The Russellville Democrat., 1880-04-29
HEALTH AND DRESS.
A Lecture on an Important Subject by g
 Very Eminent Physician.

| London Queen
 | Dr. B. w. Richardson delivered a lee l ture, at the London Institution, Finsbury circut, upon the subject of dress in rela. tion to health. At the outset Dr, Rich ardson repudiated any intention to de. precate good fashion or good change oi fashion in dress. He thought, with Mrs Hawels, that it was the bounden duty oi every woman to look as handsome as she could, aud to maintain her beauty as long as possible, for nothing was more beautiful than beauty in old age Fash ions, as rule, were dictated by vain and ignorant persons who set nature at defi- ance, as though they were were nature and she an idot. What was wanted in reform of dress was good fashion for both sexes, and for everyday life some uniform costume that should tend to bind more closely together the various classes of the community.
 With regard to the mechanical adapta- ous error was tightness by which pressure was brought to bear upon any particular part, such as the neck, feet and limbs. The corset was opposed to all that was healthful and all that was beautiful,
 
 joining organs under suppression. No subjection to which women were liable could be greater than that which they voluntarily inflicted on themselves by wearing those articles, which deadened their mental capabiity as well as their vital energy. Wristbands, garters and tight shoes, or shoes with pointed toes, were also very prejudicial to health. Belts interfered with respiration, and, moreover, among working men who wore belts it was the rule rather than the ex- ception for hernia to supervene, while bad boots were responsible for mis shaped feet among nine-tenths of the English community. Women's dresses should be loose and should be supported from the shoulders, as was usually the case with male attire. Indeed, faulty as it was in an artistic poin of view, mans dress had greatly improved in these lat ter days, and was, in relation to health, perfection as compared with that of wO- men.
 He suggested that the dress of women ought to be-although of lighter mate- rials-the same as that of the opposite sex, with the exception of the exterior robe or gown, which should play the same part as the outer coat of man. In regards to hats, the "gypsy" bonnet was very becoming for women, while the chimney-pot hat worn by men was light and healthy and far superior to some descriptions of felt hats, which were in a hygienic point of view bad and hide ous to look at. The best and most simple of all was the fine old SWISS cap, some times called the Leonardo da Vinci. , One of these, limp black velvet cap with flaps, was exhibited by Dr. Rich ardson, who stated that he himself wore one as graduate of Scotch university, where the original one was supposed to have been made from Knox's brooches. It was especially necessary to adapt ones clothing to the season of the year, as it has been proved by the late Mir. Miner that the body undergoes two pounds waste in the autumn. Water proof clothing was injurious to the sys- tenn, as were also in another way the aniline and other dyes now prevalent. The best color for dress in warm or cold weather was white, which might be modified to light grey as less liable to get dirty, while black was the worst. It was satisfactory to think that mourning was slowly falling into disuse, for, after "suttee," it was almost the saddest of mIseries inflicted by society on the al- ready miserable.
 Dr. Richardson concluded by point ing out the necessity for cleanliness in all wearing appearel, and by commenting on the utter inefficit ncy of the laundry system in London and in other large towns