APPLICATION OF THESE PRINCIPLES. 295 



proportionate to the affection of the mother, and the 

 amount of the deformity which it is intended thus to ob- 

 viate. But contrary to the anxious expectations of the 

 family, the evil not only continues, but increases ; and 

 paleness, emaciation, loss of appetite, and general debili- 

 ty supervene, notwithstanding the stays are tightened, 

 and the tonics are repeated, with a liberal hand. But it 

 is needless to pursue the details of such a picture. Tt 

 would in many instances lead us down to a premature 

 grave, and we willingly leave the closing scene to those 

 whose duties call them to witness it. 



In such cases as we have above described, (and we 

 leave it to any city practitioner in our country, whether 

 such do not often occur,) the use of tight lacing, wheth- 

 er the patient has been habituated to stays, or corsets, 

 from her childhood, or not, is productive of the worst 

 consequences. The muscles of the back have already 

 been so diminished, and debilitated by pressure, as to be 

 unable to support the spine, otherwise there would have 

 been no need of adding stronger stays ; and in this condi- 

 tion, a little reflection ought to show that the offending 

 cause should be instantly removed, or at least relaxed so 

 as to allow the muscles free action ; and that this, with 

 country air, time, and exercise, would afford the most 

 reasonable hope of cure. But by increasing the pres- 

 sure, the healthy action of the muscles is entirely super- 

 ceded, and a condition at least bordering on palsy of the 

 part, is induced, and thus the intended remedy increas- 

 es, and confirms the distortion. 



That these are some of the consequences which fol- 

 low such attempts to produce fine forms, and to cure 

 curved spines, could have been inferred from physiolo- 

 gical principles ; but without depending on inferences, 

 almost every person of common observation has seen a 

 sufficient number of living witnesses, to convince him 

 that thousands of such cases, or at least cases of female 

 deformity, do exist. 



No fashionable dress maker will deny, that one in 

 four or five of her customers, among what are called 

 first rate young ladies, do not require padding, or stuf- 

 fing, on one part or another, in order to conceal some 

 deformity, or make one side equal with the other. 



