A 575741
Y

1837
INIMAIRE
ARTES
LIBRARY
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
VERITAS
E-PLURIBUS UNUM
SCIENTIA
JEBUR
OF THE
SQUAERIS PENINSULAM AMOEN
CIRCUMSPICE
LLOJMADAGOGO00DUVAVAD.
HOMOEOPATHIC
LIBRARY

Gress
-3137+
698

J. Gress
WOMAN'S
MEDICAL GUIDE;
CONTAINING ESSAYS ON THE
PHYSICAL, MORAL AND EDUCATIONAL
DEVELOPMENT OF FEMALES,
AND THE
HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT
OF THEIR DISEASES IN ALL PERIODS OF LIFE,
TOGETHER WITH
Directions for the Remedial use of Water and Gymnastics.
By J. H. PULTE, M. D.
PROFESSOR OF OBSTETRICS AND DISEASES OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN; EMERITUS
PROFESSOR OF CLINICAL MEdicine in THE WESTERN COLLEGE OF HOMEO-
PATHY; AUTHOR OF "HOMEOPATHIC DOMESTIC PHYSICIAN,
ETC.

CINCINNATI:
MOORE, ANDERSON, WILSTACH & KEYS,
28 WEST FOURTH STREET.

NEW-YORK: NEWMAN & IVISON. PHILADELPHIA: MATTHEW &
HOUARD. BOSTON: OTIS CLAPP. LONDON: LOW & CO.
1853.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1853, by
J. H PULTE, M. D.,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for
the District of Ohio.
HARRIS & FAIRBANKS,
PRINTERS, STEREOTYPERS & BOOKBINDERS,
10 Bank St., Cleveland, O.
PREFACE.
In offering this work to the Public, the
Author deems it appropriate to state some of
the reasons which prompted its publication.
The spread of Homœopathy throughout the
country has been very great, beyond even the ex-
pectations of its most sanguine advocates, and is
daily increasing. Thousands of families depend
on its efficacy in the most dangerous diseases,
such as Asiatic Cholera, Scarlet and Typhus
Fever, etc.; and thousands of intelligent mothers
consider it the greatest blessing which science
has yet bestowed upon them. While they have
heretofore received their information respecting
matters of general interest and usefulness, phy-
sical education, hygiene, etc., from Allopathic
writers, they now, since their conversion to
Homœopathy, expect the Homœopathic practi-
tioner to furnish them with similar instruction.
This reasonable desire the practicing physician,
burdened with toil and care, can satisfy only at a
IV
PREFACE.
great sacrifice of time and breath, if he attempts
at all to convey the requisite information person-
ally to each one of his lady patrons. Popular
treatises, devised for this purpose, will accomplish
the object in every respect more satisfactorily.
No such work, however, has, as yet, ap-
peared in our Homeopathic literature, at least
none especially adapted to the instruction of
woman, as to her physical and moral education,
her destiny, and the treatment of female diseases.
This want the author intended to supply, by
discussing these important topics in a popular
and lucid style. Whether or not he has suc-
ceeded in his task, is for the reader to decide: if
not, then the failure has been one of judgment,
not of motive. As to the latter, the Author is
conscious of having spared neither time nor re-
search in endeavoring to make the book indeed,
what he intended it to be, a Woman's Medical
Guide, forming, as it were, a supplement to
his Homœopathic Domestic Physician.
THE AUTHOR.
CINCINNATI, May, 1853.
INTRODUCTION,
CONTENTS.
D
PART I.
WOMAN'S
PHYSICAL AND MORAL DEVELOPMENT;
HER SOCIAL POSITION AND DESTINY.
CHAPTER I.
- 13-18
*
WOMAN.
1.-PHYSICAL CHARACTER,
21-31
Anatomical difference between the two sexes, 21: Difference in
the external appearance, internal organs and bony structure,
23: The female has a different sphere of action from the male,
24: Comparison of the female system with the male, 25: The
destiny of either based on their physical constitutions, 26: Di-
vision of the duties of life, 27: Organs peculiar to the female,
28: Description of their form, position and function, 29: Ex-
planation of the changes in woman's physical economy, 30.
2.-MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL CHARACTER,
31-43
No superiority of either sex in mental or physical endowments,
31: Difference of character based on unalterable laws of na.
ture, 32: Woman physiologically considered, 34: Phrenological
VI
CONTENTS.
analysis of the female mind, 35: Moral region, 36: Intel-
lectual region, 37: Reflective and perceptive faculties, 39:
Region of the sentiments-imagination, 40: Its importance as
one of the faculties which render woman pre-eminently so-
cial, 41:
3.-DESTINY,
43-52
Woman in every respect man's equal, 43: Christianity the only
true restorer of woman's rights, 45: Emancipation of woman,
its true meaning and legitimate object, 46: Duty of legislation,
46: Her destiny, based upon her physical and moral peculiar-
ities, 47: Woman's true position in the light of the gospel 48:
Her position in the family as wife, mother, sister or daughter,
49: Duties and responsibilities of a christian mother, 50: Her
position in society and the state, 52.
CHAPTER II.
GIRL.
ITS INFANCY,
63-60
Difference of action between the male and female infant, 53:
Swelling of the breasts in female infants, 54: Hygienic rules,
bathing, exercise, air, food, clothing, 55: Vaccination, 61.
ITS GIRLHOOD,-
61-84
Importance of a proper development and carly education of the
physical system, 62: Danger of the intellectual education if
too early commenced, 62: Our present system of education is
wrong—the physical must precede the intellectual, 62: Each
has separate ends to accomplish, 63: What they are and how
they can be reached, 64: Dress of a girl, 66: Exercise, dancing
CONTENTS.
VII
+
:
gymnastics, 66: Danger resulting from infant schools, 72:
Bad results from the practice of awarding preferments and
premiums in schools, 74: How a system of education should
be organized, 78: Music, vocal and instrumental, 80: Moral
and religious training, 80: Boarding-schools inefficient and
dangerous, 81.
CHAPTER III.
MAIDEN OR YOUNG LADY.
Changes in the system, 85: Menstruation, 86: signs of maiden-
hood, 87: Moral and physical changes, 88: Puberty, 89: Its
causes, 90: Description of the internal organs of generation,
90: Nature and origin of menstruation, 92: Moral develop-
ment of the maiden, 94: Education at home and abroad, 96:
Gymnastic exercises, 97: Early marriages are injurious, 98:
Their causes, 99: Their prevention, 100: Runaway matches,
100: Legitimate time of marriage, 102: Education never fin-
ished, 103: Different kinds of education, 106: Dancing, arts
and sciences, 107: Extravagance in dress, 109: Duty of pa-
rents, 110: Show mania and fashions, 111: Necessity of
useful occupations, 112: customs of old times, 116: Study of
languages, 118: Moral and religious duties, 119.
CHAPTER. IV.
MAIDEN LADY.
Law of development, 120: Exceptions, 121:
Duty to marry,
122: Duty and worth of maiden ladies, 124: Their occupa-
tions, 128: Their joys and pleasures, 130.
VIII
CONTENTS.
CHAPTER V.
MARRIED LADY.
Civilization of the world by woman, 132: Positior of a wife, 133:
Affection the real talisman of the marriage union, 135: Other
virtues 137: Physical changes during marriage, 142: Concep-
tion, 143: Pregnancy, 144: Its signs, 145: The fœtus and its
development, 147: Rules to be observed during pregnancy,
143: Its disorders, 150: Quickening-its meaning, 150: Dura-
tion of pregnancy, 152: Labor, 152: Chloroform and ether-
their use, 153: Duties of a mother, 153: In the family, 155;
In society, 158: In the state, 159.
CHAPTER VI.
WIDOW.
Widowhood, 161: External circumstances, 163: Duties of wi-
dows, 164: Second marriages, 165: Education of children, 166:
Physical welfare, 167.

CHAPTER VII.
MATRON.
Her physical condition, 169: Her relations to family and society,
170: Her position and needs, 173: Recapitulation, 175-178.
CONTENTS.
IX
•
PART II.
•
DISEASES OF WOMEN:
THEIR DESCRIPTION AND HOMEOPATHIC TREATMENT.
CHAPTER I.
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
1. PUBERTY AND ITS ABNORMAL APPEARANCE,
181-205
Chlorosis-green sickness, 182: Menstruation and its abnormal
appearance, 186: Tardy menstruation, 187: Suppressed men-
struation, 190: Too copious menstruation-flooding, 193:
Menstruation of too long duration, 196: Too late and too scanty,
196: Deviation of menses, 196: Too difficult, 197: Painful,
198: Their cessation or change of life, 199: Abnormal erotic
sentiment-nymphomania, 200: Absence of erotic sentiment,
204: Sterility, 204.
2. PREGNANCY,
•
206-240
Swelling of the feet
Plethora―congestion-fever, 206: Hemorrhages, 209: Hemor-
rhoids-piles, 210: Varicose veins, 212:
and lower limbs, 213: tooth-ache, 214: Salivation, 214: De-
rangement of appetite, 215: Nausea and vomiting, 217:
Diarrhea, 219: Constipation, 221: Dyspepsia-heart-burn-
acid stomach, 222: Difficulty of swallowing, 222; Spasmodic
pain and cramps, 223: Colic pains, 224: Disury—strangury—
ischury, 224: Incontinence of urine, 225: Jaundice (icterus,)
225: Pain in the right side, 227: Asthma-congestion of the
lungs-palpitation of the heart-spitting of blood-pleurisy,
X
CONTENTS.
228: Hacking cough, 229: Vertigo-congestion of the head,
229: Headache-fainting-sleeplessness-depression of spir-
its, 230: Neuralgic pains, 230: Spasmodic laughter-crying
-sneezing-yawning, 231: Puerperal convulsions (Eclampsia
gravidarum,) 232: Miscarriage (abortion,) 234.
3. PARTURITION,
240-273
Labor, 243: Natural and preternatural, 244: Protracted, 246:
Sudden cessation of, 247: Spurious or false labor-pains, 248:
Excessively painful labor, 250: The waters (child's water,)
251: Delivery, 253: Apparent death-asphyxia of the infant,
254: After-birth, 256: Hemorrhage-flooding, 258: After-pains,
260: Confinement, 261: Lochial discharge, 264: Suppression
of, 266: Excessive and protracted, 267: Offensive, sanious, 267:
Childbed fever, 268: Milk-leg (Phlegmasia alba dolens,) 270:
Mania in childbed, 272.
4. NURSING,
273-291
Milk-fever, 279: Ague in the breast-gathered breast, 280: De-
terioration of milk, 283: Suppressed secretion of milk, 287:
Excessive secretion of milk, 288: Deficiency of milk, 289:
Sore nipples, 290.
CHAPTER II.
DISEASES OF GENERATIVE ORGANS.
Imperforation of the Hymen, 292: Inflammation of external
parts, 293: Wounds on the same, 294: Oedematous swelling
of the labia, 294: Pruritus-itching of the private parts, 295:
Diseases of the vagina, 297: Leucorrhea (fluor albus,) 298: Dis-
eases of the uterus, 302: Prolapsus uteri (falling of the womb,)
303: Its retroversion and anteversion, 308: Inflammation of
the womb, 309: Irritable uterus (rheumatism and neuralgia of

CONTENTS.
XI
the womb,) 310: Polypus of the uterus, 312: Scirrhus and
cancer of the womb, 315: Ulceration of the womb, 316: Dropsy
of the womb, 317: Inflammation of the ovaries, 319: Ovarian
dropsy, 322: Diseases of the breasts, 322: Scirrhus and can-
cer of the breasts, 324.
CHAPTER III.
DISEASES OF NERVOUS FUNCTION.
HYSTERIA,
325-332
Hysteria or vapors was formerly a fashionable disease, 325: Has
become quite obsolete at the present day, 326: Derivation and
signification of the word hysteria,326: Its chronic character,327:
Description of an hysterical paroxysm (globus hystericus,) 328:
Resembling epileptic fits, 329: Its mental causes, excess of joy,
fear. fright, anger, grief, home-sickness, unhappy love, jealousy,
mortification, insult, contradiction, chagrin and indignation,
330: Hysterical constitution, its treatment, 331: Hysteria di-
minishes of late years in intensity and frequency-the proba-
ble causes of this singular phenomenon, 332.
• padan qalan mina pla
An ang m
B
priate any means ma vady.
NOTICE TO PHARMACEUTISTS.
The medicines prescribed in this work are generally
found among those usually contained in the boxes ac-
companying the books for domestic practice; it has
been the intention that their potency or attenuation
should be the same as recommended in the Author's
"Homœopathic Domestic Physician," viz: the medi-
cines taken from the vegetable kingdom in the third
attenuation, those from the mineral in the sixth. If
separate medicine chests should be made to accompany
this book, Pharmaceutists will please to put them up in
accordance with the above rule; containing the following
medicines:
Aconite, Arnica, Arsenicum, Belladonna, Bryonia, Calcarea
carbon., Cantharides, Capsicum, Carbo vegetabilis, Chamomile,
China, Cocculus, Coffea, Colocynth, Conium, Crocus, Cuprum,
Drosera, Dulcamara, Ferrum, Graphites, Hepar sulph., Hyos-
camus, Ignatia, Iodium, Ipecacuanha, Lachesis, Lycopodium,
Mercurius (vivus,) Natrum mur., Nitric acid, Nux vomica, Opi-
um, Phosphorus, Phosphoric acid, Platina, Pulsatilla, Rheum,
Rhus toxicodendron, Sabina, Secale, Sepia, Silicea, Spigelia,
Stannum, Staphysagria, Stramonium, Sulphur, Tabacum,
Tartar emetic, Thuja, Veratrum album; also the tinctures named
in the Author's work on Domestic Practice.

INTRODUCTION.
It would be almost superfluous, at the present
day, to preface a treatise like this with an apology
for its appearance. Society in modern times, and
particularly in our country, has assumed a de-
cided direction towards the diffusion of knowledge
amongst all classes and ages; the rich and the
poor, the mechanic, merchant and literary devotee;
the child, young man and woman, parents and
aged persons-all are previded for in the distribu-
tion of intellectual food. The presses are teeming
with the various productions, suitable for popular
education, diffusing a mass of knowledge, which,
in time, will ameliorate the condition of society.
The most abstruse sciences, heretofore strictly and
carefully hidden from the eyes of the people at
large, now make their appearance in crowded halls
before popular audiences, being received with
applause and eagerly absorbed, when brought be-
fore them in language appropriate and easily
understood. Thus, Astronomy and Metaphysics
have been successfully treated of in popular lec-
tures; natural sciences, in all their various phases,
B
1

XIV
INTRODUCTION.
are familiar and pleasant visitors at the gatherings
of the people. It may be truly said, our lecture-
rooms continue to do, what the school-rooms have
had no time to finish; and an intelligent, well-
educated people, like ours, will pursue its studies,
in spite of old-fashioned barriers and scientific
cliques; having once imbibed the thirst for know-
ledge, it cannot be restrained in continuing to
satisfy its cravings.
Another question, however, might be raised,
as regards the propriety of treating in books of
subjects, so delicate and private, that the modesty
of the female sex naturally would shrink from their
perusal. But it is an old adage, and a very true
one: To the pure all things are pure; where the
heart does not already yearn after the evil, and the
imagination is not already perverted, finding her
sole delight in the contemplation of impure pic-
tures, a truthful and severe exposition of the laws
governing the female system, cannot intoxicate the
senses or degrade the moral taste; on the contrary,
must ennoble the impulses of the heart by increasing
the knowledge of laws and destinies in connection
with the immense responsibilities, thus given to
the choice of each one's judgment. Beside, we
are convinced that it is possible to treat of the laws
of nature within the limits of perfect decorum; and
this without suppressing the truth or becoming
unintelligible.


INTRODUCTION.
XV
No one will deny the propriety of giving to
woman all the instruction needed for herself and off-
spring, and as this knowledge has to be presented
to her in some way, that which least offends her
finer feelings will be considered the best. Woman
is naturally timid, and refrains as long as possible
from making inquiries and asking advice from male
persons about her own health or that of her daugh-
ters, where the subject is a delicate one.
And yet
she must seek for information, or else irreparable
damage might be done. She fears exposure, if it
be only in conversation; her nature instinctively
revolts against it. Here it is that a book, contain-
ing all the information she wants, frequently comes
to her as a great relief; she can receive instruction
through it, without exposing her needs to the ear
of a male person, be he ever so well known to her.
This reluctance and fear of exposure is so deeply
rooted in females, that they frequently rather seek
advice, if absolutely needed, from the physician,
who is a stranger to them, than from their own
family-physician. How much easier is it to con-
sult the pages of a book, which written for their
especial benefit, will inform them privately about
subjects, on which they hesitate to converse in the
presence of others.
Again, is it not all important that woman, the
mother and guardian of our infants and children,
should possess all the knowledge possible as to
B2


XVI
INTRODUCTION.
their rational training and education. An igno-
rant mother will have an excuse for the neglect
which her offspring has to suffer; she can say it
is not her fault; if she knew more about the
education of children, she would not allow them
to fall under the supervision of nurses, or persons
still more incompetent. Give to the mother the
requisite knowledge in this respect, and thousands
of evils will be corrected, under which at present
our infant world has to suffer. Inform the mother
thoroughly as regards the physical and moral
training of the young girl, and soon society will
feel the blessing of such beneficent undertaking;
the next generation will already tell of the differ-
ence. Instead of sickly and nervous women,
whose sole duty seems to consist in cultivating
fashionable life, with its soul and body-destroying
consequences, you will behold strong and vigorous
bodies and enlightened and sprightly minds, whose
duty will not be to run constantly after pleasure
or external ornaments, but who would rather want
to be themselves a pleasure in the family-circle,
and an ornament to society. Our present system
of female education, its workings in the school
and at home, are entirely wrong and deleterious
for the physical and moral welfare of the daughters
of the land, who soon will have to be its mothers.
But the evil does not stop here; it increases in
a fearful ratio, as generation follows generation,

INTRODUCTION.
XVII
until society and the state itself is brought to the
verge of ruin and destruction. Well may the
philanthropist shudder at the prospect in the
future, on beholding the present mode of female
education among the wealthier classes. From
over-tasking the young mind with studies for
hours and days, interrupting thereby the growth
of the physical system, the inevitable result is a
morbid development of the nervous system, a
damage, which in most cases is irreparable. An
undue degree of ambition is the cause of this
growing evil.
Each mother wants to see her
daughter excel above all others, in what? In
strength, health, good sound sense, modest be-
havior, sprightly, cultivated mind, knowledge of
house and social duties? No, not in these quali-
ties; no, but in a display of mental and bodily
fineries, called fashionable accomplishments.
Ambition is a noble quality of the soul, when
followed within the limits of reason; but it becomes
a scourge and a destroyer of life and happiness, if
immoderately indulged in. In the case of education
it becomes more than that; it becomes a crime.
How many a naturally strong constitution has
been thereby enfeebled for life, and how many a
naturally feeble one has been made thereby to de-
part this life. These are weighty considerations
which, we hope, will receive all the attention from
those, for whose benefit they are here introduced.
B3
XVIII
INTRODUCTION.
Let each mother reflect well and deeply, before she
allows her daughter to be thrown into the whirl-
pool of modern education; let her consider first,
whether the child is physically strong enough, to go
through with it; because it is indeed hard labor,
to perform all that modern education proposes to
have done. In the following pages we hope to
convince parents, that substantial wrong is done
to their children by too early and closely pursued
studies; that the body must be allowed to develop
itself first, before the mind is taxed so severely,
as is the case at present. This relates particularly
to the education of girls.
Our plan will be, to present first, in a general
review, the character and destiny of woman—
physically, morally and socially; after which we
intend to contemplate woman in her different stages
of development, as a girl, wife, mother and matron.
In each of these periods she will be subject to
physical changes, and have to perform different
duties. It shall be our especial duty to give a
clear and faithful picture of these different periods
of development and to show how woman ought
to be in each of them, in order to deal out and
receive the greatest amount of real happiness in
this world, in which she decidedly is the most
beautiful as well as the noblest of sojourners.

WOMAN'S
PHYSICAL AND MORAL DEVELOPMENT;
HER SOCIAL POSITION AND DESTINY.
CHAPTER I.-WOMAN GENERALLY CONSIDERED.
1. PHYSICAL CHARACTER.
2.
3.
LA
*
14
"
""
"6
[L
II.
III.
IV.
V.
D
PART I.
M
P
MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL CHARACTER.
DESTINY.
W
GIRL.
MAIDEN OR YOUNg Lady.
MAIDEN-LADY.
MARRIED LADY.
VI.-WIDOW.
VII. MATRON.
B4
CHAPTER I.
WOMAN.
1. PHYSICAL CHARACTER.
In treating on this subject, we pre-suppose that
the reader is familiar with the general outlines of
human anatomy, and even with such details as
have reference to the principal organs and their
functions, necessary for the maintenance of life.
These the female system shares in common with
the male. It is our object here to point out only
that, wherein they differ; and moreover to show
that this difference in their physical nature is the
cause of their respective destinies and duties.
In comparing the female with the male body,
we find at once the former less in stature and
weight, but more rounded and graceful in form.
It exhibits not so much strength of the muscles;
these being less developed than in the male.
But its motions, if less agile and strong, evince
more graceful elasticity; in this respect, as also
in the weaker but clearer voice, the female has
retained more or less the character of the child.
We shall have occasion afterwards to remind the
reader again on the many analogies between the
B5
22
WOMAN.
female constitution and that of the child in general.
This is mentioned here at once, in order to draw
the attention to a fact, which will have great
influence in the better understanding and appre-
ciation of the female character and destiny.
Thus in the outer appearance a great difference
is noticed between the two sexes, and this in-
creases as we proceed to a closer examination of the
several parts of the system. In doing so, we have
to compare the female organization with the male.
The female face is smaller, its front not so high,
but the neck is longer; the chest is not so capa-
cious, but the abdominal region more developed,
particularly across the hips, which thus forms in
the female the basis-line of a triangle, whose apex
rests in the region of the shoulders; while in the
male system the order is reversed, the shoulders
forming the basis-line and the hips the apex of
the triangle. The female has shorter, but rounder
and fatter arms, with softer contours; the hand
also is smaller, whiter and softer, the fingers are
finer and more pointed. The lower limbs, on the
contrary, although shorter, are stouter, particularly
from above downwards to the inner corners of
the knee, which are generally rounder; the feet
are shorter and smaller. The female skin is finer,
softer and more transparent, the veins are easier
discernable; on the more delicate parts of the skin,
such as the face and neck, the blush appears
PHYSICAL CHARACTER.
23
quicker and easier. The hair grows more abun-
dantly and longer on the head, but less so on
other parts of the body; the hair itself is finer,
softer, more elastic and glossy, the nails are more
transparent and tender. The areolar tissue, which
contains the fat, is more abundant and firmer; the
muscles display a lighter color, are softer, thinner
and weaker; the single muscles less protruding.
The diaphragm is less in size and lies higher up,
enlarging thereby the abdominal cavity; the heart
is smaller; the walls of the whole vascular system
are thinner; particularly does the arterial system
lack the same density of texture in proportion to the
venous, as this is the case.in the male, although the
female possesses a larger amount of blood in pro-
portion. The lungs are smaller, and the apertures
of the nose and the whole wind-pipe narrower.
The brain, in proportion to the body, is heavier
in the female, than in the male; the cranial cavity
is more elevated as regards the position of the
face, and the mass of the brain in proportion to
the nervous system and the cranial arteries is
larger than in the male. The nerves themselves,
however, are finer, more tender and weaker.
The bones are thinner, smoother, less firm, their
processes and indentations less distinct; there is
less bony matter in general; the bones of the face
are finer, with a more even surface; the cavities
in the front part of the head and cheeks are nar-
B6

24
WOMAN.
rower; the ribs are thinner, flatter, shorter, starting
in a more decided curve from the spine; the
spinal column therefore reaches deeper in the
cavity of the chest, and the spinal processes are
less discernable in the back-bone; the breast-bone
is shorter; the cavity of the chest generally less
capacious; the spinal column, as a whole, is rather
longer in the female. But the greatest differences
exist in the region of the hips, the bones of which
are broader, although they are thinner and lighter:
the cavity of the pelvis inside, formed by the hip-
bones and the small of the back, is every way
longer, wider and more uniformly so, above as
well as below.
We must be convinced by the above comparison,
of the female system with the male, that the former
was destined to move in a different sphere of ac-
tion from the latter, and that this cannot be
changed without serious danger for its physical
welfare. The duties and mode of life seen to be
clearly pointed out to the female in her bodily
construction, which we now will proceed to con-
sider, before we come to describe those organs,
peculiar to the female sex, in which the greatest
part of her destiny is fixed.
As a prominent difference, we find the frame-
work of her system less in size and strength; the
muscles, attaching to it, are also smaller and
weaker. This fact shows that the female body is


PHYSICAL CHARACTER.
25
!
less capable than the male of undergoing toil and
hardships, which require mostly muscular effort.
Neither would it be possible to make her equal
in that respect to the male, because her muscles
are softer, thinner, not so compact and of lighter
color; this physiological difference precludes them
from ever becoming so compact, hard and strong,
as the muscles of a man, even if ever so much
exercised for that purpose. Besides, it states that
the female has a firmer areolar tissue, and in
greater abundance than the male; consequently is
more inclined to become fat, and her form rounded,
a circumstance which prevents any extraordinary
degree of muscular development by exercise. Yet
this latter is on that account not the less needed;
enough of it must be taken by the female to
develop those changes within her system, which,
as we will see hereafter, are a peculiar charac-
teristic of her sex.
Another marked difference consists in the form
and capacity of the chest and abdominal cavity,
compared with that of the male. The cavity of
the chest is smaller, while that of the abdomen is
larger. Here we find a wonderful and wise pro-
vision made for the respective duties of the two
sexes. The male is destined to labor harder; to
him is given the large wide chest, attached to
which are the powerful muscles of the trunk and
arms; his lungs are of greater expanse, his arterial

26
WOMAN.
system, including the heart, is more developed;
all this is needed for a more vigorous and pro-
longed prosecution of his daily manual work; his
system is fitted out for that especial purpose; the
abdominal region is less in size, but nevertheless
strong and compact, while his lower limbs princi-
pally excel in elasticity and propelling power.
How beautifully is his destiny written in the frame-
work of his body and the display of his muscles.
On the other hand, the female is larger across the
hips, because there nature needed above all other
parts room to fitly prepare woman for her destiny.
From this is easily seen, how perverse to nature
that fashion is, which compresses the female waist.
and makes of her literally an hour-glass, or a wasp,
while, indeed, her form ought to be broad across
the hips, gradually, but regularly tapering off up-
wards; the male form being just the reverse of
this.
The nervous system and the brain of the female
show another great difference, indicative of her
duty and destiny. Her brain is proportionally
larger than that of the man, in comparison to the
size of the body; but her nerves are finer, more
tender and weaker, making them disproportionate
to the size of the brain. The nerves, which are
the carriers of the brain-power, ought to be de-
veloped, in proportion to the size of the brain, in
order to fulfil its demands; they are, however,

PHYSICAL CHARACTER.
27
1-
finer and weaker in the female, hence she lacks
power of execution, which compels her to look for
other help to have her designs executed. By this
arrangement she has become pre-eminently the
counsellor and constant companion of man, who is
well fitted by nature to carry out her designs, to-
gether with his own. This is one of the most
wonderful arrangements in nature, by which the
two sexes are bound indissolubly together, as the
intellectual intercourse between them is rendered
thereby a natural necessity. He flies to her in ·
time of need for counsel and advice, and she looks
to him for action and execution. We can here
only slightly touch upon this interesting condition
of the two sexes. Hereafter, however, we will
treat of it more fully.
Thus, we see, that the domain of action for the
female is at the side of man, not ahead of him, nor
in his rear. These two have to accomplish together,
what it would be impossible for one to perform
alone. The hardships of life's duties are thus
wisely divided, while the results from their faithful
performance are mutually enjoyed, each one receiv-
ing a double share of benefits for one share of labor.
The female, physically disabled from participating
in life's hardest struggles, receives a higher trust in
the composition of her moral faculties, by which
she is enabled to buoy up the toiling partner, when
he seems almost to sink under the too heavy burden.
28
WOMAN.
·
Her sphere of action will be always more or less
*
the house, with its manifold labors and attractions;
there the daughter, wife or mother finds room and
time enough to exercise her physical and moral
powers; and if no morbid craving has taken pos-
session of her mind, she will find real contentment
and happiness. Beside, the social circle, the school,
lecture-room and church offer sufficient opportuni-
ties for the display of her intellectual faculties, in
giving or receiving instruction. If inclination or
necessity prompts her to devote herself to duties.
out of the house, society presents thousands of
occupations, which she can fill honorably and pro-
fitably, without risking her health or exposing her
feelings. We will now proceed to call the reader's
attention to those physical peculiarities, which
belong to woman exclusively, and form her sexual
character, determining thereby more than by any
thing else her true destiny.
It would be impossible to give an anatomical
description of all the organs peculiar to the female
system, without illustrations; yet some definite
idea must be had about their position and structure,
in order to show their harmonious co-operation
and complex relation to each other. We prefer,
however, not to introduce into this work illustra-
tions, which might be considered objectionable on
the score of propriety and good taste. To obviate
this difficulty, therefore, we will compare the posi-
PHYSICAL CHARACTER.
29
tion, form and size of these organs to familiarly
known objects. This glance will suffice to give to
the reader a sufficient knowledge of these parts,
and if any farther should be desired, every one can
easily have access to anatomical works, treating
fully on this subject. The region between the
hips contains within itself a cavity, called the
pelvic, and the bones, which form this cavity, the
pelvis; it means literally a bowl or basin. Its
wider margin is above, its narrow opening below.
The pelvis contains within its cavity all the organs
we intend to notice here.
The most important of these organs is the
uterus, or womb, which occupies the centre of this
cavity, suspended on ligaments on either side,
and connected by very loose tissue in the front
with the bladder, and in the rear with the
rectum, the natural outlet of the contents of
the bowels. The uterus has a pear-shape, and is
about as large as a small egg, with an oblong
opening of one-eighth of an inch long, across its
smaller end, called the mouth of the uterus, which
leads into its cavity. This cavity in the unfecun-
dated uterus, is very small, and only sufficient to
be noticed as such from the mouth upwards to its
higher and thicker part, called the fundus uteri;
here, to the right and left, are two small openings,
which connect through a tube on each side, called
the Fallopian tube, with the ovaries, two oblong,

30
WOMAN.
flattened and oval bodies, of a whitish color, and
the size of half a walnut. They are called
ovaries, literally egg-beds, because they contain
the ovum or egg, which is formed there, and when
growing, bursts the outer skin of the ovarium,
whence it is transferred through the Fallopian tube
into the uterus, where in single life it passes away
with the menstrual discharge; in married life
however, when all the conditions of nature have
been fulfilled, is retained within the uterus, and
nourished there during nine months. While ges-
tation is progressing, no new developments of eggs
in the ovaries take place; at least that is the
rule; but very few exceptions occur to the contrary.
Generally speaking, the action of the ovaries is
suspended during the time of gestation.
This interesting period in a woman's life brings
about a number of very important changes in her
physical economy.
The uterus, a very small organ before, now
has increased to a great size, and its former
insignificant cavity has become immensely en-
larged. Organs which formerly were active, now
lay dormant, and other organs, formerly asleep,
now have become operative. Menstruation, the
regular monthly discharge, has ceased, and the
fluids, formerly thus wasted, now have become the
source of life and nourishment for a new being,
and before this is yet born, the breasts begin to

MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL CHARACTER.
31
swell, preparing to yield the same precious nour-
ishment in another more appropriate form and
place to the child after its birth. These are some
of the changes in the female system during this
time, and they are greater in extent and importance
than any other system has to experience in its life.
time. No wonder that they are often accompanied
with great danger, or prepare derangements of
health, which often last for years. We will have
occasion, when speaking of the diseases of woman,
to trace a number of them back to this period of
her existence, where either by neglect or accident,
their seeds were sown.

2. MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL CHARACTER.
We have seen that for wise purposes the Creator
endowed woman with a physical constitution dif-
ferent, in many respects, from that of man; each
one being deficient and lacking perfection in several
particulars, but when united in the sacred bonds
of marriage and laboring together to build up a
family, these two present an exalted picture of
perfection, of which nature has nothing equal to
show. The strength of the man is united to the
loveliness and grace of woman; his impetuous but
noble haste is checked by her timid and cautious.
foresight; his bold aggressive spirit tempered by
her wise reluctance of action; everywhere, a
blending of qualities, which hides each other's

32
WOMAN.
faults, while it admits their virtues to appear the
more readily. The same wonderful arrangement
can be discerned throughout the moral constitution
of the two sexes, each of which, taken separately,
may exhibit many faults and weaknesses, which
mostly disappear when coming in contact with the
good qualities of the other. From this point of
view we have a clear insight into the wonderful
operations of Divine Wisdom, which ordered just
such relations as we behold, to exist between man
and woman, endowing each one with different
qualities, to promote the happiness of both.
From this, it is evident that, strictly speaking,
we cannot grant to either sex a superiority in
gifts or qualities, either physical or mental. Each
one stands on a separate platform, distinct from
the other, and there appears unrivalled in some
respects while deficient in others. Yet both have
received a sufficient share of those high qualities
which stamp the image of God on the human form
and soul, and none is farther away from this
ideal of perfection than the one who would be low
enough not to recognize this divine inheritance in
the other to its fullest extent.
It is part of the Divine economy to have thus
endowed the two sexes differently, in order to
insure a more perfect union between them; they
find in each other enough to admire and to love,
as also from each other enough to learn and to

MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL CHARACTER.
33
܀
imitate. In the likeness, but not the sameness of
the two sexes, consists the most perfect harmony.
They would not find pleasure in each others
company, if their intellectual and moral compo-
sition were identical; the spice of intercourse,
the charm of novelty, would be wanting; no
inducement to progress, so essential to the welfare
of intelligence, would exist; no social feeling
would bind families together and create State
organizations, because the family hearth, with its
domestic happiness as the foundation, would be
wanting. From whatever view we may contem-
plate the relations between the two sexes, we
come to the firm conclusion, that in every respect
they are equals in position, although not iden-
tical in physical or mental composition. The
first condition insures to each an equal share of
prerogative and emolument, while the latter fixes
for both their respective duties and labors. Let
us here yet remark, that revelation as well as
physical and moral laws corroborate the above
defined relations between man and woman, and if
state and society had carried them out fully, untold
agonies of body and soul, innumerable crimes and
heart-rending scenes might have been averted, and
the history of mankind been made to flow like the
rivers of Paradise, full with the waters of joyous
life, instead of what has been the case, full of
blood and destruction.

34
WOMAN.
The phrase, "emancipation of woman," should
never have been thought of; its very sound is a
disgrace to language, the especial gift of the
Creator. And it never would have been uttered
by suffering woman if she had received ample
justice from man as regards her social and political
rights, particularly those of property and labor.
Of this, however, more anon.
Generally speaking, we can be justified in
asserting, that moral sentiments are more largely
diffused among women than men; their veneration
and benevolence are largely developed and make
them particularly well qualified to perform their
angelic mission upon earth. They also have
received a greater share of hope and conscien-
tiousness, which buoy them up in the most
disagreeable situations of life, and secure to them
the peace of mind and the charity so characteristic
of the female sex. These four faculties comprise
the whole of moral sentiment, and are those by
which man is particularly distinguished from the
animal. They make him sympathise with others
in misfortune, and love and treat with kindness
and humanity, the poor, aged and infirm. They·
link his spirit to the Deity in adoration and love,
while he is made to submit cheerfully and easily
to the Divine will under all circumstances. Such
exalted sentiments have been given to woman.
more abundantly than to man, and make her,

MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL CHARACTER.
35
in the sight of the latter, an object of veneration,
regard and love, even if no other superior quality
should adorn her mind or grace her figure. This
is so universally true, that man, even in the most
barbarous periods of history, never has failed to
show this almost religious veneration to woman-
hood, which fact is verified by many instances
amongst the earliest nations. A kind-hearted,
benevolent, pious woman, will always be an object
of general admiration and reverence, while the
opposite character will meet with as universal
neglect and disrespect. In endowing woman so
freely with these high and ennobling qualities, the
Creator threw around her feeble frame and position,
a far more potent shield to protect her, than any
other instrumentality could have afforded. Wo-
manhood never appears to better advantage, than
in the holy garments of moral purity and divine
consciousness. Then she is irresistible and all-
powerful; there she seems to be all at home; no
gift of the intellect, no dazzling wit and splendor
of beauty, can compensate for the want of such
exalted excellence.
Those who seek to locate the power of woman
in her superior external beauty, and rest her claims
on these frail pillars, do not understand her
proper relation to the other sex, and fail, entirely,
to comprehend the true strength of her position.
A beautiful face and graceful form will shield her
36
WOMAN.
often from the attacks of the low and rude, but
never, on that account alone, secure for her the
esteem and reverence of the noble and refined.
These she can secure only by the excellence of her
moral character, of which she has received so
large a share. It is, therefore, part of her earthly
mission, to let the power of these high qualities
be felt as much as possible, by teaching their
principles to the young, and acting according to
them before man. If she does not do so, she is
doubly guilty of neglect of duty and propriety,
since she has treated with contempt the greatest
gift nature has so freely bestowed upon her. It
is far easier for her than him to cultivate the
strictest morals, because she inclines to them
almost by instinct. Her trials and temptations in
this sphere of life's actions, are less severe than
those of man, and consequently her distinctions in
this respect far less meritorious. If, therefore,
she leads man on the moral path, she ought to do
it with that modesty of behavior which does not
let him feel her own superiority, else one-half the
benefit might be lost thereby. She ought to
remember that his share of the moral faculties is
less than hers, that she feels, by intuition, what is
right and proper, while he has to try to arrive at
the same point of right feeling and acting, by
reflection and reasoning, a process, slower, but
more tenacious, and when successful, even more
MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL CHARACTER.
37
exalted in its results. Thus, this apparently great
disparity between the sexes, has been made the
source of the greatest blessings to mankind, and if
rightly understood and practiced, must render the
world a paradise.
In the intellectual region woman has been
endowed more with perceptive or observing than
retentive faculties. She has a keen perception of
all that passes around her, particularly when it
has reference to herself; very seldom, however,
does she reflect on the nature of the object she
observes, or the probable effect it may have. She
is satisfied with having noticed it without further
speculation. This faculty gives her a proneness
if
to curiosity, gossiping and light talk, which,
indulged in, must weaken, in a great measure, the
influence which her nice discrimination in moral
matters could otherwise secure to her. It gives
rise to another fault, so frequently met with among
women, that of searching for each other's failings,
rather than virtues. If woman shows lack of
intellect by the side of man, it is more in the
deficient discrimination of the worth of others and
its acknowledgment, than in any other respect.
She has, generally, when called upon, just as clear
and correct a judgment as mau, and equal firmness
and will, but less generosity and justice in the
appreciation of others. And this is more apparent
when she reviews one of her own sex, in which
C
38
WOMAN.
case her critical acumen becomes truly formidable
and unmerciful. No fault, ever so slight, escapes
her notice, while the good qualities of the person
under notice, are generally overlooked. This trait
in the female character, strangely contrasts with
her otherwise benevolent tendency, and becomes,
when not properly checked, a fruitful source of all
kinds of annoyances and unhappy feelings, which
often reflect even disadvantageously on her physical
health. How many diseases have their exciting
causes in nervous irritation? The nervous system
of woman is easily affected, and the conditions of
life in which women are frequently placed, render
her still more sensitive to mental irritation. In
child-bed, for instance, the slightest unkind word
may produce the most disastrous consequences,
and be destructive to both mother and child. How
necessary it becomes, therefore, to cultivate kind
feelings towards all with whom we have to associ
ate, or about whom we have to express an opinion.
A censorious spirit, if allowed to come up within
us, soon grows to a height of intolerance, bigotry,
and selfishness, which embitters the life of its owner
forever. And woman, by her keener perception
and observation of personal matters, has to fear its
tyrannical sway more than man, who is generally
more reserved in expressing opinions about others,
even if his judgment in regard to them would be
the same. Woman perceives quickly and expresses

MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL CHARACTER. 39
readily, much more frequently than prudence would
allow. This is owing to a less intense action of
the reflective faculties, causality and comparison.
She can easily, however, remedy this seeming
fault in her nature, by considering well before she
expresses her thoughts, thus exercising her reflec
tive faculties. Her innate benevolence, too, must
be exercised to keep down gossiping and censorious-
ness, as it is a benevolent disposition, particularly,
which constitutes the character of a true lady.
Such an one will always be careful never to
wound the feelings of another by words, gestures
or otherwise, be the object of her remarks ever so
insignificant. The golden rule contains for no one
a more precious precept than for woman, whose
conduct ought to be at all times measured by it.
Amongst the perceptive faculties we must
mention, especially, order, of which woman has
received, generally, a larger share than man. This
organ is the soul and ornament of a well directed
household. To its influence, the domestic hearth
is mainly indebted for its charms, and civilization
considers it one of its main-springs. Its exercise
and cultivation, therefore, are of the highest im-
portance to every woman, as part of her individual
character, in producing and representing in the
family circle, that divine principle of order which
the Great Architect so scrupulously observes in
the whole Universe.
c2

40
WOMAN.
***
In the region of the sentiments, woman is also
richly endowed. She possesses, and ought to
cultivate a proper self-respect, a feeling of womanly
pride, so as to make her independent in thought
and action, without rendering her haughty or pre-
sumptuous. She can and ought to gratify a desire
to excel and please, of course in a moderate degree,
lest it might degenerate into vanity. Her love of
approbation is generally large, and while she has
less caution than man, she is in greater danger of
becoming vain and coquettish. Proper self-respect,
however, will soon correct this evil tendency.
Her imagination is splendid and generally more
brilliant and quicker than man's, and in connection
with greater and readier humor, renders her social
qualities far superior to those of the male sex.
She possesses a quick and lively conception of the
ridiculous, even in such a degree, that it frequently
ought to be restrained. Without woman, society
would be barren of interest. No mirth, no merri-
ment, no pleasantry and wit would take away the
tedium of intercourse. Mankind would have lost
the elasticity of its step; and as these qualities
are essentially preservative as regards life, it is
evident that woman, in this respect contributes an
equal share in the maintenance of social order with
man, who so often prides himself on being the
pillar of state and society, overlooking, in his
ignorance or pride, the essential benefit and help

MORAL AND INTELLECTUAL CHARACTER.
41
he continually receives from the feebler sex in sup-
porting him to bear his burdens. It is needed for
woman to know the importance of her office and
duties in this respect, as it will make her love and
cultivate qualities so characteristic of her sex, and
so essential for the welfare, even the physical, of
mankind. Yes, truly may we say, the welfare of
mankind depends, in a great measure, on these
eminently social qualities of woman, infusing joy-
fulness, hilarity and buoyancy into every-day life,
thereby lessening its burdens, promoting physical
health and moral strength. Man forgets, in her
pleasing company, the earnestness and severity of
his thoughts and pursuits. He, who but shortly
before was deeply engaged in the serious conflicts.
of life, finds himself disenthralled from such fetters,
when addressed by her gay, lively and buoyant
conversation; he is caught by her spirit in the
pleasant retreat of imaginative sentiment and the
enticing flow of humor, wit and conversational
entertainment. For the welfare of his body and
soul, this rest from fatiguing business is indispen-
sable. If it were not so, his powers would soon be
exhausted, and languor and disgust unfit him for
the further performance of his duties. Physically
and morally, therefore, these exhilarating faculties
of woman, are essential to the welfare of the whole
race; and for woman herself, their cultivation
becomes of the highest importance, as she thereby
c3
42
WOMAN.
perfects her natural gifts, and holds undisputed
rule in those holier spheres of life, the social cir-
cles, where spirit communes with spirit for nobler
purposes and enjoyments.
Closely allied to the social circle, and, indeed,
its very prototype and basis, is the family circle,
the domestic hearth, which, without the presence
of woman, would be desolate enough. Here, also,
she reigns supreme. Her delicate feelings, amia-
bility, filial and parental affection, make the home
where she resides, truly a paradise for man, who,
without it, would be the most miserable of mortals.
Those qualities, so extremely predominant in the fe-
male sex, are still more active, because not disturbed
much by the selfish propensities, such as love
of gain, of which man has received so large a
share.
In the above, we have tried to give the general
outlines of what should constitute the moral and
intellectual character of woman. To exhaust the
subject fully here, is impossible, for want of space,
as it would take a volume alone to do it justice.
Our object is to draw the attention to those
characteristics of the female sex which fix her
earthly destiny, and which guide us in the selec-
tion of the best methods for her physical and
moral education, from her earliest infancy up.
This subject ought to receive our most careful
attention, as, according to our opinion, the welfare
DESTINY.
43
of society depends, mostly, on the soundness of
the female sex, physically, intellectually and
morally.
3. DESTINY.
From the preceding, the reader will perceive
that, in as far as woman is different from man in
her physical and moral constitution, her destiny
cannot be identical with his; that while the strength
of his physical frame points out a sphere of action
for him, which is filled with hardships of all kind,
her more delicate body must naturally be suitable
and inclining only for tasks less severe. This is
also true as regards intellectual labors. Their
correspondence in this respect is perfect, although
it might be said, that woman had heretofore, and
was yet engaged in mental and physical transac-
tions, as arduous or weighty as ever had fallen to
the lot of man. This certainly is so, but it can only
be a farther proof of the truth, that exceptions
even in this highest productive sphere of nature,
the creation of man, confirm a rule. As exceptions,
we easily understand and value the acts of those
who have played, during their life-time, the part
assigned to the opposite sex. Such occurrences are
frequently met with in history and daily life, and
demonstrate the identity of the human forces, and
the harmony of their tendency. They show the
faintness of the line of distinction, where the two

C 4
*· 44
WOMAN.
sexes meet, and the ease with which parties of either
side may overleap it. We have feminine men, as
well as masculine women. But these cases do not
furnish a rule. Nature has drawn a line, and its
existence can only be doubted by those whose incli-
nations have carried them already beyond its limits.
The workings of society have shown this already
for thousands of years, during which the duties and
affairs of both sexes have been more or less clearly
defined. It is true certain ages have not done
justice to the claims of woman, rendering her
lot harder than it should have been. But these
times were yet barbarous and savage. The light
of the gospel had not penetrated their darkness,
and physical force was their only law-giver. How
could woman, with her inferior physical strength,
be treated on terms of equality by man, who
measured everything around him by the strength
of his arm and the force of his blow. If nature
had designed woman to be equal in physical power,
why did it not manifest itself in these times of
physical preponderance? why did woman not then
assume the place occupied by man in society?
why did she not fight the battles and rove about,
bent upon plunder and robbery? Why did she
submit to a treatment as unjust as it was cruel?
That she however did submit, and silently suffered
for ages, is an historical fact, and proves evidently
woman's superiority of moral strength in enduring

DESTINY.
45
the wrongs inflicted upon her by man's undeveloped
intellect and moral faculties.
But the attitude of the two sexes changed as soon
as the light of the gospel penetrated the spiritual
darkness of the world. Christianity restored to
woman her rights, and put her in the only true posi-
tion by the side of man, where she always should
have been, but never had been before, and never will
be except when brought and sustained there by the
doctrines of the Saviour. One of the last and most
tender and affecting acts of His life had reference to
this very relation of man to woman. He charged
one of his disciples to take care of His mother;
"and," saith John, "from that hour that disciple
took her unto his own home." Here was a relation
established by the Holy One Himself, between two
persons whom He loved, and thus, according to
nature's law, wanted to provide for. The woman
was protected and taken care of by the man, the
feeble by the strong, who in return received a
mother's love. Thus it always should be. To
destroy this relation of man to woman would be
cruel, because tearing asunder the tenderest chords
of human sympathy, based upon mutual depend-
ence, and would be sacreligious, because laying
violent hands upon the laws imposed on nature
by the Creator. Views different from the above,
have lately arisen in various parts of the world,
claiming for woman equality in all things with
c5

46
WOMAN.
man; they call for an emancipation of woman-
hood, as they term it. The endeavors of these
reformers may be well grounded as to certain
evils yet existing, such as the unequal right
to property between husband and wife. They
can, however, not be justified as to the extent of
changes which these reformers are aiming to
accomplish. To make woman participate in all
the gross and inglorious, but necessary work of
man, would destroy the true glory of woman's
existence, annul her dignity, and poison the inno-
cence of her heart with desires entirely foreign to
her nature. What a sight to see the graceful form
of woman mingle in a political crowd, eager to
deposit her vote or to share in popular distinction.
*We have no doubt that the progressive intelligence of legis.
lation will remove, in time, all the civil inconveniences to which
woman at present may be subject. One by one these impedi-
ments will have to yield before the bold and liberal reasonings
of the age.
As regards the question of property between the
two sexes, we venture to predict, that one day it will be found
just and right to allow the woman to be the owner in fact of one-
half of all the property that is acquired during the marriage
term; that she also will be the equal loser in all transactions to
which she, either in writing or orally, had given her assent but
not to be a loser where she thus had not assented. If she would
lend her husband her money or other property, she should have
the same right against him which other creditors have; that,
however, her personal property, such as jewelry, should not be
exempted from being taken to pay either her own or the debts of
the matrimonial firm; but should be exempt in case where the
husband contracted the debt without her consent.

