Herself | Page 4

any
suggestion that they are not thorough in matters of cleanliness. Daily
cleansing of these parts is a necessity. At least once a day these parts
should be sponged carefully. The labia should be separated and every
fold thoroughly cleansed. Occasional vaginal douches also are
necessary, for the various secretions often are retained in the folds of
the vagina and cause irritation. But in taking a douche one always
should remember to have the water warm. Cold water may produce
congestion. The virtue of douches (except when taken for medicinal
purposes) lies in their cleansing properties and warm water cleanses
even better than cold. Many women produce grave disorders by the use
of cold douches under the mistaken notion that they are of greater value
than hot ones. A douche should be taken at the close of the menstrual
period especially.
These female organs should not be the source of worry but they do
require as much or even more attention to cleanliness than we give to

our mouths or other parts of the body.
CHAPTER II
MENSTRUATION--PUBERTY--MENOPAUSE
The subject of menstruation seems to be troubling several of you. I am
sorry that you did not all have the advantage of having this explained at
an early age. You might have been saved a great deal of suffering and
causeless worry.
By menstruation, or "the monthlies" as it sometimes is called, is meant
the monthly hemorrhage that takes place in the uterus or womb during
the child-bearing period of the normal woman except during pregnancy
and lactation, when it nearly always is suspended. The child-bearing
period commences at the age of puberty and ends with the menopause
(change of life).
Puberty is the period of maturing of the sexual organs. It occurs about
the age of twelve, although there may be considerable variation as to
this. It extends over a period of several years. As a rule, girls mature
earlier in warm climates than in cold and in cities than in country
districts. The signs of the approach of this period are the growth of hair
on the pubes and other parts of the body, the enlargement of the breasts,
a general rounding and increased grace of the body, the development of
the pelvis so that the hips become more prominent, and a change in the
mental qualities of the child, the girl naturally becoming more retiring.
The menstrual function usually is not established at once, there being
premonitory symptoms of a vague nature. There may be, at first, only a
slight discharge of mucus tinged with blood, later the normal menstrual
flow will be established.
During this period of puberty there are great changes taking place in the
girl's internal organs. This change and development requires
considerable of the girl's strength and naturally influences her nervous
system. It is for this reason that a girl at this period of her life should
not be subjected to any great exertion, either physical or mental. She
should have plenty of light, healthful exercise in the open air, but

should not indulge in any very violent exercise. A little care at this time
often will save her years of suffering. As the nervous system is greatly
affected at this period there should be no great mental strain. In fact, if
the girl shows many nervous symptoms, it may be wise to take her out
of school for a year so that her strength may be used as Nature requires
it. As a rule, too much work is required in school at this age. The
school duties should be lessened and the girl allowed to rest a day or
two during her menstrual period. The girl at this age should not attempt
to accomplish as much work or study as the boy does. Her time at this
period might better be occupied in learning the rudiments of
housekeeping and home-making. Then, when her body has become
developed, her strength can be spared and can be well used in the
development of her mind. If the nervous strain too common at this age
could be relieved we would have fewer nervous women and a healthier
and happier posterity.
As puberty approaches, a mother should give her daughter adequate
information so that she should not be frightened at the first appearance
of the menstrual flow, nor take any risks at this period. Menstruation is
the sign of the possibility of motherhood. If properly taught this fact,
every girl will be glad she menstruates and will want to be careful
during the period. On account of lack of early instruction, many a girl
obtains wrong ideas regarding this function and it produces in her a
feeling of repugnance. She should be taught the reasons for observing
prudence during the menstrual period. The possible lifelong invalidism
that may result