Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1875-07-01
|" Figure-Training."

HE following extracts are made from
opinions expressed by medical men, apro-
pos of the corset, in the Englishao0ma71s
Domestic W0gdzSne: First Opinion" My
medical experience, therefore, leads me to
the following conclusions: Firstly-That,
provided the corset be perfectly made, &C
curately fitted and gradually applied, and
at the same time ample space allowed for
the expansion Of the chest, the waist may
be laced to extreme slenderneSs without
endangering the heart or lungs. Secondly
in those who, having grown rapidly,
perhaps or from some other facilitating
cause have tendency to indulge in stoop
ing and ungraceful postures, the strict APP
plication of tightly-laced corsets may be
deemed indispensably necessary. Thirdly
Although the very early adoption of
cOrsets is most effectual as a means of
bringing about and establishing the ex-
ceedingly graceful proportions so much
aimed at at the present time in fashion
able society, yet the neglected figure of
the adult may be vastly improved by such
appliances-a gradually -increased tension
of lace being all that is required to com
pletely remodel the figure" Second
Opinion-''I am of opinion that mod
crate support at the waist by means of
stays, although causing some compress
sion, is harmless and beneficial for ladies,
and even necessary for their style of dress;
but [ strongly advise all ladies when try
i'm To oh tIo +o l>o
yond the limits of comfort" Third
Opinion-'' As a medical man, and not
one of the old school, [ feel perfectly JUS
titled in saying that ladies who are con-
tent with a moderate application of
the corset may secure that most
elegant female charm, a slender
waist, without fear of injury to health
Fourth Opinion: g So far as | have OBJ
served, tight-lacers are, as a rule, active,
brisk, healthy, young people. At any
rate, though no doubt extreme tight-lac-
ing may do mischief, | have very rarely
met with instances of it. / have some
times seen decided Improvements in health
follow when tight-lacing has been en-
forced by a careful mother or governess
on an awkward, round shouldered girl"
The editor Of the Magaz5ne follows these
extracts with: "For the future our col
umns will no longer be open to the dis
cussiOn of the subject of so-called figure
training Some of us would prefer to call
it, with DR.. Conquest, improving and
modelling Gods last, most beautiful and
perfect work. We are far from advocat-
ing a loose or untidy style Of dress, and
we know that cOrSets are not only indis-
pensable with our present mode of cos
tune, but that our climate would not per
nit us to be loosely dressed. The east
wind gets up our sleeves and in at our
necks as it is. Well-fitting corsets are
comfortable and supporting, outright ones
are net only a torture but folly. Look
how the baby of a few weeks old protests
against the bands in which he is swathed.
When they are removed with what enjoy
ment he stretches the round limbs, first
one LEG, then another, then makes the ac-
uuaintance of his own little fists, which
he seems to take for something good to
eat, blinking contentedly all the time and
reveling in his freedom. In countries
where children are permitted to be with
out any kind of swathing they begin to
creep about and run alone at a much
earlier age than they do with US
AT GOLD HILL, New, recently, a miner
named David Coleman while wheeling his
car in the 5O0-foot level of the Oregon
mine pushed it down the shaft and fell
after it. The noise of the fall was heard
by the other employees in the mine, but
was attributed to the bursting of a steam
pipe. At dinner-time Coleman was miss
ing and a search resulted in the discovery
of his remains in the dump, 200 feet be-
low the 500-foot level.