DESTINY.
47
It takes the massive soul of man to become recon-
ciled to duties and honors of this kind, which he
must be firmly persuaded to owe to his country,
lest he would find them too ardous and insufficient.
Again, how revolting the spectacle, to see women
engaged in occupations which would not suit the
delicacy of their form and feelings. Hard, severe
bodily labor would destroy their beauty and be
ruinous to their health. What would become of
home, its duties and pleasures? Who would have
them to perform and enjoy? Can there social
harmony exist, to charm and bless life, where
no diverse directions of pursuit will allow of a
uniting angle? All would be disunion, because
one direction of pursuit would keep the pursuers
in parallel lines, which never unite.
We could thus continue to bring arguments
without number against the so-called defenders of
woman's rights, if it were necessary to do so. The
destiny of woman is so evidently distinct from that
of man, and indicated so clearly in her physical
and moral construction, that we can safely leave
the settlement of this question with the sound
judgment of the reader.
We will now proceed further to define the true
position, which woman ought to fill here on earth
according to her physical and moral character.
These latter, as we stated above, have only received
their due weight in the social order, since the gospel
c 6

48
WOMAN.
of love appeared among us, to supercede the gospel
of law. Nothing is clearer proved by past history
and the present condition of heathen communities,
wherein woman is still treated far beneath her high
moral endowments. And this close sympathy be-
tween the religion of Christ and the true social
condition of woman, is still more apparent when we
consider the incontestable fact, that as Christianity
appears in a country more true and active, in that
same degree will its women be more elevated
honored and loved. It is, therefore, the Christian
woman, in her relation as wife, mother and daugh-
ter, whose duties and destiny we here want to lay
before the reader.
"It is not good that man should be alone; I
will make an help meet for him," was the simple,
but grand and effective speech which preceded the
creation of woman. Society should be established;
it had become a necessity, and woman was needed,
just such an one as would fulfill the demands,
thus made on her by the Creator. The laws of
her life should be in harmony with these demands,
that she might be indeed "an help meet for him."
And, truly, it is so yet; the divine designs can
yet be traced, sometimes, even in perfect purity,
in the relations between the two sexes. Although
the fall of man has rendered the original types less
defined, and it is but too true that the first paradise
is lost, still the Christian woman is able to regain
DESTINY.
49
it, partially at least, for man, if the latter is able to
appreciate it. Such are yet her lovely endowments
bestowed upon her by the Creator, for establishing
society, and such is yet the longing of man towards
her company, her consoling, inspiring presence
and the sweet interchange of sentiments and ideas.
Woman is destined, therefore, to create and
rule society; she was created for that purpose,
her duties point that way. The family, with its
various small but continual cares, falls to her
superintendance. Her watching eye and intelli-
gent rule must be felt in every corner of a well
regulated household. Being the mother of the
children, they continue to cling to her far beyond
earliest infancy. She has almost the sole control
of them up to the time when the permanent teeth
appear, after which she divides the care over
them with husband and teacher. This, however,
does not diminish the importance of her part in
the education of the child more advanced in age.
Besides its physical welfare, the care of which she
retains to the last, her principal duty will then
be to cultivate, by example and teaching, those
highest of all faculties, the moral, which, in their
bearing upon temporal and eternal happiness, are
far superior to the mere intellectual, the culti-
vation of which, falls to the lot of man. Thus
she will be principally the one who teaches
the child to be conscientious, modest and benevo-
Mkt kan tage de

50
WOMAN.
lent. Her influence will be mostly instrumental
in leading the dawning sparks of veneration into
the culminating centre of religion, from which
radiate the all-inspiring rays of hope and eternal
blessedness. No other agency in the place of a
faithful christian mother, can accomplish this
highest of ends so well. She should not, under
any consideration, relinquish this part of her duty,
as it involves the dearest interests here and here-
after. How important, therefore, is it for her to
appreciate, fully, this great responsibility of her
existence, and to know well how to fulfill all its
demands correctly. An intelligent, pious mother,
will look around to gain all the necessary informa-
tion on this point, lest she might err in judgment
and execution. She feels her duty and is not
unmindful of the high reward which awaits her
in beholding the prosperity of her children. She
knows it was, under God, her own work. But
who will describe the pangs of a mother's soul,
when the object of her love turns out to be an
outcast from society, and an object hated by God
and man? If she was conscious of having neg-
lected her part in his education, how fearfully must
increase that remorse and agony! "The immense
responsibility of parents cannot be too highly
estimated," says Mrs. C. M. Steele.* "On it
* We recommend to the particular attention of our readers, a
little work of Mrs. C. M. Steele entitled: "A Mother's Thoughts
on Parental Responsibility."

DESTINY.
51
rests the beauty and loveliness of the structure of
mind? Unless mothers, who have the first
nurturing of these delicate gems, are fully sensible
of what awful results will flow from their hands
in the neglect of the trust reposed in them, they
must be unfitted for their work. If disregarded,
what a dreadful loss must necessarily and inevita-
bly follow. O, that the most vivid consciousness
of this truth might irradiate every benighted
female intellect, that she may never be compelled
to perceive the direful images of this neglect."
Another part of woman's destiny is to be an
help meet for man. She is a wife, sister or
daughter. In either of these conditions, the
variety of duties does not change the object of her
life. They all point, from their various directions,
to the one great purpose to be accomplished by
woman, as his companion and help meet. She
shares his griefs and sorrows, lessening their
severity by quieting the storm of his heaving
soul, and by elevating the hope and courage of his
drooping mind. She partakes of his joys and
pleasures, sympathising with his elated heart, but
purifying its outburst by the refinement of her
taste and the chastity of her feelings. She is his
guardian angel in times of temptation; her advice
and enthusiasm encourage and support him in
times of peril. She becomes his alter ego, the
better and purer principle of his own self. With-

52
WOMAN.
out her, his loneliness would be insufferable; his
misery complete.
Such is woman, the companion and help meet
of man. This is her destiny and duty in the
family circle, which she creates and sustains with
her natural gifts, adapted to that purpose.
The same faculties which make woman the
ruling and beloved mistress of the house, lead her
into society at large, of which she is the soul and
idol. She contributes more than man to the
establishment of mutual friendship and its social
exchange. Her heart swells easier with humani-
tary feelings. She is affectionate, and being less
selfish and retired, willing to know and inquire
into the conditions of others. Hence her strong
social tendency, which is one of the greatest
civilizing principles, to which mankind is mainly
indebted for its progress. How important is it,
therefore, for woman to cultivate her social gifts, in
the right direction, in order to fulfill, satisfactorily,
this, her glorious mission!

CHAPTER. II.
GIRL.
ITS INFANCY.
In earliest infancy, the difference of action
between the male and female is hardly great
enough to make it an object of particular notice.
Yet, it soon becomes preceptible to one, who
takes the pains to observe closely. The infant
female has generally a more delicate look; its
frame is less massive, the limbs more slender,
and the traces in the face finer and sharper. Its
nervous system can be agitated more quickly, it
is more susceptible of external impressions, and
their re-action on her internal preception is easier
but less enduring. A female child must, therefore,
be more liable to disease, and less able to with-
stand its attacks. But it might not become, for
that very reason, as seriously sick as the male.
Its impressions are not so deep and lasting. Never-
theless, we know that the greater average mortality
of children is on the side of the female portion. It
is true, a prominent cause of this phenomenon,
51
GIRL.
may lie in the fact, that in general more females
are born than males. This, however, could not
account altogether for the greater mortality among
female children; we must find a part of its origin
in the feebler physical constitution of the female
child. It is, therefore, our duty to be more
careful in nursing and training the female infant,
than we have been heretofore, in order to effectu-
ally remedy this evil. The child's physical
constitution must guide us in the selection of
these rules. We dare not follow the old routine,
merely because it is sacred by age, or agreeable
to custom or fashion. Old usage, custom and
fashion might kill our darling. Let us by all
means save its life and preserve or restore its
health, the most precious gift on earth.
We presume the reader is acquainted with all
that pertains to the good nursing of children,
generally; if not, information can be had in books
called "Homœopathic Domestic Physicians,"
which treat fully on the principles of nursing.*
We must at present, confine our remarks on this
subject to those peculiarities which, in the bring-
ing up of a female child, have to be especially
attended to. These are, it is true, but very few;
but not altogether unimportant, as will be seen
directly.

*See in my "Homœopathic Domestic Physician," the article,
Treatment of Children.
INFANCY.
55
During the first weeks after the birth of a child,
there occurs sometimes a swelling of the external
breasts, which, though it will be of little conse-
quence to the future welfare of a male infant,
frequently destroys forever, that of a female. This
inflammation, if badly treated, may terminate in
induration or atrophy of the milk glands, and
thereby deprive the future mother of the use of
these most important organs. Thus not alone she,
but also her offspring will have to suffer severely
for want of a little more than ordinary care in
cases of this kind. Mothers and nurses ought to
be well instructed in regard to the treatment of
this disease; they will find the necessary infor-
mation in the second part of this work, under
the head of "Female Diseases."
We hardly need remind the reader to bathe,
wash and attend the child altogether according
to the strictest rules of Hygiene; the use of a
cap, for instance, on the head, by day or night, is
considered entirely superfluous, as it proves oftener
detrimental, than beneficial. Equally pernicious
to the physical welfare of the child is the too tight
bandaging of its breast, limbs or abdomen. Every
part of the body must be left as free as possible,
to enjoy full liberty of motion, an especial condi-
tion and means of health. The child must
exercise its limbs and lungs to the fullest extent.
Nature wants it; science demonstrates it, and
56
GIRL.
unconscious instinct, as exhibited, for instance, in
a young infant, establishes exercise as a law of
nature. The child has an instinct, which governs
its appetites and desires, frequently more correctly
than it can be expressed by language. Let us
only carefully observe its wishes and not stifle
them by putting the child's body in a straight-
jacket, wherein it cannot express what it wants.
Nature herself, takes care of the child, we must
only observe, not impede her dictates. Hear
the beautiful and graphic description, by Dr. Eliz.
Blackwell, in regard to the care which nature con-
stantly extends to her little darlings, for protec-
tion and healthful growth.
"The young infant is almost withdrawn from
our control. Nature says to us, 'stand by, and
watch my work!' This delicate life will admit
of no trifling, no neglect, no experiment; but
watch the infant, how it kicks and cries, and
works, not arms and legs alone, but every part of
its body in pain or pleasure. We sit and smile
or silently weep; but the baby puts every muscle
in motion; if it is pained or angry, it will scream
with its whole life, and contract every little fibre,
and strain and wriggle in infantile rage, to the
intense alarm of its mother. We may leave it to
nature for exercise; it will be well attended to,
and carried through an efficient course, reaching
every muscle of the body, that we should find

INFANCY.
57
difficult to imitate by art. Watch the little child,
too, that has learned to walk and prattle. Do we
need a more perfect illustration of perpetual
motion during its waking hours? Give it free
room and a few playthings, if they are only blocks
of wood, and it will go through a series of posi-
tions, stooping, twisting, doubling, turning over,
that are incalculable and unapproachable. And
you cannot quiet such a child; take away the
playthings, and every legitimate source of amuse-
ment, and your inkstand will be upset, your
books ingeniously torn, the table-cloth dragged
off, and the contents of the work-basket sent
rolling; and if it be absolutely restrained from such
questionable devices, it will make it up by fretting
and fidgeting till the older head fairly aches. It
is a most admirable arrangement, this incessant
activity of the child, the inexorable law by which
it lives, and which will turn the whole household
upside down, sooner than sin against its own
nature. For it lives by movement; fresh air and
exercise are the mainsprings of its healthy physical
life. Thus in the earliest years of life, nature's
indications are very plain; and in exercise, as in
the organic functions, the most perfect freedom,
under favorable conditions, should be enjoyed by
the child, that its own instinct may guide it."
In a good foundation, lies the main strength of
a superstructure; even so is it with a good con-

58
GIRL.
-
stitution, the basis of which must be laid in earliest
infancy. And yet how often is it neglected by
parents or those in charge of children. Science
has furnished the farmer and husbandman with
strict rules in regard to the rearing of good stock;
these regulations are followed to the letter, and
enterprise is thus an hundred fold rewarded for
its expense and trouble. Science, also, has pre-
scribed the best method of attending to the physical
education of children, but how few follow its dic-
tates. Those who have done so, have reaped the
reward in rearing strong and healthy children, at
once their delight and a blessing to their country.
But too many, as yet, who behold such praise-
worthy examples, consider them exceptions, freaks
of nature, or the consequence of accidental good
fortune. This is a sad picture, but a true one. We
must have indeed strayed far away from nature's
own path, to consider a pair of rosy cheeks or a
lively, energetic disposition in a child, nothing else
but a freak of nature. So scarce has that become
which ought to be universal!
The fault most productive of those evils, has
been the great physical restraint under which we
put the child as early as the first day of its exist-
ence. Tight bandages, compressing the abdomen
and breast, are applied immediately after its birth.
Afterwards it is closely confined in heated rooms,
not allowing a sufficiency of fresh air, so essential to
INFANCY.
59
the development of the young organism; its brain is
heated by a cap, its stomach deranged by improper
food, which is forced upon the little sufferer,and if
pain and restlessness follow, paregoric, Godfrey's
cordial, etc., must restore quiet, or castor oil
remove the evil. Still greater distress follows such
violent and senseless treatment. Congestions to
the head appear and convulsions threaten. No
wonder that the constitution of a child, under such
mismanagement, can never be a strong one, even
if it survives the attacks that occur during early
infancy. But how many do survive? Only one
half of all children born, reach the age of two
years. This is a melancholy fact, casting a dark
shadow, freighted with destruction and death,
upon our so-called modern civilization, with its
boasted light and instruction. If one-half of the
human race has to perish before reaching the second
year of its existence, we have not yet begun to
realize the blessings of reform in our treatment of
the helpless young. It is full time that we should
put into operation the measures devised by science,
and calculated to keep the angel of death from
the cradles of our children. These are at once
comprehensive and effective.
If we see our faults, let us forthwith correct
them; no time is to be lost. We have perpetrated
sins of commission and omission; we must know
how we have done wrong in order to understand
Ka ng pambata
GESTA
60
GIRL.
how to do right. We have wronged the child in
omitting to give it a sufficiency of fresh air, water
and exercise, all of which are indispensable condi-
tions of its thriving well and receiving a firm,
healthy constitution. But more than that, we have
wronged the children by actually making them
sick, committing an attack on their life and consti-
tution, by compressing the lungs and other noble
organs, rendering them, thereby, weak for life. We
also prevent the liberty of motion by bandaging the
limbs; we irritate the intestines by castor oil, and
debilitate the brain and nervous system by opiates;
and, finally, we over-stimulate mental action by
too early application in that direction, merely to
gratify our pride and foolish aspirations; a wick-
edness often enough punished by the early death
of the object of our love and hope. Let us avoid
these faults, and not one-half of the dear, helpless
beings, will fall victims in early life, while the
surviving majority will be blessed with a healthy
constitution.
w.
Hygiene has become a science and demands a
treatise of its own, so extensive is its range of
action and practical utility. We have not the
room or intention to give here its details; the
reader will find these in separate works on Hy-
giene. We content ourselves in pointing out the
grosser faults at present committed in the rearing
of children, and their remedies. And as the female
CHILDHOOD.
61
infants suffer, in proportion, more than the male,
we consider the above remarks especially justified.
The female sex ought to have, above all, healthy
constitutions, being destined to play the most im-
portant part in the propagation of the race. Let
us raise strong and healthy mothers, and there will
be at once an improvement in the health of the
next generation. The female, therefore, requires
at our hands, the most careful attention, and we
are bound to commence it at the earliest period
in infancy.
When vaccination shall take place, let the
female infant be vaccinated, either high up on the
arm or on the outside of the leg, below the knee,
(always the best place for small infants,) in order
to avoid the scar from being observed afterwards,
as the girl or young woman frequently appears
with bare arms. It can easily be done, thus pre-
venting an ugly scar from marring the beauty of a
well-formed, symmetrical arm, no small attribute
of the physical perfection of woman.
Before we proceed farther, to discuss the
best methods of education for the young girl, we
would express at once our decided condemnation
of those at present in vogue. We have for a long
time witnessed the bad effects which the educa-
tional system now adopted in most of our Boarding
Schools, has on the health and minds of the
daughters of the land.
It is entirely erroneous,
D
62
GIRL.
and mischievous in the extreme; wrong from the
commencement, its results cannot be beneficial.
The object of nature is, to prepare the system
in the preceding period for the next one following,
in childhood for youth, in youth for womanhood,
etc. We must, in our educational efforts, observe
the intentions of nature, and not pervert or
overleap this order. To teach a child what a
youth ought to know, and so on, or to neglect or
prevent the development needed for a child, in
order to make it perform the duties of a youth,
will be an injury which never can be fully repaired,
as the more advanced period can never acquire
that which should have been the object of its
pursuit in a previous one. Each period of life
has separate uses, which must be fulfilled, and
which never can be changed without serious
derangement; this is at least the general rule, the
order of nature.
The development of the physical system occurs
principally during childhood, which extends to the
age of twelve or fourteen years. During this
time our endeavors should be directed almost
exclusively towards the support of the physical
growth; we must at least refrain from interfering
with it.
All education is properly divided into two
parts, analogous to the two-fold existence of man,
physical and intellectual. The moral preceding
CHILDHOOD.
63
and following the latter, is therefore included in it.
Each of these two departments has separate ends
to accomplish, and will be required in different
periods of life. The physical training has for its
object the education and strengthening of the
body, in the whole, as well as in all its parts.
The body is the carrier and instrument of the
mind; its strength and health are all-important
for the easy and complete performance of the real
or spiritual life. To make physical education
effectual, we have to commence it in early youth,
and pursue it steadily during the whole period of
bodily development. This period, in fact, ought
to be filled up almost exclusively with the practices
necessary to carry out the principles of a thorough
physical education, else the succeeding stages of
life will result in fewer advantages for the object in
view. We are firmly persuaded that the greatest
blessings would flow from following the above
principles in our common school system. Their
adoption would not interfere with present arrange-
ments, as we need only to alter the objects and
hours of instruction. The child may, as hereto-
fore, be put under school training at the age of
six, but from that up to eight, it should receive
twice, every day, half an hour's instruction in
the purely elementary branches of education; the
other time should be devoted to a regular and
systematic practice of gymnastics, under the
D2
64
GIRL.
superintendence of competent teachers.
Fron
eight to ten years, the next higher branches should
be taught during two hours in the day, while more
difficult gymnastics should be pursued during the
remaining time. From ten to fourteen years, a
confinement of four hours a day in the school-
room, for still higher studies, would not be
prejudicial to the child's health, there still being
left four hours a day for active gymnastic exercise.
Such ought to be the instruction of the young,
in order to make the body strong, while its expan-
sion takes place, and to train by degrees the mind
to those exercises which afterwards will be the
principal business of its life. We are wrong, if
we suppose that the great object of school instruc-
tion consists in filling the head of the young with
actual knowledge. The acquisition of this ought
to be of minor importance; sometimes it is really
detrimental. The school can only train the mind.
in the paths leading to knowledge and thought, to
enable it to improve by its own exertion and
observation. This is an important truth, proved
by the experience of great men, who were for
their greatness indebted not to the actual know-
ledge taught in schools, but to the impulse which
their minds received by the training of those
schools. We therefore, strongly recommend
parents and teachers, not to subject the young and
elastic system of the child to the cruel confinement
CHILDHOOD.
65
of the school-room, but to educate the body,
rather than to fill the mind with premature
knowledge. A child of ten years of age can learn
in a quarter of the time what is offered to one of
seven or eight; it will be an easy task for the
older, while the younger child will suffer and labor
hard, to accomplish the same. There is no time,
therefore, gained by hastening with the intellec-
tual education of a child; let its brain first mature
and harden, easily to perform intellectual labor.
Besides, it is not necessary to accelerate the
intellectual development, in our days of rail-roads
and ready intercourse, which offer to the young
an easy medium of instruction not heretofore
known. A child can learn to read and write, by
merely having its curiosity and imitative faculty
excited, through the innumerable hand-bills posted
up in streets and thoroughfares, on steamboats,
and on rail-roads. The means and objects of
observation being increased an hundred fold, com-
pared with former times, there remains less for the
school to instruct.
The physical cultivation is, therefore, the first we
have to look to in a child. It comprises different
practices, from the mere running about in the street,
to the most complicated gymnastic exercises. It
forms a complete system, and ought to be taught and
practised in perfect earnestness. We will dwell
upon the more important exercises at some length.
D3
66
GIRL.
The girl should be permitted to run about in
the open air, and exercise at least as much, if not
in the same manner, as the boy. Her plays are
naturally different, but the benefit derived from
them for the development of the system, is the
same. If the boy flies the kite, the girl rolls the
hoop and jumps the rope. The latter amusement
ought to undergo a surveillance by older persons, to
avoid an excess of action and consequent injury
to the nervous system, which is naturally excitable
in the young. The girl should be exposed, even
to the same degree of inclemency of weather as
the boy, in all seasons, in order to harden her sys-
tem and prevent precocious development. This
latter consideration is even more weighty in her
case, than in that of a boy, who develops more
slowly, while she is inclined to precocious develop-
ment. To counteract this more fully, frequent cold
bathing is necessary, which, having become a
habit with the child, will continue to be enjoyed as
a luxury by the girl and maiden.
The dress worn by the girl at all times, particular-
ly during play hours, ought to be made to fit loosely.
Any pressure in this age has a very injurious effect
on the physical development, impeding easy, free
and abundant motion; compressing the bony struc-
ture, and thereby preventing the nobler internal
organs from expanding. Spinal and lung diseases
are the frequent result of a violation of this rule.

CHILDHOOD.
67
Another very excellent exercise, suitable and
natural for the girl, is dancing, the artistic rules
of which, as an accomplishment, may be acquired
in this period of life, better and sooner than
afterwards. The child between seven and four-
teen years, is naturally inclined to exercise, will
be, therefore, fond of the dancing school. Its
movements can be directed, in this age, very easily,
because the mind of the young is less fettered by
conventionalities and restraints, which produce so
much awkwardness in after life, if one is not regu-
larly instructed in the free and graceful motions of
the body.
In thus recommending parents to have their
children, and particularly their daughters, acquire
this beautiful accomplishment, we do not advo-
cate its excessive practice among the young or
adult. We have seen moral and physical evils.
resulting from its abuse, and feel very anxious to
warn parents, not to allow their daughters to
become too much fascinated by the pleasures of
the dance. The best of every thing may be abused;
this should not prevent us from using it moderately
and to the purpose. Dancing, systematically taught
and rationally pursued, improves the beauty of the
natural gait, and is conducive to bodily health and
a fine flow of hilarity and enjoyment. We protest,
however, against all fashionable nonsense, by
which dancing, as an art, is carried too far, and
ᎠᏎ
a valida morte g
GA, Agg

68
GIRL.
becomes too difficult for easy instruction or quick
acquisition. It ought to be taught in a simple,
easy manner, without the affectation of the modern
fashionable dancing school, in which this liberal
accomplishment is presented to the pupils in a
professional perfection, not suited to educational
purposes. The latter object is only needed and
desired, which to effect, nothing more is necessary
than to teach the child the various graceful attitudes
and motions, having reference to the improvements
of its own natural walk and carriage.
But it is not necessary only to establish by art,
the elegance and grace of the human figure; we
must also endeavor to raise its physical strength.
For that purpose, the systematical exercise of the
muscles, as taught by gymnastics, is strongly re-
commended. The term "gymnastics," signifies
physical exercises, according to scientific rules.
Now, many might believe it needless to take exer-
cise under the control of certain rules, thinking
that bodily exercise in any shape or form, was the
same in its results, viz: strengthening the system.
This, however, is not so. Exercise may do harm
as well as good, and great discrimination is needed
to apply its force at the right time and in the
proper direction. To let a person with feeble lungs
take exercise in walking every day for a long
distance, would certainly not improve his condi-
tion, it would rather be injurious to him; while
CHILDHOOD.
69
exercising the muscles of the chest by throwing
out and drawing back his arms, would be bene-
ficial. Thus every muscle in the whole system has
its own beneficial effect, and should be strengthened
by an appropriate exercise. For this purpose to
put successively all muscles in active motion, the
art of gymnastics has arisen, which teaches the
various methods of doing it.
A double benefit is gained by this process. It
is not merely the acquisition of physical strength
resulting from these practices, but also the training
of the mental faculties, indirectly coming into play
during these physical exercises, when performed
scientifically. The pupil is constantly reminded
that the use of certain means will be needed to
accomplish certain ends. Thus, his faculties of
calculation, decision, energy, order, etc., will be
intelligently acted upon. The unscientific exercise
of the body is as different from the scientific, as
the playing of one who is unlearned, on the piano,
compared with that of an experienced musician.
The one produces an unharmonious, offensive
noise, while the other delights and instructs by his
performance. An important art, of so vast a range,
cannot be taught and practised sufficiently in a
short time. To be accomplished in the art of
playing on the piano, requires years of patient,
persevering effort; and the body is analogous to
and even more complex than a piano, having four
D5
70
GIRL.
hundred muscles to be set in motion or played
upon. It must require years of continued exercise
and study to bring these hundreds of muscles
under intelligent control, to act upon and with
them, and thereby improve their several conditions
and strengthen the whole system. The intro-
duction of gymnastics ought to be commenced,
therefore, in early childhood, while yet the body
easily yields to, and even delights in exercises of
all kinds; their study can be made very attractive to
the youthful mind, as these practices not merely
delight the bodily senses, but also engage and
invigorate the intellect, acting constantly upon
the child's attention and discrimination, that it
may comprehend the different motions, and distin-
guish one from another. A child cannot well be
put under gymnastic training before it is six or
seven years of age; it will then be sufficiently
advanced to understand and retain the lessons,
which begin like other systematic studies, with
elementary efforts, and advance gradually. With
the growth of the pupil, the exercises increase in
power and variety. Every voluntary muscle of
the body is, one by one, acted upon, and brought
under the control of the will; particularly is this
the case, where parts of the body or systems of
muscles seem to be weaker or less developed than
others. Regulated exercise increases their strength
and bulk, and restores thereby that harmony of


CHIIDHOOD.
71
organic development, so essential to the future
health and permanent welfare of the whole system.
Thus the gymnastics assume an hygienic impor-
tance, not equalled by any other means, to
counteract or prevent disease. And this in a
greater degree for the girl than the boy; because
the former, naturally weaker in frame and muscle,
suffers more from early confinement in the school,
and becomes thereby particularly inclined to spinal
and lung complaints, these scourges and tortures
of the female sex. Having arrived at this part of
our subject, viz: the hygienic bearing of gymnastics
on the present and future welfare of the female
system, we would call the reader's attention again
and again, to its vast importance, by reviewing
the present treatment of girls during their educa-
tion, and its bearing upon the health and welfare
of the child.
Look at the lively little girl, running about all
day, fixing dolls or playing otherwise in the house
or out of doors, talking incessantly, and putting
herself into all imaginable shapes and forms,
expressing thereby her inner feelings or wishes, and
exercising her muscles instinctively. Scarcely four
years old, you confine this lively and lovely little
creature into an infant school,* where almost the
* Some writer in "Chambers' Information for the People,"
goes still farther in torturing the poor little ones; his advice, if
acted out, would certainly kill the whole infant world. Hear his
ᎠᏰ
My M Dat de

72
GIRL.
whole day long she has to sit quiet or be restrained
at least in her movements and plays. Her brain,
as yet very soft and impressible, is excited too
much by the studies in the books, while at the
same time, the general system is thwarted in its
development by confinement and rest. This is
just perverting the order. In this age the brain
needs rest, at least, not more action than the
natural instinct of the child will demand, while
the muscles and bones need all the motion they
can get, to develope strongly and perfectly. It is
impossible to reverse the natural order of things,
without suffering the penalty following such an
offence. Nature and medicine will cease to cure,
where the offence was too great, disturbing the
fundamental arrangements of the system. The
brain is proportionally larger in infants than in
adults; the head therefore, does not grow as much
advice: From six to fourteen years of age.-In a rightly
arranged and complete course of elementary, intellectual educa-
tion, it is presumed that the period from two to six years of age,
has been spent in an infant school. The effect which such a
preparation has in facilitating the subsequent operations of the
teacher, is so great that every effort should be made, to give
children the advantage of it."
The practical impossibility of being carried out, saves the
above advice from any comment on our part; it is too extrava-
gant bordering on the ridiculous and insane in its demands,
and therefore harmless; yet the reader will perceive the danger
of their infants being killed by methods like the above, recom-
mended, or already in vogue.
CHILDHOOD.
73
or as fast as the other parts of the body. The
brain being as yet very tender, easily yields to the
pressure of the blood in its vessels, which pre-
disposes to dropsy of the brain, acute or chronic,
both equally fearful and fatal. Precocious mental
development will over-excite and congest the brain
and thereby cause inflammation and dropsy of the
brain, convulsions, weakness of muscles and bones,
rachitis, etc.
The young system wants air and exercise.
Without these, its growth is stinted at once; it
cannot bear to be shut up in rooms or confined
upon benches; it needs the fullest liberty. The
injury done to those innocent little ones, by
sending them to infant schools, is immense and
can hardly ever be repaired, as the injury is
inflicted during this early period, mostly on the
spine and breast bone, often also, on the pelvis,
causing rachitical diseases, which positively de-
stroy the best part of life's happiness and destiny.
Parents, this misery could have been spared to
you and your daughters by a little reflection and
action, in the right direction with nature, not
against her. It is true, your excuse is perfect;
you did not know any better. You did as others
have done, and still are doing; you could not be
blamed, neither were you aware of any harm
being done to your darling. Did the little
daughter not come home from school cheerful and
74
GIRL.
delighted with her school-mistress; she loved her
so much, she could not now stay away from school,
she would be very unhappy, etc. You are pleased
to watch and see the great progress your child
makes in reading, writing and cyphering; what
a capital teacher she has, and how forward the
child is; there never was such a child. Its future
is speculated upon with no little relish. Poor
parents, all this time you have been striving with
all your might to ruin the health and prospects of
your child, nay, even the intellectual developments
which you intended to foster so early and tho-
roughly, you have impeded, thwarted and stinted
forever. But, you say, why is it that the child,
if not naturally inclined to intellectual pursuit,
loves it so much that it sometimes even cannot
be persuaded to leave the books for playthings?
This is very obvious, if we consider the means
which are used to make the child fond of books and
study. Not to mention the fact, that children like
to be in the school-room, because they prefer the
society of their own age to that of a more advanced
one, its noise and excitement to the quiet and
restraint of home and its parlor; there is another
still greater inducement to draw them to books,
instead of plays, and this is one of our own fab-
rication. The ambition of the young mind is stirred
up in that early period of life, in order to arouse
its energies to study, and hard intellectual labor.

-
CHILDHOOD.
75
Thus ambition, this legitimate stimulus of a
more advanced age which needs its sting and
propelling power, is used by our enlightened
teachers, to set the brains of children on fire, and
put their intellects into hot-houses, before their
hearts are prepared to expel envy and malice,
almost always the inseparable companions of
ambition. It is dangerous to arouse passions,
even the noblest, given to us by Providence for
wise purposes, before the time of their natural
appearance has arrived. Be these passions either
of a moral or physical nature, their harmonious
workings have to follow the same laws. If
aroused prematurely, their action becomes de-
structive by engendering morbid conditions and
precocious development. But if allowed to lie
dormant in the system until the time appointed.
by nature, they spring up in healthful action and
vigor, accompanied always by their counterpoises,
antidoting and restraining their activity if too
abundant. In this manner, if ambition should be-
come too great and unscrupulous in a full grown
man, prudence will arise to curb its impetus; man
will reflect on the evil consequences which may
result from a too ambitious desire and thus the
equilibrium of his mind is at once restored. Not
so in a child, where reflection has not yet appeared
to restrain the will if under ambitious influence.
Children, whose ambition has been unduly stimu-
76
GIRL.
lated, sometimes have received serious injury in
body and mind from such unnatural races; they
frequently have died from diseases, thus contracted.
A medical friend at my side just now relates to
me the sad story of his sister, who lost five of her
children, all during the first school period, from
precocious intellectual development; the sixth one
was saved by adhering to the Doctor's strict rule,
not to foster mental but physical development.*
It was the fault of former times to educate the
young mind too little; we have fallen into the
other extreme of educating too much, by over-
taxing the minds of the young. The middle
course must be kept, otherwise the harmony in
*I am perfectly convinced that harm is done by the premiums
and prizes offered at the examinations in schools, to the most
forward pupils. It is a system which naturally had to accom-
pany the hot-house education, as it exists at present everywhere,
and for which it furnishes the best fuel to force the tender plants
into premature mental growth, regardless of sound physical basis.
If modern educationists had offered to the mind of the child at-
tractive and comprehensible studies, they would find the stimulus
of gain or preferment, in the shape of prizes, premiums and
places, unnecessary to induce the child to exercise its mental
faculties. Moreover, it is wrong to make the child labor, some-
times above its natural powers, by holding out these inducements
to his young, lively soul, thereby inflaming the lower passions
of gain, pride and ambition, and poisoning its harmless, inno-
cent existence with the bitterness and stimulus of an older age;
vices of the same age will find an open door, and thus it is, that
at present we frequently find our youth having become old,
before they have been young.
CHILDHOOD.
77
the double nature of man is disturbed and his
growth, in either direction, stinted.
We have above alluded to only one of the
many erroneous practices into which modern edu-
cationists have fallen by attempting to raise the
standard of education. We have shown that it is
not in harmony with a child's development, to
arouse in him, prematurely, one of the most
powerful passions, without being able to bring
into play its counterpoise, and that it is dangerous,
even criminal, to do so, as frequently, thereby,
diseases are provoked fatal to life and health.
We now will add, that it is also cruel to do so,
because the ambitious child, having strained its
mental powers to the utmost, and still not being able
to compete successfully, meets thereby with one of
the most agonizing draw-backs which falls to the lot
of man. Have you never seen the burning tears
rolling profusely down the child's cheek, heated with
shame or rage, after an intellectual race was lost?
These juvenile disappointments, the frequent and
natural results of our present educational system,
are as keenly felt, and as bitter in their taste, and as
hardening in their after-effect, as those experienced
in later years, and perhaps more so, as their severity
is not softened by reflection or prospective repara-
tion. The bitterness of the moment is felt in all
its disagreeable power, and often crushes, at one
blow, the aspirations of the young, their hopes
78
GIRL.
and energies. You may say that all this only lasts
for a short time, that young blood soon forgets the
ills of life; yes, it may be so, but nevertheless the
young heart is deeply wounded, and although the
wound soon heals, a scar will be left to impede the
natural and wide expansion of the heart. We
ought to be very careful not to offend, without good
and wise reasons, the child's mind, because its
sensibilities are finer and more perceptive, while
reason and reflection are not yet very strong.
We hope to see the day when a closer analysis
of the peculiar organization of the juvenile mind
shall guide those to whose care its education is
intrusted. We are sure that after mature consider-
ation of the subject, they will find it necessary to
adapt their system to the developing, not to the
developed child; that they will treat the child as
such, and not as if it had all the fully developed
faculties of the adult.
A general school system should be adopted,
based upon the above principles, viz: the physical
education by means of gymnastics, dancing, music,
etc., together with instruction in the most elemen-
tary branches of knowledge up to the tenth year
of age, and afterwards, up to the fourteenth year,
the higher branches of instruction together with
higher gymnastics. Were such a system adopted,
we should soon enjoy its good results; the next
generation would have strong, intelligent mothers,
1
CHILDHOOD.
79
capable of filling, in the full sense of that word, the
responsibilities belonging to them. It is the sacred
duty of every one comprehending the vast impor-
tance of this subject, to work for its realization.
Above, we have mentioned music as one of the
elementary branches to be taught to children. It
is necessarily comprised in a catalogue of instruc-
tion. Music, in its composition and effect, is
emphatically the most humanitary of arts. It
belongs to all countries, races, sexes and ages; it
enters into every one's organization; its harmony
and melody are the very soul of all that exists,
and its tact and rythm form the mathematics, the
crystallizing principle of the world. We cannot
have too high an appreciation of its value, either
as a source of enjoyment, or in the culture of body or
mind. The child perceives and feels its influence
as readily as the adult reads, in its swelling notes,
the highest thoughts and sublimest sentiments.
Music is universal in application and effect, the
best introduction, therefore, to all other sciences
and branches of knowledge. To exclude music
from the schools would be a death-blow to all
education; its fertilizing principle would be want-
ing, leaving a waste in the soul as barren as the
sands of Sahara. Music, like morals, must be
taught, practiced and enjoyed during our whole life,
commencing with the earliest dawn of perception.
Girls, above all, should be well instructed in

