try to save her! and, like the Spartan cul-
prit. conceal the destroyer that feeds upon her
yitals, JTe kaoD that II is so. Who, that has
tested the omnipotence of fashion, VIII doubt II!
This is by no means the only sacrifice OF health
that she imposes. But it is prominent one
Let us, who are mothers, look to it. Fully
aware, as we must be, Of the danger of structure
on the lungs and heart, during their season OF de-
veopment, why should we not bring up oul
daughters without any article of dress which