Herself | Page 5

should be pointed out. A woman owes it to herself to
take good care of herself during her menstrual periods. For two or three
days at least she should avoid any unnecessary strain, lie down and rest
as much as possible and not worry over school or other duties. Especial
attention should be paid to cleanliness during this period. A sponge
bath taken in a warm room is not injurious and unpleasant odors can be
avoided by sponging the parts with a warm antiseptic solution upon
changing the cloth. Every woman should be provided with a circular
girdle cut upon the bias so it may be elastic, and provided with tabs to
which to pin the folded cloth. She also should have a supply of sanitary
cloths made of absorbent cotton-fabric, or pads made of absorbent
cotton enclosed in gauze. The latter especially are convenient for the

girl who is obliged to room away from home, for they may be burned
and the cost of new ones is no greater than the laundry of cloths. These
pads or cloths should be changed at least twice a day. It also is
necessary that one should bathe the parts in warm water with each
change, as unpleasant odors can thereby be avoided. At the close of
each period she should take a bath and change all clothing. One cannot
be too careful about these matters so essential to cleanliness. It is
surprising how many women neglect these important matters. The
erroneous idea that bathing of any sort at this time may have disastrous
results accounts for much of this neglect. If proper care is taken warm
sponge baths cannot be injurious.
A woman in normal health should not suffer at the menstrual period.
She normally will have a feeling of lassitude and disinclination for any
great mental or physical work, perhaps accompanied by a slight feeling
of uneasiness in the pelvic region. Because so many women do suffer at
these periods it often is considered as "natural" and allowed to
continue.
The phenomena often noted at the menstrual period are,--pains in
various parts of the body, hot flashes, chilliness and various hysterical
symptoms. A few days before menstruation commences there may be
various nervous symptoms, as irritability and a disinclination for any
exertion. Dark circles often appear under the eyes and the breasts
become enlarged and painful. A sense of fullness and oppression may
be felt in the head.
Any severe pain or profuse flow during the period or a discharge
between periods indicates a weakened or diseased condition and should
not be neglected, for it sooner or later will affect the whole system. A
woman suffering from female diseases not only is unable to perform
her work in a normal manner but the pale skin, dark circles under the
eyes and drawn haggard look which accompany these conditions rob
her of her charm of physical excellence.
The menstrual flow appears, as a rule, every twenty-eight days,
although the length of time varies with the individual. The average
duration is five days, but varies from three to seven. The flow consists

of blood from the uterine mucosa (lining of the womb) together with
small quantities of mucus. The color generally is dark at first while
later it becomes more pale. Women in poor health often have a pale
discharge. There always is a faint odor to the menstrual flow, which has
been likened to the odor of marigolds. The quantity varies with the
individual. Usually fleshy girls flow more than thin ones and dark
complexioned ones than light ones. The average quantity is four to six
fluid ounces. The time between the periods is required by the uterus or
womb to first restore the lining and then prepare it for the reception of
the ovum. Every month one or more ova (eggs) leave the ovary, pass to
the uterus and, if not impregnated, pass off with the menstrual flow.
The material prepared for the reception of the ovum is used to nourish
the new life if pregnancy occurs, but when it does not, this surplus
passes off in the form of the menstrual flow.
The menopause or change of life is the end of the child-bearing period
of a woman's life. The average age at which it occurs is forty-six,
although there is a great difference as to this. In some women it has
been known to occur as early as the thirtieth year, while in others it
does not come until the fifty-fifth year. As a rule, a woman who
commences to menstruate at an early age continues to do so until a late
age, while with a woman who commences to menstruate late, the
change comes early. At this period of a woman's life, there are
numerous changes taking place in the