80
GIRL.
music; not to make of them professional singers or
players, but to let them enjoy and study harmony and
rythm, the constructors of happiness and bliss. The
young soul and hand of a girl is ready to cultivate
music, particularly if her mind be not over-bur-
dened with premature knowledge of a more abstract
nature. We recommend, therefore, instruction in
music during the whole time devoted to education.
For young girls, the piano forte will be the best
instrument for instruction; in after years the harp
becomes an elegant and appropriate means of
further musical study.
The voice ought to be cultivated at the same
time. Singing being a natural gift of the female
sex, it would be hardly necessary here to admon-
ish parents not to neglect its proper cultivation in
the education of their young daughters.
Having, thus far, considered the physical and
intellectual condition of young girls, it remains
for us to notice their moral and religious training.
But as this comprises the most important elements
of individual happiness, and as such must be left
to the especial care of the child's natural guar-
dians, we refrain from mentioning the means,
necessary for the accomplishment of this object;
they are known to, and within reach of every one,
as we live in a Christian country.
One remark may not be out of place here.
Religion, like music, is universal, and the very
CHILDHOOD.
81
soul of our being; let this soul once awake, and
a new creation will appear, immeasurably ex-
alted above all others. And as religion, like
music, can be enjoyed doubly in sentiment and
thought, it follows that its teachings can and
should be commenced, like those of music, early
in childhood, when the finer sensibilities of our
nature are yet in full play, and religious sentiments
fasten the attention of the young soul, as the soft
tones of the Eols harp.
Before we conclude this chapter on woman's
girlhood, we will say yet a few words concerning
the means of education at present in vogue.
We
have already mentioned that the popular school
system is altogether defective as regards rational
education. It might be thought, however, that
female Seminaries and boarding-schools had ob-
viated these evils and replaced them by better
educational means; but this is not so. They are
even worse, in many respects, than the common
schools of the country. Their plan of education
is almost wholly based upon the most rigid intel-
lectual training, destroying the physical system in
the very bud. The number and variety of studies
imposed upon a young girl in these institutions,
is really frightful if not ridiculous, each establish-
ment trying to out-do the other in these particulars.
The programme must be full, comprehensive and
novel; if so, it will draw pupils. Hear Eliz.
82
P
pg mga mga ma
GIRL.
Blackwell, M. D., who, on this subject, must be
set down as good authority:
"The most abstruse subjects, that tax the
attention of the strongest mental powers, are pre-
sented as studies for the young; girls of thirteen or
fifteen are called upon to ponder the problems of
mental and moral philosophy, to demonstrate the
propositions of Euclid, to understand the refine-
ments of rhetoric and logic-admirable studies,
truly, but they are the food of mature minds, not
suitable to children. But it would puzzle the most
ingenious observer, to discover the good use of
most of our children's studies. If the object be
mental discipline, there is no surer way of defeating
such an object, than to attempt to give the mind a
superficial view of a subject too difficult for it to
grasp to confuse it with a multitude of discon-
nected studies to hurry it from subject to subject,
so that the simple studies more suited to the young
mind, are imperfectly acquired and soon for-
gotten.
How can it be otherwise,
when the young mind has to apply itself, during
the limited term of school study, to such a list of
subjects as the following: Grammar, Ancient and
Modern History, Natural Philosophy, Chemistry,
Botany, Astronomy, Mental and Moral Philosophy,
Physiology, Rhetoric, Composition, Elocution,
Logic, Algebra, Geometry, Belles-Lettres! Now for
the accomplishments: French, Latin, Italian, per-
*
*
*
CHILDHOOD.
83
haps Spanish, German and Greek-I believe
Hebrew is not introduced in this country-vocal
and instrumental music, piano, harp, guitar,
drawing, painting, and various kinds of fancy
work."
This is truly a formidable array of studies for
a young girl, while she is at boarding-school. It is
impossible for her to do full justice to all of
them; the attempt would certainly prove fatal to
health. But, thanks to the native sprightliness
of youth, they slight most, if not all of them, and
thus manage to escape with their lives from the
ordeal of the fashionable boarding-school. It is
true they have acquired a smattering of knowledge
and perhaps outward polish of manners and accom-
plishments, but it is only superficial, imperfectly
acquired and soon forgotten. Has anything been
learned, really useful in after-life? No, absolutely
nothing, save perhaps reading and writing. And,
as regards the first, her taste acquired in the
boarding-school, may be anything but the best.
Has she secured a healthy, strong body, to sustain
her in the duties and cares which will soon follow?
No, her body is perhaps less strong and healthy
than when she entered the school. How useless,
then, nay, how ruinous, must be a system of edu-
cation, which promises so much and effects so
little good, aside from the real evil it does. The
world never was punished with a worse educational

84
GIRL.
system, or one which so completely annihilates the
hope of the parent and philanthropist, by nipping
the welfare of future generations in the bud. It
is full time for this nation to look well to its edu-
cational matters; because their influence is vast,
and the most important interests are at stake.
Reform in this respect, should take place soon, or
the future flower of the nation will be withered
ere yet it opens. With a total change in the
course of studies, and the adoption of gymnastic
instruction, the young girl will receive that kind
of education which will fit her for the severer
duties of after-life.
CHAPTER. III.
MAIDEN, OR YOUNG LADY.
Just before or about the time, when the girl
becomes a maiden, or as we now say, a young
lady, great alterations have taken place in her
physical system; changes, the nature of which
will, from this time onward, affect her whole future
for evil or good. At the same time the girl's
mind receives a new direction; she behaves
differently, is more reserved in her conduct, and
more careful in her appearance before others. The
monthly period, or menstruation has appeared.
As it is important for mothers to know the use
and signification of this periodical discharge,
which is the herald of such vast changes in the
female economy, and the balance-wheel of her
health during the most eventful period of her life,
we will treat of it in these pages more fully,
showing its origin and connection with other vital
processes, occurring simultaneously in the system.
As in the course of explanations for this purpose,
it will be necessary to make the reader acquainted
with the most secret and sacred proceedings of
E

86
MAIDEN.
nature, we will endeavor to convey this informa-
tion in a manner as little exceptionable as possible.
A mother should have a correct knowledge of
these processes, so intimately connected with her
own and the happiness of her daughters, dispens-
ing continually either health or disease. If it is
not given to her correctly, her natural curiosity,
impelled by the interest attached to the strange
phenomenon, will incite her to procure from other
sources, wherever she can, such knowledge on this
subject as may, perhaps, lead her into misery and
danger.
Before the true nature of menstruation, its
cause and object was fully known, the treatment
of female diseases, depending on menstrual disor-
ders, was very uncertain and hazardous. Recent
investigations have dispelled this doubt and uncer-
tainty; the anatomist and physiologist have
combined to reveal to us these most secret trans-
actions of nature, thereby enabling the physician
to prevent and cure their diseases more success-
fully. Information so important and useful,
should not be withheld from the people, if we can
correct thereby the many erroneous opinions which
are yet afloat respecting menstruation, its origin
and signification in female development.
The menses have been generally considered the
surest evidence of a girl having passed into the
state of womanhood. In most cases, particularly
F
YOUNG LADY.
87
:
in healthy girls, this is true. But as menstruation
is not properly the cause of this change, but only
an outward sign of those internal preparations
necessary for such a change, it may frequently
occur that, by some morbid conditions, this
periodical discharge does not make its appearance,
although, from other unmistakable signs, the girl
has become a young woman.
These signs which, besides menstruation, indi-
cate the approach of womanhood, arise commonly
between the twelfth and fourteenth year. Some
are invariably present, such as the increased size
of the hips and breasts, the roundness and swelling
of the limbs, the perceptible fullness of the whole
form; others are variable in their occurrence,
having reference more to mental development.
The girl, talkative, roguish and romping,
becomes at once reserved, retiring, sometimes
even sad and easily moved to tears. She begins
to dress with more care, and is more observing
anxiously and silently; her whole soul is filled
with gentle emotions. She longs to enjoy the
pleasures of sincere, disinterested friendship,
that love in a bud, which makes life a de-
lightful journey. In this state of mind, she
clings to her mother for advice and counsel,
showing more affection towards her than here-
tofore. Then it is that a mother can exert the
most beneficent influence over this developing,
E2

88
MAIDEN
interesting creature, just ready to become a woman.
In this time of fear and hope, the mother ought
to instruct and counsel her as to the meaning and
import of the various phenomena, so strange to
the trembling girl, but of the utmost importance
to the developed woman. At first, naturally
modest, the girl will often hide from the sight of
the mother, what she considers to be singular and
wrong. The first appearance of the menses may
even frighten the timid girl, who does not know
the meaning of such an occurrence. A watchful
mother or female friend, should never fail to give
the girl such instruction and advice as will dispel
her fears and guide her actions.
A general development of form and size takes
place mostly from four to six months, prior to the
first appearance of the menses. This first out-
break, like the teething of infants, is frequently
accompanied by many morbid symptoms, princi-
pally of a nervous and congestive nature, such as
head-ache, palpitation of the heart, sensation of
smothering, irritable, quick and impatient tem-
perament, sometimes followed of a sudden by
sadness and depression of spirits, restless nights,
pains in the small of the back and loins, etc.
These symptoms disappear as soon as the discharge
commences, which may last at the first time for
two or three days. The proper average duration
of the courses afterwards, is five days; if it is
YOUNG LADY.
89
below or above this standard, it is caused by morbid
conditions or other modifying circumstances.
As it is all-important for the health of the girl
to have the menses established well and regularly,
it is necessary not to overlook, in the beginning,
those morbid symptoms, above alluded to. They
may be ignored once or twice without producing
serious injury; but if the menses continue to be
accompanied with pains in the back, cramps in the
stomach, etc., we must not neglect to call in
medical advice. We refer the reader to Part II.,
where, under the head of "Difficult Menstrua-
tion,” the remedial course to be pursued in such
a case, is indicated. The nature of these pains
and apparent obstructions will be understood after
a consideration of the internal proceedings con-
nected with menstruation and its object.
Puberty in a female, or the aptitude of becoming
a mother, is produced by the action of two small
bodies, lying on each side of the uterus, and
connected with it by small tubes, leading into its
cavity. These small, oval-shaped bodies are
called ovaries, or egg-beds. They are composed
of a formative material, called stroma, which
contains sinall vesicles, ova or eggs, the con-
struction of which, in all its essential parts, is
similar to the common egg, when yet without the
external shell, even as regards the presence of the
yelk, the main dependence of the growing germ.
E3

90
MAIDEN.
Their size, however, is extremely small, not ex-
ceeding that of a pin's head. The same wonderful
arrangement obtains in the vegetable kingdom,
which also propagates its kind by means of ova,
or little eggs, as far as is known at present. For
these astonishing and interesting discoveries, we
are mainly indebted to the microscope, by the aid
of which the exact structure of the various parts
engaged in these proceedings was fully revealed,
and their function determined. We will presently
see with what precision and harmony the different
organs co-operate to facilitate the propagation of
the species.
The little egg, which we will call hereafter
ovule, lies dormant, enclosed in a sack, until it
becomes stimulated by the reproductive power of
the system, which, as we now know, returns peri-
odically in the human female about every month.
At that time it begins to grow, bursts the sack,
and escapes into the Fallopian tube, which carries
it into the cavity of the uterus. In single life it
passes away with the menstrual discharge, which,
as a secretion of the uterus, is just then excited by
the same reproductive power of the system. In
married life, when the conditions of nature are
fulfilled, the ovule is retained within the cavity of
the womb and there developes to a perfect human
being. The explanation of this process will be
given in another place of the book. For us it
YOUNG LADY.
91
is, in this connection, important to know that
menstruation stands in the closest relation to the
generative power and process of nature; that its
healthful appearance is indicative of a perfect
development of these forces, but that a premature
hastening, or a tardy appearance of the menses by
disease or artificial means, must injure the above
named functions and thereby the whole female
system, formed, in a physical respect, especially
for that purpose.
As already stated, menstruation appears about
the fourteenth year; this may be considered the
normal standard, although frequent deviations from
this rule may take place. If it occurs earlier,
diverse circumstances may have hastened its ap-
pearance, such as luxurious habits, indolence,
sensual indulgences, reading of novels, etc.; also
sedentary habits and too close application to study,
have a great tendency to produce menstruation
in advance of the other signs of womanhood,
mentioned above, which must precede the menses.
A girl must have become, first, broader across
the hips, the breasts must have enlarged, and her
form filled up in rounded outlines, before a health-
ful menstrual discharge can be expected. If this
is not the case, the cause of the non-appearance of
the period lies in the backward ovarian develop-
ment, which generally has its foundations in the
qualitative deterioration of the blood. This then
E 4
92
MAIDEN.
has to be ameliorated before the menses can appear.
The remedies to effect this will be indicated in the
Part II.
From the above it will appear how useful, in
a practical point of view, these discoveries have
become, directing our remedial means to the places
really diseased. A physician, without a clear
comprehension of these secret occurrences would be
unable to treat successfully their disorders. Action
without knowledge becomes frequently fatal. An
instance of this is related by Dr. Dixon, as follows:
"We have seen cases, in which mothers
demanded importunately medical treatment for
children, possessing not a single sign of woman-
hood; and upon one occasion, in which we very
unwisely refused to prescribe for a young girl,
death was the consequence of a powerful medicine
administered by a well-meaning, though ignorant
parent. In this instance we might, by apparently
yielding to the parent's desire, or by prescribing
some harmless drug, have gained time, as re-
commended by some humane physicians, until
menstruation was produced by the effort of nature.
The case made at the time a strong impression
upon our sympathies, and we determined to use
our humble powers of popular instruction, when
time and experience had given us more knowledge
of the subject."
If menstruation is once established, it generally
YOUNG LADY.
93
ܪܘ ܘ ܝ
returns every twenty-eight days. Its duration each
time is about from five to six days. Its too early
or too late appearance depends mostly upon
morbid constitutionality, engendered by heritage
or wrong habits, by diseases having a special
reference to the uterine region, luxurious living,
etc The amount of menstrual discharge varies
very much. The normal standard, however, may
be set down safely at from five to eight ounces
during each monthly period. Yet, this can not
rule individual cases, which are governed by
peculiarities in constitution and habits. If the
woman remains healthy, the object of nature is
fulfilled.
The same constitutionality governs the time of
appearance, and may modify the normal standard
of twenty-eight days frequently, without inflicting
any injury upon the general health.
Having thus dwelt at length on the nature of
those proceedings which, silently preparing for
action during childhood, break forth at last in the
monthly period, as the surest outward sign of the
important change from childhood to womanhood;
having considered its origin, use and effect in the
female system, we are now prepared to follow the
young woman in the different spheres of her
activity. She has not alone changed her physical
appearance, as we have seen, but her moral nature
also differs essentially from that of the child.
#5

94
MAIDEN.
While a child, that is before the appearance of
her monthly period, her mental faculties were less
engaged with the proper, nice and decorous. She
was unobserving, careless as to drawing the atten-
tion of others towards her; she yet participated
to a certain extent, in the free, romping, even
wild character of the boy. She had yet to be
governed by others, parents and teachers; the rule
within herself, that priceless jewel and powerful
weapon of a female, womanly modesty, had not
yet commenced to guide her steps and desires,
which hitherto expressed themselves as mere
appetites. She was still a school-girl, thoughtless,
sprightly and joyous.
But scarcely has she passed the Rubicon of
woman's development, when the wild, romping
girl becomes thoughtful and retiring; she dresses
with neatness and elegance; her gait and carriage
assumes an elastic dignity; she is anxious to
please and to be observed; her motions and de-
sires are regulated by gracefulness and modesty.
Although yet under the guidance of her parents
and teachers, she already thinks and acts for
herself; she feels that she has responsibilities and
duties.
If she has been educated religiously, she will
now realize more the comfort of an intelligent
address to the Supreme Being, and feel the need
of a reliance on Divine assistance, the more she
Ja
CA,
alda q va qat daljem po
mang gaga

YOUNG LADY.
95
becomes acquainted with the deceitfulness of the
world. The closet will be a favored place for
her, and the teachings of the Bible, which now
become practical and real, will be sweet and price-
less to her heart. The position, which a christian
young lady occupies, is elevated beyond any other,
if she feels and understands her duties in this
respect.
The heart, whose throbbings she now begins to
feel, for good or evil, for the glitter of fashionable
society, or for the high, noble truths of science
and religion-this swelling, loving heart will be
regulated for the better, in its desires and loves by
the mild but earnest teachings of the Gospel.
From this book she should never cease to draw
the spiritual nourishment of which she now stands
in need, perhaps more than ever. In youth, lay
up the stores for a more advanced age. The
young lady should be the last to neglect the closet,
with its meditations and prayers, or the public
service, with its high moral teachings and devo-
tional sublimities.
In the family circle, the maiden occupies a
peculiarly interesting and useful position. She is
the pride of the father, the hope of the mother, and
the cherished object of brother and sister. Towards
the younger members of the family she feels and
acts like a mother, while they look up to her as
such. She becomes, by degrees, the support and
i
E6
96
MAIDEN.
delight of her mother, the link by which the past
and present are bound closer together, and are
made to understand and love each other. She is
now destined to become more and more acquainted
with the practical duties of life. Although her
studies in the school or under private instruction,
are still progressing, her mind already inclines to
be occupied, not alone with the abstract, but also
with the real. The many little affairs of life as
they occur among her associates, or in social circles
generally, engage her attention and stimulate her
action. Slowly, but surely, does this preparation
of her girlish nature for the arduous duties of a
married life, proceed, sometimes stimulated by
outward excitement, (public lectures, festivities,
etc.,) and inward impulses, (the dawnings of a
first love,) or at other times checked and purified
by the teachings at home and abroad.
At home, under the eyes of her mother, she is
made acquainted with the duties of the house and
family. She will be taught how to regulate the
simple but various affairs of a household, which
seemingly small and unimportant, confer, by being
constantly and scrupulously attended to, such an
attractive charm on everything connected with
home and the fireside. Her own genius soon
breaks forth in creating, ever and anon, new plans
and devices in beautifying the home of her youth.
Her fancy, order and constructiveness are con-


YOUNG LADY.
97
stantly at work to adorn the rooms and apartments
with mementos of her genial presence. She loves
the home which she has thus embellished, and
thereby made her own. To her it becomes the
temple within which is contained all she cherishes
and all she as yet desires to love.
If thus far her soul has not been poisoned by
the vile fancies of bad literature, she will enjoy this
happiest part of her existence, in the most perfect
fulness of bliss and peace. The undefiled soul of
a young maiden, presents the most lovely picture
of purity and intelligence, which it is possible, in
human form, to behold, provided her physical
development has not been stinted by gross inter-
ference or serious accident.
The period of maidenhood is a time of physical
development, and requires, therefore, a continua-
tion of gymnastic exercises, which have a tendency
to invigorate and confirm that constitution and
health, thus far acquired by the bodily exertions
during childhood. It will be an easy and grateful
task, amounting even to a luxury and necessity,
for the young girl to prosecute her exercises in
the gymnasium, if her body was previously trained
for them during childhood. To the readiness of
execution acquired by long practice, she now adds
gracefulness, elasticity and precision, which con-
stitute the very poetry of motion.
A firm, elastic step and buoyant carriage, can
98
MAIDEN.
only be acquired by those whose muscles are
trained and strengthened for every movement of
the body.
It belongs essentially to youth, and
constitutes one of its most attractive charms; it is
the surest evidence of health, both of body and
mind, rendering its possessor most agrecable to
others, and adding not a little to individual happi-
ness and contentment. For the days will surely
come, when we have to depend upon a sound
physical constitution, in order to sustain ourselves
under the weight of bodily labor and mental agita-
tion. This is the reason that nature consumes
so long a time in preparing, gradually, the physical
system through childhood and maidenhood, until
the perfect woman is formed, in all respects able
to meet the arduous duties of a wife and a mother,
in the full strength and maturity of body and mind.
Nothing is so fallacious and disastrous for a
young lady, as the thought, that in married life, she
would have no hardships to encounter and no sor-
rows to bear, but live in ease, harmony and quiet.
If her imagination has been busy to paint the mar-
ried state only as a paradise of pleasure, she will
probably be desirous to hasten into it as fast as
opportunities may offer; and these, in our country,
are not very rare. Girls, at the present day, marry
too soon and too rashly. In doing so, they not only
loose the longer enjoyment of free, happy girlhood,
which itself constitutes the most pleasant and
Pa
YOUNG LADY.
99
joyful period of female life, but they run the fearful
risk of making themselves unhappy and invalids
for life, by rushing into duties and responsibilities
for which they are unprepared, physically and
mentally.
It is our firm conviction that the female con-
stitution, generally speaking, is only sufficiently
consolidated and established at twenty-one years
of age; marriage before that time must, more or
less, operate injuriously to health and comfort.
But very few exceptions to this rule may be found
where girls of eighteen years have acquired the
physical perfection of those of twenty-one.
To prevent precocious development in this
respect, mothers should guide their daughters in
the selection of their social companions, with all
due respect to particular predilections or favored
persons. If it should be found necessary to inter-
fere, it should be done mildly and persuasively,
because a mother will gain more by instruction
and reasoning, than by a harsh and seemingly
tyrannical course. The female mind of this country
has preserved one of the finest traits which can
adorn any human character, that of great indepen-
dence in will and action. It is, one might say,
born with them, strengthened by education, and
favored by circumstances and public opinion.
Against such a powerful combination of forces,
the will of an imprudently harsh mother, rarely
by plagada valuta

100
MAIDEN.
avails anything; even the wrath of a father but adds
fuel to the flame. Youthful impulses, strengthened
by the love of independence, soon overthrow all
parental barriers, and the elopement is no sooner
determined upon than it is also carried out.
But if the young girl should receive from her
parents or guardians, instead of a lecture on filial
duties alone, lessons in regard to her physical
position, giving her a true account of the bodily
development during girlhood, the inexorable laws
of nature, which cannot be disregarded by any one
without the most serious and even fatal conse-
quences, we have no doubt fewer elopements or
premature marriages would take place, and a great
deal of misery would be prevented. The following
remarks of the New York Tribune are here in
point:
•
"The popular notions on runaway matches,
fomented by the 'yellow covered' literature of
the day, are exceedingly lax and mistaken. The
young Miss who elopes from the parental roof to
marry some adventurer who was probably un-
known to her last year, is often represented as a
girl of rare spirit, who does a remarkably clever
and admirable thing. We hold, on the contrary,
that in a great majority of cases, her elopement is
unwise, giddy, ungrateful, immodest, and evinces
a lascivious appetite and reckless disposition.
Why should she desert and distress those who

YOUNG LADY.
101
have loved, nurtured and cherished her through all
her past years, to throw herself into the arms of a
comparative stranger, who has done nothing for
her, and whose protestations of affection have yet to
undergo the first trial? It is every way unworthy
of pure and gentle maidenhood to do so.
"We can imagine but one excuse for her elope-
ment-namely, the efforts of parents or guardians
to coerce her into marrying some one she does not
love. To avoid such a fate, she is justified in
running away; for no parent has or ever had a
right to constrain a daughter to marry against her
will. But where the parents are willing to wait,
the daughter should also consent to wait until her
choice is assented to or she attains her legal ma-
jority. Then, if she chooses to marry in opposition
to her parents' wishes, let her quit their home
openly, frankly, in broad daylight, and in such a
manner as shall kindly but utterly preclude any
pretence that her act is clandestine or ill-consid-
ered. No one should be persuaded or coerced
to marry where she does not love; but to wait a
year or two for the assent of those who have all
her life done what they could for her welfare, no
daughter should esteem a hardship.
There is some truth to be told about the 'common
run' of masculine prowlers by night about garden-
walls and under bed-room windows, in quest of
opportunities to pour seducing flatteries into the
ANGAN A Vales, mobile game
g hadde p
102
Post a
-
MAIDEN.
ears of simple misses; but we have no time to tell
it now. As a general rule, they are licentious,
good-for-nothing adventurers, who would much
rather narry a living than work for it, and who
speculate on the chances of 'bringing the old folks
round' after a year or two. A true man would
not advise, much less urge, the woman he loved to
take a step which must inevitably lessen the
respect felt for her, and violate the trust reposed
in her by those who had loved and cherished her
all her days.
"The marriage of girls of fourteen to seventeen
years is a very prevalent cause of personal and
transmitted evil and suffering. Prematurely taxed
with the care and nourishment of children, their
constitutions give way, and at thirty, they are
already on the downhill of life. Eighteen is the
youngest age at which any one should marry;
twenty to twenty-three is much better.”
But as it is, modern education, badly conceived
and foolishly patronized, has but one aim, that of
hastening as fast as possible, the bridal day.
Mothers seem to rival each other in the hot haste
with which they seek to secure suitable matches for
their daughters. In this respect, their ardor is less
excusable than the noble but mistaken instinct of a
young girl, which leads her to an elopement, and
certainly more injurious, because more universal.
A girl is hardly fit to receive attention in view

YOUNG LADY.
103
of a future marriage relation, before her eighteenth
year, at which time her understanding and dis-
crimination are fully awake, to guide the affections
in a proper selection. She is then able to
appreciate, understandingly, the character of those
who approach her, and to love and esteem the true
and manly one, who, by degrees, shall win her
heart and hand.
In an important transaction like this, it is well
not to be too much in haste. Persons who con-
template becoming partners for life, ought to
understand each other's characters perfectly, before
they solemnly consummate their union. For this
purpose, the time from eighteen to twenty-one can
be employed most advantageously. During this
period, the affections of the young lady having
been bestowed in love and devotion, should
become settled and confirmed in understanding
and esteem.
It is a misfortune of our times, that young
ladies are allowed, and even hastened on, to finish
their education, as the phrase goes. Its effect on
the young mind is decidedly bad, as it produces
the impression of having learned all that is needed,
while in truth, we never finish our education; no
one does, not even the most learned and accom-
plished. How, then, can we imagine, that a girl
of sixteen or seventeen can have completed her
education? Does she not need more knowledge
104
MAIDEN.
than she has received during a few years in a
boarding-school? Certainly; if she only would
apply herself to acquire it.
But she has finished her education, and under
this mistaken belief, many a young lady is thrown
into the giddy whirlpool of modern society, into
the lively, gay, yet oftentimes very monotonous
circles of fashionable life. Here, indeed, more
than in the quiet of home, will she be able to
forget that she still has something to learn. So
little of the truly needful and great in man does the
present state of fashionable society require, that
if the outward finish is only given, it pronounces
education to be finished.
But we trust that sensible mothers and sensible
girls will think differently from the leaders of
fashion and its circles. They may participate in
their gatherings, without becoming fascinated by
their vain and transient pleasures, to such an
extent as to draw them away from life's higher
duties and more enduring joys. Hear a writer
on education:
"When a young lady is seventeen years of age,
if she enjoys good health, she is beginning to
have that vigor of mind which enables her to
make intellectual acquisitions. Two or three
years, then devoted energetically to study, will
store her mind with treasures more valuable to
her than gold. She will be thus able to command

YOUNG LADY.
105
Her
a husband's respect and retain his love.
children will feel that they have indeed a mother.
Her home will be one worthy the name, where a
mother's accomplished mind and a glowing heart
will diffuse their heavenly influence. An angel
might covet the mission which is assigned to a
mother. Your child, who thinks of finishing her
education at sixteen, may soon have entrusted to
her keeping a son, in whose soul may glow the
energies of Milton, or of Newton, or of Wash-
ington. God did not make her to play a waltz or
dance a polka. She is created a little lower than
the angels. When the waning stars expire, she
is still to go careering on in immortality, till she
reaches that happiness-in the presence of God.
Appreciate the exaltation of her nature, her
duties, and her destiny."
Education still remains the principal business
of the young lady during the hours which she can
spare from the performance of those duties she
owes to her God, her parents, and society. How
well she can employ these precious hours, as yet
free of care and trouble; no tedium need over-
come, no wish for excitement render her unhappy.
Hundreds of legitimate branches of knowledge
and accomplishments invite her attention, if she
only is willing to follow the noble impulse of
acquiring them, rather than of idling away the
precious time of youth, or of spending it in

106
MAIDEN.
vanities and gossiping. This is the period of
life, emphatically her own, when more than at any
other, she can dispose of herself, her time and
occupations. This time she should, by all means,
endeavor to improve; it is too valuable to be
lost, for once squandered it never can be regained.
How often have we heard the remark: If I only
had paid attention to this or that in my youth, I
would now know what to do; it is too late to
learn it, etc. These confessions are humbling,
but they are not the worst. Idleness in youth
brings shame upon more mature years, and ought
to be regarded as a foolish, unsafe companion.
But more than that, it is also criminal in view
of our destiny as men, and our duty to provide in
time for reverses which may come hereafter.
The poor have to be diligent: they have to
acquire knowledge, in order to gain a subsistence;
and the rich ought to do the same, in order to be
useful to others, or to be able, if need should
demand it, of supporting themselves by their own
exertions.
We remind the reader of the many instructive
lessons which have been practically taught, by
those who experienced in exile, the horrible
reverses of fortune during the French revolution.
Necessity then compelled many a delicate hand to
work for a livelihood, either for herself or to
sustain those she loved. Reverses of fortune,
mda P
— M

YOUNG LADY.
107
sta digital minde
however, may occur at any time, and it becomes
even the richest to provide for them. No pro-
vision excels the one which we may prepare
within ourselves, by enlarging the sphere of our
capabilities.
Young ladies may employ their time variously.
Music, the arts and sciences, offer wide fields for
pleasure and employment. Whatever is in this
respect most agreeable to her, she has a right to
choose. Besides the instructions in the household
duties, which claim her paramount attention, she
will find sufficient time to direct her mind to the
higher spheres of knowledge and refinement. Let
her bear in mind, however, that whatever she
prefers in this line, she must have firmness enough
to continue to cultivate with assiduity. One
might prefer the study of mathematics, another
one that of drawing, painting, botany, astronomy
or the classics.
If she undertakes to cultivate any art or
science, let her do so with heart and head in order
to become perfect in it. In such a case only, it
will be a source of great pleasure and recreation
to her, refining the sentiments, enriching the under-
standing, and strengthening the will. Such is the
education which we have to pursue constantly,
and which never will end, not even with our lives.
A young lady, therefore, has not finished her
education when she leaves boarding-school, but
DĚ V
108
MAIDEN.
SERVEISIS P
via and harm
has just commenced it, and should continue it in
such a manner that she may become perfect in
some accomplishment, art or science, which would
render her independent of the assistance of others,
if adverse circumstances, or freaks of fortune,
should overwhelm her and those near her. For-
tune is the most fickle of dames.
Many of our readers may consider these
allusions to mere external wealth and its uncer-
tainty, as not belonging to the department of
ladies, who in their sphere of life, have only the
spending and not the making of money. It is
true, woman in the beginning of society did not
receive that special mission, to "earn thy bread
by the sweat of thy brow," and during all subse-
quent ages, she has, as a general rule, been
relieved from those particular cares assigned to
man, as the provider of the family. But if this is
and will remain true in regard to her destiny, the
other sentence is not less so, that she shall be an
help-meet to man, not merely to spend the means
he has provided, but also to husband them wisely,
and if possible and necessary, to enlarge them.
It must be acknowledged that neither the education
of our girls, nor the general tenor of the state of
society, fit them for the fulfillment of such a task.
Neither can we hope that they will do so, while
their parents indulge the morbid desires of emu-
lating each other in making an external show of
MERALARA PICA
-

YOUNG LADY.
109
themselves, their houses, horses, carriages, furni-
ture, etc., oftentimes to such an extent, that the
complete ruin of a household and business
reputation is the consequence. Those, whose
yearly income would hardly, upon sober second
thought, justify such aimless expenditures, never-
theless rush blindly ahead, under the mistaken
idea of thus upholding their respectability in the
eyes of those who happen to be Astors or Girards.
Luxury and unnecessary expenses, to an incredible
amount, have thus been augmented throughout
the country, until they have become almost a part
of its social existence.
From the non-producing class of society, those
who by inheritance, or other favorable circum-
stance, became possessed of immense wealth, this
love of external show in dress, houses, parties,
etc., has descended to the producers, those who
yet have to live by the sweat of their brow. It
cannot be denied that the latter, in trying to
imitate the former in luxurious appearances, have
caused this lamentable state of things, this
degrading and ruinous ambition of appearing
wealthy. It is ruinous, because the experience of
every day confirms it to be so; thousands of
families every year sink down from a comfortable
state of opulence, to penury and want, with
mortifying remembrances of the past, and blasted
hopes of the future. It is degrading, because it
F

110
MAIDEN.
makes mere outward show, dry-goods and horses,
a test of respectability, things and animals, the
possession of which, should not, in the estimation
of sensible people, add the least mite to one's
station.
We here involuntarily remember the caustic
anecdote of Franklin, related by him to the
Legislature of Pennsylvania, that in case the right
of voting should depend on the possession of
property to the amount of twenty dollars, the
death of an ass might deprive a freeman of that
right. The illustration was to the point, and
brought at once conviction to minds that shortly
before were ready to vote themselves into the
ridiculous position of granting to the ass the right
of suffrage. Substitute, in his place, dry-goods,
horses, carriages, and other such necessary articles
of high life, wherewith some people fancy they
become respectable, and they stand in the same
ridiculous attitude; as soon as the horses are gone,
their respectability departs with them. Would
they might listen to Franklin's story, and follow
its moral, as the Pennsylvania Legislature did.
But poverty and mental degradation are not
the only injuries which result from expenditures
inadequate to the income. The example thus held
out by the inconsiderate parents to their children,
leads them into every extravagance imaginable,
and in the case of daughters, into a love of external
a mbet
YOUNG LADY.
111
finery and its concomitants, poisoning their very
souls with falsities and dissipations of all kinds.
A young lady, once infected with this show-
mania, will scarcely be able to fix her attention
upon matters relating to the improvement of her
mind. She has no relish for serious study, or the
acquisition of those accomplishments which, if
possessed in a certain degree of perfection, make
her indeed respectable in the eyes of sensible
people. She wastes the precious time of her
youth in the most trifling and childish manner,
preparing for the glitter of the ball-room, and
listening to the shallow gossiping of parties. In
arranging her dress and outward appearance, she
is not led to follow the dictates of her own sense
of the beautiful, in doing which some good might
result even from the folly of extravagance; no,
she is continually dictated to by the representative
of fashion, the milliner, or the Journal des Modes,
which, like an inexorable tyrant, holds the whole
female world in utter subjection. She has only to
follow the stern mandates from Paris, and to
please the Goddess of Fashion, has to make an
exhibition of herself in the ball-room, theatre, at
an evening, rather night party, or even in the
street, where she often appears during the fore-
noon, in full dress, going from store to store,
ostensibly on business, but really only to show
herself in full, fashionable costume, to the passing
F2
112
MAIDEN.
crowds of a busy city, composed of all kinds of
people, to whom, of course, her glittering appear-
ance is a point of attraction. To be noticed by
the crowd is the height of her ambition; the
dignity of her female nature does not rise, to
inquire into the real worth of this triumph of dry-
goods, fastened to her body. If it did, she would
at once observe that she had paraded her finery
mostly before a mixture of people, from the colored
laborer in the street, to the stately senator on the
side-walk. No one was prevented from feasting
his eyes on the gaudy colors of her dress, and
admiring the milky whiteness of her satin slippers,
to say nothing about the costly display of sparkling
jewelry.
In thus trifling away her best days, the young
lady, brought up to such a life of frivolity and
dissipation, cannot fulfill one of the most universal
and beautiful laws by which the Creator has
blessed the world, that of the bestowing of gifts
for useful purposes.
No object or animated being is without its use
in the world, certainly the glory of the creation,
man, cannot form an exception. Animals follow
their appetites and instincts, and their use is
regulated by the necessities of nature. Man, on
the contrary, fulfills his destiny by the dictates of
reason, and the uses for which this power was
given, are matters of his own choice, his own
YOUNG LADY.
113
free will. This is a God-like position, and`the
consciousness of its relation is of such vast
importance to each individual, that we cannot
refrain from drawing the attention of the reader
to its particular application in the case of young
ladies.
What satisfaction can a rational being have in
living without some laudable object worthy of
pursuit, and the high destiny for which we were
created?
We certainly must concede that pleasure in
the form of gratifying the senses, by whatever
means it may be, should not be the highest object
of a rational being, either in youth or maturity.
On the contrary, experience in a thousand cases,
has taught us that a constant devotion to the search
for mere pleasure, leads us away from the paths
of duty and happiness, into the dark regions of
despair and remorse.
It is true, we are all weak by nature, and
prone to yield easily to the inviting voice of
pleasure and dissipation. But if persons of a
more advanced age and experience are not firm
against the temptations of idle and mere pleasura-
ble moments, how much more exposed to their
follies and snares are those young in years and
full of imagination and excitability.
Let a young lady commence her career in the
right, truly humanitary direction; show her the

F3
114
MAIDEN.
purposes of life, the objects of her high destiny,
and she will in all probability, continue in this
path of usefulness and happiness. If this is not
done, but in its stead, the young girl is encouraged
by example and advice to commence her life in
folly and fashionable dissipation, she will end it
in misery and suffering. Hear Eliz. Blackwell,
M. D., on this subject; she is an excellent ob-
server, particularly in things referring to her own
sex; her language is pertinent. In her admirable
little book, "Laws of Life,"* she gives a faithful
picture of the manner in which young ladies now-
a-days, frequently waste their time, preparing the
ruin of their future happiness. She says:
"The life of the young lady on leaving school,
is little calculated to restore lost power, or to excite
to a truer and healthier action by the presentation
of noble objects of interest. What is there, in
fact, presented to her worthy of pursuit? School
discipline has not prepared her for serious study;
indeed, study without an object, is of little worth,
and she has no object in view for which grave
preparation is necessary. The attention to domes-
tic arrangements does not particularly interest her;
indeed, by the age of sixteen or seventeen, she
has learned all of household economy that she will
There
learn at all, till called upon to practise it.
-

*We recommend this excellent work to our readers, entreating
them to give it a most earnest perusal.
YOUNG LADY.
115
are no schemes of organized benevolence to attract
youthful activity and kind-heartedness, and teach
to the young mind a deeper and darker lesson of
life than it has yet learned; it is very seldom that
the young can profitably engage in these enter-
prises. With the large mass of girls, gossip and
frivolous amusements become, now, the chief
business of the day; they have had no serious
preparation for life, they know nothing of its
realities, its wants, its duties—so the valuable
moments are laughed and chatted away; every
incident furnishes a theme for idle talk-church-
society-promenades through the streets-all be-
come subjects of gossip; novels are devoured to
satisfy the new thoughts and desires that are
springing up-parties, amusements of all kinds
are eagerly sought for the dictates of prudence,
the requirements of bodily health, are alike disre
garded; till at length, the giddy career is cut
short by marriage!"
The above statement is not exaggerated, as
every one will acknowledge, who has observed the
occupations and doings of many young girls in
our present day. One of the results of such a task-
less career is, as rightly stated by Miss Blackwell,
the early, premature marriage, hastily entered into
without the knowledge of its duties and respon-
sibilities. Parents are perhaps seldom aware, that
they have aided in producing this unfortunate result
F4

116
MAIDEN.
by giving their daughter such ample opportunities
to idleness and extravagance. The former leads
her to seek excitement in novels, and in a society
not much better than these useless and often bad
books; the latter destroys all the relish for the
cultivation of the serious objects of life and ren-
ders her a mere plaything for milliners, besides
that it makes her indeed a dear child of her parents,
who frequently wish her to be married that they
may be rid of the expense.
Thus this early extravagance in dress and
fashion often is the means of loosening the chords
of affection between parent and child, becoming,
thereby, the most awful enemy modern society has
allowed to creep into its very life.
Notions of extravagance have been steadily on
the increase ever since this country departed from
the patriotic ways of its early fathers. In those
times, true-hearted affection dwelt around the
family hearth, and a father or a mother saw with
tearful eyes and sorrowful hearts, the beloved
daughter depart from the home of her childhood.
• She had been a daughter to them in the full sense
of the word, never an expense or a trouble, and
they felt in that moment her loss.
But now-a-days, the case is different; many a
father feels relieved when the daughter's extrava-
gances have to be paid by another one's purse,
and in view of this, his paternal affection, which
YOUNG LADY.
117
may be otherwise ever so keenly alive, becomes
silent and stupified by the unnatural propensity of
luxury and pleasure.
Thus, one evil creates the other; undue
extravagance leads not merely to financial ruin,
but often, also, to bankruptcy of soul and heart,
the greatest calamity of the two, because the most
irreparable. Nothing is so blighting in its effects
upon individual and social happiness, as a morbid
craving after the useless and giddy pleasures of
so-called fashionable and high life. While a
moderate participation in its pleasures is not
objectionable, nay, becomes, sometimes, a recrea-
tion or amounts to a duty, as the case may be, an
all-absorbing desire for them, annihilates the great
purpose of human existence, and withers, particu-
larly in young ladies, the flower of life before it
can spread itself out in full bloom, to shed abroad
the rich perfume of loveliness and usefulness.

To attain the latter end, that is, to prepare the
young lady for her true destiny and duty, no efforts
should be spared by parents or teachers.
Her physical constitution should be strength-
ened by sufficient and regular exercise, in-doors, by
attending to the various duties of a house-hold
and out-doors, by walking, riding on horseback, or
other means.
Her moral and intellectual faculties should be
cultivated by an earnest attention to, and study of,
F 5
118
MAIDEN.
the various branches of art, science and religion.
To interest her in the pursuit of such various
knowledge, she should be allowed to bring each of
them, when sufficiently acquired, into practical
execution, as this, more than anything else, stimu-
lates the female mind to their prosecution. The
female mind loves less than the male, the abstruse
and merely theoretical; whatever promises to be
practical, engages her attention. She will, there-
fore, naturally shrink from the higher branches of
mathematics, as too difficult or rare in application.
The same may be said of the dead languages,
while the study of the living ones will be attrac-
tive to her, because she can make use of them at
once as an accomplishment or in necessity. The
acquisition of languages is particularly useful and
appropriate for the female aiming at a higher and
more refined culture of her mind.

Ralph Waldo Emerson very justly and perti-
nently remarks, that the acquisition of any new
language doubles our existence, by opening to our
perception and feeling a new world of ideas and
expressions. To acquire three or four modern
languages, may not be asking too much of a young
lady who has time and inclination for the task.
Her reward, after having accomplished it, will be
immense.
French, German, Spanish and Italian, are those
of the modern languages which chiefly recom-
YOUNG LADY.
119
mend themselves to her attention, from the fact
that they are the most polished, and their practical
application is the most ready and easy.
Of the natural sciences, botany seems to be the
favorite of the female sex; no other science has
such attractions, innate charms and facility for
constant application. The knowledge and care of
flowers and herbs, are naturally interesting and
dear to every female, how much more if science
gives precision and ease.
Of the arts, music and painting take the pre-
cedence; both are accomplishments of a high
order and decidedly practical tendency. A know-
ledge of both is, therefore, desirable for a well
educated young lady; they will add greatly to the
fulfillment of many of the duties and purposes of
her life, and repay an hundred-fold the time and
exertions spent in their acquisition.
Besides the visiting of the sick and poor, a
pious young lady will feel it her duty and pleasure
to extend her benevolent designs beyond the limits
of her personal presence. She will take an
interest in the different great missionary efforts,
which characterize so magnificently our present
age; it is woman's influence which mainly supports
them, and as she soon may be a wife and mother,
she ought to feel the necessity to prepare herself
early for such high duties and responsibilities.
&
F 6

CHAPTER. IV.
>
MAIDEN LADY.
The laws of nature, few as they are, form,
nevertheless, a comprehensive and powerful con-
servative check upon the unnumbered multitudes
of her creations, keeping them in almost constant
subjection to her dictates, and thereby preventing
many of the so-called freaks of nature. The
law of development regulates each one's life from
the cradle to the grave, and, willing or unwilling,
each one has to pass through the different stages
of life, subject in each, to various physical and
mental changes, until mortality itself is stripped
off.

