CONSUMPTION AND TIGHT LACING.
THE unnatural and most injurious habit of contracting the waist and chest by stays, in a vice-like grip, interferes with the functions of all the abdominal, pelvic, and thoracic organs. The circulation and proper function of the liver and spleen are greatly interfered with, digestion and chylification are impaired, the pelvic organs are depressed below their normal level, the diaphragm is prevented from proper play, and the ribs cannot expand the chest walls; and the inevitable consequence is deficient respiration and aeration of the blood [and consumption]. Under five years of age, the census of 1870 and 1880 show more deaths of males than females from this disease. They also show a gradual increase of females after that age, to ten years; and after that to fifteen the increase is quite rapid, so that at the latter age the census of 1870 gives deaths of males, five hundred and one, and of females, one thousand and fifty-six; and for 1880 the disproportion is still greater. Between the ages of fifteen and twenty it is considerably more than double. This is the tribute females pay to fashion at that age. Females continue to hold the ascendancy till thirty-five years, in the census of 1870, and to the fortieth year in that of 1880, when the males again come to the front, and lead the list the balance of life.—St. Louis Courier of Medicine.