Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-07-10
NDman'S Point of Ninx-


The Herald o. Heath is waging war against
the corset. One OF the most Jealous helpers
Dr. Mary \. Allen, tells her little story and
follows ii up with a moral worthy OF attention
to say the least.
.Oh, dear! don't know what is the matter
with me- am so tired all the time / can't
stand anything; can walk three blocks [
have neuralgia every little While. i'm good for
nothing, ana yet there seems to be disease
about me-" wish you'd tell me what ails me
The speaker was a beautiful girl about nine.
teen years old. Nature had intended Der tor a
mtghlhcent specimen OF wonanhood. She
was not less than five feet seven inches in
height, but with shoulders ana hips broad IN
proportions; She measured but twenty-five
inches around the waist.
Of course, she asserted that she did not dress
tight; but when told that IN order to have good
neaith she must leave oil her corset she rebcileG
Nv ny, how would 1 look without ii corset,''
she exclaimed, I'D be a perfect fright" what
reply was there TO he made To- convincing a
statement: But by the light of science her
Whoie bouy was illuminated, and 40 the under
standing vision she was a perfect fright as it
was. never see such figure that am not
= . 80 W IN aii overs query III regard 10
iashlonably aitred lady, II wonder where
she puts her liver?'
1t is easy enough to prove that the breathing
capacity is actually lessened by the corset
even when not worn tight. Any one who wishes
to try the experiment SIT down and begin
10 draw III the deepest breath possible. " hen
the limit OIL The corset Is reached. unclaSp it,
ana see how widely Its clasp c;.l he separated
Gy the action OF the lungs alone. Then il YOU
bcdi III HiIu tIJJ THESE muscles have been
weakened ny non use. and that with full liberty
they would Increase III strength, you will 10
able 10 Imagine how much the corset has les
sened the vital capacity. | fine illus ira
ton OF this few days since. / called upon a
lady whose literary ldUOrS are wonderful. She
received me in /, neat but loose dress in ,vh5rh
every organ OF the body had full play. She re-
Joiced III her perfect physical freedom. she IA n
up and down stairs with the lightness OF IA child
ana ttlt no pdpltatiOns oi heart or oppression
o. lungs. Later IN the day sac dressed to 90 out
upon the street with me, ana put Oh "a corset ~
90 IL IN deiercnce 10 the opinion OF my friends
she explained. "Iuey complain il | outrage
tnelr sense Oh proprIety by appearing without
one, but do peIauce all tie time wear H.
we started on at her usual brisk pace. but in
very niue Wniie she said 10 Inc, II can't walk
SO last When I've IL corset on. l can't breathe
you see.' And 50 to accommodate her diuin-
lshed powers OF breathing Slacnened our
pace, and soon she commenced to look weary
ner CHEEKY laugh became les, frequent, her face.
began TO wear AN ANXIOUS look; her vital c:tp;t-
the effects OF II. Il could accomplish nothing
at all said she, iii were compelled to wear u
corset at my work"
asked a young lady to sing for me the other
day. With some hesitation and bushes she
excused herself, saying really, | shall he
obliged to decline; the Tact is, ain just break
ing 10 new corset, and it hurts me SO | can
hardly live" why do you wear it thel?''
ION, I'd look so without a corset"
10 Inc she would look Jar better, for l could
see that her health was falling, her cheeks bal
ing, her nerves starving Tor the vital breath of
Gods pure air, which The corset was shutting
out of her lungs.
I'VE girls are always glad to undo our corsets
ana draw long breath at night" said one
frank girl to me. 1--WE don't wear them tfGht
but-it does seem So good to get them Oft and
breathe just as big can"