The female infant will, in time, become a girl
and young lady, whose physical nature is slowly
but surely preparing to fulfill its part of the duties
of a wife and mother. Thus a universal law of
development hastens the female to a completion
of her earthly destiny, and no contrivance on our
part can change or delay the dictates of this
imperious will. We are constantly in the power
of this rapid stream of life, which bears us irre-
sistibly to the close of our earthly existence. What
MAIDEN LADY.
121
we read in the ripple of its gently moved surface,
or the surging of its threatening waves, are the
duties of action, imposed upon us by each moment's
advance, and the lessons imparted to us by close
observation, reflecting beneficently upon our pro-
gress. Unable to stay the action of time on our
bodies, which stealthily but surely follow nature's
laws, we must content ourselves in each period of
our existence, to have fulfilled its duties and learned
its lessons.
Each maiden, therefore, should, in due course
of time, become a wife and mother, this being the
natural destiny of her existence.
Her system,
having developed all the functions necessary for
that purpose, would find its surest integrity in
carrying out the dictates of nature.
In such a
case, the harmony of the individual action, thus
conforming to the natural law, would prevent the
detrimental jarring otherwise inevitable and always
pernicious to the welfare of the individual, physi-
cally and mentally. As a general rule, we may
say that no female, having arrived at woman's
maturity, should exclude herself from the duties
of the married state, as well upon her own account
as that of others.
-
But there exist exceptions to the most per-
emptory laws, those of nature not excepted;
consequently we must look for them also in the
present case. Young ladies, sometimes by predi-

122
MAIDEN LADY.
lection or force of circumstances, remain unmarried,
preferring not to follow the laws of nature in this
particular, at the risk of the penalties which their
own chosen course might thus draw upon them.
Generally a greater degree of health attends wives
and mothers than those who remain unmarried;
statistics also show conclusively, that they attain a
more advanced age, less burdened with sickness in
body and mind. These individual blessings nature
seems to have intended as a compensation to those
who, divesting themselves of all selfish motives,
enter into matrimony, aiding, thereby, to sustain
state and society.
This kind providential arrangement has been
sufficiently powerful to produce the most desira-
ble results, and the cases where females have
voluntarily refused to marry, are quite rare, and
then owing, perhaps, more to fanatical prejudices
than real aversion. Persons eschewing matrimony
on religious ground, will, of course, be the last to
take medical advice on their intended step, and
our reasoning with them as to its blessedness and
legitimacy, would be all in vain. There are others,
however, who, from different motives, choose to
remain unmarried; to these we would address a
few words of advice.
If a young lady of the proper age is healthy in
body and mind, she ought to marry as soon as she
has found the partner whom her heart prefers and

MAIDEN LADY.
123
her judgment approves. No trifling cause should
be allowed to divert her from the path of duty and
happiness which nature intended her to follow and
enjoy. No petty selfishness, no fear of hardships
or troubles should influence or agitate her mind to
such an extent as to suppress the kindlier feelings
of her heart, at a time of life when it is naturally
the most capable of exciting and reciprocating love
and devotion.
If this spring time of life passes by without
forming an attachment from pure motives, the
opportunity to do so hereafter diminishes in the
same proportion as youth and the warmth of a
young heart disappear. The heart does not
calculate, but loves or hates; it has the most
prominent voice in all those transactions of life
where we have to choose or reject. The reasoning
faculties only assist, not to make a choice, but to
make a rational one. A young lady, if once her
heart has chosen, should not, for trifling reasons,
depose this heart, the queen of her existence, from
the high position it is her natural prerogative
to occupy.
The weal or woe of a whole life de-
pends upon this one decisive step; she can kindle
and increase the spark of genuine love by disin-
terested and generous emotions, as well as by the
opposite she can destroy it never to re-appear.
There are instances, however, where certain
physical or mental conditions compel a young lady
124
MAIDEN LADY.
to refrain from marriage, although possessing a
heart capable of appreciating and reciprocating the
love of another. These ladies always are objects
of the highest interest and the most sacred, re-
spectful feeling for the lover of mankind. Entitled
by nature, to the high privilege of bearing the
Vestal flame, they are separated from the influence
of mere earthly ties, and being clothed in the gar-
ments of purer loves, their presence sheds around
them the glories and veneration of higher spheres.
A heart thus sacrificed on the altar of nature, will
not grow cold and feelingless. Although prevented
from concentrating its rays of love on one single
object, the sparks of genuine affection, once ignited
in the generous bosom, rent in twain by disease
or otherwise, will seek and find objects worthy
of its love and devotion; an hundred virtues
will adorn its holy, although seemingly soli-
tary shrine; family and society will know them
and bless, a thousand times, the heart which
thus had suffered and thus had loved. Yes, such
maiden ladies are a blessing to the family and the
social circle.
They are generally found the most active and
circumspect when sickness or distress invades the
family or neighborhood. They minister most
faithfully to the sick and render assistance fre-
quently, under circumstances where other help
neither could be had, nor would be equally as

MAIDEN LADY.
125
valuable. The good which thus they do often
escapes the observation of those who reaped its
immediate benefit; yet the Father of all good is
also the Seer of all good, and fills their loving
hearts with joy unspeakable. How often have
we had occasion, during the performance of our
professional duties, to see these angels of mercy,
their hearts full of disinterested love, glide noise-
lessly from sick bed to sick bed, dispensing their
kind attentions and good offices patiently and
enduringly. Their presence would inspire the
weary with fresh courage, and the suffering with
new hope. Nothing escaped their attention, to
render the chamber of agony and death as com-
fortable as circumstances would permit.
Monuments have been raised to the wholesale
destroyers of human life, and at their feet nations.
have wept, bled and worshipped; but no one ever
has found worthy of his praise or public esteem,
the names or characters of the heroic women who,
in the quiet walks of life, have risked their lives
and fortunes an hundred times, without expecting
reward or distinction. We will not comment on
such glaring ingratitude, the weakest point of
modern civilization. Do not let us boast of having
attained, even a tolerable degree of civilization,
before justice is done to the heroism of the heart.
Let us honor the devotion of love and virtue, let
us express gratitude and thankfulness to those
126
MAIDEN LADY.
who, by their sentiments and deeds, have redeemed
and proclaimed the divine origin and sublime
aspirations of mankind.
!
Considering the physical health of maiden
ladies, it cannot be denied that their persistence
in an unmarried state, becomes a source of many
complaints and diseases, which, when married,
might not befall them. Yet there exists one
remedy which will counteract almost entirely the
bad effects of impeded development, if it be only
energetically and perseveringly employed. We
allude to a sufficiency of physical activity, exer-
cise, particularly in the open air, and the frequent
use of cold water externally.
These hygienic means, in connection with a
systematic performance of duties in and out of
doors, will protect a maiden lady from those ills
which an undeveloped system otherwise might
engender, particularly if the body is too much
at rest, and the mind irregularly and not fully
occupied.
To accomplish these necessary objects, society
offers a large field of action.
The family of which the maiden lady is a
member, needs her assistance in the daily rounds
of house duties; the mother and children lean
upon her on every extra occasion, either in health
or discase. In the parlor, kitchen and nursery,
she soon becomes the sine qua non, who, if not


MAIDEN LADY.
127
present, is missed from either more than any other
member of the family. Thore is no employment
which can occupy more advantageously the attention
of any female, than that which belongs to the ful-
fillment of household duties; and if the maiden
lady's lot is cast within the rangé of a large
family circle, she may indeed consider it a privi-
lege to assist in supplying its various demands.
It keeps the powers of mind and body active and
clastic, preventing lassitude and depression of
spirits.
The various nervous disorders so frequently
met with in single ladies of middle age, who have
generally led an inactive, sedentary life, will not
appear in one who has fulfilled almost the same
duties and assumed like cares with the mother of
a family.
Besides, the family and society at large, can
furnish her with a multitude of objects worthy her
care and attention.
The church of which she is a member, offers
several societies, religious and benevolent, which
need her especial patronage and supervision. The
different sewing circles for benevolent purposes,
look to her for particular aid, and she ought to
render to them as much assistance as possible.
Schools of reform, which make their appearance
now almost in every city, are objects worthy of
her deepest interest; in the same rank stand the

128
MAIDEN LADY.
Sabbath Schools, in which she ought to take a
practical interest.
If a maiden lady has taste or inclines to culti-
vate the fine arts, she has objects enough to fill up
her hours of recreation and amusement. Music and
painting offer boundless fields of individual im-
provement and enjoyment, particularly suitable
for the female mind. That which renders the arts.
and sciences such desirable companions of our
leisure hours, lies not merely in their capability
of refining our tastes and habits, but particularly
in the unbounded resources they offer to the mind
for that purpose. They must, however, not be
made the sole objects of our activity, except by
those who practice them professionally, else they
consume all the personal attention, which fatigues
and exhausts, without allowing us the inspiring
and invigorating influence of their practical appli-
cation as is the case with the professional artist.
The latter, if deprived of the occasional stimulus
of public praise or financial gain, would soon have
his powers relaxed to such an extent, that he
would be obliged to relinquish altogether, the
prosecution of his studies. What we have pre-
sented here in the case of an artist, is a general
law of nature, which operates in the same manner
in any one's occupation. Our principal pursuit,
or that which we make our business, needs, inva-
riably, a stimulus of some sort, to neutralize the
MAIDEN LADY.
129
exhausting effect its continued prosecution would
have on our body or mind. The truth of this
remark any one can verify by observing, closely,
the different professions which compose society.
We need, however, besides our professional
business, occupations which, by way of variety,
become our pets, to occupy hours of leisure and
recreation; these must remain what they are in-
tended for, amusements and pleasantries, and as
such, dare not be prosecuted with exhausting
application.
Another great field of activity and profitable
occupation for a maiden lady, consists in exploring
the now almost boundless wealth of modern
literature. After she has made the acquaintance
of the various standard authors in her own lan-
guage, she should find time to learn other
languages, the acquisition of which, constitutes in
itself, an employment of uncommon interest and
benefit. Thus pursuing diligently the road upon
which she has entered, that soon becomes a
pleasure, which, in the beginning, seemed to be a
hardship. The fibres of the mind gather strength
from use in study and thought, as the muscles of
the body from exercise. But as the latter is never
more beneficial than when practised in the open
air, so the former ought never to be prosecuted,
save when having constantly all the doors and
windows of the mind itself open to the free
Ch

130
MAIDEN LADY.
circulation of the literary air, which surrounds us.
We need not retain any or favor all. This is the
most glorious privilege of our free born nature,
on the basis of which the most philosophic of all
apostles, Paul, gave that splendid advice: "Prove
all things, and hold fast that which is good." To
keep the mind open and free for instruction, gives
us the greatest facilities of applying the above
rule, and also the opportunity of exercising the
high functions of the mind, by rendering our
judgment for or against. There is no better way
of preventing bigotry and fanaticism, that mildew
of the human heart, from taking possession of us,
than by following the advice of the wise apostle,
and thus making it possible to be both active and
useful.
No position in life seems to promise a greater
share of both activity and usefulness, than that of
unmarried ladies, if they understand their mission
in the family and in society; in both of which
they form links as agreeable as indispensable.
With a little care they will be able to preserve
their physical health, at least from such ills as
might result from the single life they have chosen.
If such is the case, the lot of no human being is
cast more favorably, and the future of no one
shrouded in less darkness, because her responsi-
bilities and duties, as they appear and are
discharged from day to day, do not accumulate to
MAIDEN LADY.
131
require an account of her at any distant time.
How different this in the case of a wife or mother,
whose sphere of love and action, created within
her own family circle, becomes so often the theatre
of circumstances, which render it an intensely
painful and not a pleasant arena. Although a
mother often might enjoy pleasures more intensely
felt, and perform severer duties more easily than
any other one, yet none will deny, that just as
often her heart will be lacerated with untold agony
on account of those whom she loved so well.
Holier than a mother's love, and more remote
from selfish interest, is the life of a maiden lady,
if spent in sincerity of motive and constancy of
dutiful action. Of Christian virtues, none need
be a stranger, but all may be gathered and trea-
sured up within its range, and thus fulfill the
demands made on every human being by the Holy
One Himself.
CHAPTER V.
MARRIED LADY.
In contemplating the true position and destiny
of a Christian wife and mother, her innumerable
duties and responsibilities in the intricacies of
social and domestic circles, of which she is the
principal mover and ornament, we feel indeed, as
if such a wide field of action and relation was too
extensive to be discussed fully within the narrow
limits of one chapter. Its importance and general
interest would require a volume, in order to bring
out all the detail belonging to this weighty
subject. This has been done in a masterly style
by Mr. Martin, in a work* entitled: "The
Education of Mothers, or the Civilization of the
World by Woman," in which the author conclu-
sively shows, that this most desirable object can
only be realized by the efforts of mothers, if
themselves first rightly and humanistically in-
structed, that they may fully comprehend their
*This work was issued from the press of Messrs. Lea & Blan-
chard, of Philadelphia, several years ago, and merits to be in
the possession of every mother, who considers herself to be a co-
worker in the great achievement, to civilize the world, which can
only be accomplished by female influence.
MARRIED LADY.
133
a
duty, and be well prepared to overcome success-
fully the difficulties opposed to the realization of
this grand undertaking.
Our purpose at present, consists in drawing the
attention of wives and mothers to the importance
of their own position, and in pointing out those
physical and moral requisites, without which their
high destiny cannot be fulfilled.
The wife, in assuming that name full of
meaning and power, has given, as the phrase goes,
to the husband of her choice, her heart and hand,
in fact all that is claimed to be worthy as a posses-
sion. At first sight, therefore, she has voluntarily
renounced will and power, the two faculties by
whose exercise everything around us is governed;
apparently nothing is left to her, to influence
society or the world at large, and consequently
her existence might be considered to be without
weight or power in the family or social circle.
Yet, this same wife and consequent mother, shall
be its redeemer and powerful protector; history
and experience teaches that it is so. The question
naturally arises then, how can this weak creature,
who has divested herself of all rights and self-
disposition, become the powerful, all-governing
influence in the world?
This seeming paradox finds its solution in the
fact, that a married woman, although having
ceased to dispose of herself only, being, as it
Ꮐ
134
MARRIED LADY.
(
were, in the power of her husband, nevertheless,
disposes not alone of herself, but also of those
thus closely related to her. This she effects by
enthroning herself in the affections of the husband,
absorbing them entirely, and thus becoming, as it
were, the soul of the union, while he is its head.
It is well known, however, that where the affec-
tions are, there our influence preponderates in
readiness and weight of action. The intellect, as
represented by the head of the family, acts merely
as the balance-wheel in nearly all transactions of
daily life, and thus far the husband exerts an
influence, regulating, as it seems best, the propel-
ling force of inclination and will. The latter
altogether centres in the wife, and this immense
power, the female desire under male direction, can
be wielded by her for good or evil. In either
case the results are proportionate to the wide
sphere of action, which comprises the whole of
human society, and the transcendant importance
of those interests, depending upon domestic and
social relations.
It is all-important, therefore, that woman should
exert this, her legitimate influence, in a manner
to insure the greatest amount of happiness all
around, and the possibility to retain the power
thus acquired and directed by her. She is the
soul and mistress of her husband's affections; her
wishes become his own, and if approved by his

MARRIED LADY.
135
judgment, are speedily carried into effect. Through
him, therefore, her influence has to manifest itself;
for and through him she lives; without him she
would have lost the centre and strength of her
actions. To him she looks in distress and adver-
sity for relief; he is her only and constant
confidant; no secret of her heart is kept from his
knowledge; in joy and sorrow, he is the partaker
of the heavings of her swelling or suffering heart.
His gain or loss is her own; his plans or opera-
tions interest no one so much as the loving
partner of his bosom.
Thus the constant change of affection is the
real talisman of the marriage union; and it is the
wife who keeps this precious jewel, whose myste-
rious workings unlock a paradise full of love and
happiness. Woe to her, however, if she should
not possess it; and still worse, if she should lose
it, after once having tasted the sweets of its
presence! Nothing can compare with the misery
into which both parties would then be thrown,
because no earthly treasure could buy or supplant
the absence of that love which descends from
higher spheres only into the human soul. But
there is hardly a human being in existence who
has not received a spark of this heavenly flame,
sufficient to kindle affection in hearts where
otherwise it would have slept unlit. The frequent
exhibition, therefore, of love betrayed and affec-
G 2
136
MARRIED LADY.
tion unreciprocated, is not caused by total absence
in either of the parties, but by the improper
method of showing them.
Affection is the daughter of love, whom she
never precedes, but always follows. If love
departs, or is not to be seen, affection cannot
appear; when a wife ceases to love, or neglects to
show her love to her husband, no affection will be
kindled in the bosom of the latter, no harmonious
exchange of thought and feeling can exist. Love
manifests itself particularly in a close attachment
to its object; a wife must cling to her husband,
who is the centre of her life's orbit, like the earth,
who rolls her axis in restless joy around the sun,
her centre of life; if she would depart only for a
short time from her orbit, the rays of the sun
would fall cold and cheerless upon her joyless
surface; she would not be able to distribute innu-
merable blessings, nor even shine herself with
light of her own.
This comparison has not merely the merit of a
close analogy, but contains the expression of a law
of nature, which pervades in equal force her moral
as well as physical domain. Its further applica-
tion, as to marriage relation, we leave to the
contemplation of the reader, who will find on
closer examination of this subject, the truth of
our remarks.
Not external beauty or splendid attire, is the
MARRIED LADY.
137
sole attraction a married woman should offer to
her husband; they are gifts and acquisitions not
to be despised by those who possess them, but
never important or enduring long enough to be
envied by those who chance not to have them. If
present, they should form only the casket in which
to preserve nobler qualities of the heart, which
never lose their charms, or fail to produce affec-
tion and devotion in the manly breast.
It is needless here to enumerate the many
virtues which should adorn the character of a
wife; they are abundantly known and understood;
besides, we have already grouped them together
in the early chapters of this book. We may be
allowed, however, to draw the attention of the
reader to a few of the most important ones,
although sometimes the least observed, on .account
of their seeming insignificance.
Cleanliness in all that pertains to the wife's
domain, is an indispensable companion of her
virtues, which are reflected in its spotless surface,
as in a mirror of infinite value. To a tidy and
well arranged home, the husband hurries his steps
with a more than ordinary longing of the heart,
and his affection for its beloved mistress is already
warmed into life, before he meets her on the
threshold of his comfortable dwelling. Here she
greets him with the confiding devotion with which
she is attached to the heart of her choice. She
G3
138
MARRIED LADY.
may not be able always to smile, because circum-
stances may make it impossible. Nevertheless,
in fortune or adversity, she rushes into his pre-
sence with an unfeigned expression of relief and
security, which shows him at once his duty and
pleasure. Because attachment and its expression
on the part of the wife, form the great load-stone
which moves the affections of the husband, and
always draws her the nearest to his heart.
While the wife is thus adorning herself with
the most magnificent jewels which can enrich any
female character, she ought not to be unmindful of
the duty and rightful policy of attending carefully to
her external appearance before her husband as
well as others. Neatness and taste in dress and
attire, more than a gaudy or showy appearance,
will most favorably engage the attention of the
pleased and admiring eye, and the husband, as
any other one, has received eyes which would
like to behold objects of beauty and symmetry, if
presented to his view anywhere; how much more,
if in the person of his wife, already beloved and
revered, he can behold and admire these pleasing
qualities of form and figure.
It is true, the pleasure here portrayed, is one
in which the senses, from the first at least, are
more engaged than the mind. Nevertheless, its re-
action upon the inner man is not the less sure and
effective; all our likes and dislikes generally
MARRIED LADY.
139
originate in the same manner; the various im-
pressions of external objects on our senses form
the greatest part of our joys or pains. There is
hardly an exception to this rule; the wife can the
least expect to form one, as regards her husband,
because none has a greater right to enjoy and
admire the beauty and symmetry of her form or
figure. If the husband is pleased and delighted,
her purpose in this respect is fully obtained; she
needs not cater for the admiration of any other.
Neatness of dress, like piety, that incomparable
quality of the soul, requires a general, uniform,
and constant exhibition, else it cannot sustain
itself long, or improve indeed, the tastes of its
possessor. If a wife is neat only at certain times,
in the presence of her husband, while at others,
she appears in a slovenly attire, the contrast thus
created is certain to neutralize the benefit of her
first effort. The impression on the husband's
affections must be decidedly unfavorable. Neat-
ness, moreover, is well calculated to preserve the
dignity of the female sex, certainly better than
seclusion and haughtiness, which, in accomplish-
ing this end, destroy other precious qualities of
the soul, equally as desirable.
A neatly dressed wife will less often forget her
lady-like nature, and rarely sink below its stan-
dard, while one appearing in a loose and careless
garb, will hardly make an attempt to elevate her*
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feelings above the lower promptings of our nature,
allowing her soul's attire to assume a character
similar to the slovenly appearance of her gar-
ments, and thus the intercourse between husband
and wife will often become less courteous
dignified, a misfortune for both greater than at
first sight it would appear.
or
There lies great danger in these slight beginnings
of relaxed attention or interest, both of which are so
essential in keeping the matrimonial flame alive.
Let a wife once lower herself in the estimation of
her husband, as regards neatness of appearance or
sweetness of temper, and she has thereby opened
a Pandora box, full of misfortune and unhappi-
ness. Step by step, but steadily, the social and
familiar conduct between the two loses in interest
and purity, and gains in lightness and frivolity,
until it is depraved to an extent which leaves
nothing but moral and physical ruin, where once
a bright future opened its inviting portal.
It is not our province here, to go into the
minutiæ of married life, prescribing certain rules
to be observed by the wife or husband, in order
to insure the greatest amount of happiness during
the matrimonial career. Nothing is farther from
our purpose than this; we abhor a censorious,
dictatorial spirit, but wish most heartily that every
one, capable of forming a judgment, should
exercise this high prerogative of human nature,
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141
to cultivate all his faculties in such a manner and
degree as best befits himself and his own welfare.
What we desire to do is, to indicate the leading
features of a conduct, which, by their general
import, control all the minor ones belonging more
strictly to individual character. Variety in unity,
is the greatest charm of nature in all her creations,
and why should we not allow a variety of conduct
between man and wife, if the principal requisites
are but observed to keep harmony?
Charity covers a multitude of sins, and no one
needs the constant exhibition of this exalted
attribute of a noble soul more than a wife in the
daily intercourse with her husband. No human
being is perfect, or will be so this side of the
grave; it would be, therefore, unreasonable in a
wife to require of her husband perfection. And
since he cannot be without some imperfection, it
is her natural duty to judge his conduct with that
charitable and loving disposition, which allows
her to be of real benefit to him, by inducing him
to alter it as much as possible. Whoever forgives
the most and with the greatest readiness, is said
to be the best Christian. This truth ought to find
the widest application in married life; no state in
which we can exist here on earth, affording a
greater opportunity for its exercise; in none can
it be brought to such practical perfection.
We will now proceed to contemplate the various
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MARRIED LADY.
physical changes which take place in married
women. They are generally productive of good,
tending, if not hastened by too early a marriage,
to strengthen and consolidate the constitution,
notwithstanding the apparent hardships and suf-
ferings which a woman has to undergo during
pregnancy or parturition.
The immediate effect of marriage on the well
and fully developed female organism, consists in
the greater vigor and increase of vitality and
sensibility in all the organs influenced by the
physical and moral changes which have taken
place in her condition. She is now married; her
highest ambition and most fervid wishes are
fulfilled. This state of her mind reflects sensibly
on her nervous system and circulation, and
increases their action beyond former limits. She
is lively, gay and sprightly, and her whole system
partakes in this holiday feeling of the senses,
developing itself more fully and densely in all
parts. The enjoyment of the senses, so cautiously
approached, but at the same time so rationally
bestowed by matrimony, opens a new portal in
the secret chambers of nature for another series of
physical developments, different from what had
taken place in the organism of the girl, during its
preparation for womanhood, but based upon these
proceedings, which are now brought to a higher
and final perfection.


MARRIED LADY.
143
Menstruation, as the paramount feature of
girlhood, now loses its exclusive importance, and
vanishes for a time entirely from the physical
theatre as soon as conception takes place.
The reader will recollect that a fully developed
girl is only so on account of the complete develop-
ment of the ovaries, whose periodical activity
shows itself in the formation of an ovule, and its
displacement from the ovarium through the Fallo-
pian tubes to the uterus, whence it is carried away
abortive with the menstrual blood; the latter
discharge having been caused by the same pro-
ductive stimulus which congested the ovarium.
When in matrimony, however, the conditions of
nature are fulfilled, this ovule becomes impregnated
with the vital force, which enables it to change at
once the process of those organs which formed,
and now shall develop it, in other words, shall
harbor it for a certain time and make it grow.
Before we consider any further the uterine life
of this new being, let us delineate those signs by
which its presence in the womb can be ascertained
almost from its earliest existence.
There are but very few general symptoms
constant enough to be reliable in all cases, which
indicate conception and pregnancy in its earliest
stage. We will name them here, however, in
order to enable the reader to form a judgment of
them, if they should occur.
She feels a singular
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emotion of painful pleasure, and a shuddering,
proceeding from the spine; a pain in the region
of the navel, sometimes a sensation of motion in
the abdomen, and a tickling in the region of the
hips; she feels fatigued and sleepy; this state is
followed by a sense of fullness, warmth and
heaviness in the abdomen.
The first more certain sign of pregnancy, is the
suppression of menstruation, which, if not caused
by other morbid circumstances, indicates that the
internal surface of the uterus, from which the men-
strual blood is secreted, is now engaged in other
secretions, stimulated into existence by the presence
of a fecundated ovum, which has been retained in
the uterus, adhering, generally, within its upper
portions. Sometimes menstruation may continue
for several months; in such cases the menstrual
blood is secreted from the lower portions of the
uterus, while in its upper, the changes take place
necessary for the growth of the foetus.
Another well attested sign is sickness at the
stomach, with which a great many women are
troubled in the beginning of pregnancy; it is
uncertain, however, in as far as other congestive
states of the uterus, such as suppressions of the
menses, etc., may produce it, without having the
slightest reference to pregnancy.
If the above signs are present in consequence
of true pregnancy, other symptoms will soon
MARRIED LADY.
145
=
develop themselves to verify it. These are en-
largement of the breasts, brown circles around
the nipples, appearance of milk in the breasts,
and finally an enlargement of the hypogastric
region. All these signs found together, form a
plausible array of symptoms in favor of the exist-
ence of pregnancy, yet they are in themselves not
sufficient to prove it positively, because they may
be produced by other morbid agencies. Women,
who have had children, possess signs, which indi-
vidually, are mostly sure in indicating pregnancy.
For instance, some have always tooth-ache, styes
on the eye-lids, or black spots on the face, neck
or hands, like freckles; others are taken at once,
without a known cause, with salivation, which in
some instances proceeds for a long time, unless
mitigated by the use of ale, champaign, or Scotch
herring; still others have strange desires or long-
ings, modifications of the appetite for unusual
substances, such as chalk, etc. All these signs,
belonging strictly to idiosyncrasies, are, therefore,
no absolute signs of pregnancy, but only accidental.
The most sure sign of pregnancy which a
woman can have, is the quickening, or the motion
of the child. It generally takes place at four and
a half months from the beginning of gestation,
and serves, therefore, as a mark of reckoning,
being the middle of the time allowed generally
for the duration of pregnancy. In but very few

146
cases, quickening occurs either sooner or later.
When this takes place, it may be safely pre-
sumed, in connection with the former signs, that
a true pregnancy exists, which has, at that time,
already run half its course.
A fecundated ovule, if it shall grow, must adhere
to the sides of the uterus; if it does, we may con-
sider conception to have taken place in reality.
Then the uterus is stimulated to secrete from its
walls on all sides, a membrane, called the decidua,
lining the whole internal cavity of the uterus, and
forming the medium between foetus and mother,
by which the former can come into communication
with the blood circulation of the latter. Within
this membrane a circulation is established, which
unites the child with the mother, through the cord
and the after-birth, the former adhering to the child,
the latter to the uterus, in which it roots, like a tree
in the ground, both containing veins and arteries.
for the flux and reflux of the blood. The blood
of the child does not go over into the circulation
of the mother, to become decarbonized, but is
oxygenized by being exposed in the finest ramifica-
tions of the placenta to the oxygen carried thither
by the arteries of the uterus.
Thus the great
purpose of oxygenizing the blood is carried on
without the necessity of inflating the lungs with
atmospheric air, which, of course, would be im-
possible in fœtal existence.
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11

MARRIED LADY.
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The foetus, or young being in the womb, from
this time up, grows and develops itself with
astonishing rapidity, in the thousands of intricate
parts which constitute the human organism.
Though bound together by the vital force in one
harmonious whole, the various parts of the differ-
ent systems develop not all simultaneously, but
gradually crystallize, as it were, into one whole
body. This formative process consumes more
than one-half of the uterine life of the new being.
If no disturbing influences interfere, it will develop
in a perfect manner; but if morbid causes should
operate on the fœtus, its harmonious development
may be intercepted, and its growth arrested at any
period during gestation, in certain parts of the sys-
tem, while others develop themselves naturally.
This fact explains the origin of those organic im-
perfections and deformities which characterize the
so called monsters, whose singular appearance is
sometimes attributed by the ignorant to mysterious
causes. To this class of arrested foetal develop-
ment belong also most of those cases, where
children are born with marks on their bodies or
limbs, not developed or even entirely wanting. It
is not as yet sufficiently settled, whether such a
state of things can be produced through the
influence of the mother on the child, some physi-
ologists denying its possibility, as no nervous
connection between the two is as yet found to
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MARRIED LADY.
exist. Whether or not fear, fright, etc., operating
violently on the nervous system of the mother,
can affect the child, we know at least, that mis-
fortunes of this kind are best averted by avoiding
those violent nervous emotions.
Bodily exercise, or even fatigue, is easier borne
by a pregnant woman than mental excitement.
While the former increases her physical health,
and consequently that of the child, the latter
disables the energies of her system, and must
injuriously reflect on the child's development.
It is the duty of the future mother to live
and act during gestation in a manner that her
offspring may be benefited thereby. Nothing
must be omitted to realize this, the principal object
of her life. She must expect, beforehand, to
undergo all kinds of hardships and to make severe
personal sacrifices; the thought that it is for the
benefit of her future offspring, will strengthen her
to an indefinite degree of fortitude and courage.
She must take daily exercise, sufficient and of
an active nature. For instance, riding in a car-
riage does not belong to the active exercises ;
walking, particularly in the open air, is more
active, and therefore better calculated to invigorate
the system of a pregnant woman.
The best,
however, is that exercise which accompanies the
daily attendance to the various duties of a house-
hold. In these the pregnant woman can find

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149
employment sufficient for body and mind up to
the very last hour of her confinement, and more.
suitable to invigorate her own and the child's
health, than in any other. She must not merely
direct the affairs of the house; such a course
would not accomplish the ends in view. But she
must be active and busy herself, if it is only in
the lighter kinds of work, such as setting the
table, sweeping and dusting the rooms, etc. If
she does not feel well at such a time, particularly
if she is threatened with abortion, she must not
commence, or if she has, must cease at once, to
exercise in the above manner. A perfectly healthy
woman, however, should not neglect these exer-
cises under the mere pretext of being unbecoming
or too fatiguing.
Next to exercise, the most important consider-
ation is dress, which ought to be as loose as
possible, in order to allow the most ample liberty
for enlargement. Corsets or tight clothes generally,
are very injurious, as every one will readily con-
cede. It must be understood, however, that she
ought to dress sufficiently warm at all times, to feel
comfortable. If she has been in the habit to wash.
and bathe in cold water, the state of pregnancy,
even far advanced, does not prevent her from fol-
lowing this most important hygienic rule as long
as it is convenient or shows its beneficial effects by
re-acting on the system in a healthful glow.
kg — — —
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MARRIED LADY.
As regards the various disorders during preg-
nancy, we intend to treat of them in the second
part of this book, where the reader can find them
under their proper heads.
Here we would state,
that an otherwise healthy woman ought to pass
through the whole of her pregnancy without any
considerable feeling of disease, and this, too, until
the very commencement of labor pains. That this
is the real intention of nature, becomes apparent
in the thousands of instances where women in the
pregnant state, do feel neither disease nor are
incapable in body or mind, to attend to all their
accustomed duties, enjoying life as much as ever.
That this is often not the case, is owing to the
irregularities of life and departures from nature's
dictates, by which women become weak and an
easy prey to disorders. We remind our readers,
therefore, of the great rule, the more natural or
less artificial you live before and during pregnancy,
the less sickness and discomfort you will have to
encounter during pregnancy. Let strict hygienic
rules guide your life and but very little ailment
will disturb your case and comfort.
Quickening is a term by which is generally
expressed the first perception a woman has of the
child's muscular action, and not as if life, at that
time, first entered the child. It may vary as to
time and power of expression; in some women it
occurs earlier and stronger, because the child may

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151
be more active and strong; in others it is retarded
and weak, because the child may be less lively
and powerful or the quantity of the child's water
greater. Upon the whole, however, it may be
said that quickening occurs in the middle of preg-
nancy or four and a half months from either the
conception or the birth of the child.
Yet, very
many and great exceptions to this rule exist; in
some women it may never manifest itself, in others
it may appear as early as two months and a half
after conception, as one lady I knew myself used
to experience. Syncope or fainting is not an
unfrequent accompaniment of quickening, but
soon ceases after the woman has become more
habituated to the peculiar feelings of motion in
her womb made by the child.
About this time the womb has extended so
much as to raise itself out of the pelvic cavity,
thus acquiring more room for extension and the
facility to rest on its brim. From this time up to
the seventh month the growth of the child is very
rapid and perceptible in the outward appearance
of the future mother, the most prominent feature
of which is the so-called "pouting out of the
navel" or its protrusion, which takes place be-
tween the sixth and seventh month. The navel,
instead of forming a hollow, is now pressed out-
wardly by the force of the gravid uterus which
sometimes causes the navel to protrude.
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MARRIED LADY.
In the seventh month the child has acquired
such a perfection of development in all its parts,
that it is able to subsist outside the womb, if acci-
dent or disease should have hastened its birth.
Any birth previous to the seventh month is,
therefore, called very properly an abortion, indi-
cating, thereby, the impossibility of the birth of a
living child, although some exceptions may even
here take place; while a birth at the seventh
and before the ninth month is designated as a pre-
mature birth, because the child can live, although
prematurely born, and consequently of difficult
raising.
Pregnancy has, in most cases, a duration of
nine months, each of thirty days, although some-
times it lasts two hundred and eighty days, or ten
months, each of twenty-eight days; cases have
even occurred within my knowledge, where la-
dies were not confined until the three hundredth
day after conception, which constitutes ten solar
months, each of thirty days. Accordingly we
see that a variation of thirty days is possible, or
that a regular birth may occur between two hun-
dred and seventy and three hundred days of
pregnancy.
The appearance of the so-called labor-pains,
soon terminates the state of gestation, expels the
child, together with the after-birth, and allows the
womb to contract, thus assuming, by degrees, its
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153
natural size again. Although this process is a
physiological one, which, as such, should not meet,
on our part with much interference, yet the pain and
distress to be borne by the woman, are sometimes
so great as to make their mitigation desirable.
This fortunately can be effected to a certain extent
by the use of ether, which being poured on a
loose handkerchief, is inhaled by the sufferer.
Chloroform, although more decisive and certain in
its anaesthetic action, is not, on that account, pre-
ferable to ether, because its action being too violent,
endangers the life of the patient, even in those
where no diseases of the heart or lungs can be
presumed to exist. We warn our readers against
the use of chloroform in an emergency of any kind;
while we can recommend the ether from practical
experience, as useful and harmless. It should not
be applied, however, until the severe pains of the
latter stage call its use into requisition, when its
effect need not be such a protracted one, which
ought to be always avoided as much as possible.
The duties of a mother, perhaps the most re-
sponsible and severe imposed on a human being
by nature, seem to be presaged and presented to
her mind before even the child is born. The
future mother prepares, beforehand, what is needed
for her offspring when it appears. In this respect
man partakes of the same instinctive providence
which has been bestowed by nature upon all animal
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MARRIED LADY.
creation. The birds make their nests for the com-
fort of their young, and man provides carefully
for the child's comforts long before it needs them.
But as soon as it has appeared in this world
of pain and pleasure, the realities of a mother's
duties never cease to present themselves to her.
They may vary in kind, but never cease to exist;
moreover they grow in intensity of interest and
responsibility as the child develops itself from
earliest infancy to maturity.
A mother remains
always one to the child of her bosom. The father
may finally cease to exert a father's influence over
his child; his parental relation may change into
that of a friend's. A mother never changes her
character as regards her offspring; she remains the
same to him that she was from the beginning of
his existence, the careful guardian of his physical
and moral welfare. Time and advancing age can-
not work a change in her feelings towards her
child; she remains faithful to the trust imposed
upon her by nature. In her the conservative ele-
ment prevails to a greater extent than in man; and
if the latter can even so far divorce himself from the
innate parental feeling as to disown his child, and
slay it even as was the case in the Roman Sena-
tor, who broke the staff over his own son's life,
the mother never yields to other voices than those
of nature, or other dictates than those of the heart.
Wonderful provision of the Creator, who thus
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155
made the otherwise weak, the instrument of pro-
tection and preservation, while the strong, impelled
by moral force, is not unfrequently disarmed into
leniency by the melting power of natural affection!
Watch a faithful mother in the discharge of her
duties in the nursery, at the side of the cradle, or
amidst a group of boys and girls of different ages;
observe closely, how she manages to get along.
Her tact in this respect is wonderful, beyond the
grasp of man's most exalted intellect; no rules of
art can supply its want. The talent of ruling
judiciously in the charming world of children, is
a peculiar gift of nature, bestowed upon woman
alone, as her sole prerogative, which in faithful
hands becomes truly enviable. Then we perceive
the wonderful versatility of woman's mind; now
she coaxes into quiet slumber the restless eye or
whining mood of the infant, now she reproves the
noisy restlessness of the boy, and satisfies in stately
teachings the eager curiosity of the girl. But
always is her eye watching over the whole group,
catching at a glance their physical and moral
wants; and the expression of her language or ac-
tions is suited to the sex or age of the child. In
vain could such admirable conduct be asked of a
man under similar circumstances; his patience
would give out, before even his mind could com-
prehend the task; hopeless would be his situation,
if he had to fulfill similar duties. If he has to act


156
MAIDEN LADY.
on the large stage of life his part, she has to do
the same on a smaller, but not less complicated
one; neither would fill satisfactorily the place of
the other. And if this is true, as it certainly is,
the conclusion is irresistible, that each one should
remain within the sphere of action properly as-
signed to each by the ordinance of nature. Let
the father be indeed a provider and protector; let
the mother be indeed a guardian and teacher of
the little ones comprising the family.
Fashionable life, we know, has sadly disar-
ranged this beautiful order of nature, and thereby
weakened, in many a respect, the ties which bind
the filial tree to parental roots. Yet we think,
that its laws are so deeply seated in the soil
of human feeling and society, that it is almost im-
possible to destroy their rule or annihilate their
existence. Even fashionable life, with its many
heartless and unnatural traits, cannot divest the
most reluctant and giddy mother of the inward
pressure of her soul, to witness the frolicsome up-
roar of a nursery-room, or to spend hours of delight
and care in the company of her little ones.
Nature designed the mother to be the child's
first and most legitimate teacher; from her lips
the infant perceives the first sounds of the sweet
language of love and caresses; to her the narrow,
but nevertheless ardent wishes of its heart are first
directed and look for their realization. As the

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157
child draws the nourishment with impatient de-
light from the mother's bosom, itself heaving with
pleasure, so does its longing eye rest on her counte-
nance, radiant with intelligence, and beaming forth
the tender affections of a mother's love into the
appreciative soul of her offspring. Where is en-
joyment like this to be found in the whole range
of nature's economy? Here she has gathered a
combination of physical and intellectual wealth,
seldom to be equalled, and never to be excelled,
and has laid it at the feet of that being, whom
above all she desires to enrich with her choicest
blessings, in order to compensate, as it were, for
the extraordinary charge laid upon a mother's
shoulders. No triumph of the victorious soldier,
the subtle statesman, the eloquent advocate, suc-
cessful physician, or faithful minister, can equal
in reality and sublimity a mother's happiness,
when fondling her infant.
No other avocation in life can give the full re-
ward in innocent pleasure and joyous feeling.
There is no reason, then, why the woman, with
true motherly feelings, should engage in any other
but the business assigned to her by nature, for the
transactions of which she is so eminently and
exclusively qualified, and so richly rewarded. It
is true, she often also experiences sorrows and suf
ferings, which no human being can feel with equal
intensity. The sickness of her children disturbs
II
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MARRIED LADY.
her rest and grieves her soul. But these very mis-
fortunes carry within themselves a higher stimulus
to a mother's action than the mere every-day
duties could afford, and like the passing thunder-
storm on a sultry summer day, leave life's atmos-
phere clearer and more beauteous than ever. If
death, notwithstanding, calls away from her moth-
erly heart one of the beloved ones, she follows
its flight into the regions where hope and faith
combine to promise a future re-union. Thus, even
the worst misfortune which can befall her, the
death of her offspring, enriches the domain of her
love, giving her an undying interest in the joyous
realms of heaven, which thus become more than
ever the point of her pilgrimage.
No member of a family has a greater interest in
the welfare of society than the mother. Although
the child of the past and destined to direct the
present, the mother feels anxious to shape the fu-
ture of that society in which her children have to
play their part, either for good or evil. This one
thought alone is powerful enough to arouse her
energies to the utmost, and engage them constantly
for the physical and moral welfare of society.
She will, therefore, not allow herself to be a
stranger to the political events of her country,
because these, touching the dearest interest of all
families, must affect her own also.
And here may I be allowed to pay my humble
<d
MARRIED LADY.
159
but sincere tribute to the lovely and heaven-born
genius of womanliness, whose spirit always sup-
ports the right, and persists in doing so heroically,
until the cause has triumphed. Our present age,
so conspicuous in reforms, is mainly indebted to
woman for those which have a tendency to ame-
liorate the condition of the poor and suffering. It
is woman's peculiar privilege to follow the appeals
made to the heart. A cause, therefore, which has
within it the germs to arouse that delicate womanly
sympathy, will soon enlist it in its favor, and be
successful. We mention in support of this fact,
the different benevolent and missionary societies,
ragged schools, schools of reform, orphan asylums,
temperance societies, etc. All these various insti-
tutions owe their principal sustenance to the cha-
rity of woman, and mostly to the mothers of the
country, who feel it besides to be their duty to
enlist in this moral crusade for the recovery not of
the Lord's grave, but of the Lord's temple, filled
with the holiness of Christian conduct. This is
the field on which woman can show the heroism
of her soul; if here she is not to be seen, engaged
in the battle against evil, it is plain she has not
understood her mission, or has forgotten her most
sacred duty. If our modern times can be proud
of a thousand distinguished features, possessed
by no former age, it is not merely because we
have steam and hot-air power, railroads, and
H 2
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MARRIED LADY.
electric telegraphs, which mostly influence the
material welfare of mankind, but because we are
engaged in reforming the world morally through
those means, of which we have above named only
a few. These comprise together, what the Scrip-
ture calls "the sword of the spirit," and under its
action woman's flag has enlisted. The greater
part of the glory, therefore, of having civilized the
world, and prepared the way for its redemption,
falls upon woman; a fact which becomes more
and more understood, as the work of Christian
reform progresses and shows its magnificent re-
sults. Wherever good shall be promoted in the
world, there woman is found ready to lend her
helping hand. If King Alcohol has to be de-
throned, women fill the halls of temperance, listen
to addresses, and sign petitions; if the atmosphere
of a prison shall be cleared of its foul moral
miasm, woman is at hand to do it; if hospitals
need attendance, woman is willing to go there,
frequently at the peril of her own life. Oh, let
woman but persist one century longer in those
beneficent efforts she has begun of late so vigor-
ously, and soon the earth will be a paradise again,
prepared to be the habitation of the Holy One!
Mothers, your mission is a glorious one.

