Rensselaer Republican, Volume 16, Number 46, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 24 July 1884 — Clothing of the Sexes. [ARTICLE]

Clothing of the Sexes.

I agree that the tax of carrying clothes from the waist is utterly unjustifiable, and that the parts that should bear the burdens are the shoulders and none other, says Dr. Richardson in the London Truth. In this regard women ought to be placed under the same favorable conditionsformovement of the body as men, and the greatest emancipation that woman w 11 ever have achieved will have arrived when she has discovered and carried out this practical improvement. Anyone who will for a moment think candidly must admit that the dress oi men, however bad it may be in taste, or in whatever bad taste it may have been conceived, is, in respect to health, infinitely superior to that of women. In the dress of the man every part of the body is equally covered. The middle of the body is not enveloped in a number of loose layers, while the lower limbs are left without close clothing altogether; the center of the body is not. strained with a weight which almost drags down the lower limbs and back; the chest is not exposed to every wind that blows, and the feet are not bewildered with heavy garments which they have to kick forward or drag from behind with every advancing step. The body is clothed equally, and the clothing is born by the shoulders; it gives free motion to breathing; it gives freedom of motion to the circulation; it makes no undue pressure upon digestive organs: it leaves the limbs free: it is easily put on and off; and it allows ready change in vicissitudes of weather. It is told of the late eminent surgeon, Mr. Cline, the teacher Sir Astley Cooper, that when he was consulted by a lady on the questions how she should prevent a girl from growing misshapen, he replied: “Let her have no stays and let her run about like boys.” I gladly re-echo this wise advice of this great surgeon; and would venture to add to it another suggestion. I would say to the mothers of England, let your girls dress like the boys; make no difference whatever in respect to them—give them knickerbockers if you like —witfi* these exceptions, that the under garments be of a little lighter material, and _that thfey be supplemented by an outer gown or robe which shall take the place of the outer coat of the boys and shall make them look distinctly what they are—girls clothed cap-a-pie, and we.l clothed from head to foot.