Herself | Page 7

vein a blood tumor. These tumors or dilated blood
vessels of the rectum are called hemorrhoids or piles. I will explain
these more thoroughly when I talk to you about constipation.
The womb may tip forward, pressing on the bladder and causing a
frequent desire to urinate. More rarely it is tipped to one side. It then
tends to pull on the ovaries and produce pain and various nervous
symptoms.
The womb may fall downward, pressing against both the bladder and
rectum and dragging the ovaries and tubes out of their natural positions.
Sometimes it even protrudes from the vagina. Any falling or

displacement of the womb pulls on the tubes and ovaries, often
producing an inflammation. This inflammation should not be allowed
to continue, as it may become serious, even extending to the
peritoneum and producing peritonitis. The nerves of the uterus are very
closely connected with the spinal nerves, therefore, any displacement
reacts through them and may produce headache and backache, which
are the common accompaniments of any uterine disorder.
[Illustration: KNEE-CHEST POSITION]
One of the most simple and yet efficacious treatments to correct a
displacement downward and backward is to assume the knee-chest
position for a few moments morning and evening after the clothing has
been removed. In the knee-chest position, the patient kneels on the bed,
then bends forward until her chest touches the bed; the back slopes
down and the thighs should be at right angles with the bed. This
position allows the various organs to fall forward and toward the upper
part of the body, the pressure on the uterus is relieved and it assumes its
natural position. This treatment, persisted in, will relieve nearly every
case which has not some other disorder connected with it. If every
woman would assume this position for a few minutes once or twice a
week, just before retiring, she would be greatly benefited; for the
majority of women have a slight falling of the womb, which then
presses on the rectal and other nerves causing various nervous
symptoms.
The womb and ovaries are surrounded by a dense network of nerves
and blood vessels, making them very liable to congestion. Tight
clothing or improperly fitted clothing causes pressure and interferes
with the circulation. I believe that a large percentage of the objections
to the corset originated from women wearing improperly fitted corsets
which pushed the organs out of place. A corset fitted to the wearer is
not injurious and serves as a support. Overwork, catching cold and
excesses may produce a congestion which is one stage of inflammation.
The most common symptoms of inflammation of the womb are pain in
the pelvic region, a dull backache, especially across the hips, and a
vaginal discharge called leucorrhoea (whites). Any leucorrhoea shows a

disordered condition which should be corrected. It may be simply of a
catarrhal nature, due to pressure or cold, or it may indicate a more
serious condition, as the presence of one of the black plagues.
Whenever a woman notices a vaginal discharge, it is a wise plan to go
at once to a reliable physician, find out what is the cause and nature and
then take measures to correct it. In the beginning a very little treatment,
such as hot douches, may be all that is required, while if untreated the
condition may become serious, as you will understand when I explain
about the black plagues.
Any disorder of the uterus or ovaries reacts through the nerves upon
other parts of the body and may produce various symptoms such as
general weakness, headaches and backaches. This drain on the system
often is shown by dark circles under the eyes, pale skin and a drawn,
haggard expression. All these tend to rob a woman of her charm of
physical excellence, and none of us wish to lose that; for it is natural
for all women to wish to appear attractive.
One of the most common of the so-called female disorders, which
seems to be the lot of the majority of women, is dysmenorrhoea or
painful menstruation. This is not a disease in itself, but the symptom of
various disorders. A woman in normal health should not suffer at her
menstrual period; so if she does suffer it shows there is something
wrong. The natural thing for anyone to do who had dysmenorrhoea
would be first to find the cause of this pain and then take measures to
correct it. It may be due to displacements, inflammations or tumors; it
may be due to a contraction of the mouth of the womb which does not
dilate sufficiently to allow the menstrual discharge to flow freely. It
may be due to neuralgia or rheumatism of the uterus or ovaries. Pain
always indicates an unnatural condition. It is the cry of tortured