APPLICATION OF THESE PRINCIPLES. 303 



portionate to the affection of the mother, and the amount 

 of the deformity which it is intended thus to obviate. 

 But contrary to the anxious expectations of the family, 

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

 emaciation, loss of appetite, and general debility super- 

 vene, notwithstanding the stays are tightened, and the 

 tonics are repeated, with a liberal hand. But it is need- 

 less to pursue the details of such a picture. It 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. 



970. In such cases as we have above described (and 

 we leave it to any city practitioner in ouc country, 

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

 whether the patient has been habituated to stays, or cor- 

 sets, 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 con- 

 dition, 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- 

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

 part, is induced, and thus the intended remedy increases, 

 and confirms the distortion. 



971. That these are some of the consequences which 

 follow 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. 



972. No fashionable dressmaker will deny, that One 

 in four or five of her customers, among what are called 

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

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

 ity, Qr make one side equal with the other. 



