The Scientific Management of Georgian Beauty
Causes and prevention of deformity
Experts concluded that preventing deformity was preferable (and easier) than curing it. Many suggested ignorant management in childhood was at the heart of many disfigurements and as such, more ‘scientific’ management might be applied to remedy them.
Towards the end of the Georgian era, malformations were classified by their causes including:
Those produced before birth
The result of tight lacing of long corsets, thought to impede the mother’s digestion, breathing, circulation and to even displace the womb itself. This practice was thought to impede the proper growth of a child resulting in dwarfism or other deformities of shape. Teaching mothers not to wear tight garments during pregnancy offered a simple remedy to this malady.
Those produced by ignorant nursing
In this case nursing referred to the care of the child in infancy. Infant bones were considered soft and unfinished, and the joints susceptible to injury by rough handling. Caregivers were directed to handle the infant as little as possible, allowing them to lie on mats and cushions without restrictions, and prevented from sitting and standing too soon.
Those produced by clothing in infancy
The practice of tight swaddling was still practiced in the Georgian era. However, toward the end of the period, the practice fell out of favor. The tight constriction of the infant was thought not only to be painful, but to restrict blood flow and to impede normal growth, forcing limbs and spine into unnatural shapes. Nurses were advised to adopt a looser mode of dress, but not so loose as to fail to support ‘feeble’ infant muscles, and to avoid dressing an infant too warmly and causing sweats in the night.
Those produced by dress in youth
Putting pressure on muscles was thought to weaken them. So the use of corsets, tight sleeves or garters was advised against; they might result in twisting the body out of natural position. Children’s clothing should be comfortable and allow the blood to flow freely and the body to move easily.
Those produced by position
Sleeping on the same side of the bed every night, sitting on the same side of the window or fire every night or in any way that twists the body was to be scrupulously avoided. While reading, writing, sewing or practicing music, young ladies must maintain perfectly erect posture to avoid permanent deformation of the spine.
When posture and exercise were not enough to correct deformity, more drastic measures were employed.
Thank you for the many miles of rabbit burrows you travel to share the information dug out inside. Your blog has been a primary source of information about the Regency for me and enables a greater understanding of period novels. Besides it’s just fun to learn about a different time when life seems simpler but really was not at all.
It is a wonder anyone lived to any reasonable age. Goodness… I wonder what the future will say about us and some of our barbaric procedures? Thanks for sharing this with us.
Just all the more reasons to be thankful we are born in this age. I am in remission from Leukemia and would be dead if not for modern medicine…even with its side effects.