292 APPENDIX. 



In childhood, and youth, when the frame is growing, 

 the secretion is greater than the absorption ; in adults, 

 and the middle-aged, the effects of the two systems are 

 just equal, there being the same quantity of matter ab- 

 sorbed, that there is secreted ; but in old age the absorp- 

 tion is greater than the secretion, and hence the weight 

 and dimensions of the body are diminished, and the skin, 

 instead of preserving its tension, as formerly, becomes 

 wrinkled, in consequence of the loss of a part of the 

 bulk which it covers. 



Thus, during one portion of our lives, we increase in 

 size and vigor, until having arrived at maturity, we re- 

 main for a time stationary in both ; and then, lastly, hav- 

 ing passed through these two stages, we begin impercep- 

 tibly in both, to diminish, the animal functions gradually 

 becoming more and more feeble, until one after another 

 they cease to act entirely, when life gives place to death. 

 These are the immutable laws which govern all created 

 beings, and which therefore no human means can resist. 

 All flesh must return to dust. 



APPLICATION OF THESE PRINCIPLES. 



In applying these principles to the use of stays, it is 

 almost unnecessary to say, that during the growth of the 

 system, pressure, on any of its parts, though it may be in- 

 considerable in force, yet if long continued, will prevent 

 their increase ; and this, not only for want of room to 

 expand, but also by interfering with the function of the 

 secreting system in that part. A lamentable illustration 

 of the practical use of this principle, is seen in the feet of 

 the Chinese ladies ; which being confined in iron shoes 

 from infancy to the age of sixteen, or eighteen, they re- 

 main infant's feet ever afterwards, though terminating 

 the extremities of the aged. 



But, besides this obvious effect of confinement during 

 the growth of the system, it is well known that in the 

 adult, as well as in the young, pressure will also diminish 

 any part on which it is made, as already stated at the 

 commencement of these observations. Not only the 

 soft, or fleshy portions of the system may be thus ab- 



