Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1869-09-17
For the oxford Democratl
tt DRESS.

know of nothing in which the Ameri-
can women have SO little conscience and
are so entirely regardless of health as in
the matter Of dress; and though | might
speak OF many, shall touch upon but one
feature, and thai Is the custom of tight fit
ting. How many lives has this been the
means OF destroying and there is scarce
ly woman to be found who is not iniur-
ing herself in this way. Yet it would be
almost impossible to convince one of it.
Writers on physiology and health have
shown over and over again that the
slightest pl essurc upon the lungs prevent
their full expansion; and that causes dis
ease, not only of the lungs. but various
other diseases; and in order to give the
lungs free play, whatever is fastened
about the waist must be several inches
larger than the waist. Then think Of the
mischief done by having it several inches
smaller. I have no doubt this will be
thought very exiravagant to most people.
but from the confidence put in physi-
clans and my own experience, l feel as
sured that this is solemn fact. Any one
that has intelligence enough to master
sny one branch of science, ought to know
enough Of physiology to understand this,
and practice accordingly.
Many think that corsets are support.
How absurd ~ have support which
congresses the lungs. which corsets can
not Tail oi doing. Just as though God
did not make woman with muscles strong
enough to support her rs well az man;
and men wouldn't think of putting on cor.
sets. il their stomachs were ever so weak,
unless it happened to be the fashion.
1t is a fact that the system adopts itself
to any habit, and any one long accustom-
ed to corscts and tight dressing would
feel uncomfortable 20 leave them off and
dress loose enough for health, but il they
would try the experiment and dress loose
for q few months, their lungs would ex-
pand. their health improve and they
would be unwilling 10 dress tightly
again.
How absurd it looks 10 me to see sick
ly women taking medicine and trying ma
ny WAYS TO obtain their health. when at
the same time they arc dressed SO tightly
that it would be impossible tor them to
escape disease | have heard persons
say they were afraid that if they dressed
loose they would grow out of shape, IS
much as to say that the body in its natu-
raj state is deformed. wonder II such
ones ever think how insulting that must
be To their Maker. How wonderful the
human frame is made Think We not
that God had some regard TO beauty in
forming our frames and how does he like
to see them altered to suit perverted
taste? Aperson. or female rather, with
a chest not contracted in the least would
hc BOXED upon with contrnp' How
porrihlc that fashion is such that women
cannot wear healthy dress without be-
ing exposed TO ridicuIe. If it were not
Tor fashion no one would be foolish
enough to think the small tapering waist
handsome 1t is degrading 10 human
nature that a custom 50 wicked and hra-
thcui,h Las prevailed SO many years with
- little dissatisfaction. What pity
hat an intelligent people. especially
ah.i,tiaus, shonld yield their health, rea-
spn and conscience TO fashion. Not even
hose w.o profess to be the most sancti-
fed seem to have any conscience IN this
matter. cannot go into church, or IN
any company without feeling Disguised
with the stiff, constrained form of nearly
every female. hope the time will come
when professors Of religion will conse-
crate their bodies. as well as their souls,
to Go ). instead OF fashion. ALTHEA.