Dear Sir,–I was reading with interest “R.S.’s” remarks on China, more especially where he deals with the very tight laced corsets worn by the young girls of the Portugese colony. I am told by a stay-maker that tight lacing is the vogue in this country and on the Continent.
I was much surprised to hear this as I thought that nearly the only garment of this description worn now was in the nature of an elastic belt.
This interests me very much as I have been at one time a medical student. I assisted a doctor who specialized in anatomy, with his work, but he found it very difficult to get exact histories showing the evil effects or otherwise of tight corsets.
His conviction was that corsets in themselves were beneficial to the health. He wore them himself, and persuaded me to do so, and I must say I have enjoyed better health since wearing them. Even tight lacing he found was detremental where the corset was properly made with a due consideration to anatomy.
Perhaps some of your lady readers have views on this question, which would be interesting to see, and if so, I shall certainly send “London Life” to my medical friend, as it will probably contain information which will be valuable to him in his work.
The matter of high heels is again a confused subject, as moderately high heels lift the muscles of the calf, thus improving the shape of the leg, help the arch of the foot and give poise and balance.
Yours faithfully,
“E.F.”