Corsetry Talk.
Who is Your Client?
A WELL-KNOWN physician took the modern young girl as his subject before a recent clinic. He announced in strong terms that the young girl is suffering through incorrect poise, due in part to too rapid growth, lack of support, and the stylish slouch.
He pictured the young society girl—weight on one foot, shoulders stooped, chest sunken, abdomen thrown out; also the young schoolgirl—with an armful of books on one hip, and practically the same poise. Even an attempt to straighten, he said, threw her shoulders back abnormally, caused her head to drop forward with sway-back. Either poise is equally harmful.
"This girl is suffering from tuberculosis. Why?" Assuming her poise, he explained how the lower lobe of the lung was compressed and congested, how action was retarded, how adhesions had formed and pleurisy attacks were frequent. This girl when younger was robust and strong. Incorrect poise had hindered the functioning of the lungs and diaphragm and prevented proper breathing. This affected the spine and abdominal organs and in time weakened resistance and produced physical unfitness.
Another patient before the clinic, had a dropped stomach as the result of incorrect poise. He showed X-ray pictures, pointing out how the right supporting garment would have changed the tilt of the pelvic girdle, reinforced the abdominal wall, supported the spine, corrected the condition and even prevented it from developing.
Still another case, an industrial girl with a spinal curvature almost beyond repair as the result of standing and sitting incorrectly. The doctor illustrated how so many factory and office workers slumped at the waist, bent at the shoulders, hollowed at the chest; with every internal organ crowded out of position; natural functioning interfered with, and free circulation retarded.
"These are only a few of the many who come under my observation," the doctor added. Think of the vast number whose condition does not reach a physician and who go on through life handicapped. He made a plea to the physicians to use their influence for young women to have the right supporting garment, and emphasised the importance of the stiff clasp to remind women to stand and sit correctly.
