Centuries have since passed, yet nothing has changed about society's obsession with beauty to go as far as to risk their lives for it. Make it taking in or out something, or/and getting mental illnesses. It's really sad.
On a lighter note, I was just thinking about how they use bloodletting as a "treatment" before. (If I remember correctly, a lot go to barber shops to have it done.) I'm really in awe for this author!