The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-10-09
THE LATEST FOLLY.
How Women Tattoo Their Legs-The Way
It Is Done in Philadelphia.

How Women Tattoo Iheir Legs-The Way
1t is Done in Philadelphia.
The item which was published in the
London Times, and which was generally
copied in this country, relative to the
elopment of the daughter of noble
man, in which occurred the sentence,
"She can be fully identified by a cross
tattooed on the righ leg just below the
knee" has served to call out in this coun-
try from the press general condemna-
tion of the practice, which was known to
be largely INDUCED in by English and
French women.
In order to learn whether the tattooing
was carried on to any extent in this city,
an Item reporter last week made tour of
discovery, in which he was very success
full. Among the first visited was young
physician, who said: "The leg mark
referred to in reference TO the clipping
young damsel would be poor means Of
identity in this country, for I know of
number of young ladies in this city who
have their limbs decorated in q similar
manner. During my brief time of prac-
tice I can say that I have met with very
many cases. Two young wives whom I
attended recently had crosses tatooed
on their limbs, and one young lady of
whom know had the initials of her ia
vorite suitor pierced in the skin just
above the ankle" A younger practition-
er said he had met with numerous cases
lately. Among the most favorite devices
are serpents with their tails in their
mouths, forming a ring, which are tat
tooed in just above the knee.
Among the demi-monde he had seen
"any number of cases." He stated that
most of the female tattooing was per-
formed at the house of the patron, by
woman whose name he did not know.
He was of the opinion that tattooing
would spread like wildfre since that par
agraph about the young English woman
had appeared
Being anxious to gain all the informa-
tion possible relative to this barbaric
custom, an Item reporter started out in
search of the woman referred to, who
was finally found in an unpretentious
but neat house in the vicinity of Sixth
and Collowhill streets. a ring at the
bell brought q colored servant to the
door, and the scribe invited to q seat
in the parlor, while his card was taken up
stairs.
Five minutes afterward pleasant
faced lady attired in plain silk, unre-
lieved by adornments of any kind en-
tered the parlor, and smilingly extended
her hand, the fingers of which were
black with India lux. After stating his
business, the lady, after some hesitation,
consented to talk on the subject, provid-
ing her name and residence we're not
published. ~ have to maintain much
secrecy" said the lady, "for many of my
patrons belong to the best families" In
answer to the query whether the prac-
tice was increasing the lady said: "a
year or so ago business was dull, but
now have more than can attend to-"
"I do not know how I shall describe
the operation" said the lady, "for am
not very apt at such things. But if l
could so arrange it that you could see
the modus operandi yourself, will you
pledge me secrecy in case you know or
recognize the patient 2"
The scribe willingly gave his word to
be mum, and he was taken into room
up stairs which adjoined the operating
room, and where he could observe with
out being seen. The operating room
bore the appearance of dentists office.
A large, comfortable chair, in which al
aspirant for tattooing honors was seated,
stood by the only window in the apart
ment. The patients leg was bare and
exposed nearly to the knee, and from its
appearance it was evident that the ope-
ration had been suspended when the
lady came down to welcome the reporter.
Work upon it was resumed without de-
lay, and every time the needle pierced
the skin the young woman WINGED per-
ceptibly, and it was evident that the
operation was painful one. Several
times the leg was jerked back convul-
sively, which drew out an angry COM
mand to "keep quiet" At last the work
upon the cross was completed, and the
young woman departed.
The next patient was well-known
leader of the demi-morde of this city,
who had come to have the finishing
touches placed on an elaborate design.
She laughed and chatted through the
operation, and before she left concluded
to have the other limb decorated at an
early day.
AS soon as she had left, the India ink
artist joined the reporter, saying: well,
I am now ready to continue our inter-
view."
Reporter-From what I haze seen
am led to believe the operation painful
one. Am / correct?
Artistic some tits, to others not. I
have known some to faint while undergo
ing the tattooing, while others will
laugh and joke throughout the entire
operation, evincing no uneasiness what
ever.
Reporter-Is not the practice injuri-
Gus?
Artist-No. I have never heard of it
being so at least I knew of one young
lady whose limb was infamed and swol-
len for two or three days, so that it was
impossible for her to use it; but the
swelling went down, and since then she
has experienced no trouble. But did
not wonder at this case.
Reporter-Why?
Artist-She wanted too much. She
actually insisted in having tattoocd on
her limb, from the knee down, no less
than eight devices, including monograms,
crosses, half-moons, etc.
Reporter-Who are your best custom
ers?
Artist-The demi-monde. Lately they
have become almost crazy over it. Still
I have quite practice among respecta-
BILE women. Speaking of the demi-
monde's craze over the matter recalls a
little incident. Last week / was called
upon by one of them to tattoo the name
of q well-known politician on her limb,
which / did. The next day another
woman of the same class called for the
same purpose. l remarked to her the
coincidence. Turning around in the
chair she said: "lf any other woman