Evening journal., 1919-12-05
CGPLLAND DEFENDS
TENlNIyE FASHl. N
Thin Silk Stockings Good for
Health, He Says; Also
CorSetS
SAYS HIGH HEELS
ARE NOT AN EVIL

NEW YORK, Dec 5.--The ladies may
take it from Or. Royal 5. Copeland
Health Commissioner, that fimsy silk
hosiery-and nimsier silk ct ceteras and
so forths and so ons-are altogether
compatible with long life and buoyanl
health, and that to assert that the
grayeyards and nut asylums are filled
with the wearers Of tight corsets and
high heels misstates the case grossly.
DR.. Copeland was led TO discuss the
ins and outs Of the feminine ward. ODE
yesterday when one Of his office io'ce
showed him an article by a learn
French sa,ant stating that the wearing
Of thin or no hose in Paris last winter
was responsible for much Of the inllu-
enZa which RACED there. d.. Copeland
gave the matter. moments thought
perus d some satisfies for his memo.y's
sake. and issued h s d.ctum as follows;
The notion that silk stockings and
the influenza are related falls 10 the
ground in the light o. the fact that in
last years epidemic mortality from the
disease was far greater among men
after more than thirty years experience
than among won n. Add 10 that mat
In the practice Of medicine / have seen
almost every vaunted theory regarding
wOman's dress thrown in the scrap head
Of discarded medical ideas.
BLESS my soul, n the dear ladies want
10 wear silk stockings or high heelcd
shoes or aught else that appeals to the
feminine heart let them indulge the de-
sire. There is something WOnderful
about the resisting powers OF the hu-
man body. Nature has adapated the
human animal 10 life in every cline and
under every condition OF civilization
and barbarism. Our powers OF adapti-
bility seem unlimited, we. conform 10
every variety Of d'ess and undress.
In spite Of dOlcful predictions. the
lamentations of the prophets and all the
preachments Of the wise, fair woman
lives and thriVes whether earbcd in the
costume Of antiquity or in accordance
with the reilnements OF modern d:ess.
The city woman with her silk stock
ings and nimsy dress generally lives
longer than her sister on The farm,
where the duh mOnOtony Of Old-fash-
ion d country life was so often fatal 10
wOmankind. Insanity certainly has al
ways been more common among the
hard working housewives Of the rural
dis scls than among the dwellers OF the
city.
a generation ago We used to hear
much OF the harmfulness OF corsets.
But it is unlikely that many won
shortened theia lives by the wearing OF
the much discussed tight corset.
Then we heard Of the danger Of the
high-heeled shoe. The spinal column
was TO BE- thrown out Of gear; serious
nervous disorders and even mental de-
rangement were to result from the hieh
heel The high-heeled discussion went
on unabated. but the average OF patients
adm tied TO the sanitariums and asylumS
remained constant.
Later the face veil. particularly the
one with the big spots, in the train Of
which impaired vision and even blind
ness was TO follow. But our dear sis
ters continued 10 wear the wells and
the oculsts grew no richer thereby.
Finally there have always been those
who have fought against cosmetics and
face powders. Personally / prefer a
clear skin, but II were a woman and
wanted more color in my face am con-
ndent | would use a little rouge. |
doubt exceedingly II any serious harm
has ever resulted from the use OF cos
metics. But when IL comes to hair dyes
] must balk and admit that many hair
preparations contain harmful ingredi-
ents.
Activity, human interest, proper d.
version and the whole life OF the city
takes the individual out Of self and
supplies interest in other matters than
aches and pains. This prolongs lie and
adds TO happiness while we are alive.
Wherefore let us not discourage the
wearing OF silk stockings"