CHAPTER VI.
WIDOW
The last duty to a beloved husband and hon-
ored citizen is performed. Slowly the crowd
disperse to their own homes, variously impressed
with the solemnities of the occasion. The religi-
ous among them, while witnessing the departure
of an immortal soul for judgment and eternity, are
busily engaged within their secret chambers of
thought, to review their past, making resolves
according to the degree of faith they severally
enjoy. The worldling might have been seen
trembling with uncertainty while hearing the
sound of the falling clods on the coffin, which in
a similar manner he now feels, will at one time
receive him. The thoughtless among the fashion-
able crowd, gaze with pallid but stupid faces, at
the circumstantial ceremonies which solemnize
the day of mourning. All, however, soon forget
the hour and occasion, which thus has called
them together, and return to their various pre-
dilections and avocations, as if the picture of
death and immortality had no lasting effect on
their thoughts or actions.
n3

162
WIDOW.
But not thus ends this day with one, who in
that crowd might have been seen bowed down
with grief and sorrow, unable to observe either
her own or the state of others. Still, while the
excitement lasted, accompanying such distressful
circumstances, while the chamber of death was
full of kind friends and neighbors, and the avenue
leading to his final resting place, evinced in the
thronging crowd, the love and esteem which the
beloved dead had thus far even carried with him,
her strength remained equal to the weight of
sorrow on her heart, because not as yet did she
fully realize that she was alone; as yet did she
breathe an atmosphere made congenial by a hus-
band's presence, even if in the shrouds of death.
Reluctantly she returns to the home, from whence
the sun of her life has just been removed, and
where now, for the first time, she experiences all
the depressing feelings of loneliness and mental
solitude. Thus, for weeks, months, and even
longer, does the widowed heart mourn for its
departed object, turning its inward emotions
towards the past, where it was surrounded with
the love-inspiring affections of a devoted friend.
No proof can be stronger of the fact that man
was created to reach his highest perfection on
earth in matrimonial union, than the persever-
ance of this attachment, beyond even earthly
limits, by the removal of one of the partners,

WIDOW.
163
which we frequently witness, aye, in our times,
where matrimonial choice is not always the most
genuine.
It seems that the memory of the departed,
particularly the remembrance of his many virtues,
which often live in his deeds after him, and sur-
round his widow with a glory as lasting as the
name she bears, becomes, by degrees, the means
to fill up the vacuum in the widow's heart, and
sustain her in future trials in such a degree, that
she never feels the need or want of another
attachment. Then the great object of life is
fulfilled; such a heart remains still married. Its
sun has not disappeared entirely; he has only
withdrawn his enlivening rays beyond the theatre
perceptible to earthly senses, but still accessible
to those of the heart, where they are felt as
intensely as ever, creating reminiscenses of by-gone
times, with the power and sweetness of present
realities.
If external circumstances do not too palpably
remind such a widow of the loss of her husband,
if she is beyond temporal want, and the care of
her children an easy task to her, then indeed is
her situation not without joy or real pleasure.
She soon will habituate herself to the cares of the
day, and while she remembers the manner in
which her husband used to overcome them in his
day, strive to revive his memory, by daily imi-
H4

164
WIDOW.
tating his example. Thus widows have frequently
continued to fulfill the most arduous duties of
business and station for years after the death of
their husbands, showing a tact and perseverance
equal to that of their former partners, and proving
clearly how elastic and formative the mind and
will of woman is, if compelled or set free by the
force of circumstances.
But we must be well reminded, that a woman
performing, in such a case, a man's duties, does
or can only do so, without losing her feminine
character, by having become the heiress of her
husband's mind as well as estate. In his spirit,
while it still is with her and rests upon her, she
continues to conduct affairs, which, under other
circumstances, would seldom be inviting enough
to draw her activity away from her own legitimate
female sphere.
While thus pursuing her course, she represents
a double nature, exhibiting both strength of will
and tenderness of heart, a combination of perfec-
tion so seldom found in this our world of faults,
and in the widow's case, the result of suffering
and attachment, which invest her with an uncom-
mon degree of sympathy and interest.
But not every widow can be expected to be so
constituted, or placed in such circumstances, that
she can do without manly counsel or assistance.
Then the broken reed will be lifted up again by a


WIDOW.
165
new power. The elasticity of her female nature
will rebound by the impulse of the new force;
her heart will swell again with new emotions, and
a fresh love, sometimes equal in fervor to the first,
will rejuvenate her whole being, and elicit sparks
of affection again in the manly breast of a new
partner.
There is nothing unnatural or forced in the
formation of a second marriage by a widow, under
circumstances which open her heart and direct her
wishes again towards the world around her. If
this is the case, such a marriage is sanctioned as
well by the customs of society as dictated by the
necessities of the laws of nature, assuming thereby
all the legitimate and hallowed attributes of a
first love. Nature, in her richness, has strewed
her gifts in exuberant profusion, and it would be
strange indeed, if in doing so she had forgotten to
endow the poor human heart, which has to feel so
deeply, and suffer so intensely, with a faculty of
re-invigoration, in order to lift it up again with
a new courage of existence, and to double its days
of youth and joy. None must question sincerity
in actions, where nature and law has granted the
right to act.
A widow will find her greatest consolation in
the education of her children, endeavoring at all
times to supply in their training, the place of him
who, leaving them fatherless, trusted them in her
A
115
166
WIDOW.
care. Although nature, generally, did not endow
woman with a sufficient determination of will and
force of character, to eminently qualify her to rule
the heedless boy into willing obedience, and on
that account, it might seem at first sight impossible
for a widow to train her older sons into respectful
behavior, yet such is the power of sympathy
created in every bosom for the widow's defenceless
position, that soon even the wildest boy will feel
within him such promptings of a nobler nature, as
will impel him to respect the one whom he sees
alone and without a protector in the struggling
world. If the mother can inculcate into the young
mind of her son sentiments of this kind, at an
early time, exciting his sympathy and emulation,
she has won his affections already, she has con-
quered his passions before they arose, and made
him tame before he was wild. She must commence
early to revive in his memory the image of his
departed father; his many virtues, and the love
and respect he bore to her and his children. The
memory of such a father will always be dear to
the tender emotions of a child, and turn the undue
increase of passionate excitement into love and
reverence. How often have we seen the most
stubborn boy corrected and made submissive by
the simple address of his widowed mother: 0,
John, what would father say if he was yet living,
and could see you acting thus. What in this
WIDOW.
167
respect, a living parent is sometimes unable to
accomplish, the timely remembrance of a departed
one, of his love and virtue, frequently has happily
effected. In this manner, the revered shade of a
beloved husband still hovers around the lonely
widow, protecting her with a more sublime,
because more spiritual power than when on earth.
To his image and character the helpless widow
directs the revolting spirits of her bolder sons,
and the fury of those young lions is soon tamed ;
to his memory she appeals, when in the struggles
of a heartless world, it becomes necessary to
defend herself from mercenary aggressions, and
in most cases the appeal will be successful.
A widow, therefore, true to her interest and
calling, will cultivate the memory of her departed
husband with delight and care; he is not dead to
her, whose heart contains no other image but his,
whose soul still swells with the sweetest emotions,
even at the bare mention of his name. Years
may pass away; with them does not pass away
or diminish in brilliancy, the picture of one who
was all in all to her while living. A widow in
that sense of the word, has still a husband, a
protector, a counselor, a guide.
As regards her physical welfare, she has, in view
of her widowed position, no other rules to follow
but those general hygienic laws, which it is the
duty of every one to obey, in order to preserve

A pat mat
H6

168
WIDOW.
health. Her system has been fully developed
during her married state, and is, therefore, not
more prone to diseases, than others who are still
married. Activity of body and mind, variety in
both, and cheerful contentment, are essential in
all conditions to health and happiness.
CHAPTER. VII.
MATRON.
When the evening of life draws nearer, and
the sun of its physical appearance inclines to-
wards the verge of the horizon, then the lamp of
the inner man begins to shine brighter, illuminat-
ing with more than earthly lustre, all the recesses
of a heart, tried so often and trained so well, and
now ready to forgive and to forget everything, but
the love it bears to every one around, and which
never was so holy, because never so disinterested
as now.
The wife and mother has become a matron and
grand-mother; a great change has taken place.
Her physical condition cannot favorably compare
with that of former years. Step by step, her
senses weaken; her eye-sight grows more dim,
her hearing more obtuse; she has lost the elastic
movement of her limbs, and the ready eagerness
of mental pursuit. Slowly but surely, all earthly
ties seem to loosen, and none seem finally to be
left, strong enough to fasten her flying spirit to
interests below. Yet one feeling never forsakes
170
MATRON.
her, one thought always is present in her mind,
which already almost lives in other spheres. The
same love which filled her heart in younger days,
and made her endure and suffer for the sake of others
so heroically, still glows within her, and keeps alive
the interest between the outward world and her
retiring spirit. Love, that mysterious child of
heaven, is still the silent but powerful telegraphic
messenger, which unseen, but not unfelt, travels
patiently over the wires of the soul, from the
heart of the aged matron to the objects of its
longings, which she is daily leaving farther
behind her. No physical decay can reach this
immortal attribute of man, and prevent its mani-
festation, as long as life and consciousness remain.
A matron, in her relations to family and
society, is invested with a peculiar interest, and
excites our most lively attention. Removed by
physical inability, from the common strife of the
day, yet fondly attached to remembrances of the
past, which revive more vividly than ever, she
becomes, by comparing them with the present
condition of society, an able critic and fearless
monitor. She cherishes the young, and re-kindles
on the fullness of their joyous vitality her own
expiring years; the innocence of early years seems
to re-enter the place within her heart where it
once dwelt, and happified her whole existence.
The experience of a whole life, spent in arduous

MATRON.
171
pursuit and discharge of duties, seems only to
have been the means of preparing her for the
re-union with qualities of the soul, belonging pre-
eminently to the days of inexperienced childhood,
where no passionate excitement as yet disturbs the
placid waters of contentment. She is contented,
she is delighted in the company of children; like
them, she has no wish for gain or ambition of
distinction; like them, she enjoys the moment in
the innocent pleasures it bestows, be they ever so
insignificant in the eyes of others. Frequently
she directs with evident relish, the various sports
of the little ones, being careful not to offend their
tender sensibilities by any unkind remark or
action.

More judicious than a mother, and more patient
than a father, the matron rules the child-world
more satisfactorily than both. Because she herself,
delights in what she creates for their amusement,
and a child soon distinguishes between those who
really sympathise with its whims and joys, and
those who only affect to do so. She is, therefore,
not neglected by the younger generation, but
rather preferred to others nearer to them in age
and relation. This fact alone constitutes a moral
triumph of no mean importance, as in the econo-
my of nature, it becomes a counterpoise to the
physical inabilities and ills of old age not to be
attained by any other means. Cheerless, indeed,

172
MATRON.
must be the winter of life, if not enlivened by the
jingling bells of infantile chattering, and the restless
motion of childhood.
In company with adults, the matron appears in
all the dignity which age and ripened experience
confer. The deference and esteem paid to her in
the social circles, at home or abroad, are well
earned testimonials of her worth, and sit lightly
upon the character of one who is conscious that
in every relation of life she was anxious to do her
duty to others from none but disinterested motives.
It is a satisfaction for the matron of a house, to
be consulted in matters of importance, because the
exercise of judgment in more advanced age be-
comes a necessity of the mind's activity, as in
younger days activity itself forms a part of life's
nourishment. Blessed is the son or daughter, who
can call upon an aged mother for counsel and
advice in times of need, or matters of importance.
The wisdom of higher years has improved by age,
as the wine does in its quality; unlike the judg-
ment of younger persons, it is free from the
unrefined, poignant acerbity of selfishness, which
yet adheres to those of little experience in worldly
affairs. A matron's useful lesson and cautious
warning saves them, therefore, many a failure and
annoyance, even in the common business transac-
tions of life. Thus, the knowledge resulting from
a life of labor and exertion, is not entirely lost
MATRON.
173
or spent in vain; it is transmitted to posterity
through daughter or son, and becomes the means
of still greater development. We cannot describe
here all the relations of life in family or society,
where a matron's prudent counsel exerts the most
beneficial influence; they are too numerous and
varied.
But not the mind alone should be kept active
in the highest stage of life, in order to lighten
the burden of an existence, which drawing to-
wards its close, becomes physically more and more
sluggish, but the body also should enjoy as much
exercise as is possible, and compatible with com-
fort. It is too often the case, that aged ladies
allow themselves to indulge in the habit of too
much and long continued sitting. This is particu-
larly injurious, when they incline to corpulency,
as it begets a tendency to apoplexy, or hastens its
occurrence, if the tendency to this disease already
exists.
A
Daily exercise, plenty of fresh air, and the free
use of water externally, is as necessary in this
advanced stage of life, as in former ones; a
difference, however, exists, as regards the free use
of water internally, which in old age is not so
much called for, nor so beneficial as in young
persons. A little good old wine, at or after
dinner, is more apt to aid the weakened digestion
of old people, than the use of cold water, because

174
MATRON.
old wine contains just that stimulus which suits
the diminished re-action in a declining system.
The wine, therefore, is justly called by the an-
cients, “lac senum," the milk of the aged, and
if used only at dinner, in a small quantity, pro-
duces vigorous digestion, sustaining thereby the
strength of the system.
Elderly persons, although enjoying a good
appetite and healthy digestion, should nevertheless
avoid eating to satiation. It will be better to
eat often, but little at a time; in this respect, the
same rule obtains in old age as in childhood.
Changes of temperature should be strictly re-
garded, as they frequently produce the most
dangerous consequences in old age. Exposures
to cold and damp weather, are particularly injuri-
ous to the lungs, and cold wet feet to the
abdominal organs, which are at best the weakest
part in an aged system.
Almost all diseases which may befall women at
this stage of life, have no characteristic peculiar
to the sex, and we must, therefore, refer the reader
as to their treatment, to the physician, or to those
works treating on this subject in general.
مجھے
RECAPITULATION.
175
RECAPITULATION.
Thus, have we traced the female constitution
and character, from its first appearance in the
girl, developing through all the stages and changes
of womanhood, as wife and mother, to the last pe-
riod of its existence, the old lady, or matron. We
have seen this female character, under the most
varied conditions of life, still evince such a har-
mony of expression with the physical constitution
of woman, that we cannot for a moment resist
the conviction that the latter is the basis of the
former. In arriving, therefore, at the true destiny
of woman, we were compelled to begin by inter-
rogating her physical nature. In doing so we
soon perceived the limits of her career, not merely
in misty outlines, ill-defined and easily to be
overlooked, but, on the contrary, well-defined and
visible to any one whose intention is rather to
observe nature than to criticise her institutions.
These critics of nature and her laws have existed
in all times, and their voices have been heard in
all directions, expressing dissatisfaction with the
rule of the laws of nature, and seeking to substi-
tute in their stead laws of their own make. How
sadly the world would fare, however, under the
government of these hypercritical philosophers,
a single incident in the life of one of them
might demonstrate. While walking in the shade

176
RECAPITULATION.
of some stately oak, our philosopher, being well
pleased with the grand appearance of this king
of the forests, observed on close examination that
its fruit, the acorn, did not correspond in size
with the magnificent proportions of the tree, and
accused nature, or nature's God, of a great error
in not having allowed the oak to bring forth fruit
of the size of a melon, which would correspond so
much better with its giant proportions. Having
thus exercised his critical acumen, and being
satisfied as to the righteous judgment in these
matters, he laid down in the grateful shade of the
criticised work of nature, and fell asleep. During
his sleep, the wind agitating the branches of the
oak, caused one of the acorns to fall, and, as it
happened, on the nose of our philosopher, who
awaking in terror and amazement at finding his
nose bleeding, exclaimed: "Fool that I was, to cor-
rect nature's laws! If a melon had thus struck me
instead of an acorn, I now would not live to see
my error, and adore the wisdom of the Creator!"
In observing the part woman has to play
on the great theatre of life, we have found how
just and economical everything in her own and
the condition of her fellow-actors is arranged, to
bring about the greatest effects from the smallest
means; how the weakest being, as woman appears
to be, can and does execute the greatest and most
comprehensive work of life; how on her depends

RECAPITULATION.
177
the welfare and glory of all; and how she only
can fulfill this wonderful mission by either intui-
tively following the promptings of her nature, or
by reading and studying closely the features of
her destiny, as they are unmistakably laid down
in her own constitution and the relation it bears
to man and society. The sphere of woman is the
most exalted in the whole domain of nature; let
her but fulfill the mission assigned to her, and let
her perfect but her own legitimate career, and
the world will soon everywhere, as it has already
been done in our own blessed country, acknow-
ledge her right to rule society, which it was her
sole prerogative to create by forming the family
and its sweet sociability.
To the above we will add a stronger testimony
and more urgent appeal in the very comprehen-
sive language of M. Aime Martin. "There is no
universal power on earth, except that of women.
Nature has given to them the superintendence of
our childhood, and the control of our youth. As
children we owe them our thoughts; as young
men we lavish our sentiments upon them; and
they preserve at a later period as wives, that
influence they had acquired as mothers and as mis-
tresses. Thus the entire circle of our life rolls on
beneath their influence. The mission of weak-
ness is to regulate strength; the mission of
love is to make us delight in virtue.

178
RECAPITULATION.
"Oh, woman! could you but have a glimpse of
some of the wonders promised to maternal in-
fluence, with what a noble pride would you enter
upon this career, which nature has generously
opened to you during so many ages! That which
is not in the power of any monarch, of any nation,
it is sufficient that you should will it in order
to execute it. You only upon earth dispose of
the generation which is just born, and you alone
can re-unite its scattered members, and impart to
them the same impulse. That which I could only
write upon this insensible paper, you can engrave
on the heart of a whole people! Ah! when I see
in our promenades and public gardens this bois-
terous crowd of little children who are playing
around, my heart beats with joy from thinking
that they still belong to you. Let each of you
labor only for the happiness of your child; in each
individual happiness God has placed the promise
of the general happiness. Young girls, young
wives, young mothers you hold the sceptre; in
your souls much more than in the laws of legisla-
tors, now repose the futurity of our nation, the
world and the destinies of the human race.”

"C
WOMEN;
THEIR DESCRIPTION, AND
""
PART II.
DISEASES
CHAPTER I.-DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
(C OF GENERATIVE ORGANS.
OF NERVOUS FUNCTION.
HOMOEOPATHIC TREATMENT.
II.
III.-
M
OF
""
;
CHAPTER I.
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
I. PUBERTY AND ITS ABNORMAL APPEARANCE.
In the first part of this work we have explained
the meaning of the term puberty, when applied to
the female system, and have mentioned the va-
rious processes and phenomena through which it
has to pass and manifest its presence. If this de-
velopment of the system occurs in a normal order
and degree, no disease accompanies its manifesta-
tion, and we behold the girl transformed into a
woman, approaching all her characteristics, with-
out the slightest degree of sickness or distress.
Not always, however, does this great change,
which has its principal seat in the ovaries, take
place in such regular and healthy manner.
It
may appear too early or too tardily; the develop-
ment may be an imperfect one, or may not com-
mence at all; or if it has made its appearance, the
various phenomena may not occur in harmony
with each other. In all these cases it is evident
that the whole organism must participate in the
morbid movements of the sexual development, and

I
182
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
create disorders which are in more or less intimate
connection with it. To this class of diseases
belongs what is called
CHLOROSIS.GREEN SICKNESS.
Diagnosis.—The patients have a peculiar color
of the skin, not excessively white, as we see it
after severe loss of blood, but a paleness with an
admixture of yellow and green; the lips appear at
times almost white, the lower eye-lids swell, and
appear darkish blue; the skin, rather loose and
flabby, feels cold to the touch; the patients them-
selves cannot bear a low temperature, and wish to
be where it is warm. The tongue shows an un-
usual pale color, and is frequently covered with a
thick, tough mucus. The patients evince great
muscular weakness; tire very soon after slight ex-
ertions; love, therefore, rest, being apparently lazy.
The same languor expresses itself in the oper-
ations of the mind, which is listless and without
energy. The patients breathe hurriedly, not, how-
ever, because they have a difficulty in breathing,
but on account of not having muscular strength
enough to take a deep breath; an examination of
the lungs would show no morbid alteration of the
texture; the heart palpitates considerably, parti-
cularly when going up stairs, and the pulse is
accelerated, sometimes to 140 beats in a minute,
yet not full, but small, weak, wiry, and easily to
-

CHLOROSIS.
183
be compressed. The veins of the skin appear of a
pale rose color, never distended as in health; and
the blood in them is thin and watery. With a
diminished appetite, the patients have a slimy
taste in the mouth, pressure in the pit of the sto-
mach, and eructation of wind after eating, even of
the most digestible nourishment; sometimes there
is an immoderate desire for eating chalk, charcoal,
etc. Digestion is deranged, causing sometimes
excessive constipation, followed by a diarrhea of
substances badly digested. If the affection pro-
ceeds unchecked, the lower extremities become
swollen, hectic cough sets in, sometimes with ex-
pectoration of dark-colored clots of blood, symp-
toms which have all the appearance of a rapid
decline. In some cases the nervous system be-
comes sympathetically affected, producing hysteri-
cal fits, spasms, even somnambulism.
-
We have given above a full description of this
disease, to enable the reader to recognize it from.
its first appearance. Although the disease is evi-
dently the result of an inharmonious development
of the sexual functions, yet we cannot positively
fix the cause upon one particular function in all
cases. Sometimes menstruation had not made its
appearance before the disease sets in, and we natu-
rally infer that its suppression has produced it. In
other cases, however, the disease can develop itself,
though the menstruation has appeared, but then
I 2
184
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
it must have been either too early or too profuse;
which circumstance, reflecting deleteriously on the
simultaneous development in other organs of the
system, produces chlorosis, by deteriorating nutri-
tion. Any want of harmony, therefore, in the
development of the sexual function, can excite this
disease. As regards climate, the northern may
retard too much, and the southern may too greatly
accelerate the formation of the menses. The same
may be said in regard to the conditions of life; in
the poorer classes every thing has a tendency to
weaken; in the richer, to over-stimulate the con-
stitution; either of which has deleterious effects
on the normal development of sexual functions.
More immediate, exciting causes of this disease
are those extremes of the mind, exhibiting either a
love of indulging in frivolous phantasies and im-
moral connections, or a depression of spirits, a
melancholy caused by home-sickness, troubles of
all kinds, and particularly by disappointments in
love. Marshy regions, damp dwellings, excessive
exertions or sedentary habits, immense loss of
blood, in fact, everything which can weaken the
constitution, while it needs all its strength to de-
velop the sexual functions, can produce chlorosis.
Treatment.-As this disease, on account of its
great importance, always needs the attendance of
a skillful physician, we merely intend to draw the
attention of the reader to the principal remedies
CHLOROSIS.
185
to be used in the beginning, the application of
which frequently prevents its progress. The cause
which may have excited it must be removed, if
possible, before an application of medicine can be
of much avail. If chlorosis occurs in girls, when
the first menses have not yet appeared, the treat-
ment mentioned for obstructions of menstruation,
in the following chapter, will be suitable.
Among the remedies pulsatilla will be best
adapted to females of a mild disposition, given
to sadness and tears, or if exposure to cold or
dampness was the cause; if there is difficulty of
breathing after slight exertion, sallow complexion,
alternating with redness and flushes of heat, pal-
pitation of the heart, cold hands and feet, looseness
of the bowels and leucorrhea, cough with expecto-
ration of dark coagulated blood, mental and phy-
sical langor. Sulphur after the above remedy, if
the patient is not relieved. Bryonia alternates
well with pulsatilla, if there are frequent conges-
tions to the head, bleeding at the nose, dry cough,
bitter taste in the mouth, and chilliness, with pain
in the small of the back. After sulphur it is
frequently necessary to give calcarea carb., if the
oppression of the chest is very great, and the
extremities begin to swell, after which ferrum
should be given in repeated doses, particularly
when the sallow hue of the face continues with
great debility, want of appetite, nausea and hectic
13

186
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
cough. The above medicines should be given in
long intervals, say every third or fourth day a
dose, (six glob.,) until amendment takes place, or
another remedy is indicated; ferrum may be
given in the first trituration, the other remedies in
higher potencies. If this disease occurs after se-
vere sickness or hemorrhages, give china and
carb. veg., every other evening a dose, (six glob.,)
alternately for at least five or six weeks. In both
cases, if the above medicines do not relieve, apply
to a skillful physician without delay.
Application of Water.--The frequent use of
the sitting-bath in the morning, and the sponge-
bath in the evening, is very beneficial; during the
night the patient should apply the wet bandage
around the abdomen; but during menstruation
all application of water must be omitted.
Diet and Regimen.—Let the diet be very nu-
tritious, and make the patient exercise freely in
the open air; if mineral springs are chosen for a
summer resort, give the preference to the chaly-
beate, containing iron.
MENSTRUATION AND ITS ABNORMAL APPEARANCE.
Of all the phenomena connected with the sexual
development of the female, menstruation claims.
our greatest attention; although, as we have seen
in the first part of this book, it is the result, rather
than the cause of this development. Yet it is one
ABNORMAL MENSTRUATION.
187
of its most prominent signs, and we can be greatly
guided by its appearance in our actions, if such
are necessary by the presence of disease. Men-
struation may show its abnormal character in
various ways, either as too tardy in its appear-
ance, or suppressed after its appearance, too co-
pious or too scanty; difficult and painful; it
may return too quickly or last too long, and
finally it may appear on other places than the
natural one in the system. We will now consider
the above points successively.
Tardy Menstruation. It is of the utmost
importance first to know whether a girl, although
old enough to be menstruated, is developed suffi-
ciently otherwise to make it necessary for the
menses to appear. As we have seen in the chap-
ter on girlhood, menstruation is the result of
changes which, at the time of puberty, have to
take place in the ovaries, and without which no
discharge will be possible, and if forced by medi-
cine to appear, will destroy rather than establish
health. As long as the girl has not increased in
size across the hips, or the breasts have not become
fuller, indeed until the whole form and conduct of
the girl shows that this change has taken place in
the internal parts, no effort must be made to force
nature, as it would be not only fruitless, but really
injurious. In such cases a general treatment
should be instituted; the girl should be made to

I 4
188 DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
exercise freely in the open air, and not be allowed
to frequent school, if in the habit of attending.
Nature will soon rally her formative forces, and
herself establish without force what medicine could
not do without injury. But if the girl is fully
developed otherwise, (see p. 87,) if she suffers from
time to time or at regular monthly intervals from
pains and congestions either in the head, breast,
or abdomen, it is necessary for us to interfere by
giving some of the medicines, as described below.
In such a case also it is indispensable to regulate
her habits, and make her follow the most strict
hygienic rules. She ought not to study or sit long
at a time, but rather exercise in the open air,
either by walking or riding in all kinds of weather,
although she must not be neglectful as to the
changes of temperature, taking especial care to
have her feet always dry and warm. And here
we may be allowed to remark, that in the course
of a long practice we have found the wearing of
thin-soled shoes to be the most fruitful source of
the decay of female beauty and the decline of
female health. The injury of tight lacing (al-
though considerable) is nothing in comparison
with the fatal habit of appearing, in all kinds of
weather, in thin-soled shoes and light stockings;
the consequences of the latter are beyond descrip-
tion fearful and destructive. She should avoid all
highly seasoned food and stimulating drinks, such


u n
189
TARDY MENSTRUATION.
as coffee, tea, wines and malt liquors; water,
however, externally and internally should be used
frequently and freely.
In a majority of cases, besides prescribing the
observance of the above hygienic rules, we have
found it sufficient to administer to the girl, in
order to establish the first menses, pulsatilla,
every evening a dose (four glob.) for four evenings,
then to discontinue for four evenings, after which
to give sulphur in the same manner, if necessary.
This treatment we have generally commenced a
few days before the return of the monthly distress
could be expected. Just at this time a warm foot-
bath may be administered in the evening when
going to bed.
If these remedies are not effective, we must
have recourse to one or more of the following
remedies:
Bryonia, if the girl looks flushed in the face,
her nose bleeds frequently, and she inclines to
constipation.
Veratrum, if she is chilly, has cold hands and
feet, palpitation of the heart and disposition to
diarrhea. Bellad., if she is frequently troubled
with congestion to the brain, redness of the eyes,
intolerance of light, giddiness when stooping,
having a full, bounding pulse, yet cold feet. In
such a case aconite should be given alternately
with belladonna. If, however, spasms should
15
190
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
threaten or indeed break out, with nausea and
vomiting, screaming, even convulsions, cuprum
should be given in alternation with belladonna,
every half hour a dose, (four glob.,) until better.
Phosphorus is indicated, when the breast and
lungs seem to suffer in females of a delicate
constitution, weak chest, but lively disposition;
particularly when, instead of menstruation, an ex-
pectoration of small quantities of blood occurs
with a hacking cough and pains in the chest.
Arsenicum is particularly useful, if dropsical
symptoms appear, swelling round the eyes in the
morning, and of the feet or ankles in the evening,
besides a feeling, as if hot water was coursing in
the veins.
Suppressed menstruation, or its temporary
cessation, when once having been well established.
This occurs either suddenly, by taking cold, (from
wet feet mostly,) over-heating, violent mental
emotions, faults of diet, in consequence of other
diseases, such as rheumatism, or diseases of the
lungs, liver, uterus, etc., in which cases it often
produces violent congestions of the chest, head
and stomach, with cramps, convulsions, inflamma-
tions and with various other symptoms of disease;
or the menses have disappeared, without creating
any complaints; in which case it may be caused
by pregnancy, or lay the foundation of serious
chronic disorders, not at that time apparent.
¿


SUPPRESSED MENSTRUATION.
191
If the suppression of the menses has been
caused by the presence of other diseases in the
system, such as rheumatism, etc., as above referred
to, the cure of these disorders has to be effected
by an appropriate treatment, before the return of
the menses can be expected.
If, however, the suppression is a sudden one in
consequence of other morbific causes, producing vio-
lent symptoms, select from among the following
remedies the most homeopathic, and administer
it either in solution (twelve glob.) in half teacupful
of water) every hour or two hours a teaspoonful,
or in the dry state (four glob. in the same intervals
until better, or until another remedy is indicated.
Pulsatilla is here also the principal remedy,
particularly in females of a mild disposition, in-
clined to weep readily and feel melancholy; if
the suppression was the result of getting cold or
wet; if the patient suffers from headache, espe-
cially on one side, with shooting pains in face,
ears and teeth; palpitation of the heart, suffocat-
ing feeling, flashes of heat, though the face looks
pale, nausea, vomiting, pressure in the lower part
of the abdomen, disposition to diarrhea, frequent
desire to void urine.
Opium, if all the blood seems to have rushed
to the head, producing heavinesss there with
dark redness of the face and drowsiness, even
convulsive jerks of the muscles.
1 6
192
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
Bryonia, either after or in alternation with
pulsatilla, especially if there is great tendency
of the blood to the head, producing a swimming,
heaviness and pressure, particularly in the fore-
head, worse by stooping or moving; congestion
and pains in the chest; bleeding at the nose,
dry, hacking cough, with pains in the lungs, like
pleurisy, pains in the small of the back.
Aconite should be given first in all cases where
the congestion of head or chest is very great, pulse
full and bounding; throbbing, shooting pains in
in the head, sometimes producing delirium. If
fright is the cause, its application should be fol-
lowed, if necessary by opium, especially if the
head is very much congested; and by veratrum,
if severe cramps in the abdomen are present.
Belladonna in alternation with aconite, if in
young and plethoric persons the congestion of the
head is very great, accompanied with dread of
light, fever, burning thirst, bearing down in the
lower parts of the abdomen towards the genitals,
red and bloated face.
Chamomile, when the suppression was caused
by a severe fit of anger; ignatia, if caused by
grief, fright, chagrin; opium, if from sudden joy
or fear: hyoscyamus, if from unhappy love or
jealousy, particularly when accompanied by con-
vulsions, sudden starts or involuntary laughter
during sleep, desire to run off; mercury, if caused

FLOODING.
193
by home-sickness, and then alternately with phos-
phoric acid, if the patient is dull, listless, the hair
falls out, has profuse night sweats and hectic fever.
Sulphur in all cases where pulsatilla has failed
to restore the catamenia, or where the suppression
did not excite very violent symptoms immediately,
but threatens to lay the foundation to chronic
disorders. In such cases it must not be oftener
given than once in eight days (six glob.)
Too Copious Menstruation-Flooding.-If the
discharge is too profuse or lasts too long, it is not
composed any more of real menstrual blood, which,
being a secretion from the uterus, is different
in quality from the blood in the vessels; but it is
common blood, passing away from the womb,
either in paroxysms or steady dropping. Such
cases are generally attended by pains in the back,
loins and abdomen, resembling labor pains.
They are either caused by fright, fear or other
mental excitements, or external injuries, such as
a fall or blow; ulcerations in the womb also pro-
duce them. If mental causes have preceded, the
reader will find the same remedies beneficial as
related above for suppressed menstruation, espe-
cially if caused by mental agitation.
If external injuries produced the flooding, the
use of arnica internally is necessary. In every
case, however, complete rest in a horizontal posi-
tion is indispensable, the head being not higher
194
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
than the hips; the covering may be suited to the
feelings of the patient; it generally ought to be
more cool than warm.
If other than the above causes have produced
the hemorrhage, we must select from among the
following remedies.
Ipecac., in alternation with china, is the princi-
pal remedy, particularly if there is great weakness,
buzzing in the ears, faintness, when raising the
head off the pillow; the blood is bright red. Bella-
donna, if there is a bearing down sensation. Pulsa-
tilla and luchesis, if the flooding occurs during
change of life, at which time ipecac. and secule are
of great benefit, particularly in decrepid women.
Chamomile, if dark, clotted blood is discharged,
accompanied by colic-like labor-pains, violent
thirst, coldness of the extremities, headache, with
clouded sight and humming in the ears.
Crocus, if the blood is dark colored, clotted
and very copious, and the menses have appeared
before the usual time.
Platina, in the same case, particularly if at-
tended with bearing down pains, great nervous-
ness, sleeplessness and constipation; alternates
well with belladonna and chamomile.
Coffea and camphor, in alternation, when there
is, beside the above symptoms, exceedingly painful
colic.
Secale, if the discharge occurs in elderly women,
FLOODING.
195
attended with great weakness and coldness of
extremities, and then in alternation with china,
if the discharge has been copious, or with carb.
if the weakness from the same cause is very
veg.,
great. In such cases small quantities of old wine,
such as Madeira, but frequently given in some
water, are of great service.
If real flooding ensues, resisting the above medi-
cines, the application of cold water or pounded
ice over the lower part of the abdomen, externally,
becomes necessary, in order to coagulate the
blood in the vagina and uterus, by which means
the hemorrhage generally ceases. There is no
danger of getting cold in doing this, if it is only
done right; the patient must be lightly, but well
covered, in a position strictly horizontal, and as
quiet as possible. This treatment will be effec-
tual in the severest cases of flooding. If cold
water is applied, the bandages must be renewed
as often as they become a little warm, say every
two or three minutes; they must be wrung out
well at each renewal.
+
At the same time, when this external process
is going on, the proper internal remedies should
be continued. They must be administered in
solution; six globules, of a remedy, in six tea-
spoonfulls of water, every fifteen, twenty, or thirty
minutes a tea-spoonfull; the intervals should be
extended as the patient gets better.

196
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
The drink given to such patients must be
cold and not of a stimulating nature; except when
faintness appears, with deadly paleness of the
face, no pulse, and cloudiness of sight, give wine
and brandy in frequent but small quantities.
Camphor and china are, in such cases, of the great-
est benefit.
Menstruation of too long duration or return-
ing too quickly requires the use of the same
remedies as above described under menstruation
too copious. If it occurs at the period of change
of life, compare the article on this subject.
Menstruation too late and too scanty, require, in
the main, all those remedies enumerated under
the head of menstruation too tardy. Pulsatilla
is the principal remedy, when the menses appear
too late or do not discharge enough, also when
they are irregular, sometimes too late and too pro-
fuse, (which occurs mostly at the critical period or
change of life,) sometimes too early and too scanty.
In the former lachesis alternates well with puls-
atilla. In most all cases sulphur is necessary to
a complete cure.
Deviation of menses is a term signifying the
appearance of a monthly discharge of blood from
other places of the system, such as the lungs,
bowels, nose, stomach, etc., which has the effect,
that while it lasts, the real menstruation cannot
appear.
This aberration, as it may properly be
PAINFUL MENSTRUATION.
197
called, of a discharge so vitally connected with
the sexual functions, has been observed to have
taken place from all organs and parts of the sys-
tem, bowels, stomach, rectum, fauces, nose, gums,
urinary organs, respiratory organs, eyes, ears,
the
ulcers and wounds, wherever they were;
principal places, however, are the nose, stomach,
lungs and the end of the rectum. As regards the
causes of this singular phenomenon, a great diver-
sity of opinion exists, as yet, among the authors;
we have mentioned its occurrence here, to enable
the reader to recognize its appearance, and to ad-
minister such medicines in its beginning, as are
advisable. Should the disease resist those reme-
dies, the advice of a skillful physician must be
sought at once.
If the discharge appears monthly through the
eyes, chamom., nux vom., carb. veg. and bella. will
prove beneficial; if through the nose or ears, bryo-
nia, mercury, rhus and silicea; if through the lips
and gums, bryonia, mercury and phosphorus; if
through the fauces and lungs, phosphorus and bryo-
nia; if through the stomach by vomiting, bryonia,
carb. veg., veratrum; if through the bowels and
rectum, nux vom., arsenic, sulphur. The latter
remedy will be the most important in every case
at the end of the cure to prevent a relapse.
Too difficult, painful menstruation, menstrual
colics, are of frequent occurrence, and constitute


198 DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
ailments of no slight importance to the health
and comfort of the person thus afflicted. Their
causes generally can be traced back to the early
years of womanhood, to improper treatment of
other diseases, suppression of eruptions or habitual
discharges, rheumatic disorders, colds, etc. The
pains either appear before or during the flow of
the menses, sometimes resembling real labor pains,
with bearing down and forcing; at other times
there is a constant aching in the loins, hips and
limbs. They generally diminish in violence as
soon as the regular flow commences, but not
always. We found the following treatment in the
majority of cases the most successful.
As soon as the patient feels the pain commenc-
ing, she should lie down, cover well and take
coffea, pulsatilla and veratrum in alternation, every
half hour a dose (four glob.) until better. If this
does not relieve within two hours, take nux vom.
if the forcing pains predominate; cocculus if colic
pains appear in the abdomen, with shortness of
breath; chamomile if with discharge of dark colored
blood, there are pains resembling labor pains,
together with colic pains and tenderness of the
abdomen.
سے
If a profuse perspiration sets in while in bed,
the patient must not leave it immediately after the
pains cease, nor cool off too quickly, else the pains
return. Avoid the use of heating substances
CHANGE OF LIFE.
199
internally and externally, save a hot brick on the
the feet or stomach.
CESSATION OF THE MENSES OR CHANGE OF LIFE.
This period, commencing about the age of
forty-five, forms one of the most important in the
life of a female. If not guided through this criti-
cal time by the counsel and aid of a skillful
physician, she gathers the seeds of endless misery
or even early death. This period may be a bless-
ing to her as well as a source of great distress;
because after it her health becomes either more
confirmed, or disorganizations in internal organs
may form with fatal consequences. Without
enlarging here further on the subject, we recom-
mend the early and constant advice of a skillful
physician during this period, which generally lasts
from one to two years.
Change of life begins with an irregularity of
the menses; they cease for two, three or four
months, thus giving rise to a suspected pregnancy;
then re-appear with great violence, then cease
again for four or six months, during which time
the woman shows more or less symptoms of con-
gestion; piles appear; the limbs swell; pruritus
(violent itching of the private parts,) sets in,
sometimes; also cramps and colics in the ab-
domen; asthma and palpitation of the heart;
sick-headache; hysterics; apoplexy, etc. These

200 DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
maladies are so various, continually changing and
complicated, that they require the constant watch-
ful care of a family physician. If at any time he
merits this glorious name, it is in a case where he
has to guide, safely, the mother of a family, like a
faithful pilot, through the dangerous rapids of her
critical period. As to general rules we would
advise great moderation in eating and drinking,
particularly not to indulge in articles of a stimu-
lating nature, such as wines, liquors and spices;
the sleeping apartment should be airy, well venti-
lated; violent emotions and fatiguing exercise
should be avoided, also exposures to inclement
weather, wet feet, etc.
As to medicines, pulsatilla and lachesis are,
in this period, the principal remedies, particularly
for the irregular menses; every four or six days
alternately, one dose (six glob.) will be sufficient.
If other diseases occur during this time, the advice
of the physician must be sought.
ABNORMAL EROTIC SENTIMENT.
Nymphomania.-We would gladly desist to
treat of the above disease in a work of this kind,
on account of being obliged to speak about mat-
ters so delicate, if we did not consider it to be our
especial duty to inform the reader about a disease,
which must be recognized in its commencement to
prevent its further and fearfully demoralizing


NYMPHOMANIA.
201
progress. It consists in an excessive increase of
the erotic sense. As this disease may even befall
children of a tender age, from nine to twelve years,
it becomes an important duty of mothers to make
themselves acquainted with its nature. It mani-
fests itself in the desire to have the erotic feeling
excited, and this is accomplished by various
methods of rubbing and masturbation, which
clandestinely is practiced; in such cases a certain
degree of modesty still has been retained, yet it
does not rest there. Soon the patients become per-
fectly frantic in this respect and lose all finer feelings
of modesty and decorum, bent only on the one object
of gratifying their criminal passion without shame
or hindrance. In the height of this awful phrenzy,
charity applies the word mania, nymphomania, to
this disease, which, in its beginning, frequently was
caused either by neglect of parents in watching
their children, or by passionate conduct on the part
of the latter, producing crime and destruction.
At the time of puberty, and sometime after,
practices leading to this disease occur most fre-
quently, and parents ought to be particularly
careful to watch, at that period, the conduct of
their children.
The exciting causes of these abnormities of
the awakening erotic sense are enumerated as fol-
lows by Dr. Columbat: "Thus in populous cities,
idleness, effeminacy, or sedentary life, the constant

202
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
contact of the two sexes, and the frequenting of
places where everything inspires pleasure, pro-
longed watching, excessive dancing, frivolous
occupations, and the study of the arts that give
too great activity to the imagination, erotic read-
ing, the pernicious establishment of an artificial
puberty, the premature shock of the genital system,
the concentration of the sentiments and thoughts
on objects which keep the genital system in a state
of continual excitement; finally, a number of vi-
cious habits and excesses of all kinds, which react
more particularly upon the sensibility of the womb,
an organ to be considered in the female as the very
centre towards which all the morbific actions seem
principally to have a tendency."
In young children, the cause of this malady.
must be foreign to real sexual development, as
this latter has not advanced far enough to be-
come a-morbific power. In such cases we have
found that the presence of ascarides or pin-
worms, either in large quantities in the rectum,
or sometimes even in the vagina, may give the
first impulse to the undue excitement created
by the continued rubbing on those parts, which
the child at first in self-defence has to com-
mence, by the continuation of which, however,
unfortunately, the erotic sentiment becomes pre-
maturely developed and habitually stimulated.
In older persons, of course, excuses of this kind
NYMPHOMANIA.
203
are inadmissable, except where real disorganiza-
tions or idiotic formation of the brain compels
us to think otherwise.
The consequences of this dreadful disease are
fearful in the highest degree; they need not be
introduced here, as our only object was to inform
the reader of the existence of such a disease,
which, in its commencement, might be success-
fully intercepted in its growth by proper care and
treatment.
If a child shows by its actions that it is troubled
with an irritation in the private parts, it is the
duty of the mother at once to examine care-
fully, and if worms are the cause, to have them
removed.
The use of cold water by injections in the vagina
and rectum, also the douche on the hypogastric
region, are recommended. In older persons, the
treatment must consist of a mental as well as a
physical training. In most cases the unfortunates
can be brought back again to life and happiness,
by being treated kindly but firmly. Camphor in
small doses, is perhaps the only remedy which has
a sufficient bearing upon all cases of this kind, to
be recommended in a work like this. We omit to
mention others, as it would carry us beyond the
legitimate sphere of our intention; this disease
belongs emphatically to the forum of the physician,
not the lay practitioner.

