Produced by John Rodzvilla and the Summer 2012 Electronic
Publishing Overview Class (Ryan Ayers, Courtney Coats,
Chelsea Cohen, Elaina DeBoard, Katrina Gravel, Susanna
Kellogg, Bryan Lawver, Alexis Mackintosh-Zebrowski, Melissa
Malone, Anna Meier, Jennifer Riley, Kruthika Subramanyam)
at Emerson College, Boston, MA.
Our Girls
by
Dio Lewis, A.M., M.D.,
President of "The Normal Institute for Physical Education,"
Physician in Chief to "a Swedish Movement Cure," Author of "New
Gymnastics for Men, Women, and Children," "Weak Lungs, and How to
Make Them Strong," "Talks About People's Stomachs," etc.
That her hand may be given with dignity, she must be able to stand
alone.-Margaret Fuller
New York
Harper & Brothers, Publishers, Franklin Square, 1874.
Entered according to Act of Congress in the year 1871, by
Dio Lewis.
In the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.
To
My Girls
I dedicate this volume
In the School at Lexington they taught me how pure and noble life
may become.
Will they listen to another of my "Talks about Health?"
The Author.
Contents
INTRODUCTION
GIRLS' BOOTS AND SHOES
Sure Way to get Broad Soles.
Beauty of Broad Soles.
Economy of Wide Soles.
Thickness of the Soles.
Of what shall the Uppers of Girls' Boots be composed?
Should the Shoes support the Ankle?
Rubber Boots and Shoes.
HOW GIRLS SHOULD WALK
Another Woman who Walked well.
Still another Woman who Walked well.
Important Help in Learning to Walk.
THE LANGUAGE OF DRESS
Low Neck and Short Sleeves
DESCRIPTION OF DRESS
Letter from Washington.
Excessive Ornamentation.
Earrings and other Trinkets.
Finger-rings, etc.
OUTRAGES UPON THE BODY
Fashionable Sufferings.
WOMAN TORTURES HER BODY
STOCKINGS SUPPORTERS
LARGE vs. SMALL WOMEN
Why are Women so Small?
IDLENESS AMONG GIRLS
A Family Counsel.
How it Terminated.
IDLENESS IS FASHIONABLE
WORK IS FOR THE POOR
Work for Rich Girls.
A true Love Story.
EMPLOYMENTS FOR WOMEN
Amanuenses.
Bank Clerks.
Brokers.
Copyists.
Dentists.
Lawyers.
Lecturers.
Librarians.
Physicians.
Preachers.
Proof-Readers.
Publishers.
Teachers.
Teachers of Gymnastics and Dancing.
Teachers of Drawing and Painting.
Watches.
Pens.
Aquaria Makers.
Architects.
Engravers.
Photographers.
Schools of Design.
Gardening.
A Capital Investment.
Merchants.
Carpenters.
Other Occupations.
Employment Agencies.
FALSE TESTS OF GENTILITY
Conservatism is Fashionable.
"Woman's Rights" are Unfashionable.
The Social Evil.
A SHORT SERMON ABOUT MATRIMONY
My Text.
You Want Husbands.
Why Men do not Propose.
Beauty of Woman's Body.
This Dress Checks your Movements.
PIANO MUSIC
Vocal Music.
Bad Manners of Piano Players.
Vices of Modern Music.
Italian Opera.
STUDY OF FRENCH
Disciplinary Value of French.
Comparative Value of English and French.