The character and arrangement of a girl’s clothing is one of the most important matters in her whole regimen.  Clothing may neutralize the beneficial effects of her otherwise hygienic habits.  The long-continued even though light pressure of the corset—­and it is seldom light—­interferes with the free circulation of the blood.  The alteration in intro-abdominal pressure is conducive to misplacements of abdominal and pelvic organs; the anterior pressure on the iliac bones, the result of the modern long hip corset, is a fruitful source of partial separation of sacro-iliac joints—­the cause of many backaches.  Respiration is limited, the free play of abdominal muscles is prevented, constipation is promoted, and digestion is impaired.  The strain on muscles and nerves caused by high-heeled shoes is a prolific source of headache and backache and reduced efficiency.  Women have no conception how greatly their susceptibility to fatigue is increased and their total efficiency reduced by their methods of dress.  The pity is that the majority will not learn unless the decrees of fashion change.

The hygienic problems of girls in industry will largely disappear when it becomes a matter of common knowledge that industrial efficiency is dependent upon physical efficiency.  The physical efficiency of the worker cannot be maintained at its highest standard when the period allotted to rest is too short to allow the body to rebuild its tissues and dispose of the toxic products of fatigue.  All activity must be balanced by rest.  If this equilibrium between expenditure and income is disturbed, exhaustion ensues.  If long continued, it results in permanent impairment of health.  The organism poisoned by its own toxic products is incapable of productive effort and the output will steadily diminish as the fatigue increases.  The present long working day causes a progressive diminution in the vitality of the worker, defeats its own end, and leaves the girl weak in the face of temptations.

The housing of unmarried girls is a very serious question.  Homes for working-girls require skillful management and a matron of insight and sympathy.  The bedrooms may be small, but well lighted and ventilated.  There should be a sunny dining-room, a library, several small parlors, attractively furnished, a gymnasium which could be used for dancing, shower baths, and an assembly room for concerts, lectures, and moving pictures.  This should be in charge of a trained social leader who would direct entertainments and stimulate wholesome interests.  With an establishment of this kind we should not find so many of our girls on the streets or seeking diversion in cheap theaters and dance halls.  When girls are able to live,—­not simply exist in the deadening monotony of alternation between work and sleep,—­their heightened mental activity, interest, and enthusiasm will prove a valuable asset to employers.