Question

Women in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries wore whalebone corsets that severely restricted the respiratory and digestive systems. These corsets were worm to have a wasp like waist. It was quite common for these women to faint, in fact they had fainting couches. Explain the physiological reason for their fainting problems

Answer 1

The physiological reason for their fainting problems is the respiratory system is severely restricted, so the women could not inhale sufficient air. This resulted in hypoventilation that means increased carbon dioxide and increased hydrogen ions. The increased hydrogen ions depressed the breathing rate and insufficient oxygen reached the brain, causing fainting.

Explanation:

Fainting means sudden loss of consciousness and posture that is caused by decrease in blood flow to the brain.

Women in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries often faced fainting problems. The reason is that they wore whalebone corsets. These corsets severely restrict the respiratory and digestive systems. So the woman could not inhale sufficient air. This led to hypoventilation. The increased hydrogen ions reduce the breathing rate of the person. So the amount of oxygen reaching the brain is reduced. This causes fainting of those women.