The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1888-01-13
MEN ARE GROWING TALLER. ?
Influences which Tend to Eiopgation OF
the Masculine Spinal Column.

Mr.. Edward Atkinson, Of Boston, finds
time while conducting an extensive bust
ness to collect information oh a great va
riety of subjects. He has lately ascer-
tanned, by means Of circulars addressed 10
leading tailors, the makers OF ready made
clothing. and the manufacturers oil I'M
derclothes. that the men of this country
are growing taller, decade by decade. lie
thinks that we shall eventually become a
nation of giants. As yet he has elabora-
ted no theory 10 account for this steady
,ncrease in height. Some PSYCHOLOGISTS,
however, have suggested that II IS due to
the large consumption Of meat in this
country, They state that people who,
like the Chinese and Hindoos, subsist al
most entirely on grain ard fruit are IN
varlably short in stature, while flesh con-
sumers, like the North American Indians,
are generally quite tall.
1t Is likely that diet may have some
thing to Go in influencing the height that
men attain. But it IS obvious that there
are other causes that exert amuch greater
influence. There are q great many in
ducemcnts held out in this country for
men to become tall. Nearly every boy
desires 10 gain admission to the military
or naval academy, and each learns as soon
as he can read that it IS necessary to reach
a certain standard OF height in order TO be
eligible. Men must also stand q certain
number Of feet and inches in their stock
ings before they can attain positions or
the police force IN most cities. As ptemi'
ums are offered for becoming TALL II - by
no means wonderful that men and boys
should seek 10 add TO their stature by tax.
ing thought OF taking anything that vii,
produce the desired result. -.
The introduction OF the three story and
mausard roof bonnet, with a roost tor
birds or a a s Of flowers on the ridge
pole, has been q most important agent 10
|elongating the spinal column OF men.
The man who invests SO in tickets for
the purpose OF taking his best girl 10 the
theatre fluids that lie can see nothing on
the stage unless he happens to be very
tall. In the case Of spectacular produc-
tons this is specially a%ggrayating. As a
consequence men who attend theatres and
operas make use Of every means that Will
enable them to become tall. In some
fashionable churches the male worshiper
Of medium height has no opportunity TO
see the minister or the pretty soprano
singer. The Tower of Babel b%onnets,
surmounted by "fowls OF the air. and
lilies of The held, " entirely obstruct his
view.
The street car also eXerts great inilu-
ence in causing men 70 become tall They
generally give the seats 10 the women,
and are obliged to stand during the entire
"Trip. As soon as a boy is II years old,
his endeay0rs To reach the strap attached
TO the top rail commence. He perseNeres
in his attempt until he succeeds In ac-
complishing the difficult feat. lie learns
to stretch his body OUT in the same way
that an earth worm does ia order 10 reach
a certain place. After hc has 0yailed
himself of all his powers OF self elonga-
ton. agencies that are not voluntary are
brought 20 work on his body. Side pres
sure is made TO bear on it rs il Is on a bar
of iron that is 10 be drawn ont into wire.
1t also receives numerous blows every
time the car wheels pass over IN obstruc-
ton, and these produce the same effect on
his body that the blows Of a hammer do
on a piece of soft rOn.-Chicago Times.