Herself | Page 3

small structure which is called the clitoris. This clitoris is very
similar in structure to the penis of the male, having a tiny prepuce or
foreskin which folds over to protect the sensitive end. Sometimes the
foreskin is bound down too tightly, so that instead of being a protection
to the parts, it becomes a source of irritation. Then we say the clitoris is
hooded and it is necessary to loosen or cut this fold of skin. The
operation is similar to that of circumcision in the male.
Just back of the clitoris, within the folds of the labia, is situated the
meatus urinarius, or opening leading to the bladder. This aperture does
not open directly into the bladder but is connected to it by a tube, about
an inch and a half long, called the urethra.
The orifice or external opening of the vagina is situated just back of the

meatus urinarius, also within the folds of the labia. In the virgin it is
partly closed by a membranous fold called the hymen or maidenhead.
The shape and size of the hymen varies greatly in different individuals,
sometimes being entirely absent. After marriage it usually persists as
notched folds. The presence of an intact hymen is not necessarily a sign
of virginity, nor does its absence necessarily indicate defloration. Its
congenital absence or absence at the time of birth is known. It
sometimes is injured, or may be destroyed by an accident, as by falling
astride of an object; again violent exercise may rupture it (horseback
riding). Surgical operations or vaginal examinations, roughly
conducted, not infrequently cause rupture. Then, too, authentic cases
are on record in which prostitutes have had perfectly preserved hymens.
It is well known that the use of vaginal astringents may tone up and
narrow the vagina and even restore the hymen to a great degree.
The surface between the vaginal orifice and the anus is called the
perineum (Do not confuse this with the peritoneum, for they are
entirely different). It is this perineum that sometimes becomes torn
during childbirth. The vaginal opening does not always stretch
sufficiently to allow the passage of the child's head and the great
pressure being exerted on the child by the uterine and abdominal
muscles pushes it through, causing the tear. (You will understand this
better when I explain about the development and birth of the child.) If
this tear is repaired immediately no inconvenience usually results but if
it is neglected it may produce a series of complications, some of which
are falling of the womb, inflammation and even sterility.
Not directly connected with any of the other organs but still associated
with them are the breasts. They vary in size at different periods of life,
being usually of small size when the girl is young but increasing in size
as the generative organs develop. The breasts consist of fatty tissue
surrounding milk glands and ducts. During pregnancy they increase in
size and become filled with milk. After the menopause (change of life)
they ordinarily shrink in size. The ancient Greek statues, such as the
Venus de Medici, long regarded as a type of perfect beauty, the Venus
of Capua, regarded as the bust of a perfect form, show that the Grecian
ideal of the feminine form had small busts. The modern idea seems to

have wandered far from the Grecian ideal and many women devote
much time and money trying to develop their busts. Perhaps sometime
we will give up trying to be so artificial and conform to Nature's ideal.
Nature has constructed the internal female organs so wisely that we
seldom need give them much thought. But the external organs do need
our attention every day. I told you that the labia secreted a lubricating
material which kept the parts moist, but this secretion must not be
allowed to accumulate. The scalp secretes an oil that is necessary to the
health of the hair but if this and the perspiration are allowed to
accumulate the hair has an offensive odor. So it is with the female
organs, the parts must be bathed carefully every day. I have been
surprised in the past to find how many intelligent women neglect these
parts. Women come for an examination, their clothing is scrupulously
clean, their bodies show recent care but in the folds of the labia,
especially near the clitoris, I find an accumulation of a cheesy-like
material which has an odor very offensive to any truly refined woman.
Sometimes in public gatherings, I have been seated near a woman with
this same offensive odor very noticeable, and I have longed to tell her
how to avoid it, for I am sure others must notice the same odor. But
even from a physician, in the privacy of the office, women resent