204
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
ABSENCE OF EROTIC FEELING.
Anaphrodisy. This abnormal condition of the
female system is, in itself, neither a crime nor does
it beget disease; yet its presence is frequently dis-
turbing the pleasure and happiness of those who
anticipated both in the matrimonial union. If,
unfortunately, the wife should have little or no
passionate excitement, the effect must be unpleas-
ant in many respects.
As it is impossible to go
here into any farther explanation of a condition
which varies so much in cause and treatment, we
must content ourselves with the advice to those
who suffer under anaphrodisy, that if they can
overcome the modest reluctance so natural to the
female character, to ask the advice of a physician ;
their wishes, in most cases, will be realized by a
rational treatment.
STERILITY.
The impossibility for a woman to conceive, is
either absolute or relative. It is very difficult to
point out the precise cause of sterility during the
life-time of a person, as many of the causes, particu-
larly those of absolute sterility, lie in the absence
or malformation of internal organs, which cannot
be examined. In this uncertain state of diagnosis,
one rule has to govern us, that is, to consider a
sterility so long, as a relative or curable one, as we
are not positively convinced of its absolute nature.
STERILITY.
205
K
Various remedies have been at all times applied
to overcome this impediment of nature; the inge-
nuity of man has tried to fathom the depths of
existence, in order to restore that harmony of
natural processes, which is generally the cause of
happiness and contentment in this world. But in
no other department of science have we been re-
warded with so few satisfactory results. Nature
seems to have reserved this field for her own action;
at least she frequently restores a faculty in later
years, which in younger days she had denied to her
offspring. Yet we would advise the reader not to
neglect the counsel of a physician on this subject;
because, sometimes a judicious treatment removes
the barriers laying in the diseased condition of
the female. Hundreds and thousands of women
have been cured of this defect, though a positive
promise to that effect could not have been given.
There are instances recorded where women have
become pregnant for the first time after having
been married for twenty years. A general consti-
tutional treatment with homoeopathic remedies, is
perhaps the best calculated to remove sterility, and
such a treatment must be instituted by a physi-
cian, who is competent of ascertaining by careful
investigation the probable cause of the difficulty.
Cases depending on uterine congestion, are mostly
curable, and frequently yield to a well-directed
treatment

206
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
2. PREGNANCY.
As a state of purely physiological development
pregnancy does not, of itself, imply disease as a
necessary consequence during its duration. Yet
the many ailments which accompany it at the
present day, being the legitimate result of the
complicated, unnatural conditions and habits of
society, create and sustain the idea which people
generally entertain, that a pregnant woman can
never be free from one or the other disease. It is
our duty, therefore, to give the reader, if not an
extended treatise, at least a synopsis of those ail-
ments commonly experienced during gestation,
together with their treatment.
CC
In the first part of this book, in the article on
"Wife, "we have stated all that we deemed neces-
sary in regard to the physiological process of
pregnancy, to which we must refer the reader, in
order to understand many of the diseases peculiar
to pregnant women.
PLETHORA CONGESTION FEVER.
These are forms of diseases to which pregnant
women are more inclined than others, because in
that state the blood has naturally a higher degree
of plasticity or formative energy, which explains
the fact that women otherwise weakly and badly
nourished, frequently suffer in this direction; how
much more must it be the case where women allow

PLETHORA CONGESTION-FEVER.
207
themselves to indulge in too nourishing and highly
seasoned food or stimulating drinks.
Plethora manifests itself by a full, hard and
more frequent pulse, rush of blood to the head,
vertigo, buzzing before the ears, numbness of the
extremities, asthma, sleeplessness, etc. In such a
state it would be dangerous to await her confine-
ment; various diseases might result from this
plethoric condition, of which we will mention only
one-convulsions-sufficiently important to induce
energetic action against plethora during gestation.
Congestion and fever do not differ materially
from the former in symptoms or their intensity;
they appear upon the whole, however, more
locally and are more transient.
The principal treatment, particularly to prevent
plethora, consists in a rigid and careful regimen
as to diet, exercise and habit. This, in most
cases, will be sufficient to prevent its appearance,
and obviate all further medication. For this
purpose the patient must avoid all mental and
corporeal excitement; eat little but often, more
vegetables than meat; drink nothing but water or
lemonades, if she is not inclined to diarrhea; dress
not too warm and exercise freely in the open air,
avoiding, however, fatigue.
If notwithstanding these dietetic rules, symp-
toms of plethora develop themselves, the patient
should take, from time to time, aconite and bella-
K2
208
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
donna alternately, every six, twelve or twenty-four
hours a dose (six glob.) which, better than bleeding,
will counteract the above named plastic quality of
the blood, the real cause of plethora. It is not a
surplus of blood which forms the characteristic of
plethora; such a thing cannot exist in the vessels
limited to a certain quantity; this surplus, if it
existed, would sooner burst the vessels in the nose
and lungs than be confined in too small a room.
The above idea has only obtained on account of
the means which were used to counteract the evil.
Bleeding was heretofore considered the only
remedy for plethora, and as it certainly gives mo-
mentary relief, the physicians judged the disease
by the remedy, or rather by the action which the
remedy produced. Subsequent investigations have
shown that the benefit of a venæsection does not
consist so much in the lesser quantity of blood
remaining after it in the system, but in the nervous
influence, and its reflection on the quality of the
remaining blood. Bleeding constitutes, therefore,
a remedy for this form of disease, although its
application is limited to but few instances, particu-
larly where plethora threatens to give rise to that
formidable disease called puerperal convulsions,
one form of which is frequently occasioned by a
state resembling plethora, where an early venæ-
section will be beneficial, if the head is very much
congested at the time.

HEMORRHAGES.
209
HEMORRHAGES.
In the article on menstruation, we treated of
the hemorrhages from the womb, which, if they
occur during pregnancy, require a similar treat-
ment, except in cases where symptoms of a
miscarriage appear; for these the reader will find
the necessary advice in the article on that subject.
Here we intend to speak about the hemorrhages
from other parts of the system, from the nose, the
lungs and the stomach. They are frequently
caused by a congestive tendency and have a criti-
cal import as to their cause. If they are not too
severe at the time, the local congestion generally is
diminished by them, and the patients feel relieved
afterwards. But if they are too profuse and repeat
too often, it is necessary to interfere.
Aconite should be used first, particularly if a
feverish state preceded the hemorrhage; if it does
not speedily relieve, alternate it with bryonia, in
solution, every half hour a tea-spoonful. If there
is however, not much fever, but more coldness, or
if the bleeding has already continued for some
time, give ipecac. and china in alternation, also in
solution, in the same manner until better.
In slight cases the above prescription will be
suitable for hemorrhage from the nose, stomach
and lungs; in severe cases of bleeding from the
lungs, the alternate use of opium and ipecac. or
K3

210
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
china will be necessary; in that of the stomach,
china and veratrum or arsenic, and the application
of cold water or ice on the root of the nose if the
bleeding from this part does not yield speedily.
In regard to the vomiting of blood, we would yet
remark that it constitutes, frequently, a symptom
of inflammation of the spleen, and if so, the
treatment of this disease must be instituted before
the vomiting can stop.
HEMORRHOIDS-PILES.
This disease of the rectum frequently occurs
during the latter part of gestation, and occasions,
beside great annoyance and distress, sometimes
even symptoms of threatening miscarriage. By
carefully avoiding constipation, which may be
considered one of the principal causes of this
complaint, it can be mostly prevented or its
attacks rendered mild and comparatively short.
We can also by medicines given internally, and
water, either warm or cold, applied externally,
mitigate the severe pains and swellings, though
we may not be able to cure this disease while
gestation continues, which being its cause, will
constantly re-produce it.
•
Nux vomica and sulphur in alternation, every
evening a dose, (six glob.) are the principal reme-
dies against it. If these should not relieve within
a few days, recourse may be had to ignatia, if the

HEMORRHOIDS- M
-PILES.
211
pains, like violent stitches, shoot upwards and
much blood is discharged or the rectum protrudes
at each evacuation; it also quiets the nervous
system, if irritated by the ineffectual straining to
evacuate, so often experienced after a discharge in
persons troubled with piles.
If constipation is present in a high degree,
alternate ignatia with opium, every two or three
hours a dose, (six glob.) until better.
If these remedies do not relieve, give the fol-
lowing. Sepia, bellad., hepar, lachesis, arsenicum,
carb. veget. in their order, in intervals of a day;
of each remedy two doses, (six glob. each) until
better. Externally the application of cold water
in sitz-baths, compresses or injections, is of the
greatest benefit when the tumors do not bleed, but
are very much enlarged and painful; while the
warm water or steam is preferable when the
tumors bleed or have ceased to bleed, yet continue
to be very painful. Almost entire abstinence
from food, except bread and water for a few days,
shall, according to some authors, be an excellent
dietetic in piles. Meat diet is to be avoided as
much as possible. The removal of the tumors
by the knife is a painful, and during pregnancy,
highly dangerous operation, as thereby abortion
may be excited. We, therefore, warn the reader
never to have an operation of this kind performed
during pregnancy.
K4
P
212
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
VARICOSE VEINS.
Like the piles, this disease is caused by the
pressure of the gravid uterus upon the lower
blood-vessels, if it occurs during pregnancy; some
females have a tendency to it all the time from
a constitutional debility in the large abdominal
veins. Such persons during pregnancy suffer
severely from varicose veins, which sometimes
enlarge to such an extent as to burst and dis-
charge the blood either externally or into the
cellular tissue. In such cases a horizontal posi-
tion on a couch or bed, and bathing the limbs
with an arnica solution, taking internally arnica
and pulsatilla, once or twice a day, will be suffi-
cient. The laced stocking or a bandage wound
around the limb tightly from the foot upward,
will be an excellent preventive for varicose veins.
Beside the repeated application of cold water,
bathing or washing is strongly recommended, as
also the frequent rest on a couch or bed during
the day, after having loosened the clothes around
the waist.
The following medicines, if taken in long inter-
vals, have a very beneficial effect to mitigate the
disease. Nux vom., arsenicum, lachesis, lycopo-
dium, sulphur, two doses of each remedy within
two weeks, each week one, until one after the
other has been taken or the patient feels better.
SWELLING OF THE FEET.
213
SWELLING OF THE FEET AND LOWER LIMBS.
The same cause, which during gestation, pro-
duces varicose veins and piles, can also produce
a swelling of the feet, the limbs and even of the
whole body, as in some extraordinary cases it has
been witnessed. By the pressure of the extended
womb on the larger lymphatics, a stagnation
ensues, which prevents the absorption of the
lymphatic fluid, and causes it to accumulate
within the areolar tissue. In the evening the
lower limbs are generally swollen more, as the
water sinks by its own gravity; in the morning
the face and eye-lids show more of the watery
infiltration. As long as no fever, at least no full,
hard pulse attends a circumstance of this kind, it
is of no great significance, save the annoyance
and trouble to the patient. It disappears quickly
after delivery, sometimes in a few hours; neither
does it interfere to such a degree during delivery,
as might be believed from the extent of the swell-
ing. An immense absorption must take place,
even during parturition, because in one case,
which came under our own observation, no hind-
rance to a successful termination of the birth was
experienced, although prior to its commencement,
it seemed almost impossible that it could take place
at all, in such a degree were the external parts
swollen, almost closed. In that case, the absorp-
K 5
214
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
tion took place during the labor, as soon as by
change of position, the child exerted no more
pressure on the lymphatics.
But if the pulse is hard and full, measures must
be taken to relieve the patient. She must take
exercise, keep the bowels open by means of cold
water injections, and the internal use of bryonia
and opium, every two hours a dose, (six glob.)
until relieved; if the fever rises still higher, take
aconite and bryonia in the same manner
TOOTH-ACHE.
This is a frequent complaint during pregnancy ;
it requires the same attendance as when it occurs
at other times, with this exception, that the ex-
traction of carious teeth should not be permitted,
as the shock occasioned thereby might bring on
an abortion. Chamomile, belladonna, mercury,
sulphur, every hour a dose, (four glob.) until better,
generally relieves the severest pains, and makes
extraction quite unnecessary.
SALIVATION.
We had occasion, in the first part of this book,
to mention salivation as one of the signs of preg-
nancy, at least in some women. Sometimes it
continues during the greater part of gestation, and
becomes one of the most troublesome and weaken-
ing ailments, particularly if it is combined with

SALIVATION.
215
nausea and vomiting, when the derangement it
creates, in the health of the woman, becomes truly
alarming. While the future mother thus some-
times is brought to the verge of the grave, her
expected offspring does not suffer in like manner,
on the contrary, in most cases, appears to have
done the better for it. This, by way of consolation
to the sick woman, for whose comfort we cannot
do much. Yet some of our medicines, even in
this constitutional disorder, mitigate frequently to
a great extent, the severity of the salivation.
Mercury is one of the principal remedies, if saliva-
tion was not caused by the abuse of mercurial
preparation; also lobelia, lachesis, iodine, hepar,
pulsatilla, sulphur, nitric acid. Take each of
the foregoing remedies on four consecutive even-
ings once, (four glob. at a dose,) discontinue a few
evenings, to await its results, and if not better,
take the next remedy in the same manner.
DERANGEMENT OF APPETITE.
This may manifest itself in various ways.
Sometimes a complete disgust for every kind of
food occurs, while in other cases, the appetite is so
excessive as to become really a symptom of a
diseased state of the stomach; again, in some
cases it becomes capricious, desiring the strangest.
and most unusual articles for food, such as
chalk, charcoal, etc. As it is almost impossible
K 6
216
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
to correct this abnormal condition by the appli-
cation of medicine, we must recommend to those
suffering under it, to consult their own feelings as
long as it is prudent and reasonable. Any excess
must be detrimental.
To remain without food for too long a time,
merely because we have an aversion against it,
would finally lead to an incurable state of exhaus-
tion. One article, ice-cream, a patient of this
kind certainly can bear, if nothing else will
stay on the stomach; she can at least sustain life
with it. In some cases I have seen that Scotch
herring, ale, champaigne, or other spicy articles,
did overcome the sickly repugnance of the
stomach. Anything is good which effects our
purpose, and the patient must never tire to try,
until she has found what will suit her case. Ar-
senicum, every other night a dose, (four glob.) will
frequently restore appetite.
Those who indulge in the eating of strange and
unusual articles, ought to be reminded that though
a little to satisfy their craving might not do them
any harm, a great quantity continued to be taken
for a long time, will have a deleterious effect. Dr.
Dewees relates a fact of this kind, where a lady
died from the effects of eating chalk in too large
quantities.
If the appetite becomes too excessive, the bad
consequences for the system are not so trifling as

NAUSEA AND VOMITING.
217
persons might believe at first. The various symp-
toms of repletion, congestions to the head, lungs,
and bowels, can take place; also head-ache, bleed-
ing of the nose, lungs, etc., beside a disordered
state of the digestive organs, not easily cured. In
such cases, it is well to use food containing less
nutriment in a greater bulk, such as rice, arrow-
root, farina, etc., which is still very digestible. A
little moral effort to restrain the excess of the
appetite, is also very desirable, and ought to
be practiced by reducing the quantity, not by
abstaining from food entirely for some time.
Calcarea carb., every three or four nights a dose,
(four glob.) will frequently curb the appetite
within its proper limits.
NAUSEA AND VOMITING.
These are perhaps the most frequent and an-
noying ailments during pregnancy, and resist in
most cases, the best directed efforts; medication
can very seldom entirely subdue them, though an
amelioration may be effected. As the nausea
generally is greatest when the patient rises in the
morning, the disease has received the name
"morning sickness." Its cause is as yet envel-
oped in the general mystery which hangs over the
secret proceedings of gestation, and its sympathy
with other functions. An increased uterine sensi-
bility, reflecting on the ganglion nervous system,

218
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
seems to be the excitor of a great many of these
sufferings during pregnancy, and a proper, harder
mode of life the best calculated to prevent them.
However this hard, active life, in which manual
labor forms the principal occupation, must not be
commenced during pregnancy, but prior to it, in
order to prepare the system for making the change
within beforehand. This disease commonly ceases
at the third or fourth month, very seldom con-
tinuing through the whole term. The nausea is
frequently succeeded by the vomiting of a frothy
mucus, sometimes even of bile, after it has
continued for some time quite violently.
Various means have been tried to subdue this
affection, but what in one case is successful, often
fails in another. Generally we have found that
riding in a carriage, even over a rough road,
produces more comfort to the patient than any-
thing else; fresh air and a voyage certainly have
relieved some of the most distressing and obstinate
cases. Beside this, select from the following
remedies, they will mitigate at least the severest
suffering.
We consider tabacum to be the principal
remedy, particularly if, with nausea, there is
fainting and a deadly paleness of the face, relieved
by being in the open air; the patient loses flesh
very fast; vomiting of water or acid liquid and
mucus.
DIARRHEA.
219
Sepia, if the nausea has lasted a great while,
and appears mostly in the morning; in the even-
ing there is a painful feeling of emptiness in the
stomach, with burning and stinging in the pit.
Veratrum, very suitable after tabacum, or
with it in alternation, particularly when the nausea
is combined with great thirst; yet the patient
vomits, after drinking ever so little, and has sour
eructations, with great debility. If the latter
symptom is present, arsenicum may be very bene-
ficially administered alternately with veratrum.
Cuprum, if cramps in the stomach or chest
appear during the paroxysm of vomiting, in alter-
nation with ipecac., if there is a tendency to
diarrhea at the same time.
Camphor, in small doses, will frequently re-
lieve, when a cold perspiration covers the skin,
with hot head and cold extremities.
Secale after veratrum or cuprum, if pains in the
uterus manifest themselves, similar to false labor
pains threatening abortus.
The above remedies may be given in solution,
every half hour or hour, a teaspoonful, until the
paroxysm is over; afterwards only every four or
six hours a dose, as circumstances require.
DIARRHEA.
This disease does not occur as often during
pregnancy as constipation, but it is more injurious,
220
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
F
because it weakens the system more, and needs,
consequently immediate attention.
There is one form of it which needs an especial
description. Women of a scrofulous constitution
frequently are very constipated during the whole
period of pregnancy, until a few weeks before
confinement, when all at once a diarrhea com-
mences, which lasts from eight to ten days.
During labor, and a few days after, they seem to
be entirely free from it, but very soon afterwards
are attacked again, at which time the discharges,
assume a purulent character, disclosing at once
the presence of a fearful disease, ulceration of the
bowels. At the same time, the secretion of milk
has not been diminished, on the contrary, is
increasing in quantity, and its quality rendered
richer, so that the child thrives well, while the
mother runs down, and if not relieved, will soon
waste away under hectic fever. The mouth be-
comes sore, very tender, easily to bleed; at that
stage it is called "nursing sore mouth." This
disease needs our closest attention, The strictest
rešt in a horizontal position, the mildest nourish-
ment, such as farina, etc.; the exhibition of nux
vom. and hepar, alternately in repeated doses,
(every three hours,) generally relieves the patient
in a few days, after which a few doses of nitric
acid will be sufficient to finish the cure.
Other forms of diarrhea require remedies simi-
CONSTIPATION.
221
lar to those usually given, of which the reader
will find the necessary information in my Domestic
Physician, under the head of diarrhea. We men-
tion here only the names of some of the most pro-
minent. Antimon. crud., phosphorus, pulsatilla,
mercury, sepia.
CONSTIPATION.
A sluggish condition of the bowels is a frequent
concomitant of pregnancy, caused by a combina-
tion of circumstances, occurring at that period. A
diet regulated especially to counteract it, the
eating of cooked, or ripe sweet fruit of different
kinds, such as prunes, apples, etc., and the drink-
ing freely of cold water, besides active exercise in
the open air, will be mostly instrumental to
remove this difficulty. If these means should not
succeed, recourse should be had to the following
medicines, for the use of which a more specific
reference can be found in my Domestic Physician,
in the article on constipation. One of the best
means to overcome long-continued constipation, is
the alternate use of nux vom., opium and platina,
every three or four hours a dose, (six glob.) until an
evacuation is effected; if it should be too tardy or
insufficient, an injection of cold water will aid the
effect of the medicine. Bryonia and ignatia will
frequently suffice to remove constipation, if the
bowels feel painful, and lycopodiun or sulphur, if
it has continued for a long time.
**
222
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
DYSPEPSIA, HEART-BURN, ACID STOMACH.
These complaints, though not confined to preg-
nancy, nevertheless occur very frequently at that
period, and particularly in those persons who
were troubled with them previously. This fact is
explained easily by the pressure which the en-
larged uterus exerts on the stomach, especially in
the latter months, thus interfering with digestion.
Nux vom. and pulsatilla are the principal remedies
to regulate these disorders; the former, if they
are attended with constipation, the latter, if with
diarrhea. For an acid stomach, frequent but
small quantities of lemonade, or a mixture of one
drop of sulphuric acid in a tumbler of water, is
highly recommended, and will, sooner and more
lastingly, correct the acid in the stomach, than
lime-water or magnesia, which at best only absorbs
the acid present, not preventing thereby its new
formation.
DIFFICULTY OF SWALLOWING.
This may occur in any female of a nervous
disposition, and at any time, not constituting,
therefore, an ailment peculiar to this period; yet
if it does appear during pregnancy, it becomes
very annoying; though not dangerous, it some-
times requires our action.
The principal remedies are belladonna, lachesis,
SPASMS-COLIC PAINS.
223
and ignatia in alternation, every evening a dose,
(six glob) until better.
SPASMODIC PAINS AND CRAMPS,
In the Legs, Back and Stomach. (Colic Pains.)
Pains of this kind are generally of a neuralgic
nature, and occur mostly during the first half of
gestation, though cramps in the legs are witnessed
during the whole term. Their treatment does not
essentially vary from that followed when present
at any other time. In using external auxiliaries,
such as warming bottles, hot bricks, blisters, etc.,
we would warn the reader not to apply them too
hot, on account of the peculiar state of the patient,
and if possible to do without them altogether, or
to substitute bandages dipped in warm water, or a
warm hip bath. Rubbing affords great relief,
when the calves of the leg are cramped, or the
pain in the back is very severe. The following
medicines should be used, one at a time, dissolved
in water, every half hour a tea-spoonful, until
better; if this is not the case within one or two
hours, the next should be taken in the same
manner.
Cramps in the abdomen: colocynth., nux vom.,
chamomile, ignatia, pulsatilla, belladonna, lachesis,
veratrum, cuprum.
In the legs: veratrum, secale, cuprum, chamo-
mile, sulphur.


224
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
In the hips: colocynth., rhus, belladonna, china,
ferrum.
In the feet: calcarea carb., sulphur, graphites.
In the back: ignat., rhus, kali carb., bryonia, bel-
ladonna.
DYSURY, STRANGURY, ISCHURY.
Scanty and painful urination are of frequent
occurrence during pregnancy, caused not merely
by rheumatic and gouty disorders, external inju-
ries, suppressed piles, etc., as is commonly the
case, but also by the pressure of the extended
uterus upon the neck of the bladder, which makes
urination difficult and painful. If this pressure
continues too long or becomes excessive, the dis-
charge of urine may be prevented thereby entirely,
so that a complete ischury or anury takes place,
which will require the application of an instru-
ment, called catheter. Before the evil, however,
grows to that height, the patient can try different
positions, particularly in reclining, in order to
relieve the neck of the bladder from the mechanical
pressure of the womb.
If cold or rheumatism was the cause of the
strangury, the patient will feel great relief from
drinking freely of cold water, or slimy drinks,
such as slippery elm, gum arabic, etc., which
dilute the urine, rendering it less irritating to the
bladder, and urethra. Besides, the following

JAUNDICE.
225
remedies should be taken in their order, every two
or three hours a dose, (six glob.) until better.
For strangury: nux vomica, pulsatilla, cocculus,
cantharides.
For ischury: aconite, belladonna, cantharides,
hyoscyamus, opium, lachesis.
INCONTINENCE OF URINE.
A partial or total inability to retain the urine,
is one of the most annoying complaints during
pregnancy. Short and frequent hip baths, and
cold water bandages are of the greatest benefit;
besides the following remedies should be used in
their order, every other day a dose, (six glob.)
until better. Belladonna, causticum, hyoscyamus,
conium, arsenicum, lachesis. Also have reference
to what is said on page 379 of my Homœopathic
Domestic Physician, on this subject.
JAUNDICE. (Icterus.)
This disease, well known by the yellow color
it imparts to all the white parts of the body, is not
dangerous of itself, but becomes only so by ne-
glect, when other serious disorders, hectic fever,
dropsy, etc., may follow. In our diagnosis of
jaundice we must not depend on the darker
appearance of the skin alone; this assumes fre-
quently a darkish, almost yellow color during
pregnancy, without jaundice being present at all.
226
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
The distinguishing features, which always indicate
it, are constipation with whitish, almost colorless
feces, urine of an orange color, and a dry skin, with
slight remitting or intermitting fever. We men-
tion this disease here, because during pregnancy,
particularly towards its close, it sometimes occurs,
caused partly by mechanical pressure of the highly
extended uterus upon the biliary ducts, partly by
the sympathetic influence, which gestation evi-
dently shows even from its beginning on all the
digestive organs, especially the liver. It is stated
that jaundice more frequently occurs in winter
than in summer, and oftener in blondes with a
lymphatic, than in brunettes with a sanguine tem-
perament.
Its cure consists in re-establishing, by degrees,
the healthy action of the skin by means of an
even, warm temperature in a room, or still better
in the bed; frequent tepid sitting-baths, wet ban-
dages around the stomach, and the sweating in
the wet sheet are powerful auxiliaries in the treat-
ment of this disease; constipation is relieved by
cold injections.
Besides, the following remedies should be given;
three times a day a dose (four glob.) of the remedy
selected, for a few days until better. Mercury
and hepar in alternation; lachesis and sulphur
alternately; and if caused by a fit of passion
chamomile and nux vom. in alternation.

PAIN IN THE RIGHT SIDE.
227
PAIN IN THE RIGHT SIDE.
This pain, caused by a fullness or congestion in
the liver, sometimes makes its appearance from
the fifth to the eighth month, and is also the result
of pressure and sympathy occasioned by the ex-
tended uterus on that organ. It mostly manifests
itself as a deep-seated pain or aching, slightly
increased by taking a long breath, and generally
worse by laying on the right side, showing that the
convex or upper part of the liver, next to the dia-
phram is the principal seat of the congestion. The
patient also feels at certain times a marked sensa-
tion of heat, and of a dull, heavy weight in the
part mostly affected. To be bled for this affection
is not alone not beneficial, but really injurious,
and is entirely discarded even by the old practi-
tioners. The wet cold bandage, often renewed,
gives more relief; besides a sufficiency of exercise,
neither too much nor too little. The following
medicines, however, will be beneficial to mitigate
the suffering by dispelling the congestion.
Aconite and mercury in alternation every three
hours a dose, (four glob.,) if the pain and heat are
intense.
Chamomile in same manner, if the pains are of a
dull, pressive character, with paroxysms of anguish.
Pulsatilla, if the pains appear like spasms and
towards evening.
Pangang. Maka
LA VINK
228
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
ASTHMA.
-CONGESTION OF THE LUngs.
Mechanical as well as sympathetic causes pro-
duce, particularly in the latter months, congestions
of the lungs, which affect the functions of the
lungs and the heart. This occurs, however, more
in such women who formerly have been troubled
with similar complaints. Difficulty of breathing,
asthma, palpitation of the heart, and sometimes a
hacking cough with spitting of blood, are the im-
mediate consequences of these congestions.
A great deal of care is needed on the part of the
patient as regards diet and mode of living; what
she eats must be of easy digestion, not much at a
time, nor of a heating nature; she must avoid
exposure to cold and dampness; attend carefully
to the secretions of the skin, for which purpose
she must dress warmer than common. If she is
inclined to constipation, she should take frequent
cold injections. Besides, give her the following
remedies in their order, every three hours a dose
(four glob.) until better.
T
Asthma.-Ipecac. bryonia, belladonna, pulsa-
tilla, arsenicum, veratrum.
Palpitation of the Heart.-Aconite, bella-
donna, pulsatilla, arsenicum, opium, veratrum.
Spitting of Blood.-Aconite, ipecac., opium,
arsenicum, pulsatilla, arnica.
Pleurisy.-Aconite, bryonia, pulsatilla, arnica.
VERTIGO.
229
Hacking Cough.-Ipecac, ignatia, nux vom.,
capsicum, mercury, pulsatilla.
S
VERTIGO.—CONGESTION OF THE HEAD.
Headache, fainting and vertigo are frequent
and sometimes very distressing ailments during
pregnancy. They are caused by the plethora and
nervous irritability, which often accompany the
functional processes during gestation; if they re-
peat too frequently and violently, they may even
become dangerous. To prevent their recurrence,
the patient must avoid all mental or physical
excitement, follow the strictest hygienic rules in
diet and exercise, and keep the bowels in a good
state, either by eating relaxing articles, or using
injections. If the feet are cold, while the head is
hot, a cold foot bath every evening, with severe
rubbing after it, is necessary; also a tepid sitz-bath
in the morning, with rubbing after it. Almost the
severest headache can be mitigated instantaneously
by a hot hip-bath. Fainting is generally relieved
by loosening the clothes around the waist, a draft
of fresh air, and sprinkling the face with cold
water.
Besides the above rules, the patient should take
of the following remedies, every two or four hours
a dose, (four glob.,) in their order, until better.
Vertigo. Aconite, belladonna, luchesis, opium,
bryonia, nux vom., mercury, sulphur.
L

230
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
Headache.-Ipecac., belladonna, opium, bryo-
nia, rhus tox., ignatia, pulsatilla, sepia.
Fainting.— Ignatia, chamomile, coffea, nux
vom., pulsatilla, china.
Sleeplessness.—Coffea, belladonna, ignatia, nux
vom., aconite.
Depression of Spirits.-See Hysteria. Com-
pare Homœopathic Domestic Physician, under
the same headings.
NEURALGIC PAINS.
From the fact that the nervous system plays
an important part in everything connected with
gestation, it is evident that we can expect neural-
gic disorders in the organical and functional
sphere during that period. This manifests itself
particularly in organs below the diaphragm, where
the uterus exerts its greatest influence. Neural-
gic pains in the abdomen are very frequent; they
appear under the short ribs, near the hips, or in
the region of the bladder; it is generally a dull,
heavy ache or burning, stinging in the muscles of
the abdomen, remitting or intermitting as regards
intensity. If the pains are felt within the abdo-
men, they resemble colic pains. Sometimes the
neuralgy extends to the muscles of the small of
the back, of the lower limbs, of the neck, arms
and read; and if it affects the diaphragm or the
pit of the stomach, the patient is taken with fits
NEURALGIC PAINS.
231
of laughing or crying, with spasmodic eructations
of wind, sneezing, yawning, stretching and sigh-
ing. All these different complaints proceed from
the same cause, viz: excessive nervous sensibility.
If the extension of the uterus is very considera-
ble, inclining too much in front, a circumstance
which frequently causes distress, much may be
done by applying a bandage around the abdomen
for support. Besides, the patient should wash
frequently in cold water, and rub diligently the
parts affected with cold water, in order to
strengthen them. For the different complaints
under the above head, take the following medi-
cines in their order, every two or three hours, a
dose (four glob.) until better.
Neuralgic Pains.- Coffea, belladonna, pulsa-
tilla, chamomile, bryonia, rhus tox., arsen., vera-
trum, sulphur.
Spasmodic Laughter.-Belladonna, hyoscyam.,
phosphorus, stramonium.
Spasmodic Crying Sobbing. - Pulsatilla,
aurum, ignatia, platina.
W
Spasmodic Sneezing-Aconite, rhus tox., silicea.
Spasmodic Yawning.—Ignatia, rhus, platina,
natrum mur., sulphur.
As neuralgia is frequently the result of indiges-
tion, persons subject to it, should be particularly
careful in their diet, avoiding substances of a
heating nature, spices, coffee, tea, etc.
L2
232
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
PUERPERAL CONVULSIONS.
(Eclampsia gravidarum.)
This is perhaps the most dangerous disease to
which pregnancy predisposes, and on this account
its treatment should never be undertaken save by
a skillful physician. We have introduced it here
solely on the ground to make the reader acquainted
with the symptoms, particularly in the beginning
of the convulsions, where a prompt and energetic
action sometimes will arrest their progress.
Dr. Meigs speaks as follows about this disease:
"It is a malady that is not met with every day—but
it is one so horrible in its appearance, so deadly in
its tendency, so embarrassing sometimes in its
treatment, that, although it is not met with every
day, it is solicitously expected, and probably obvi-
ated in many a case, which, but for such careful
supervision, would swell its proportions in the
statistical tables." We call these convulsions
puerperal, because they can only affect in such a
manner women advanced in pregnancy, during
labor, or in the first days of the lying-in.
The convulsion is sometimes preceded by
symptoms which more or less prognosticate its
appearance, though sometimes it may occur with-
out the slightest premonitory symptom, like a
flash of lightning, the literal meaning of the word
eclampsia. Dr. Meigs considers the following to
PUERPERAL CONVULSIONS.
233
be the most important premonitory signs: "Wo-
men with short necks; those who are fat; those
who possess considerable muscular strength; those
whose tissues are firm, solid, hard and unyielding;
those that are of a sanguine-nervous temperament;
those who have swollen fect and hands, and such
as upon waking in the morning complain of numb-
ness in the hands and bloating of the features,
those who are affected with a feeling of great
weakness or with loss of sensation in one side of
the face, or in one of the members; those who
have suddenly lost their hearing; those who have
vertigo, headache, flashing of light within the eyes,
dimness of sight, double vision or half sight;
those who have sudden loud noises in the ears,
and such as feel as if a violent blow had been re-
ceived upon the head; those, furthermore, who
labor under intense anæmia, with distension of
the blood-vessels and heart," and we might add,
those who constitutionally cannot bear the slight-
est degree of pain without a severe shock to the
nervous system—"all such are to be held liable,
and closely observed and protected."
Puerperal convulsions are similar in appear-
ance to other convulsions; spasms of the muscles
in every part of the system, foaming at the mouth,
spasmodic breathing, and above all, unconscious-
ness. There are two kinds, the nervous and
sanguineous, as they are called; in the former the

L3

234
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
face remains pale until towards the last, when it
assumes a bluish color; in the latter, the face
appears from the first very much bloated and
swollen, dark red; this kind bears bleeding from
the arm or foot in the commencement, while in
the former it would not be advisable to bleed. In
both it is advisable to use mustard drafts on the
calves of the leg allowing them to draw for at
least half an hour; to put cold water or ice on the
head and have the bowels moved by one or more
injections of salt and water; at the same time the
exhibition of remedies must not be neglected.
Opium in repeated doses of a lower potency,
if
the face is dark, red and bloated, the breathing very
loud and snoring, the patient entirely unconscious.
Bellad. and hyoscy., if the face is less congested,
and there is a higher degree of unconsciousness.
Stramonium in alternation with belladonna,
where the face changes from paleness to redness
and vice versa, the eyes appear squinting and from
time to time the patient laughs spasmodically.
Chamomile, ignatia, lachesis are also recom-
mended.
MISCARRIAGE.
(Abortion.)
Miscarriage can take place at any time between
the first and seventh month. If the expulsion of
the child occurs after the seventh and before
the ninth month, it is called a premature birth, as
at this period the child generally can be saved and

MISCARRIAGE.
235
the object of pregnancy be gained. The more
advanced pregnancy is, the less is the danger which
may result from a miscarriage. The oftener a
woman has miscarried, the more her constitution
inclines to new misfortunes of the same kind in
future pregnancies. Miscarriages are more liable
to occur again at the same period during gestation
at which the former or last one happened; if that
period is passed without accident, the danger to
miscarry diminishes. Miscarriage, therefore, can
become habitual in some females; it also can ap-
pear epidemically, as it were, in so far at least,
as in certain seasons the uterine congestion in
general increases, (menses appear more frequently
and profusely, hemorrhages ensue spontaneously,
etc.,) and in the same ratio the possibility and
occurrence of abortion multiplies.
#
If a woman approaches the time when hereto-
fore she had the misfortune to miscarry, she must
be careful not to provoke a return by walking great
distances, lifting, running up and down stairs,
riding over a rough road, etc. These practices
may excite at any time a miscarriage in females
who never have had any predisposition to it, how
much greater is the danger in those already pre-
disposed. A weakening, luxurious mode of liv-
ing, late hours, great mental excitement are causes
of miscarriage, and must be strictly avoided. In
fact any important irregularity in diet or mode of
L4

236 DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
living, may produce abortion; its causes are
numerous and frequently even form part of a
woman's every day habit. For instance, tight
lacing, dancing at evening parties and the excite-
ment so studiously sought in our modern society.
All these artificial means of producing life's fleet-
ing pleasures should be disregarded by one who
scon will feel the more lasting joys of a mother;
for the sake of reaching that exalted happiness,
she should cheerfully forego for a short time, the
fashionable and doubtful amusements of so-called
fashionable society.
Yet there are some characters so destitute of all
maternal feelings and so infatuated with the ease
and luxury of high life, that they are sadly
agrieved as soon as they know they are enciente.
They know what is before them; they will have
to deny themselves in many things; wealth, of
which they have so much, is unable to buy a re-
lease from nature in that respect. Knowing that
they cannot escape the natural destiny of woman,
they frequently conceive the unnatural thought to
deprive nature of its legitimate right by producing
abortion artificially, either in exposing themselves
to violent exercise or by taking certain drugs,
which, as they have been informed, will excite an
early miscarriage. It cannot be denied that a low
state of morals like this, does exist, even in the
highest circles of society, where wealth is abun-

MISCARRIAGE.
237
dant to sustain the gifts of nature, and such
barbarous conduct cannot be excused by ignorance
or poverty. But seldom, we may say never, can
they accomplish their criminal purposes without
endangering, in the highest degree, their own
lives and health. No medicine which is powerful
enough to produce abortion, can do so without
first poisoning the whole system by passing
through the stomach and the blood vessels of the
abdomen to the uterus; it will sooner destroy the
life of these organs, than affect the purpose in view.
If such desire is already criminal, its execution
must be doubly so, because it adds the attempt at
suicide to that of destroying the life of an unborn
infant. It is not so easy to sever the bonds exist-
ing between mother and child, if both are well
and the former has no peculiar predisposition for
miscarriage. It is this latter only which allows
the most trifling accident sometimes to produce an
abortion, while in females who have no such sus-
ceptibility, the severest misfortunes leave the
infant in the uterus untouched and unhurt.
The premonitory symptoms of a miscarriage
are chilliness, followed by fever and bearing down
sensation, which afterward increase to labor-pains;
cutting, drawing, mostly in the loins and abdomen.
A discharge of bright-red blood either immediately
issues from the vagina or coagulated dark blood ap-
pears from time to time. Frequent repetitions of
L5
238
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
these efforts of nature are usually necessary to expel
the fœtus, varying in duration from two hours to
two days. As soon as the above symptoms appear,
even in a slighter degree, the patient must lie down,
keeping perfectly quiet, without moving. She
should be placed upon a mattress or anything harder
and cooler than a feather bed. The room should
have plenty of fresh air; doors and windows should
be open for that purpose. Her drink must be cool
toast water, lemonade, ice water, etc., and in giving
it to her, care must be taken that the patient does
not exert herself in receiving it; her position on
the couch or bed should be strictly horizontal; it
is rather better if her feet are slightly elevated.
No stimulating food or drink is allowed except
when complete exhaustion from loss of blood
supervenes, at which time small quantities of
wine may be given. (see Flooding.) The covering
of the patient must be thin but sufficient. Great
care should be taken to prevent officiousness on
the part of nurses and friends, who by conversa-
tion and over-kindness, disturb the rest of the
patient. Under no circumstances dare a conduct
like this be tolerated; complete rest being neces-
sary for the patient, we must procure it for her,
even at the risk of giving offence to those who
fancy to have the right of showing kindness to the
sufferer by doing her positive harm.
If the attack is brought on by mechanical

MISCARRIAGE.
239
✓
injury, a fall, blow, mis-step, walking, lifting,
etc., take arnica (twelve glob.) dissolved in half
a teacupful of water, every fifteen or twenty
minutes a teaspoonful until better, or until after
the lapse of one hour another remedy becomes
necessary.
Secale should be given next in the same manner
as arnica, particularly in females who have previ-
ously miscarried; in older ones, or in those who
have a weak and exhausted constitution, especially
when the discharge consists of dark, liquid blood,
and the pains are but slight.
China in alternation with secale when the loss
of blood is considerable, and weaknes and exhaus-
tion evidently increases; when buzzing in the ears,
cloudiness of sight and loss of consciousness ensue
and the patient faints when raising from the pillow.
Hyoscyamus if spasms or convulsions appear,
with loss of consciousness and discharge of light
red blood.
Crocus if dark, clotted blood is discharged,
increased by the least exertion, with a sensation
of fluttering or motion around the navel.

