must follow. The vital power inherent in the organs of gestation tends to push upwards, and if a greater resistance prevents its development by pressing it on all sides, it must distend the parts where there is the least antagonism; we have, therefore, a frequent cause of miscarriage in the injudicious application of ill-fitting corsets! And we would impress on the minds of our readers, that corsets are always injurious during the period of gestation, unless they are constructed on sound scientific principles, and capable of being accommodated to the various changes contemplated.
As a matter of experience it is admitted that pressure on the chest interferes with the great vital processes of respiration and circulation, even under the ordinary states of health: how great then must be the injury sustained during gestation under such circumstances! Whatever affects the mother's health must exert a deleterious influence on her future offspring; and as ill-fitting corsets not only induce these sad consequences, but press on the abdomen and tend to displace its important contents, they cause complex suffering to her, whose health and mental calmness are important conditions to the child's future health.
It is a very pleasant task to point out errors when we have the power to prevent their recurrence, and a long experience based on an accurate knowledge of the subject has qualified us for this task. We have had mothers to consult us whose sufferings were very great prior to their doing so, and who have expressed to us, in language of the warmest gratitude, the ease and comfort they have derived from our adaptations. Various have been their exclamations, such as "There is a magical difference in the ease I now feel. How can I sufficiently thank you, dear madame?" Others have declared that the corset had metamorphosed them completely; for instead of a restlessness and constant discomfort, they had experienced an immunity from all inconvenience. What, then, it may be asked, is the peculiarity of our corset? We answer, that it is made on such accurate scientific data, that it fits the body and chest of each individual; that, to quote the words of a medical gentleman when speaking of it—"Madame, your corset is more like a new layer of muscles than an artificial extraneous article of dress!" And this is practically the case.
For example, in the instance of the expectant mother, it must be important to give her support without any undue pressure in any