The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-01-10
From Hal. Journal Of Health.


Women.
From Halys Journal Of Health.
In this age, when dress occupies so
much of the attention of society, the in
fluence of costume ON the bodily condi-
ton becomes an important matter of
inquiry.
Improper modes of dress, whether
excessive or inadequate, are fertile
sources of disease, and also aggravate
an abnormal state of the system by
whatever cause produced. If, in our
desire to keep the body warm, we over
load it with layers of thick, closely
! woven fabric and thus produce an un-
| due heat at the surface, the effect is TO
suppress the action of the eXcretory
! glands, and prevent a free perspiration.
! The Yitiated matter which is thus re-
| tanned is reabsorbed by the skin, and
| carried back into the system, rendering
the blood impure, and deranging the
| delicate machinery of the glandular
structure. Air and light are absolutely
necessary for the heaIty activity of the
vehicles the skin, and those articles of
clothing which prevent the admission
| of those two great vital agents, are en-
tirely unfit for use.
AS free circulation of the blood to
| all parts of the human body is requisite
to the enjoyment of perfect health, so
no part of the body should be dressed
in such a manner as in the least to OBJ
struct or retard its flow. Tight boots,
shoes, or gloves are therefore detrimen-
tai. Cold extremities, painful humors,
swellings and callosites are generally
| the result of such ligatures.
Insufficient clothing is much worse
than too much. The effect of exposure
Il to cold is the immediate contraction OF
the skin which suspends the operation
of the secretory and excretory organs,
and the matter which should be dis
Al, al, L..
into the throat, lungs or bowels, occa-
sioning those forms of disease common
7 Iy called "cold," "headache," "ca-
tarrh !" ''diarThea," &c.
A change of dress from thick to thin
is not beneficial unless accompanied by
a corresponding change in climate OF
temperature. A fashionable lady after
J wearing thick, high-neck dress ali
! day, will sometimes array herself in
fow-neeked attire for an evening party
Such an imprudent change has FIRE
quently been followed by a suddeI
death. Head coverings at the presen
day are evidently worn by ladies fol
display and not for comfort; and we ar,
NOT surprised when we hear this or tina
one complain of "such distress in tbs
! head" or "neuralgia." A hat, to afforC
I real protection to the head, should b,
large enough to cover the greater par
! of II and at the same time be comforta
-
the wearer after half an hours use.
/, But the most serious feature in thu
1 dress of American ladies is tight lacing
!, IA practice most unnatural, and there
e fore most dangerous to health. Doe
I any one doubt the prevalence OF thi
: custom, let him consult the fashion
/, plates in any popular ladies' magazine
/ How women, servilely obedient to tn
). suggestions of their dress-maker, o
T else grossly ignorant of the first priu
ciples of health, have squeezed them
l. selves TO death, the great day of accoun
q only will disclose. The record must b
6 appaIIipg, and yet the suicidal wor
goes on. The compression of the wal:
l. flinders, If it does not altogether sus
s. nend the action OF the diaphram, an
a weakens the muscles OF the respiratio
q, and the power of digestion. The hear
Is liver, lungs, spleen and stomach, bein
al forced into a space much too small fC
ID the proper performance of their respe
N tive functions, are weakened, and 1T u
compression is continued, become di
IS eased; consumption ensues, and Il
] mistaken devotee of a barbarous fashiC
p, sinks swiftly into an early grave.
Ie oh, We who sigh for the deformity
d, a waspish shape, consider the faultle
k. contour OF that chef d'puUfe of scpl
de- ture, the Venus de Medicis, and stri'
ne 70 develop your attenuated bodies in
e the beautiful proportions Of the we
de grown woman.
lie OF course the entire dress should
d. adapted to the climate and season