EFFECTS OF TIGHT LACING. 30" 



a doubt but the aeration of the blood is defective , and 

 hence the necessity of the quick and unnatural inspira- 

 tions, in order to maintain the circulation, which would 

 cease the moment the air ceased to act upon it. These 

 devotees, beside betraying their sufferings by a quick- 

 ened respiration, show also by the livid color of the lips, 

 that the blood is not sufficiently decarbonized, or is not 

 completely changed from the dark venous, to the light 

 arterial. (See p. 153.) 



984. It cannot be supposed by those who will reflect 

 upon this subject, that the laws of the animal economy can 

 be thus disregarded for any considerable length of time, 

 without inducing the most disastrous consequences to the 

 general health and constitution. Every one knows that 

 air is the pabulum of life, and that a free, pure atmo- 

 sphere is absolutely necessary for vital and muscular 

 energy. Whoever, therefore, interrupts the free ingress 

 of air to the lungs, beside the injury which will follow 

 to the organs themselves, does the same, in effect, as to 

 create a vitiated atmosphere for her own use ; since in 

 both cases, a full supply of oxygen is equally wanting, 

 and in both, the consequences are the same. 



985. Those, therefore, who create by stays, corsets, or 

 otherwise, such a continual pressure on the lungs as to 

 interfere with their regular and appropriate functions, 

 may expect sooner or later, to suffer either sudden death 

 by apoplexy, disability by palsy, or at least a gradual 

 decay of the constitution, attended with fetid breath, af- 

 fections of the lungs, liver, or other viscera, and which 

 will terminate in the prostration, and final extinction of 

 all the powers of life. 



986. Pulmonary Consumption in consequence of Pres- 

 sure on the Lungs. It is most probable that when a de- 

 gree of pressure is made on the lungs sufficient to bring 

 the fine tissue of vessels, of which they are composed, 

 into such a state of collapse, as to prevent the ingress of 

 air, and the circulation of the vital fluid, that the portions 

 so pressed suffer a slight degree of inflammation, in con- 

 sequence of which, they adhere into masses, more or less 

 solid, thus closing them entirely, and preventing ever 

 afterward, though the pressure may be removed, the full 