Ipecac. alternating with secale, if with flooding
there is nausea, fainting, cramping.
Belladonna and platina in alternation either at
once or after ipecac. has failed to relieve, particu-
larly when the pains are in the loins and bowels,
severe bearing down, as if the intestines would be
L6
240
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
forced out; sensation in the back as if it were
broken; face very pale or flushed; discharge of
dark, thick, clotted blood.
After the fœtus has been expelled, the bleeding
generally stops, and no further treatment is neces-
sary, but the one commonly followed in a regular
birth. The patient needs the same length of time
to recover, and the same careful watching as during
the lying-in. Indeed, it is advisable to keep in
bed longer than common, in order to give the
uterus a better chance to recover from the shock,
and become stronger, also to avoid those diseases
caused by weakness of the pelvic organs, such as
prolapsus uteri, fluor albus, etc., which so often
follow a miscarriage or regular birth if badly
treated. Miscarriage must not be considered as a
slight disorder; its consequences upon the system
are sometimes fearful. As an interruption of the
natural order, we can easily imagine that its effects
upon the system must be more distressing than a
regular birth, which is but a fulfillment of a natural
development.
3. PARTURITION.
We have already, in the first part of this book,
treated of delivery as a strictly physiological pro-
cess, not requiring any more interference than is
necessary for the sake of comfort and cleanliness.
There are, however, many circumstances con-
nected with this process, which formerly were
PARTURITION.
241
considered and treated so differently from what
they are at the present day, that it is very desira-
ble to make the reader acquainted with the most
approved methods and practices now in vogue
during and after parturition. What we intend to
say on this subject is not merely a recital of
opinion, but has been found practically efficacious
by us in hundreds of cases. Within the last thirty
years the views on the treatment of women in
labor and childbed have changed materially, and
we are happy to say decidedly for the better.
Before that time it was considered dangerous to
allow fresh air or cold water to a woman in labor
or after delivery, lest she contract diseases of all
kinds. Now both are considered indispensable
preventives and valuable remedial auxiliaries in
the cure of those same diseases. Notwithstanding
the slow progress which medical reform has
made in certain classes of physicians, it is not to
be doubted that in obstetrics even the most viru-
lent opposers of reform in medicine have generally
yielded with a praiseworthy zeal. Scarcely a
physician of any denomination will be found, at
present, advocating the old practices, whereby the
natural process in labor or childbed is so much
and so often interfered with, that disease and death
may be the result.
If a diarrhea precede the commencement of
labor, as it sometimes does within the last few

242
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
days of pregnancy, it is best not to interfere with
it, as its effect will be rather beneficial than other-
wise. It is usually caused by a nervous agitation,
fear, etc., which frequently is relieved by looseness
of the bowels. At the same time other nervous
symptoms may manifest themselves, such as de-
pression of spirits, a whining mood, a disposition
to shed tears, fear of not surviving the labor and
birth of the child, etc. Aconite and opium will
be sufficient to quiet the nervous system; let the
patient take, evening and morning, alternately a
dose, (six glob.,) until better.
The real labor is near at hand, as soon as a
slight discharge of mucus tinged with blood ap-
pears the so-called "show"-which is a favorable
sign at the beginning of labor.
The less we interfere with the action of nature
during parturition, the easier will be its termina-
tion; the closer we follow the general laws of
health during pregnancy, labor and childbed, the
less sickness will attend women and infants.
During labor our duty should be, in a great mea-
sure, directed to the arrangement of the outward
circumstances, which exert such a great influence
on its progress. For this purpose the bed of the
patient should be placed so, that it allows of free
access on all sides; it should consist, if possible,
of a mattress, which is preferable to feathers. The
room should be well ventilated, and provision

LABOR.
243
made to have plenty of fresh air, when needed.
The patient should have as much cold water as
she desired; a denial in this respect would act
very injuriously. We will now consider the dif
ferent stages of parturition, their normal or abnor-
mal condition, and treatment.
LABOR.
•
Labor is the term by which we express the
process of nature to expel the contents of the
womb. Labor-pains, or contractions of the womb,
are the natural means to accomplish this object;
they are consequently indispensable to the object
in view, and a woman in labor should never con-
sider her pains, although disagreeable, in any
other than this light, else she might fret and whine
herself sick without use, and thus deprive the
most salutary provision in her condition of a part
of its great benefit. Every expulsive effort of
nature is connected with a certain degree of pain-
ful exertion, mingled with a feeling of ease and
repose, which takes away, in a great measure,
the severity of real pain. An analogous sensation
may be experienced by the muscular contractions
of the rectum and colon, which occur in intervals,
thus permitting a grateful feeling of repose to
intervene.
Labor may be divided into natural or preter-
natural, according to its own or the character of
244
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
attending circumstances. If the labor is just suf-
ficiently strong to expel the contents of the womb
within a moderate time, without manual inter-
ference, and without danger either to the mother
or child, we call it natural labor. On the con-
trary, if it is protracted, difficult, too painful or
inefficient on account of its own weakness, or the
presentation of parts which hinder its efficacy; if
it is attended with other serious disorders, such
as convulsions, hemorrhages, lacerations of the
uterus or other contiguous parts, we call it
preternatural labor.
Labor consists in the frequently repeated con-
tractions of the uterus, aided by those of the sur-
rounding muscles, by which expulsatory efforts
the mouth of the womb gradually enlarges, the
vagina widens and thus the child is forced through
the extended passage.
From the above it is evident, that if no me-
chanical impediment either from the structure of
the pelvis or the position or size of the child
interferes, the labor will be sufficient in almost all
cases to accomplish the object of nature without
real danger. The time in which natural labor
usually terminates varies; may be put down, how-
ever, from six to eight hours as the average
duration.
The labor at the birth of a first child often lasts
longer, but is on that account not more dangerous.
LABOR.
245
TOO SUDDEN TERMINATION OF LABOR.
Labor too quickly terminated, say in half an
hour or less, is considered unfavorable for both the
health of the mother and child. As regards the
former, the chances for a sufficient and healthful
contraction of the womb, so essential to avert
danger of hemorrhage and after-diseases, are dimin-
ished by a labor too quickly terminated.
To pre-
vent the bad consequences in this respect the
woman should confine herself to a horizontal posi-
tion for a longer time than usual, and apply fre-
quent cool sponging-baths, in order to strengthen
the parts, weakened by the too sudden termination
of the birth. The danger for the child consists in
the mechanical injuries it may receive by falling
on the floor, etc., if the labor should terminate so
fast as not to allow the woman time of reaching a
bed or couch. Cases of this kind have occurred;
though very rare they may occur again. ´A
woman having experienced too sudden labor,
should the next time, towards the end of preg-
nancy, avoid exercising severely, and going up
and down stairs; she should not omit to lie down
frequently for a few hours and wash her stomach,
back and hips once or twice a day in cold water.
By this process the muscular fibres of these
parts near the uterine region are strengthened so
as to offer a greater resistance during parturition.
246
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
PROTRACTED LABOR.
If the pains continue too long, say from twenty-
four to thirty-six hours, labor becomes preternatu-
ral, and needs an especial treatment. We have to
consider the causes which may produce this unu-
sual delay. They are various, and most of them
of such a nature as only an experienced midwife
or physician is competent to remove. We will
speak here of such as safely can come within reach
of domestic help, being caused mostly by a mis-
management of labor in its early stages, or by a
constitutional peculiarity of the patient, which
can be remedied.
It is not unusual, however, that women in their
first confinement experience a more than com-
monly protracted labor; this need not give rise
to fear of danger, especially not if the woman is
otherwise strong and healthy, as such ones more
than the weakly, nervous women offer the greatest
resistance to the expulsive efforts of labor.
If the woman has been urged to support the
pains by exertions of her own at the very begin-
ning of labor, thus exhausting her strength at a
time when such efforts can be of no avail, it will
frequently be found that towards the middle or
close of the labor, when she ought to support it,
she flags in strength, and from sheer exhaustion
is unable to bear down or facilitate the expul-

LABOR.
247
sion of the child. In such cases, labor becomes
protracted, and the only means of correcting it,
consists in making the patient omit for some time
her efforts until she has gained more strength;
during this rest broth or wine in small quantities
should be given to her.
If great restlessness has produced a high degree
of nervous excitement, impeding often the pro-
gress of labor, the exhibition of coffea and aconite
is indicated, in intervals of ten or fifteen minutes,
a dose (four glob.;) belladonna should be given,
if the head is hot and the feet are cold; and nux
vom., if the restlessness is connected with expres-
sions of impatience. At the same time she should
be exhorted to lie more quiet, and be covered well,
in order to excite perspiration on the skin, when
the latter is dry and husky.
If during the early part of labor, warm drinks
(green, or chamomile, tea) had been freely given,
by the use of which relaxation of the system and
protracted labor had been produced, it is neces-
sary to change, giving the patient cold water
when thirsty, besides coffea and china, antidotes
to green tea; ignatia and pulsatilla, antidotes to
chamomile tea.
SUDDEN CESSATION OF LABOR-PAINS.
If they cease at once, either from fright or
some other emotion, and the patient exhibits

248
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
symptoms of congestion of the head, with red and
bloated face, sopor, loud breathing, like snoring,
opium, every ten minutes a dose (four globules,)
should be administered. If upon the cessation of
labor-pains, spasmodic distress in different parts
of the body appears, pulsatilla should be given in
the same manner.
If they cease in women naturally feeble and
exhausted, secale is the best remedy to revive both
the strength of the patient and the pains. It must
be given in the same manner.
If protracted labor is caused by mechanical im-
pediments, too narrow pelvic passage, abnormal
position or unusual size of the child, manual
assistance is necessary, which can be rendered
only by competent persons. Convulsions occur-
ring during labor very seldom retard its pro-
gress; they should, however, be treated forthwith,
as stated on page 232.
SPURIOUS OR FALSE LABOR-PAINS.
We call such pains spurious or false, as do not
exert an expelling power on the uterus, although
resembling in other respects the true labor-pains,
The difference between them is so great, that the
patient herself cannot mistake it. The true labor-
pains begin either in the lower part of the abdo-
men, in the region of the bladder, thence passing
backward toward the spine, or they start in the

LABOR.
249
back and shoot thence around to the front. An-
other still more certain sign of true pains is the
cessation of all pain between two attacks, while
false labor-pains never cease entirely.
Spurious pains, being caused by nervous or
rheumatic disorders, can appear in any part of the
system, but very seldom stay long in one place;
they may be in the back, loins or front, wan-
dering from one place to the other like rheu-
matism or neuralgy. They are soon dispelled by
pulsatilla, every fifteen minutes a dose (six glob.,)
the patient keeping as quiet as possible and well
covered, to get warm and perspiring. Sometimes
chamomile is necessary, if the patient does not
perspire much.
Nux vom. is the most suitable remedy, when
there is a pain as if from a bruise in the region
of the bladder, or a constant but inefficient urging
to stool; also when the woman is of an impatient,
passionate temperament, having been inclined to
the use of stimulants, wine, coffee, etc.
Bryonia, when the pains mostly lodge in the
small of the back, and increase by motion, with
irritability of temper, constipation, and congestion
of the head; in the latter case alternately with
aconite, particularly in women of a plethoric con-
stitution, with a full, bounding pulse, flushed face,
hot and dry skin.
Belladonna, alternately with aconite, particu-

250
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
Snakes Lake
larly when the head is hot and the feet are cold;
the pains resemble spasms.
Ignatia, when the pains are connected with
great depression of spirits, and require frequent
change of position, which mitigates their severity.
EXCESSIVELY PAINFUL LABOR.
The true labor-pains sometimes may become
too violent, and following each other in quick
succession, cause such great agitation and rest-
lessness, as to render their mitigation necessary.
This can be effected by the use of the following
remedies.
Coffea and aconite alternately every ten minutes
a dose (four glob.) until better, or the next remedy
is indicated.
Chamomile, if the mind is greatly excited, the
pains are intolerable; the woman very sensitive
and impatient.
Belladonna, under the same symptoms, parti-
cularly when, with heat in the head, the feet are
cold, is very beneficial in cases of first labor,
where the unyielding state of the parts produces
these extra exertions of nature.
Nux vom., in cases similar to chamomile, but
with a constant, ineffectual urging to stool.
Towards the close of labor, the sulphuric ether
may be applied to mitigate the severity of the
pains; do not let a candle be near the ether,
THE WATERS.
251
THE WATERS. · (Child's Water.)
At every birth a certain quantity of water is
discharged during labor and after the child is born.
This is the fluid which during pregnancy sur-
rounds the child and is contained within the
membranes, where it evidently has been placed by
a wonderful provision of nature for the protection
of the child as well as the mother. For the latter
it is of the utmost service during labor, as it fur-
nishes the best means of dilating the mouth of the
womb in the beginning of parturition. When the
mouth of the womb opens, the membranes are
forced into the opening at every pain, forming a
bag filled with the water, pressing on all points,
evenly and gradually like an elastic wedge, pos-
sessing the mildest and surest power. As soon as
the opening thus made, is large enough for the
child's head to enter, the rupture of the membranes
usually takes place, which causes so much of the
water to escape as is contained in the bag, serving
to lubricate the lower parts which now shall un-
dergo the great distension. Much of the water,
however, is still retained in the womb, which,
during succeeding labor serves the same purpose,
softening and lubricating the parts, and rendering
the descending head moist and slippery.
Thus is this wonderful process, the birth of a
child, facilitated immeasurably by the simple but
252
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
+40
effective agency of this limpid fluid. The immense
benefit derived from the waters for this purpose,
becomes sadly apparent when we have to witness
labor which is deprived of its aid.
Sometimes the waters break too early and then
they escape entirely, causing what is called a "dry
birth." In such a case labor will always be very
protracted and painful. To mitigate its severity,
we have to supply what by accident or misfortune
has been lost. We either inject sweet oil or thin,
sweet goose-oil in the vagina, or apply it there
from time to time on the points of the fingers.
This circumstance also teaches us the great
lesson, never to break the waters too soon by arti-
ficial means. If it becomes necessary, we should
wait until the opening of the os uteri is sufficiently
enlarged to allow the head to enter when the water
has escaped from the bag.
As the membranes around the child are com-
posed of a double lining, it often occurs that
between them a quantity of water accumulates,
which is in no connection with the true waters
contained within the inner membrane next to the
child. This so-called fulse water frequently es-
capes long before the termination of gestation, in
fact it can do so at any time, in which case it seldom
fails to frighten the woman, exciting in her the
apprehension of abortion or premature birth. The
above explanation of this circumstance should dis-
DELIVERY.
253
pel her fears, especially if she recollects that such
a discharge of false water never is accompanied
with labor-pains.
The quantity of the waters varies; it is some-
times very great, causing even suspicion of dropsy
or the presence of twins.

DELIVERY.
The most agonizing so-called "cutting pains,"
occur just before delivery; they are of short dura-
tion, however, and of such a nature that, although
extremely painful, they do not weaken, but, on the
contrary, strengthen the patient, by arousing her
energy to the utmost. At that time we frequently
hear her cry out on the top of the voice, Oh, I
must die! I must die! These words must not
frighten those in attendance. It is true they are
expressions of agony, but they do not indicate
danger; they are rather of good import, signifying
the effective progress of the birth. Kind, consol-
ing words, stating that now the labor soon would
terminate, etc., are the best remedy at this juncture
of the case.
Just when the child is appearing, the attendant
should support the region underneath its head to
prevent a tearing of the tightly drawn skin at that
point; this can be done with the open palm of the
hand, pressed yieldingly underneath the head
where it bulges out the most.
M
254
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
After delivery, but while the after-birth is still
remaining within the womb, it is our duty to
examine the uterine region outside, to make our-
selves sure of the sufficient contraction of the
womb, which, if rightly contracted, can at that
time be felt hard as a stone, above the bladder,
about the size of an infant's head. If not con-
tracted, this lump cannot be felt, in which case we
must either suspect another child within the womb
or have to fear that by an internal hemorrhage,
the womb has expanded again. In the former
case the abdomen will feel quite large, and parts of
the child yet unborn, are distinguishable through
the walls of the abdomen, while in the latter, the
womb will not extend as much but feel more
yielding and soft. This last circumstance requires
immediate, gentle, but firm and gradually increas-
ing pressure with, and rubbing of the hand, which
must be continued until the womb contracts anew,
growing less in size and harder to the touch.
-
APPARENT DEATH, ASPHYXIA OF THE INFANT.
By this time the new born infant, still in connec-
tion with the after-birth, will have commenced
crying quite lustily; if it should not have done so,
it requires immediate attention. Its mouth must
be cleaned from the mucus within, and its limbs.
and the navel string freed from all incumbrances.
While one attendant procures warm water for a

ASPHYXIA OF THE INFANT.
255
bath, another may improve the time by rubbing its
spine, particularly that portion behind the upper
part of the lungs from the neck downward, vigor-
ously, and for a long time. This movement alone,
is in most cases sufficient to restore animation and
compel the infant to breathe. If no sign of life
appears after fifteen minutes, put the infant, without
cutting as yet the navel-string, into a warm bath, in
which the rubbing on the spine and elsewhere
should be continued. If this manipulation is un-
successful, inflate the infant's lungs by breathing
gently into its mouth, for which purpose it should
be covered with a loose silk handkerchief, in order
to break the force of the inflation. When the lungs
are inflated, press the breast outside to expel the
air again, and thus continue to inflate the lungs and
expel the air in alternation for some time. If the
child looks pale in the face, give it a dose (two glob.)
of tartar emetic; if it looks bloated, almost crim-
son, give it opium (two glob.) on the tongue. If
no signs of life appear after that, cut the navel-
string if no pulsation any more is perceptible in it,
(as long as the navel-string pulsates it should
never be cut,) remove the child from the bath, dry
off and wrap it well in warm flannels. After it
has been allowed some rest, the efforts of re-ani-
mation should begin again in the same manner; in
addition to the above, slight shocks of electricity
now should be applied, directing the poles on the
M2
256
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
upper part of the spine and in front on the breast-
bone.
AFTER-BIRTH.
If the child cries lustily, it may be removed
soon by cutting the navel-string three inches from
its body, but not before it has been ascertained that
the navel string does not any more pulsate. As
long as the beating of a pulse can be felt in any
portion of the navel-string, it must not be cut; a few
minutes detention on this account will never be of
any injury, but may be of great benefit to the in-
fant. The beating begins to cease first in that part
of the string nearest the mother, and diminishes
gradually towards the navel of the child. Wher-
ever it has disappeared, the cord may be severed;
even if it is too long at first it can be shortened
afterwards at leisure. Before the cut is made,
(generally about three inches from the navel of
the child,) tie two strings made of firm yarn or
cord, tightly around the navel-string, allowing an
inch of room between them; in this place the cut
should be made either with a pair of scissors or a
good sharp knife, being careful, however, that no
other parts of the infant's body are hurt by the
operation.
After the child is removed, it may be ascer-
tained how far the after-birth has been expelled, and
whether far enough to allow of an easy removal.
If, on examination, it is found to lie within the
AFTER-BIRTH.
257
vagina, it can at once be grasped with the hand
and extracted; but if the cord reaches higher than
the upper part of the vagina, and its connection
with the placenta cannot be felt, it is highly im-
proper to seek its expulsion by force applied to the
cord. The after-birth is expelled from the womb
by labor-pains, and if these have ceased for a while
after the expulsion of the child, without having
effected that of the placenta, it is proper and more
safe to await the return of the after-pains, which in
due time will make their appearance. They may
be hastened by rubbing and gently pressing the
abdomen externally, over the region of the womb,
exciting thereby this organ to new contraction.
After a few pains of this kind, the placenta will
often be found lying within the grasp of the fin-
gers; at any rate but very slight tractions care-
fully made, will be sufficient to bring it down.
This is all the manual assistance which persons
not initiated in the art of obstetrics dare under-
take as regards the removal of an after-birth. In
most cases it should not be removed so quickly;
there is at least sufficient time to wait for the arri-
val of a competent person. Meanwhile pulsatilla
alternately with secale, every half hour a dose,
(four glob.) may be given, which frequently will
hasten its expulsion. If the patient's head is
congested, face full and red, give of belladonna
four globules, in preference to the above remedies.
M3
258
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
HEMORRHAGE-FLOODING.
The only danger, perhaps, which may threaten
women during and shortly after the birth of a
child, is that which results from flooding. Yet,
carefully managed, this will not occur very fre-
quently, nor be so very dangerous. A great deal
can be done to avoid it.
One of the most frequent causes of hemorrhage
after delivery is mental excitement, either of a
joyous or sad nature. Sometimes the husband,
overjoyed at the safe delivery of his wife, expresses
his own feelings in a too exciting manner, which
causes like emotions in the fatigued patient; or
the latter becomes suddenly very depressed in
spirits on being told the sex of the infant, herself
having expected it to be the opposite. Excitement
of any kind must be carefully kept, at this period,
from the patient. She needs complete rest of body
and mind; sleep is the best restorer of strength,
and the patient may indulge in it one hour after
the birth of the child.
After delivery and the removal of the placenta,
the woman should lie perfectly quiet for the first
eight or ten hours, with the knees close together,
well covered up to her chin, in order to keep up
the perspiration excited on her skin during the
preceding hard labor. A sudden cooling down
sometimes produces a chill, with other bad conse-
FLOODING.
259
quences. When thus carefully covered, the nurse
should wash the abdomen and other parts with
moderately cool water without uncovering her,
and if there is a tendency to a greater discharge
from the womb than common, put a cold water
bandage over the region of the womb, changing it
whenever it becomes warm. Even if no flooding
is threatening, a wet compress under the bandage
commonly applied, will be a cooling and pleasant
appliance, restorative in the highest degree, and
preventing the abdomen from remaining afterwards
too pendulous.
If flooding should occur, rub the region over
the womb, using steady and powerful friction
with the hand, until the womb contracts again,
and after-pains appear, which diminish the danger
of flooding; besides give the patient
Belladonna if she has a great deal of bearing
down
Chamomile if her limbs are cold and she has
pains around the abdomen.
China and ipecac. alternately, in the worst cases,
when the above remedies do not succeed; or
Pulsatilla, if a discharge of clotted blood ap-
pears at intervals, ceases and re-appears; followed
by crocus, platina and sabina.
As the last and surest remedy, apply the coldest
water in wet compresses, renewed every minute,
or pounded ice on the abdomen; this will soon
—
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260
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
stay the flooding permanently, except when caused
by parts of the after-birth being yet in the womb.
AFTER-PAINS.
Women, during the first confinement, experi-
ence, very seldom, after-pains. They are mostly
caused by the renewed efforts of contraction in the
womb, dilated from time to time by the clots of
blood oozing from the parts where the after-birth
adhered. This may last a few hours or many days,
just as the case may be. The following remedies
will mitigate their severity, particularly if they
are of a rheumatic or spasmodic origin, as is
sometimes the case.
Arnica is the first medicine, externally in a
wash on the generative parts, and internally in
globules; it sooths the irritability of the womb
after severe labor. Alternately with it, give
Pulsatilla, every two or three hours a dose (four
glob.) which regulates the uterine contractions.
Chamomile and nux vom. in alternation, in the
same manner, if the pains are very pressing, pro-
ducing impatience and irritability, with frequent
but ineffectual urging to stool.
Coffea and aconite, in the same manner, alter-
nately; if severity of the pains drive the patient
almost to despair.
Secale in weakly females or those who have
already had many children.
CONFINEMENT.
261
Belladonna, if the pains are attended with much
bearing down, congestion to, and heat in the
head, flushed face, coldness of the feet, tenderness
and fullness of the abdomen, in alternation with
opium, if the patient has an unusual disposition
to sleep and stupor, during which her breathing is
loud and snoring, only now and then interrupted
by the severe after pains.
Sometimes the application of the cold, cool or
warm shallow-bath, as circumstances may require,
will be of great benefit; also the wet bandage
around the abdomen.
CONFINEMENT.
This term signifies the lying-in of a woman for
a certain length of time, during which she shall
recruit and recover her former strength and health.
In a perfectly natural state of society, and under
circumstances where the physical power of woman
is not marred, the time of confinement needs to be
but very short. Indeed there are cases on record
where women have been able the next day after
delivery, to attend to their duties partially, and in
a few days afterwards altogether. But such iron
constitutions cannot be expected to exist in our
artificial state of society. We are consequently
compelled to adopt rules which will prevent the
many disorders which may befall debilitated con-
stitutions after delivery, if not carefully attended.
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262
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
Our modern Hygiene has made great reforms, also,
in this period of female development, and women
are less longer now confined to their rooms than
they were in former times, and we may, if we con-
tinue to live more in accordance with nature,
arrive at still greater results. Water, fresh air
and exercise will yet work miracles.
At the present time we hold it still necessary
for the mother to remain in bed for the first five or
six days, after which she may sit up awhile, at
first in bed, gradually lengthening the time, until
she can sit up at the end of two weeks altogether.
Circumstances, of course, will modify the above.
The greatest danger, however, which can arise in
this period, is generally caused by excitement of
the mind, variously induced. The principal fault
in this respect, consists in allowing friends and
neighbors to pay lengthy visits to the patient.
Velpeau, a great obstetrician, speaks about this
bad fashion as follows:
"It is important that the patient should neither
speak nor be spoken to, except when necessary.
A calm state of the mind and repose of the body
are so indispensable, that too much care cannot be
taken to remove every cause that might interfere
with them. Most of the diseases which affect
woman in childbed, may be attributed to the
thousands of visits of friends, neighbors or ac-
quaintance, or the ceremony with which she is too


CONFINEMENT.
263
often oppressed; she wishes to keep up the con-
versation; her mind becomes excited, the fruit
of which is headache and agitation; the slightest
and indiscrete word worries her; the slightest
motives of joy agitate her in the extreme; the least
opposition instantly makes her uneasy, and I can
affirm that among the numerous cases of puer-
peral fever met with at the hospital de Perfec-
tionnement, there are very few whose origin is
unconnected with some moral cummotion."
Before the fourteenth day, therefore, visitors
should not be admitted on any consideration. The
risk is too great.
The diet during this time, should receive our
attention, but not with a view to cut short the al-
lowance, or confine its quality to the mere dainties
or so-called light food. Our opinion in this respect
may differ somewhat from those who believe that
a woman in confinement, although weakened by
the whole process of delivery, by loss of blood and
a great flow of milk, could subsist more comforta-
bly, and gain strength, on light diet than strong,
nourishing food. Our rule has been to let her
desire alone in this respect, to let her choose her
own diet, if no existing disorder will dictate other-
wise. An healthy woman can relish and bear
usual food the next day after delivery, as well as
at any other time, and it is folly to make her starve
at a time when she needs food the most. It is well

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264
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
enough not to allow her to eat too much at a time,
nor partake of any stimulating substances, either
in food or drink; even tea or coffee may be better
replaced by cold water. The room should be aired
daily once or twice; the curtains around the bed
should be such as to allow free circulation. Clean-
liness in every particular should be observed.
The bowels are naturally constipated for the
first four or five days after delivery. If, after the
lapse of that time it is necessary to interfere, give
a few doses of opium and nux vom., in alternation
every three hours a dose (six glob.); if head and
limbs ache, give bryonia in the same manner.
At
the same time apply a few injections of cold water.
Under no consideration whatever, give her ca-
thartic medicine, the use of which is in no case
more superfluous and hazardous.
Stewed prunes
or other relaxing dried fruit, will be equally effica-
cious and more harmless than physic.
LOCHIAL DISCHARGE.
After the delivery of the placenta, the womb
does not immediately re-assume its former size
and consistence; this reduction is the work of
time, and, as it progresses, produces what is called
the lochia or lochial discharge-liquids which
ooze from the walls of the uterus into its cavity,
whence they escape through the vagina. Through
this process the womb gradually is reduced in size
-
LOCHIAL DISCHARGE.
265
M
and its loose texture becomes firmer again, until a
normal size and consistence is regained. The first
two or three days this discharge consists of blood,
partially coagulated; while the milk appears in
the breasts, a more serous liquid is discharged,
more or less tinged with blood; finally, on the
sixth or seventh day, the flow becomes whitish or
purulent, of a thicker consistence. This may last
variously, from two or three to twenty days. It
is evident, that a process like this can be disturbed
either by general or local causes, operating upon
the womb, from which, as from a sponge, these
liquids are pressed. If the womb inflames or is
congested, its contracting movement is impeded,
consequently the discharge will cease; if the blood
is constitutionally vitiated, its serum, as it oozes
into the cavity of the womb, will be bad also,
becoming sanious, thin, watery, of greenish color
and bad smell, or a tedious suppurative process
may take place, by which nature seeks to counter-
act the retarding influence of a bad constitution.
Our remedies in such cases are intended to support
struggling nature in the restoration of the natural
discharge, as the best indication of the healthful
action of the womb.
Irregularities of the lochial discharge during
the presence of other diseases, such as childbed
fever, etc., can only disappear after their cure,
and require our attention in so far as they are
akakatuntoakus
266
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
symptoms of these diseases, to which we refer the
reader.
Suppression of lochia, in consequence of con-
gestion or inflammation of the womb, can occur
after exposures to cold, errors of diet, mental
emotions, sudden joy, fear or grief, etc.; chilliness,
fever, sometimes delirium, thirst, headache, pains
in the back and limbs generally accompany a sup-
pression of the lochia. If high fever is present,
with congestion of the head, delirium, etc., give
aconite and belladonna, in alternation, particularly
if there are delirium and violent pains in the head
and back, with pressure in the genital organs, as
if they would be thrust out, every two or three
hours a dose (four glob.,) until better; if not re-
lieved, give bryonia alternately with aconite, and if
no improvement follows, the fever continuing, in
alternation with pulsatilla, as above, especially
when mental excitement of some kind or exposure
to cold preceded the affection. Veratrum, after in-
digestion, with rush of blood to the head, delirium,
and palpitation of the heart, every two hours a
dose. Opium and aconite alternately, as above, if
sudden fright was the cause. Dulcamara and
pulsatilla, if no fever is present, and the suppres-
sion was caused by exposure to dampness and
cold. Coffea and chamomile, alternately, if the
patient is highly excited and unable to bear the
paius; restless and impatient.
LOCHIAL DISCHARGE.
267
Warm compresses around the abdomen and a
warm hip-bath are also recommended in cases of
this kind. Diet the same as in fevers.
Excessive and protracted lochia generally re-
quire the same remedies as recommended for flood-
ing. Crocus, if the discharge is dark colored,
black, and of viscid consistency, with a feeling in
the abdomen as of something alive. China and
ipecac. in alternation, if the discharge appears in
paroxysms, with nausea, vertigo, fainting, cold
extremities, paleness of the face and hands, de-
bility. Calcarea, in leuco-phlegmatic persons,
fat, but flaccid, especially when there is an itching
sensation in the uterus. Belladonna and platina
in alternation, when the discharge is thick and
dark, with drawing pains in the loins and abdo-
men; and secale in elderly and debilitated persons,
with cool extremities and great anxiety of mind.
Rhus, in cases where the lochia return after they
once had ceased. Silicea, when the lochia appear
each time that the infant is put to the breast.
The above remedies may be given as often as
once or twice a day, until better, six globules as
a dose.
Complete rest and good nourishment are indis-
pensable to correct these disorders; the cure can
be accelerated by shallow hip-bath of a medium
temperature.
Offensive, sanious lochia need frequent wash-

268
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
ings with tepid water, and the use of belladonna,
once a day a dose (six glob.;) if not better within
eight days, give carbo animalis in the same man-
ner, followed by secale, china, carb, veg., if neces-
sary, as above.
Diet must be very nourishing; patient must
have plenty of fresh air, if possible, in high, dry
locations.
CHILDBED FEVER.
There are few diseases more dangerous than
this, particularly when it has been permitted by
neglect or otherwise, to progress in its fearful
career. Consequently, by introducing it here we
cannot have the intention of enabling the reader
to treat it, when fully developed; this stage re-
quires the most skillful medical aid. Our aim is
to make the reader acquainted with its character
and symptoms, and such remedial means as will
have a tendency to subdue it in the beginning,
which can be effected more easily than its cure in
after-stages.
Diagnosis.-Like most fevers, childbed fever is
preceded by a chill, or at least a chilly sensation,
crawling from the small of the back along the spine
upwards; it is generally not very severe, even less
so than those rigors indicating the approach of a
milk fever, with which it might be confounded.
But its apparent mildness and the presence of
tenderness to the touch of the abdomen across
CHILDBED FEVER.
269
the uterine region, which is wanting in milk fever,
establish the diagnosis of approaching childbed
fever. It is important to remember that tender-
ness of the abdomen is always connected with
puerperal fever, even with the chill which pre-
cedes it. The slightest touch of the finger, nay,
the weight of the bed-clothes on the abdomen
is almost insupportable, the pains are sometimes
so intense, that the patients cry out loudly
and scream with agony. The mildest chill may
be followed by the severest fever. The whole
abdomen seems to be inflamed in a very short
time; the lochia are suppressed, so is also the
secretion of milk, if it already had appeared; if
not, it will, of course, not make its appearance in
that condition of the patient. Sometimes the
childbed fever attacks shortly after delivery,
within two or three days; at other times it ap-
pears only after ten or twelve days. The latter
cases are considered more favorable than the
former. If the pain is confined to one particu-
lar spot in the abdomen, the disease is not so
dangerous as if the whole abdomen is painful
to the touch. This latter is the most character-
istic symptom of this fever; while other fevers
may resemble it, having similar pains, none
has this extreme tenderness to the touch, even
to the slightest pressure on the abdomen. The
pulse is always very frequent, as high as 150

270
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
per minute; excessive thirst, headache, burning
fever, vomiting, etc., are present in most cases.
Without detaining the reader with a greater
amount of detail on a disease, which, in its height,
none but a professional man will allow himself to
treat, we will indicate at once what has to be
done in the beginning.
Treatment.—During the chill give the patient
of aconite (twelve glob., dissolved in half a teacup-
ful of water,) every half hour a teaspoonful, until
it is succeeded by fever, when it is alternated with
belladonna, prepared in a similar manner, every
hour or two hours a teaspoonful, until better.
If the lochia have ceased, alternate bryonia,
prepared similarly as aconite, until the severest
symptoms cease. At the same time put arouud
the abdomen a thick wet bandage, frequently
renewed, until the heat disappears, and profuse
perspiration, rest, quiet, and sleep ensue. Give
as a drink plenty of cold water; fresh air is also
necessary.
MILK-LEG. (Phlegmasia Alba Dolens.)
We make mention of this disease here, as one
whose symptoms and course are so strange and
frightful to the uninitiated, that a better acquain-
tance with its character is very desirable. Its
treatment, when fully developed, must be directed
by a skillful physician; only in the beginning,


MILK-LEG.
271
remedies may be at once applied to subdue it;
these we intend to communicate.
Diagnosis. The first symptoms of this disease
are pain and swelling in some part of the leg or
groin, which soon increase and prevent the motion
of the limb at a very early stage. The fever pre-
sent is generally not very high, but very constant.
The disease makes its appearance usually within
the first two weeks after delivery, and consists in
an inflammation of the lymphatic vessels, veins
and areolar tissue of the leg; the vulgar belief,
that the milk, transferred from the breasts by some
cause, appears in the legs, and makes them, swell,
is, of course, at the present day discarded as un-
founded, and nothing is left of this belief but the
popular name, milk-leg. It is astonishing to
what an extent the leg can swell up in this dis-
ease, it being sometimes larger than a man's body.
Treatment.—Belladonna seems to be the re-
medy which, in the beginning, better than any
other controls this disease. Give three times a
day a dose (six glob.,) followed by bryonia and
rhus in alternation, in the same manner, if neces-
sary. As soon as possible procure medical aid;
meanwhile keep the leg at rest and in an elevated
position. The diet during this time must be very
light, such as tea, toast and gruels; if a relish is
wanted, lemonades, stewed prunes or other dried
fruits are preferable.
272
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
MANIA IN CHILDBED.
The above name indicates the nature of the
disease sufficiently; it is a mental derangement,
caused by a peculiar condition in which the womb
is during parturition and childbed. Although
cases of this kind are rare, yet they occur; and if
not known, might greatly frighten the attendants
of the patient.
Sometimes the disease appears in the form of
a mania with all the symptoms of rage, fury and
wildness; frequently the head aches violently, the
face is very red, eyes have a wild appearance, roll
round and are very sensitive to the light; the
pulse is very full and frequent, the patient gene-
rally very restless and agitated. In this state
belladonna every two or three hours a dose (six
glob.) will be beneficial, alternating it with hyos-
cyamus, if necessary.
At other times the disease assumes the character
of a melancholia, without the exhibition of feverish
symptoms; the patient appears low-spirited, talks at
random, particularly when left alone; she is shy and
given to fear, sleeps very little or none at all. Bel-
ladonna, lachesis, and pulsatilla are the principal
remedies in this form of mania. They may be
given, the first two in alternation, morning, noon
and night, a dose (four glob.;) the latter twice a
day a dose (six glob.,) if the former did not relieve.

NURSING.
273
As this disease, on account of its importance,
requires the most skillful medical aid, we abstain
from giving here more of its treatment. If the
secretions, peculiar to childbed, such as milk and
lochia, re-appear, a favorable issue of the disease
may be expected.
4. NURSING.
With the termination of parturition the object
of nature is only half fulfilled. The new being
has been brought into the world; but torn from
its parental roots, it would have gained nothing,
if nature had not kindly provided the fountain of
life, from which, for some time to come, it is des-
tined to draw its nourishment, suitable in an
eminent degree for its infantile nature. Without
this breast of milk, the helpless young would perish
by the hundreds; and though large, deplorably
large, as at present is still the mortality of infants,
it would be frightful, nay equal to a complete
destruction of the human race, if nature had not
mixed and prepared the food in the mother's
bosom for the feeble offspring.
A provision of this kind demands our unquali-
fied admiration and most loyal adhesion; although
a law of nature in the fullest sense of the word, it
does not manifest itself in passionate excitement
for self-gratification, or vigorous egotism for self-
preservation, which constitute the stimuli of most

274
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
other laws of nature; but in the more divine garb
of love, not in receiving but in dispensing bless-
ings; not in defending one's self, but in protecting
another one from starvation and death by offering
for sustenance the life's fluid of one's self.
Sympathy and pity, therefore, the own Sisters
of Mercy, who reside in heaven for evermore,
move the tender heart of a mother, while nature
swells her breasts with the sweet streams soon to
be drawn in, with impatient delight by the most
helpless being which nature produced, but which
she also knew how best to protect and nurse.
For this purpose nature provided the milk-
secreting organs whose function must be exercised,
else injury will be done not only to the infants, by
depriving them of their natural nourishment, but
also to the health of the mother, by the distension.
and inflammation of the breasts. Reasons of the
most urgent nature should only prevent a mother
from suckling her infant. Serious diseases, such
as consumption, eruptive or other fevers, great
constitutional debility, mental derangement, etc.,
are some of those which demand a discontinuance
of nursing.
But they occur very rarely; more frequently
do we meet with a spirit of unwillingness on the
part of mothers, to undergo the trouble, and occa-
sional self-denial, which the nursing of infants
forces upon them. In a majority of such cases, it
NURSING.
275
¿
A B C D
is not want of maternal affection, but the belief
that their own health and beauty might surfer,
while no damage could result from it to the health
of the infant by taking the milk of another one.
As to the first reason, mothers are sadly mis-
taken. All medical men agree that nursing, far
from deteriorating or weakening the constitution,
adds to the healthy and beauty of women. Besides,
it is a matter of the greatest importance for the
infant of having the most suitable nourishment;
and none is more suitable than the own mother's
milk. Neither in age or quality can it be rivaled
by that of a wet-nurse, to say nothing of the many
other disqualifying circumstances of the latter.
If it is, however, indispensable in some cases
to have a wet-nurse, great care should be taken of
ascertaining tlrat she possesses the requisite quali-
fications. We would recommend that she should
be examined thoroughly by the physician of the
family, before she is permitted to give her breast
to the child. She must be free from diseases of
the skin, eyes and eyelids; she ought to have a
clear complexion and healthy, full form. Her
disposition should be mild and amiable; her cha-
racter energetic, but not irritable. She must show
a habit of cleanliness in personal matters; regu-
larity and temperance in eating and drinking.
Her morals should be above suspicion.
If these qualities have been found in a nurse,
276 DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.,
it is necessary to compare the age of her milk with
that which the child needs; it dare not vary three
months either way. In all other respects, if she
is engaged, she should live and act during nursing
as the mother herself would do. It is well, how-
ever, to watch a nurse carefully for a month or
two, before too much confidence is bestowed upon
her, as she may slily do things not exactly wrong
in her own opinion, yet objectionable altogether.
Some nurses are in the habit of giving the children
laudanum, to make them sleep well as they say.
This, of course, has to be interdicted at once, for
obvious reasons. Opium in any shape or form
should be withheld from an infantile constition; it
is more dangerous and destructive than alcohol.
If the mother concludes to nurse the infant
herself, it should be placed on the breasts eight or
ten hours after delivery, except urgent circum-
stances prevent it. In doing so, the nipples are
at once drawn out and the act of suckling will
encourage the flow of milk in the breasts, thereby
preventing distension, as the milk already in the
breasts being drawn out thus early, permits the
newly secreted to take its place. Besides, the
infant once having taken hold of the nipple while
not yet made smaller by the distension of the
breast, hardly ever refuses to do so afterwards,
although the breast may be full and tense and the
nipple almost disappear.
-

-

NURSING.
277
It is scarcely possible to state precisely the time
when and how often an infant should take the breast;
we can only advise the reader to be as regular in
this respect as possible. Infants can be trained into
certain habits very early. If no sickness prevents,
an infant should have the breast about every three
hours during the day time, while in the night it
can do without the breast for six or eight hours.
This habit once formed, will preserve its health
better, on the known principle that regularity in
eating and drinking does the same in adults.
It is a very reprehensible practice in mothers,
to give the breast to children on the slightest occa-
sion; for instance, when it awakes or begins to
cry, either from being frightened, as children often
are, or from real pain. An infant quieted by the
breast, will soon go to sleep, during which a con-
gestive state of the brain is produced, sometimes
to such an extent as to engender spasms. It is
much better to calm down the irritability of a child
by more rational means; if nothing will help, a
warm bath or some of the medicines recommended
for that purpose in the Domestic Physician, will
do it, coffea, chamomile and belladonna are the
principal remedies for that purpose.
It is a question yet open for discussion, to de-
termine when nursing shall cease. The opinions
of medical writers are very much divided on this
subject. Our own coincides with those who be-
N
278
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
lieve that it should not last longer than a year,
certainly not over eighteen months. Others
maintain that two and even three years is a time
not too long. We hold that nature has indicated
in the development of the child, her own wish as
to the proper period of the termination of nursing.
As soon as the teeth have appeared, the child is
evidently ready to masticate and digest substances
more solid than milk, and the eagerness with
which it seeks to get hold of more solid food at
that time, proves clearly that nature designed to
terminate nursing.
It is proper, however, to continue it until the
period of teething is fairly over, a time, during
which the children are more or less delicate and
feeble.
The diet of the mother, while nursing, should
be more nourishing than common, although it is
not necessary to be too particular in its selection.
Her own wishes will generally point to the kind of
food most wholesome for herself and child. As
regards the latter, a little experience will soon
teach the proper medium, and this must be kept.
Acid food or drink, though perfectly agreeable to
the mother, usually disagrees with the infant;
consequently the mother will have to abstain from
it. We have mostly found it the best plan to let
nursing mothers prescribe their own diet, choos-
ing it according to their liking; as to quantity
MILK FEVER.
279
we would advise them not to indulge their appetite
too much at a time. To eat frequently but little at
once, should be the rule. A so-called stimulating
diet is under no circumstances advisable. Either
the nursing mother is well, then she has no need
of stimulating food or drink; or she is sick, then
she needs medical treatment, which, according
to homœopathic principles, is always without
stimulus. We will now consider the various
disorders belonging to the nursing period.
MILK FEVER.
Milk may appear in the breasts long before the
termination of pregnancy; usually it makes its
appearance the third day after delivery, in most
cases gently and without much disturbance of the
general health; but sometimes under a storm of
excitement in the vascular and nervous system,
which is called milk fever. After a severe chill,
which penetrates the whole body, a violent fever
appears, with headache, congestion to the brain
and chest, which produces difficult respiration;
during this time the breasts begin to swell and
the patient perceives the shooting in of the milk;
the breasts become now tender and hard.
Although this fever soon may disappear, it is
desirable to mitigate its severity, which can be
done by a few doses of aconite, every hour or two
a dose (four glob.) As soon as the patient begins
N2
280 DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
to perspire, most of the above symptoms will
cease; if they should not, give bryonia, if the
head and back still ache or there is great oppres
sion at the chest. If the head, however, is the
principal seat of distress, particularly if the patient
cannot bear the light, give belladonna in the same
manner. If the breasts are very tender to the
touch, the patient is very restless and much ex-
cited, give coffea and chamomile in alternation,
every hour a dose (four glob.,) until better. Puls-
atilla is particularly indicated when the breasts
are very much distended, feel very sore, and
rheumatic pains extend to the muscles of the chest
and shoulders; it should be given every three
hours a dose (four glob.) Give bryonia and rhus
alternately, every two hours a dose (four glob.,) if
the tongue is coated and the back and limbs con-
tinue to ache, after the fever has disappeared.
External applications are of not much use
during a milk fever, except, perhaps, a compress
dipped in hot water and wrung out well. The
milk should be drawn out as soon as possible,
either by the child or a breast pump. Of the
latter, we have found those having an India rubber
globe attached to them, to be the best kind. 724
AGUE IN THE BREAST.-GATHERED BREAST.
It is a general law of our nature, that organs
which are at certain periods especially active, are

GATHERED BREAST.
281
at that time more subject to diseases than others
not equally active. During lactation, the breasts
are the organs predominantly active in the female
system; they are, therefore, the ones on which
the diseases occurring during the whole of that
period will reflect more or less. If a nursing
woman gets cold, it will settle there; if by mental
excitement, passion, fright, anger, fear, grief, etc.,
she becomes sick, it will affect first the secretion.
of milk; in short, any diorder during lactation has
its bad effect on this process.
A gue in the breast is the most common form
by which this effect manifests itself, and if not
relieved at once, will end in the suppuration of
the mammary gland.
A more or less severe chill is followed by fever,
generally accompanied by lancinating or shooting
pains in the breast, whose secretion is mostly ar-
rested at that time. This increases the size of the
breast and if the milk is not removed, will predis-
pose to inflammation and suppuration.
As a
general rule we recommend to give at once
Chamomile and bryonia alternately, every hour
a dose (four glob.,) for four hours; after which
discontinue for four hours, and let the fever pass
off by perspiration, without giving any more
medicine; if the fever, however will not disappear,
or if it returns, give
Aconite and belladonna, particularly when the
N3
282
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
breasts are swollen, hard, and very tender; exter-
nally, apply hot brandy cloths. If lumps remain
in the breasts, rub with sweet oil, or lay over the
breast a plaster made of beeswax and sweet oil.
If a gathering of the breast cannot be avoided,
abstain from applying the warm poultices as long
as possible, as it has a tendency to implicate a still
larger part of the breast within the suppurative
sphere; give during this time
Phosphorus and hepar alternately, morning and
evening a dose (four glob.,) until better, or until
four doses of each are taken, after which discon-
tinue the medicine, awaiting its effects at least
three or four days; if no signs of improvement
are visible, give
Mercury and lachesis in the same manner; and
then again,
Phosphorus and hepar, until the abscess has
opened or the swelling is diminished.
After the opening of the abscess and the dis-
charge of the matter, give silicea, every evening
and morning a dose (four glob.;) externally apply
a wash on the breast three times a day, made of
twelve globules of silicea in half a teacupful of
water. This remedy may be followed in two weeks,
if necessary, by sulphur, internally in the same
manner as silicea, and thus in alternation with it,
until the breasts are healed.
During this time poultices of bread and milk,
DETERIORATION OF MILK.
233
or slippery elm, may be used to mitigate the
irritation. Let the diet be nourishing but not
stimulating. The infant may be allowed to nurse
as long as possible; and if not, use the breast-
pump to draw the milk out as often as needed.
DETERIORATION OF MILK.
A good quality of human milk should exhibit
a whitish color, with a tinge of bluish or yellow-
ish; should taste pleasantly sweet and have no
smell; a drop of it put on a nail should glide off
from the same, if held in an oblique position,
slowly, leaving a whitish mark on the nail. A
drop of good human milk put in a tumbler of
water, will mix in it slowly, forming clouds in
it here and there.

