The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-25
of Mrs. DR.. Harriet Mazson's paper. She


Nine-tenths of all diseases are preventable.
All violations OF divinely given natural laws
are followed by evil results. Oftentimes the
mediums of contagion are forgotten or over
looked. Flowers or the precious lock OF hair
may imprison, even for years, the deadly
germs The germs of such diseases scarlet
and typhoid fever lurk in sewer-pipes, under
old floors and disseminated by birds, do
nestle animals, water, etc. OF deaths result
ing from measles whooping cough and scarlet
fever large majority occur under years of
age. 1t seems almost unnecessary to speak TO
such an intelligent audience as this about the
carelessness of which so many are guilty. But
woman who takes a child suffering from
whooping cough into room filled with peo-
pie, as Is frequently the case, is absolutely
guilty of murder.
The tobacco and liquor habits are responsible
Tor thousands OF deaths Ii not directly at all
times then indirectly by making the vitality so
that disease cannot be withstood. At some
time during our lives we have the seeds OF
some disease in our system, and IL depends
much on ourselves whether those diseases
develop fatally or are overcome at the outset:
Then, too, much depends on the wives and
mothers of the land. Every time we place
strongly splced sauces and stimulating condl-
ments on the family table the nervous systems
OF the partakers receive stimulus and shock
that leads TO evil results in time. The mother
OF the coming race has responsibilities which
should warn her against that pernieious style
of dressing called light lacing. How much de-
ponds on her discretion and intelligence? II
the mother was the only one to suffer we might
forgive her, but the evil results of her folly and
vain pride is entailed on the coming genera
ton. The style of dress spoken OF prevents the
proper growth of many OF the organs, partcu-
larly the reproductive, and her offspring is de-
prlved OF the constitution and strength which
DeIon gS as right to the child OF every healthy
mother and father. The time is coming when
women must open their eyes to the necessity
OF bringing up their daughters in the knowl-
edge OF hyglenic laws, and all other matters i'm
peritiye TO the health of her posJerity.
Mrs. McComus OF Los Angeles opened
the discussion. She knew of no graver or
more important question than that of
proper dressing. Women, she thought,
would dress as they should if they were not
such towards.
Mrs. Gillen thought the leaving off of
corsets would be all right for slender
women. but the fieshy woman would find
1t not only unbecoming, but uncomfortable
and inconvenient. However, she thought
that after hearing the last paper she would
go home and take off her corset. She also
wanted to see women practice what they
preach at all events.
Mrs. DR.. Maxson said if the lady would
step into the anteroom after the session
she would be pleased to demonstrate that
they did practice what they preach.
Mrs. DR.. Kellogg Lane held to the
opinion that no reform, either in dress,
food or anything, however important could
be brought about by either one of the sexes
alone. All reforms must be accomplished
by cooperation.
Mrs. Maynard was not willing to admit
that the fieshy woman must necessarily be
more uncomfortable and uncompromising
in her dress than her simmer sisters, the
oracular dresSmakers notwithstanding.
She then described pulpit gown of her
own which was something after the style
of Mother Hubbard, which made her
look simmer than any other dress in her
wardrobe. She believed that with the re-
form in dress would come healthier race
of women.
1.-THE Physical Development and Its Re-
lation to HEALTH" the last paper of the
afternoon, was read by Mrs DR.. Sarah l.
Shuey. She began with the infant in its
first cradle and showed the effect of pill
lows in retarding the development of the
muscles of the neck. Leading up to the
corset she said:
II is no wonder that women who wear corsets
IND II uncomfortable to go without that
article OF dress. The cause is the corset itself
1t weakens certain muscles of the chest and
abdomen, and when that brace of the corset is
removed they feel tired and weakened. But
the chief evil of the corset is in its deforming
results and in the retarded development of
some of the organs. Think of the weight of
twenty-five feet OF intestines being crowded
onto the organs of the pelvic regioni Then,
again, consider the weight of some of the
modern skirts-ffteen pounds is the weight in
some instances-together with all the other
garments being brought to bear on the waist.
Reform is needed in more than the corset. We
cannot n
ions until we wear shoes better shaped TO the
feet. As TO overcoming the effect of these de-
forming elements by practical system of ex-
ercise, great help may be found in the bicycle.
Horseback riding is beneficial, but it will
never be what ii should be for women until
they ride as men ride In the sidesaddle
there is an enemy to her perfect endowment
and physical benefit, as the position necessary
TO preserving her equilibrium, if maintained
too long, is felt in the spine. But the reform
we speak about extends to the daily occupa-
lions of our women-the preparation of food
for her family, the ventilation of her house
and the training OF her children,
Mrs. Shuey laid much stress on the
necessity OF gymnastic exercises, citing
numerous instances coming directly under
her personal notice where women had cor
rected deformities and rounded out a
faulty development by systematic and
practical gymnastic exercise. The age is
close ct hand when we may expect Trilby
feet and Venus de Milo forms if woman
does not weary of her good work, and
finally succeeds in gaining the cooperation
of the other sex.
The discussion was opened by Mrs. Char
lotte Perkins Stetson. She claimed that
the first and grandest function of woman
is maternity, and that she ought to be SO
perfect an animal as the fathers of the race.
Mrs. DIR. Kellogg Lane explained the diff
ference between wearing corsets and bones
in the waists of dresses. All corsets are
two inches too small in the waist measure
for the bust and hip measure. She had
measured over forty different makes of
corsets, and found them all alike in that
respect.
A gentleman named Guthbold speaking
from the audience Endorsed the women's
reform movement and said he had been
inestimably benefited by listening to the
papers and the discussions. He also hoped
women would be successful in their suf-
frage ambitions.
A Mr.. Carson spoke about the change in
women's dress, in connection with the
change which it was recommended she
should make in the preparation of the food
for her family. He believed that the ma
jority of men would lend assistance rather
than seek to discourage their wives and
sisters.
Miss DR.. Shaw kept the immense au-
dience in continuous laughter for ten
minutes by her facetious observations on
woman's slavery to fashion. 81 cannot
understand" she said, chow women can
wear corsets and yet live, move and have
their being; how can they be good, kind
gentle and tender and be hoped in? Yet
there are great many women who wear
corsets and are still good, kind, tender and
loving. The great trouble with women is
that they do not look after their physical