The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1894-03-31
PHYSIQUE OF WORKING GIRLS.
A London Writer Gives the Results of
His Recent Investigations.


A London Writer Gives the Results of
His Recent Investigations.
The employment of women and girls
in large business houses, postofices, res
taurants and other occupations in the
place of men has recently led the writer
to make inquiries as to their physical
capability to Withstand the long hours
and labor demanded of them. The re-
suit of these Investigations may not be
uninteresting, although it should OF
course be remembered that in the ma
iority of the cases to which reference
will be made the observations are en-
tirely his own, and may therefore seem
to SAVIOR of prejudice. It should, how
ever, be clearly understood that he be-
lieves in the emancipation of women to
large extent, providing in all cases
that their daily employment does not
unfit them for those domestic duties
which only woman can perform, and
which unftness. in the case of married
women. it is regrettable to say, has often
ended in strife and separation.
But it is not proposed to discuss
whether it is advisable or not for women
to enter the labor arena. The question
is whether the many occupations now
being almost entirely monopolized by
females have any deteriorating effect
upon their physique, and beyond doubt
the answer must be III the affirmative.
NOWADAYS life is one continuous rush.
The constant hurry skurry of mans
busy existence the early rising due to
suburban migration. the scamper to
catch trains. the incessant ''go'' as COM
pared with the fairly placid existence of
fifty years ago. all have their effect upon
the nervous system, but in his case he is
by nature physically constituted to bear
the constant strain to which he is sub
jected.
1t is not so with woman. who must
necessarily remain the weaker sex. how
ever great her mental development may
be. To be taken from the not over ex-
citing sphere of domesticity and put into
one of the restless, active employments
which they so ably and worthily fill, to
enter into the ceaselcss field Of competi-
ton which now exists. must necessarily
have some weakening tendency upon
the organism to the detriment Of future
generations.
It may Of course be said that those who
are to follow us must take care of them
selves, and that we must think only Of
ourselves and abide by the conditions
under which we now live. If this doc
trine of selfishness is to hold good, Their
of course nothing need be said of the re
sponsibilities that are due to generations
unborn.
Granting that women must SO occupy
themselves, do they deteriorate in ply
sique? One has only to 90 into the large
aerated bread shops, restaurants, post
Offices and other public places to OBJ
upon women Notice their rounded
backs and shoulders. the STOPPING gait
the (oftentimes) hollow chest. the pallid
faces. Compare these with the healthy,
upright and buxo1n appearance OF those
young women who are country bred OF
who are not compelled by circumstances
to work for their living. and it will no.
be denied that their occupations are re-
sponsible for this deterioration.
A census of 100 women was recently
taken at random, comprising mattresses.
barmaids. shop assistants and postcffice
employees, and no less than sixty-four
were found to answer the description
above given, while the majority of the
remaining thirty-six, although apparent
ly not outwardly imperfect so far as
physique was concerned, appeared to be
anamic and anything but in normal
condition of health.
Manufactures are not here referred to-
| because the baneful effects these have
upon women and girls are too well
known. If the conclusions arrived at
are correct. what is the remedy, if remedy
there be? We certainly ought not to be
content to witness this gradual decay in
woman's physique without at least max
ing some effort to alleviate or abolish
the evil from which she suffers. London
| Tit-BitS