Vermont farmer. [volume] (Newport, Orleans County, Vt.) 1870-1877, 1875-05-14

is shortened; not only this. but life is rem
dered correspoudingly useless and miserable
while 10 does exist. II is impossible for any
child whose mother has diminished her
breathing capacity by lacing, to have a sound
and vigorous organization. IL girls will
persist In ruining their vital organs as they
grow up to womanhood, and II women will
continue this destructive habit, the rnce must
inevitably deterforate Il may DO asserted,
therefore, without exaggeration, that not
emily the welfare Of the future generations,
but the salvation of the race depends on the
correction Of this evil habit.
The pathological consequence Of continued
and prolonged pressure on any vital struct-
ure is innuirition, congestion, Inflammation,
and liberation resulting IN weakness, waste
| of substance, and destruction Of tissue. The
normal sensibiity of the part is also destroy
ed. No woman can ever forget the pain she
endured when she first applied the corsets ;
but in time the compressed organs become
torpid, the muscles lose their contractilo
power, and she feels dependent on the me-
chanical support Of the corset. But tho mis-
chief is not limited to local weakness and
insensibility; the general strength and gen.
eral sensibility correspond with the breath
ing capacity. II she has diminished her
"breath of life" she has to just that extent
destroyed all normal sensibiity; she can
neither feel nor think normally. But in the
place of pleasurable sensations and emo
bling thoughts are an understandable array Of
aeh es, pains, weaknesses. irritations, and
nameless vagaries, fitful impulses, and NOR
bid sentimentallties of mind.
And yet another evil is to be mentioned
to render the catalogue complete. Every
pal ticle of food must be aerated in the lungs
before il can be assimiated it follows, there
fore. that no one can be well nourished
who has not full, free, and unimpeded &C
ton of the lungs. Tho effects of improper
dross on the bony skeleton will here b.
shown, and every physician knows they arr
not over-drawn, (and is by no means an un
common case) where the external measure
ment is reduced ono-half; but rs tho uppe
portions of the lungs cannot be fully inflated
until the lower portions are fully expanded
it follows that tho breathing capacity is di
unfinished more than one-lihlf It is wonder
full how any one can endure existence 4
this devitalized condition, yet thousands do
and, with careful nursing, manage to brini
into the world several sickly children.
The spinal distortion is one of the ordinN
ry consequences Of lacing No one VIII
laces habtually can have straight or stron
back, the muscles being unbalanced, be
come fabby or contracted, unable to suppol
the trunk of the body erect, and u curvature
usually double curvature, of the spine is tn
consequence.
And If anything were needed to aggri
vate the spinal curvature. intensity the con
preston OF tho internal visccra, and add I
the general deformity, it is found in u
stilted CATERS. These are made with hee
so high and narrow that locomotion is awl
ward and painful, the center of gravity
shifted TO parts unknown" and the head
' thrown forwards and the hips projecte
= backwards to maintain perpendicular
: rendering walking and all other voluntal
: exercises not only distressing to the persC
u but dsagreeable to the spectator.
i And we might go on showing increaslI
evils of various forms, such as sitting
: standing in crooked position, inclining tn
head, sleeping on two or three pillows, ~
: Children who early acquire and continue
i the habit of sitting in normal or abnorm
y positions will either preserve the erectitut
70 of tho spinal column or become crooke
C. backed, rs the case may be. IL,