Effect of Corset Use on Respiration

Torso of the Statue known as Venus of Melos (left) and New York Fashion, 1898 (right). “Since abdomen and chest alternately expand and contract in healthy breathing, anything which impedes their free movement is to be avoided. The tight lacing which is still indulged [in 1900] by those who think a distorted form beautiful, seriously impedes one of the most important functions of the body, and leads not only to shortness of breath and an incapacity for muscular exertion, but in many cases to actual deformity or disease.” — Newell, 1900.

Downloads