Sometimes the milk deteriorates, becomes too
thin and watery, or too thick, oleaginous, acrid,
even acid; at other times it appears mixed with
pus and blood, tastes bitter and assumes an abnor-
mal color.
Milk can, however, be deteriorated without
exhibiting any other external signs, save its bad
consequences on the child. This is particularly the
case after severe mental emotions, fear, grief, anger,
etc, or the use of large doses of medicines, which,
absorbed by the vessels, come into the circulation
of the system. As to the effect of the mind on
the secretion of milk, Carpenter remarks:
N4
284
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
"The formation of this secretion is influenced
by the nervous system to a greater degree, per-
haps, than that of any other, The process may
go on continuously, to a slight degree, during the
whole period of lactation; but it is only in animals
that have special reservoirs for that purpose, that
any accumulation of the fluid can take place. In
the human female, these reservoirs are so small as
to hold but a trifling quantity of milk; and the
greater part of the secretion is actually formed
whilst the child is at the breast. The irritation
of the nipple produced by the act of suction, and
the mental emotion connected with it, concur
to produce an increased flow of blood into the
gland, which is known to nurses as the draught;
and thus the secretion is for the time greatly aug-
mented. The draught may be produced simply
by the emotional state of the mind, as by the
thought of the child when absent; and the irrita-
tion of the nipple may alone occasion it; but the
two influences usually act simultaneously. The
most remarkable examples of the influence of such
stimuli on the mammary secretion, are those in
which milk has been produced by girls and old
women, and even by men, in quantity sufficient
to support an infant. The application of the child
to the nipple in order to tranquillize it, the irrita-
tion produced by its efforts at suction, and the
strong desire to furnish milk, seem, in the first

DETERIORATION OF MILK.
285
instance, to occasion an augmented nutrition of
the gland, so that it becomes fit for the perform-
ance of its function; and then to produce in it that
state of functional activity, the result of which is
the production of milk. It is not only in this
way that the mammary secretion is influenced by
the condition of the mind; for it is particularly lia-
ble to be affected as to quality by the habitual
state of the feelings, or even by their temporary
excitement. Thus, a fretful temper not only les-
sens the quantity of milk, but makes it thin, serous,
and gives it an irritating quality; and the same
effect will be produced for a time by a fit of anger.
Under the influence of grief or anxiety, the se-
cretion is either checked altogether, or it is
diminished in amount and deteriorated in quality.
The secretion is usually checked altogether by
terror; and under the influence of violent passion
it may be so changed in its character, as to pro-
duce the most injurious, and even fatal conse-
quences to the infant. So many instances are
now on record in which children that have been
suckled within a few minutes after the mothers
have been in a state of violent rage or terror, have
died suddenly in convulsive attacks, that the oc-
currence can scarcely be set down as a mere
coincidence; and certain as we are of the delete-
rious effects of less severe emotions upon the
properties of the milk, it does not seem unlikely
N5

286
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
that in these cases, the bland nutritious fluid
should be converted into a poison of rapid and
deadly operation."
There is evident danger in allowing the child
to suck immediately after violent emotions of the
mind; the same has been experienced after vio-
lent bodily exercise, running or performing hard
manual labor. A suitable length of time should
elapse before a mother dare give, with impunity,
the breast to a child after such disturbing influ-
ences have occurred, and not even then should the
child suck until after a considerable quantity of
milk has been extracted artificially, else it will
become sick from the milk which was in the breast
during the excitement.
The quality of the milk can be improved by the
use of the following remedies. If it is thin and
serous take china, every other evening a dose (six
glob.,) for eight days; if not improved at that time,
take
Stannum in the same manner, and if not better
after its use, take
Mercury, particularly if the infant refuses to
suck.
If the color of the milk is too yellow and the
taste a bitter one, give rheum in the same manner.
If the child throws up the milk immediately
after sucking, give silicea every three or four
days one globule, until better.

SUPPRESSED SECRETION OF MILK.
287
SUPPRESSED SECRETION OF MILK.
The circumstances which suppress the secre-
tion of milk in the breasts, are as varions as the
manifold relations, external or internal, which in-
fluence our system. The most prominent, how-
ever, are the following: Exposures to cold or
dampness, errors in diet, sudden and violent
mental emotions, diseases in other parts of the
system, particularly if they are of a nervous char-
acter. The consequences following a sudden sup-
pression of lacteal secretion, are frequently of a
serious nature, and their prevention requires our
immediate attention. The danger is greatest when
congestions to the head, breast or abdomen appear.
Give immediately of
Pulsatilla (twelve globules dissolved in half a
teacupful of water,) every two or three hours a
teaspoonful; this will frequently restore the flow
of milk, particularly if cold was the cause.
But should congestions of the head, lungs or
abdomen be present, give
Beliadonna and bryonia in the same manner as
above, in alternation, until better.
If mental emotions have caused it and the
patient is very much excited and restless, give
first aconite and coffeu in alternation, as above.
If exposure to cold or dampness produced the
suppression give chamomile, bryonia and rhus, par-
N6

288
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
ticularly when the head and limbs ache and fever
is present, having been preceded by a chill.
If diarrhea sets in, give pulsatilla, mercury,
bryonia, rhus.
EXCESSIVE SECRETION OF MILK,
A too copious secretion of milk may produce
swelling and inflammation of the breasts with all
its concomitants; also obstructed or involuntary
emission of milk, debility, nervous and inflam-
matory disorders, headache, hysterics, even tuber-
cular consumption. In such cases medical aid
should be sought at once.
Until that is procured,
the following remedies may be given.
Belladonna every other evening a dose (six
glob.,) will diminish the secretion, if febrile and
congestive symptoms are present.
Calcarea carb., if the former does not give
relief, in the same manner for one week. If not
relieved, take
Phosphorus in the same manner; besides apply
externally cotton batting, which mitigates swelling
and pains.
The same remedies are beneficial, if the milk
escapes all the time, keeping the parts constantly
wet and rendering them more liable than usual to
cold on the slightest exposure.
China should be given when great debility is
present, either when the milk flows involuntarily

DEFICIENCY OF MILK.
289
or is secreted too copiously; in the former case it
alternates well with pulsatilla, in the latter with
rhus, every evening a dose (four glob.,) until
better. Frequent washing and bathing is recom-
mended.
DEFICIENCY OF MILK.
Various circumstances may cause a deficiency
of milk in quantity; they are either constitutional
or occasional. To the former belongs the mother's
age, which if too young or too far advanced pre-
disposes to this complaint; women inclined to
corpulency have not much milk, also such as in
former confinements, compelled by disease or oth-
erwise, did not nurse their children; organic
diseases of the breasts themselves may sometimes.
prevent the secretion of a sufficient quantity of
milk. As exciting causes may be accounted de-
pressing mental emotions, sudden change of the
mother's mode of living, sedentary habit, exposure
to cold and dampness, faults in the diet, abuse of
cathartic medicines and a high degree of physical
debility. As to the treatment of this disease we
have, of course, first to remove its cause, as far,
at least, as possible. After this is done the fol-
lowing remedies should be given to correct the
remaining derangement.
Agnus castus is recommended very highly in
cases of this kind; the patient takes every other
evening a dose (six glob.) If constitutional causes

290
DISEASES OF SEXUAL DEVELOPMENT.
operate, the patient should undergo a proper treat-
ment by a competent homoeopathic physician.
Calcarea, iodium, causticum, sepia and sulphur
in such cases will be most beneficial.
Asafœtida in small quantities, either in tincture
or first trituration, is recommended very highly;
as also the anis and dill seed; the latter made into
a tea and drank three or four times a day. Some
women use drinks made of milk and various
spirituous liquors; we would request the reader
to be careful in their use, as the child will thus re-
ceive milk more or less impregnated with alcohol
and its fearful consequences.
SORE NIPPLES.
This affection, consisting of an excoriation of
the skin around and on the nipple, usually appears
soon after the child has been put to the breast.
Its main cause consists in a constitutional tender-
ness of the skin, which manifests itself on the
slightest occasion, in cracks and wounds, of a very
sensitive nature. We have witnesssed distressing
cases of this kind; the sufferings seem sometimes
to be insupportable, if the complaint has pro-
gressed very far. Our aim from the beginning
should be to prevent the soreness of the nipples,
by washing them and the breasts a few months
before parturition twice a day in cold water. This
strengthens the skin and renders it less liable to

SORE NIPPLES.
291
be affected afterwards. After the birth of the child
follow the following directions. Apply
Arnica, six drops of the tincture to a teacupful
of water; wash with it every time after the child
has sucked. At the same time give internally
Chamomile, every four or six hours a dose (four
glob.,) particularly when the nipples inflame, swell
and threaten to ulcerate, with pains almost insup-
portable, like tooth-ache.
If this fails, give the following medicines in
their order, each one once a day for six or eight
days until relief is obtained.
Mercury, sulphur, silicea, graphites, lycopodium,
calcarea carb. These remedies are intended to
remove the constitutional taint which underlies
the affection, and without the extinction of which
no true cure of sore nipples can be effected.
One of the best expedients externally applied,
is a cow's teat fastened on a silver plate; this
instrument can be had in the drug stores. They
are preserved in diluted alcohol and are washed in
clean water each time before being applied.
the wound is not ulcerated, it may be covered with
collodion, which permits the sucking of the child
without tearing it open every time afresh.
If

CHAPTER II.
DISEASES OF GENERATIVE ORGANS.
The diseases to which the female organs of
generation are liable, comprise some of the most
difficult and dangerous disorders; they are very
numerous and of frequent occurrence.
It is very
desirable, therefore, that the reader should acquire
such general knowledge of their appearance and
course, as will aid in preventing danger and de-
struction so often the natural consequence of ne-
glect and ignorance. We intend to describe in the
following pages, a number of those diseases which
occur most frequently and whose progress can
often be arrested in their commencement. Of
most of them the reader must be content to learn
only the description, as their treatment is either
too difficult or too hazardous.
The organs of generation are divided into exter-
nal and internal; we begin with the former.
IMPERFORATION OF THE HYMEN.
Sometimes the entrance into the vagina is
closed entirely, which before the years of puberty

INFLAMMATION OF EXTERNAL PARTS. 293
is of but little consequence; it becomes important
however, afterwards for very obvious reasons,
because the menses are thereby prevented from
making their appearance. As this difficulty is
easier removed in infancy, it is well for mothers
to observe early, whether it exists. We once had
occasion to correct this fault in a child two years
old; the operation was slight and without pain.
If it is left until the age of puberty, severe pains
are experienced by the girl every month, until, by
an operation, a sufficient aperture is made to allow
the menses to appear.
When early recognized,
the disease is not dangerous.
INFLAMMATION OF EXTERNAL PARTS.
From the structure, texture and position of
these parts, it is evident that they must be liable
to various and severe diseases, particularly if in
addition to exposure, neglect of proper cleanliness
acts as an exciting cause. Daily washings with
cold water, and during menstrual flow with tepid
water, are indispensably necessary to prevent these
parts from becoming the seat of annoying and dan-
gerous diseases. The labia in young children
sometimes are found adherent, which may be
owing, frequently, to a want of cleanliness. An
early application to a surgeon will correct this dif-
ficulty. Afterwards, however, these parts should
be washed often to prevent further adhesions.

294
DISEASES OF GENERATIVE ORGANS.
Inflammation of the labia occurs frequently,
and has a great tendency to terminate in suppu-
ration, producing an abcess. The patient should,
from the beginning, keep quiet in a horizontal
position and take aconite and bryonia alternately,
every six hours a dose (six glob.;) externally she
should apply cold water compresses, if the swell-
ing is not very large and hot; but if it is so, use
hot water applications. If, notwithstanding,
suppuration should ensue and the abscess form,
mercury and lachesis in the same manner, are indi-
cated. After the abscess has discharged, one or
two doses of hepar will be beneficial.
WOUNDS ON THE EXTERNAL PARTS.
All wounds on these parts need more than
common care; rest in a horizontal position is
indispensable. Besides the application of arnica
tincture in cold water, in compresses, kept wet
constantly and laid over the parts affected.
OEDEMATOUS SWELLING OF THE LABIA.
Pregnant women are more liable to this com-
plaint than others; sometimes it occurs in conse-
quence of anasarca, when the lower extremities
are already swelled to the greatest extent.
A swelling of these parts during pregnancy
soon disappears after, or even during parturition ;
very seldom is the successful termination of the

PRURITUS.
295
birth impeded by it. The patient can greatly
relieve herself by lying down frequently during
the day time for an hour or two. If the delivery
is retarded by the swelling, the labia may be punc-
tured on their external surface and the water let
out, even after labor has commenced.
PRURITUS.
Itching of the Private Parts.-This is per-
haps the most distressing and troublesome disease
to which females are subject; it takes away rest
and sleep, thus producing sometimes the most
extreme debility. We are as yet unable to deter-
mine the precise cause of this disease; in most
cases, however, it must be the secretion of some
acrid fluid, which is discharged on these parts at
intervals, when the itching takes place. Want of
cleanliness may aggravate the attack, but scarcely
ever can be its sole cause. Pruritus more fre-
quently attacks pregnant women, but is not con-
fined to them alone. At first its appearance may
produce in the mind of the sufferer a suspicion of
being affected with some secret disorder, thus
adding mental sufferings to the intolerable physi-
cal ones, particularly if the disease appears in the
form of aphthous eruption, like the thrush of
infants.
In such cases a strong solution of borax in
water, applied three or four times a day, if neces-

296
DISEASES OF GENERATIVE ORGANS.
sary by a syringe, will remove the itching in a
short time.
Another very excellent remedy is the injection
of ammoniated water into the vagina; it is best
applied alternately with that of the borax solution.
The constant application of cold water is neces-
sary in a few cases where the itching is more in
external parts; it affords sometimes the only
means to procure rest and sleep for the patient.
We should never omit to institute an internal
treatment; the following remedies, to be given in
their order, will be of great benefit; each remedy
should be used for three days, twice a day a dose,
(six glob.,) until better.
Ľ
Apis mellific., arsenicum, rhus, bryonia, pulsat.,
mercury, sarsaparilla, sulphur, sepia, silicea, gra-
phites, carb. veg.
Before leaving this subject, we will draw the
attention of the reader to a precautionary rule in
the external treatment of this disease. If a patient,
afflicted with pruritus, has schirrous tumors in
the breast, the external application of the borax
for the pruritus should be preceded by the internal
use of the remedies above mentioned; in a similar
case coming under our notice, the schirrus began
to degenerate into an open cancer as soon as the
pruritus had been hastily removed by the external
use of borax alone; the lady in question died soon
after.

··
DISEASES OF THE VAGINA.
297
DISEASES OF THE VAGINA.
The natural malformations of the vagina are
very rare, and consist chiefly, as Dr. Denman
says,
"of such an abbreviation and contraction
as to render it unfit for the purposes for which it
was designed. The curative indications are to
relax the parts by the use of emolient applications,
and to dilate them to their proper size by sponge
or other tents, or, which is more effectual, by
bougies gradually enlarged." In a case which
came under our observation, the dilatation was
effected by the last mentioned method; the woman
afterwards became pregnant, and was safely de-
livered of a fine large child without any more
than common exertions in labor.
A complaint of more frequent occurrence is
the prolapsus or falling down of the vagina; it
consists in the inversion and depression of the
front or back vaginal wall to such an extent as to
form a marked protrusion, sometimes outside the
entrance. Its primary cause lies in a relaxed or
weakened state of the mucous membrane, which,
with other exciting circumstances, such as long
continued leucorrheas and irritations, frequent
pregnancies and hard labors, abuse of spirituous
liquors, late hours, etc., permit the walls of the
vagina to sink down and invert. It may be dis-
tinguished from prolapsus uteri, by the absence of
1

298
DISEASES OF GENERATIVE ORGANS.
hardness in the fallen or protruded lump, the
uterus always exhibiting to the feeling a consistent,
even hard surface, while the vagina does not,
feeling rather soft and yielding. A frequent re-
placement of the protrusion, recumbent position
for some time, injections of cold water, and finally
the application of a sponge, three or four inches
long and an inch thick, covered with linen, and
changed for the sake of cleanliness twice a day,
form the means generally sufficient to correct this
complaint. The alternate use of mercury and nux
vom., every other evening a dose (six glob.) will
be at the same time very beneficial, and should
not be omitted. Complete conjugal abstinence
during the cure is necessary.
LEUCORRHEA. (Fluor Albus.)
This disease, commonly called whites, is the
most frequent, troublesome and weakening com-
plaint of the female sex. It consists of a slimy,
mucous discharge, variously colored, and of dif-
ferent consistency. It occurs usually between the
age of puberty and the critical period, and is
seldom seen later than this, except when dis-
charges of a similar kind are excited in conse-.
quence of uterine disorganization. If it manifests
itself in children, or even infants, it is either on
account of a want of cleanliness, or local irritation,
such as is produced by pin-worms, etc.

LEUCORRHEA
$299
Weakly females, of a nervous, relaxed, or
easily excited temperament, are more obnoxious
to it; and the more refined or over-civilized our
present state of society becomes, with its legion
of pleasures, inactivity of body, idle and late hours,
bad literature, and immoderate use of tea, coffee
and spices of all kinds (we mention here only the
increased use of vanilla,) the more easily will this
disease be engendered.
The symptoms and exciting causes of leucor-
rhea are so various, that we have to divide it into
several species. The most convenient division is
that into an idiopathic and symptomatic; the
former being of primary origin, not excited by
other diseases, while the latter appears only in
consequence of other diseases or by specific poi-
sons, such as venereal, etc. We could subdivide
these species into several classes, enumerating the
peculiar characteristics of cach class, but it would
carry us too far in a treatise like this, whose aim
is only practical usefulness; in this respect the
above classification will be sufficient.
The primary or idiopathic fluor albus is mostly
caused by constitutional predisposition in females,
whose sexual organs are easily excited by mens-
truation, conjugal affinity, pregnancy and par-
turition. This is particularly the case, when
stimuli of another kind are added, such as the use
of highly seasoned food or exciting drinks, tea,

300 DISEASES OF GENERATIE ORGANS
coffee, vanilla-chocolate, etc.; or when powerful
mental emotions, distress and languor depress
vitality in such a degree as to prevent its lively
re-action. Anything which accomplishes the latter,
severe loss of blood, over-exertion, want of rest
and sufficient nourishment, etc. will excite the
primary fluor albus at once.
The secondary or symptomatic leucorrhea is
caused by the presence of other diseases in the
system, such as pin-worms, polypi, scirrhous or
cancerous degeneration, dislocations and prolapsus
of the uterus, piles, want of cleanliness, etc., and
usually disappears as soon as these disorders are
removed or cured.
The discharge itself differs as to quality, quan-
tity and consistency; if it proceeds from the vagina
alone, it resembles thick cream and is not ropy;
while that from the uterus has the consistency of
jelly, and adheres tenaciously wherever it lodges.
The color varies; sometimes it is whitish, milky,
yellow, even greenish; as to its acridity, it is mild
or corroding; the latter quality predominates
mostly in the chronic form.
The treatment of this disease is frequently very
difficult, and should be conducted by a skillful
physician. We can only mention a few remedies,
useful to begin with, advising the reader to pay
particular attention to the use of tepid water injec-
tions, or frequent sitz-baths of tepid water, for the

BEUCORRHEA
301
sake of cleanliness as well as supporting the cure
of the primary form of leucorrhea.
The treatment of the secondary form requires
injections and sitz-baths of cool, even cold water,
as the best means to restore the tone and strength
of the relaxed parts involved in this disease; the
cure can also be promoted toward the end of the
disease by the application of the wet bandage.
The following are the principal remedies in the
commencement of the treatment.
Pulsatilla.-Discharge thick, like cream, some-
times creating an itching around the affected parts;
in young girls before menstruation.
Sepia after the above remedy, if the discharge
is yellowish, greenish, of a fetid odor and corrod-
ing; constipation with frequent bearing down
sensation.
Cocculus.-Discharge of a reddish hue before
and after menstruation, with colic and flatulency.
Calcarea carb.—Whitish, corrosive discharge,
even in children; in adult females of a lymphatic
constitution, light complexion, having copious and
too frequent menstruation, attended with diarrhea,
itching and burning in the private parts.
Sulphur, in chronic cases of almost every kind,
if the above remedies have failed to cure.
Take four doses of a remedy on four consecu-
tive evenings, then await the result for a week; at
the expiration of which, if not better, select

"
another remedy and take it in the same manner.
The diet must be nourishing, but not flatulent;
avoid the exciting causes of this disease, particu-
larly exposures to cold and damp, luxurious living
and late hours.
DISEASES OF THE UTERUS.
The womb may be rightly considered the center
of the female sexual organs, on account of its loca-
tion as well as of the importance attached to its
functional activity, although as to the latter, the
ovaries may claim an equally distinguished posi-
tion. A great variety of diseases can occur in the
uterus, either naturally from mal-formation, or
acquired from constitutional or other causes. In
some women this organ has been found wanting
entirely, in others of too small a size. Cases are
on record where its opening, the so-called mouth
of the uterus appeared closed, and others, where
no internal cavity at all existed, and the whole
uterus formed one compact mass; in a few in-
stances the womb had increased in size throughout,
or partially on one side only. All these abnor-
mities, however, are very rarely found, and in-
terest as such more the physician; they admit
of but little remedial interference.
But the abnorinal conditions as to the position
of the wouth are of greater interest and practical
value, because they occur so much more frequently,

and offer more or less in every case, a chance of
cure by the proper medication.
PROLAPSUS UTERI. (Falling of the Womb.)
From the position the womb naturally occupies,
hanging suspended on four ligaments in the mid-
dle of the pelvic cavity, the reader can easily infer
that it can change its position in all directions;
one of the most frequent consists in a sinking
down, to a less or greater extent, into the lower
part of the pelvic cavity, sometimes so far down
as to protrude externally. An event of this kind.
must produce considerable derangement in the
female organism. The most prominent symptoms
of this disorder are fully described by Dr. Dewees,
as follows: "The symptoms, characterizing this
complaint will be modified by the greater or less
descent of the uterus in the vagina: they will be
intense in proportion to the extent of the displace-
ment; but in all there will be a sense of something
sinking in the vagina, as if the perineum were
sustaining an unusual weight; with a dragging
sensation about the hips and loins; a desire to
make water, sometimes without the ability to do
so; or if it do pass, it is reluctantly, and often-
times painfully hot-a sense of faintness, and
occasionally a number of nervous or hysterical
feelings and alarms, which almost overwhelm the
patient. A pressure and feeling about the rectum,
K
o 2

DISEASES
CBADRATI
resembling a slight tenesmus, sometimes impor-
tunely demand the patient's attention, which, if
she obey, almost always end in unavailing efforts.
The pain in the back is sometimes extremely
distressing while the patient is on her feet, and
gives to her walk the appearance of weakness
in her lower extremities. A benumbing sensation
shoots down the thighs, especially when the wo-
man first rises upon her feet; or when she
changes this position for a horizontal one. In
some few instances, the woman is obliged to
throw her body very much in advance; or is ob-
liged to support herself by placing her hands
upon her thighs when she attempts to walk.
But all these unpleasant symptoms subside almost
immediately if she indulge in a recumbent pos-
ture, and this circumstance pretty strongly de-
signates the disease."
However well marked the above symptoms are,
particularly the one last mentioned, they are not
sufficiently so to prevent mistakes from being made
in its diagnosis. An examination of the parts
involved should never be omitted, as without it
we never can be positive in pronouncing the
disease prolapsus uteri. Dr. Dewees relates a case
of this kind. "I was consulted by a lady, who
had long suffered almost every symptom recorded
above; I pronounced her disease to be a prolapsus
of the uterus; and without an examination per

RSU TOUN BERIC
vaginam, had a pessary made for its support;
but, to my sad mortification, when I was about to
apply it, a careful examination proved that no such
condition existed, and that all the unpleasant
symptoms had arisen from a thickening of the neck
of the bladder."
But not all practitioners avow frankly, like Dr.
Dewees, their errors in this respect; after once
having pronounced a similar complaint to be
falling of the womb, they rather persist in their
opinion, even after having ascertained by actual
examination that no prolapsus exists. In this
manner falling of the womb has been multiplied
in such a degree, that it may be counted now
among the fashionable diseases, which any lady of
standing or delicate feeling ought to have, at least
a touch of it. While patients complain of symp-
toms, similar to prolapsus, some physicians hastily
and without examination pronounce them to indi-
cate this latter disease, thereby forcing their reme-
dial action into a direction, often detrimental to the
welfare of their patients. We have seen women
tormented for years under a treatment against
prolapsus uteri by several physicians, who, one
after another, had readily yielded to the incorrect
diagnosis of the preceding one. All that time
these patients had not the slightest real symptoms
of prolapsus or dislocation; they were afflicted
with neuralgia, congestion, induration of the
0 3

SERATI
womb, etc., diseases which soon were removed by
a rational (homœopathic) internal treatment.*
Rheumatism of the uterus is a frequent cause
of feelings resembling falling of the womb, and
a practitioner should be very cautious in pro-
nouncing the existence of a disease so dissimilar
in its treatment from the former.
Although a great many physicians yet adhere
to the use of pessaries and abdominal supporters
in the cure of prolapsus uteri, we must confess
that we have never.seen such good result as would
induce us to persist in their use. Since we have
become acquainted with the specific power of
homeopathic medicines and the tonic virtues of
cold water in the form of a sitz-bath and wet ban-
dage, we have discarded the use of pessaries and
other supporters, almost entirely.
* While writing the above, we see in an article on uterine
displacements by Dr. Ramsay, in the Boston Medical Journal,
similar complaints made as to the fictitious prevalence of pro-
lapsus uteri; which, according to the statement of that gentle-
man, is far greater in the South than in other parts of the
country. We can testify in some degree to the truth of this fact
ourselves. Residing in Cincinnati, we had for a number of years
frequent occasion to attend ladies from the South, the complaints
of many of whom resembled greatly the symptoms attending
prolapsus uteri. According to their statement they were suffering
from prolapsus, having been told so repeatedly by their physi-
cians; yet, upon examination, not the slightest trace of such a
disease could be detected.. We are glad to see that this profes-
sional error attracts the attention of those who best can correct it.

In the commencement of a cure for this disease,
the patient should remain in a lying posture for a
length of time, also otherwise refrain from active ex-
ercise as much as possible. The wet bandage, twice
a day renewed, and frequent sitting-baths of short
duration, will be of great benefit. We found the fol-
lowing remedies the most beneficial in this disease.
-
Belladonna and sepia, alternately, every other
morning a dose (six glob.,) until better, at least
for one week; during the next week the patient
discontinues the medicine, but repeats the above
prescription during the week following.
These medicines are succeeded, if necessary,
after six weeks, by calcarea carb., to be taken in
the same manner.
Sometimes, during the above treatment, a dose
Hear Dr. Ramsay : "This prolapsus question has been a hobby
for many a pretender to secure fame, and scores of women South
have been injected per vaginam with sulph. zinc, nit. arg. et id
omne genus, to their serious detriment, for the mal-position of an
organ from which they never suffered. Any man, with a thim-
bleful of brains, who will put himself to the trouble to examine
the anatomical situation of the womb, will see at a glance, that
the organ, in its normal and physiological condition, is not
easily prolapsed, at least not with the facility once supposed.
We admit real prolapsus is too common; but at the same time
we protest against referring every little uneasy sensation in
the hypogastric region to uterine descension. It is high time
we were awakening from th s unprofitable and unmeaning slum-
ber, with regard to female affections, etc. God speed the time
for the benefit of our wives and daughters."
04

of nur vom., platina, opium, cocculus and ignatia
may be found necessary, if the patient exhibits a
good deal of nervousness with constipation,
All stimulating diet is strictly prohibited; no
coffee, no tea can be allowed; but good nourishing
food is beneficial. Other displacements of the
womb may occur in various directions and degrees.
The retroversion of the uterus,, or that state
wherein the womb is turned over backwards,
occurs perhaps the most frequently, and produces
many disturbances in the alvine and urinary dis-
charges by actual pressure on the rectum and
bladder, frequent hemorrhages from the womb,
fluor albus and menstrual irregularities.
The anteversion of the uterus presents a devia-
tion in a direction opposite to the former, the
fundus uteri inclining towards, or even resting on
the bladder, the neck and mouth of the womb
towards the rectum. A distress similar to the
former is the consequence.
In both cases, it becomes necessary to apply to
a competent physician, who, after careful examina-
tion will replace the parts, thus removing the
pains and sufferings. An operation of this kind
is not in the least painful or exposing, and should
be submitted to by the patient very readily as the
only means to correct the evil at once.
During the course of these discases follow the
same hygienic rules as stated on preceding page.


INFLAMMATION OF THE WOMB.
Before puberty congestion and inflammation of
the womb very rarely occur, and after this period
the greatest liability for their appearance takes
place during menstruation, pregnancy and child-
bed. At such times the womb is more predis-
posed to be affected by morbific causes, which at
other times would scarcely reflect on it injuriously.
The symptoms of an inflamed womb vary very
much as regards locality and the circumstances
which have produced them. The pains usually
are burning, boring, stinging, pulsating, extending
upwards into the abdomen and downwards to the
thighs, with occasional intermissions. Accompa-
nying these pains there is a sensation of heat and
weight in the pelvic region, indicating mostly that
part of the womb which is inflamed. The func-
tion of the uterus is more or less disturbed; either
the menses have ceased or flow too readily; during
pregnancy an early miscarriage, or during child-
bed a cessation of the lochia can be the conse-
quence. Besides, there is present a greater or less
degree of fever, preceded by chilliness, headache,
and other concomitants of febrile re-action, even
delirium.
In a disease of this kind the attendance of a
physician is indispensable; yet the early applica-
tion of the following remedies may prevent greatly
0 5

the rapid progress of the disease, and promote its
quick resolution.
Aconite and belladonna, dissolved in water,
each one separately, in half a teacupful of water,
alternately every two or three hours a teaspoonful,
until better, will be generally sufficient to dispel
the most severe symptoms.
In connection with the above a sitz-bath of ten
minutes duration will be beneficial. The diet
must be light, nothing but water-gruel and dry
toast.
IRRITABLE UTERUS.
(Rheumatism and Neuralgia of the Womb.)
We have had occasion to speak of these com-
plaints in connection with after-pains and other
disorders of the lying-in. But they frequently
appear idiopathic without being caused by, or com-
plicated with any other disease. The most charac-
teristic symptom of all of them is a pain, the seat
and direction of which varies as it now proceeds from
the small of the back and the lumbar region, now
starts from the front part of the pelvis and radiates
in all directions. The pain is mostly lancinating,
boring, burning, tearing and heating. Dr. Dewees,
who calls one species of this disease "irritable
uterus," speaks of its local manifestation as fol-
lows: "Sometimes the patient represents the
parts as being a little swelled; but this we believe
is always transient. Walking, riding or indeed

ABLE UTE
any kind of exertion, is sure to be accompanied
or followed by severe lancinating pains within the
pelvic cavity, especially from near, or in the course
of, the urethra, to about the centre of the sacrum;
and when the severity of the pain has abated, it
subsides into a permanent dull pain in the same
direction, but more diffused." The fact of the
pains being increased by motion, erect position,
and its abatement by a recumbent one, has given
rise to an erroneous diagnosis, by mistaking this
disease for falling of the womb. Yet a careful
examination per vaginam, will convince us that,
though the uterus is found to be lower in the
vagina than common, it is not prolapsed or other-
wise seriously displaced; but its neck is very
sensible to the touch, somewhat shortened, because
enlarged, and the mouth of the uterus more closed
than in a natural state: the vagina itself feels hot
and swollen.
The course of this disease is more chronic than
acute, and involves more or less all the uterine
functions. It appears mostly in paroxysms,
brought on by certain exciting causes, such as
erect position, over-exertion, conjugal connec-
tions, powerful mental emotions, even faults in
diet; sometimes the most extreme point of the
spine becomes so tender as to prevent the patients
from sitting any length of time. To give the
reader an idea about the variety of causes which
06

DNERATLY
66
may produce this disease, we insert here only a
few of those which are related by Dr. Goosh.
'In one patient it came on after an enormous
walk during a menstrual period; in another, it
was occasioned by the patient's going shooting
with her husband not many days after an abortion;
in a third it came on after standing for several
hours many successive nights at concerts and
parties; in a fourth, it originated in a journey in
a rough carriage over the paved roads of France;
in a fifth it was attributed either to cold or an
astringent lotion, by which a profuse lochia was
suddenly stopped, followed by intense pain in the
uterus; in a sixth, it occurred soon after, and
apparently in consequence of matrimony."
The treatment of these disorders should be
conducted by a skillful physician. Before his
attendance, an effort may be made to diminish the
congestive tendency to the neck of the womb by
giving belladonna and sepia alternately, every four
days a dose (six glob.,) until better, in connection
with tepid injections in the vagina, and tepid sitz-
baths. During this time the patient should
abstain from meat and other stimulating diet,
keeping as quiet as possible.
POLYPUS OF THE UTERUS.
Polypi are indolent tumors, resembling fleshy
or fungous tumors growing on the inner surfaces of

PUS OF THI 15:
cavities, for instance, the nose or uterus, where
they root either with a broad basis or a narrow
neck. They are sometimes very vascular and
bleed readily on the slightest touch; for this reason
their presence in the womb becomes very danger-
ous, particularly if they are of that kind which
adhere, with a broad basis to its walls. As they
grow, increasing in size and length, the uterus has
to extend also, until it becomes stimulated to expel
them, which is done in a manner similar to that
during an abortion. The danger in such cases is
very great, as inversion of the uterus may take
place, which, in itself, constitutes a serious dis-
order.
Polypi of the uterus are met with as often
among single as married women; frequent hemor-
rhages of the former, therefore, should lead us
just as well to suspect the presence of a polypus
of the womb, as it would do in the latter. The
author observed a case of this kind in a girl of
seventeen years, who, after having suffered for a
considerable length of time, from oft repeated
uterine hemorrhage, resisting the most varied
treatment, was suspected by him to have a polypus
of the uterus; upon examination its presence was
verified, and the ligature soon restored the poor
girl to health and happiness. If the polypus is
very large, the ligature which the surgeon fastens
around its neck, cannot at once cut its stem

through; it has to be done gradually, which some-
times lasts a week or more. In one instance which
came under my notice, the polypus, seven inches
long by one and a half inches in diameter, was
separated from its stem after ten days application
of the ligature. During this time the profuse
sloughing process required great cleanliness and
absolute repose on the part of the patient, to pre-
vent a slow fever which might have been created
by the absorption of the sanious liquid and the
hemorrhage in consequence of the extensive lesion.
The most nourishing diet has to be chosen, such
as oysters, poultry, eggs, soups of meat, etc.; if
putrid fever sets in, acidulated drinks must be
given. As regards remedies in this stage of the
operation, china, carbo. veg., veratrum, arsenicum,
lachesis, are the most beneficial.
The application of the ligature is perhaps the
quickest and best method to extirpate polypi wher-
ever they may be located, if they only can be reached
by it. Where they are thus not accessible, the
Author has found the oft repeated application of a
saturated tincture of opium on the polypus with a
sponge, together with the internal use of culcarea
carb., third potency, every four days one dose (ten
or twelve glob.,) the most successful method; he
has thus cured polypi which could not be reached
by the ligature. Although the process is a tedious
one, yet it is after all gratifying to witness the

SOIRRHUS AND CANCER
removal of tumors which had resisted methods oth-
erwise more expeditious, but wholly inapplicable.
It is unnecessary here for me to state that a
disease of this kind requires the assistance of a
skillful physician and the greatest willingness and
patience of the sufferer while under his care.
SCIRRHUS AND CANCER OF THE WOMB.
To avoid the confusion and uncertainty which
may arise in the mind of the reader by reciting the
legion of premonitory symptoms appearing in ad-
vance of the above dreadful diseases, we will relate
only the most important one which indicates the
presence of the above disease more surely than any
other symptom. A woman experiencing from time
to time sudden lancinating, durting pains through
the uterine region, should at once be on her guard
and confide her case to an experienced physician.
In most instances (this has been at least the au-
thor's experience,) in that early stage, the disease
has not progressed far enough to be beyond the
reach of judicious medication; the real open cancer
has not at that time formed; there is, however, a
cancerous tumor or induration in the neck of the
womb, called scirrhus. This, if not resolved by
proper medication, soon becomes a real cancerous
ulcer, which in most cases terminates fatally.
The treatment of an open cancer must be left
entirely to the directions of a physician, who,

GENERATIVE ORGANS.
though not perhaps successful in curing the case,
will be able, in most instances, of affording great
relief.
In scirrhous affections of the womb, belladonna
seems to be the most reliable, particularly if con-
gestion to different parts of the system are present.
Conium is generally the next remedy to be applied;
after which carbo veg., sepia and sulphur may be
given in intervals of one or two weeks, if no
amendment takes place.
Again let us entreat the reader to apply for
medical aid as soon as the most important symp-
tom which precedes these dangerous complaints,
namely, the sudden darting stitches in the uterine
region, make their appearance.
ULCERATION OF THE WOMË.
An ulcer is usually the result of previous con-
gestion and inflammation, which, not having been
resolved in the proper, manner excite indurations
in the parts affected, in consequence of which sup-
puration sets in. The mouth and neck of the
womb are more liable to this species of affection
than any other part of the uterus. It is very dif
ficult to distinguish this form of disease from cancer
of the womb. But the absence of the lancinating
pains not often found in an ulcerated uterus, but
always present in cancer of the womb, makes the
diagnosis sure. Generally but very few painful

symptoms attend uterine ulcers, com eir pres-
ence is frequently not detected except by an ocular
examination through the speculum, which, in such
cases, should always be instituted by the physician
in charge of the patient.
There is always more or less discharge attend-
ing an ulceration of the womb; it varies in
quantity, is mostly sanious and purulent in cha-
racter, sometimes offensive and mixed with blood,
thus differing materially from a common fluor albus.
The treatment of this disease is less difficult
than other uterine disorders, the ulcers healing
readily under the judicious treatment of a skillful
physician.
In the beginning belladonna and sepia in alter-
nation, every eight days a dose (six glob.,) are of
great benefit to reduce the congestion and swelling
of the parts affected. Afterwards the local appli-
cation of kreosot and calendula becomes necessary,
if the above remedies have not been successful.
Thuja also, in injections, is highly recommended.
Frequent injections of tepid water and the use of
the hip bath, will accelerate the cure.
DROPSY OF THE WOMB.
At first sight it seems strange that an organ like
the womb, having an aperture designed for the
exit of menstrual blood, should be liable to secrete
and retain water in such a quantity as to cause an

enlargement sufficient to produce suspicion of
pregnancy. Yet this often occurs, when, by some
morbid process, the mouth of the uterus has been
closed sufficiently to prevent the escape of the fluid,
secreted within the womb,
Such a closure may be the result of accident,
swelling, induration or adhesive inflammation, as
is produced sometimes after a severe birth. The
cause of the watery secretion itself in the cavity of
the uterus, is not, as yet, well understood; the
disease is said to be more frequent in women of a
delicate, weak constitution, who have had many
children; it also occurs more frequently under de-
bilitating circumstances, after great fatigue, loss of
blood, sedentary life, mental and bodily depressions.
The symptoms indicating dropsy of the womb
present many of the signs of pregnancy, with this
difference, that persons afflicted with it enlarge
faster than during pregnancy, and that from time
to time water escapes from the womb, either slowly
or in gushes. This latter may also be the case
during real pregnancy, and if so, the water had
been collected within the membranes of the child,
a form of dropsy already mentioned in the chap-
ter on the disorders of pregnancy.
When the dropsy exists independent of a gravid
uterus, the water may be let out by a catheter or
a similar instrument; but even in that instance,
though the patient be relieved at once, an internal

INFLAM
treatment must follow, by which a renewal of the
secretion is prevented. This is mostly accom-
plished by the exhibition of arsenicum and sulphur,
every week two doses of each, for four weeks.
If not better graphites should be administered,
every week one dose (six glob.,) for six weeks.
The counsel of a skillful physician should be
had as soon as possible; although not absolutely
dangerous, this disease being the result of consti-
tutional ailments, requires skill and perseverance
to overcome it successfully.
M2
INFLAMMATION OF THE OVARIES.
In previous chapters, we have seen the impor-
tant position which the ovaries occupy among the
sexual organs; in them the first impulse starts for
the development of all the other organs necessary
to fœtal generation and growth. Consequently, a
discase in these small bodies must be of the high-
est importance, and its cure should engage our full
attention.
The ovaries are subject to many and serious
derangements; one of the most frequent is inflam-
mation, the result of congestion to these organs
during sexual excitement, voluptuous imagination,
disappointed hopes, etc., or caused directly by ex-
posure to cold, suppression of the menses, external
injuries, translation of rheumatism or gout from
other places of the system, etc.

51.5
Its cogimpsons, although
although very characteristic,
sometimes have been mistaken for inflammation of
the womb. While the pain of the latter is more
confined to the middle region of the abdomen, the
pain in the former is found on one or the other
side, just above the groins, where, on pressure,
sometimes an enlargement may be discovered very
painful to the touch. This is the ovarium swol-
len and tender, affected in a similar manner, as it
is sometimes the case with the glands on the neck.
If the inflammation is an acute one, the fever
present usually runs very high, connected with
nausea, vomiting, strangury or a difficult voiding
of scanty, high-colored urine; the thigh of the
affected side generally feels num.b, and the pains
are increased by the patient suddenly rising up.
If the inflammation has assumed the chronic
character, the above symptoms are present, but
less severe. The fever, particularly, is at first
very slight; the symptoms most obvious to the
patient, are, perhaps, the stiffness and pain on
moving the leg of the affected side, and a feeling
of weight in the diseased region.
In either form, the inflammation of this organ
requires immediate attention, as a neglect would
produce the most disastrous consequences, such as
suppuration, induration, watery effusions, etc.,
after diseases which may terminate fatally, and if
not, must at least produce sterility.

INFLAMMAT
It is highly important to procure, fortnith, the
proper medical aid.
Before this can be had, the following remedies
may be given. Aconite in alternation with bella-
donna, every hour a dose (four glob.) This
treatment frequently mitigates the symptoms in
such a degree, that in a few hours all traces of the
disease have disappeared.
The above remedies may be followed by bryo-
nia if the disease is the result of a suppression
of the menses; the same in alternation with
rhus if cold or rheumatic disorders were the
cause of it; in the latter case, give alternately
every two hours a dose (four glob.)
Cantharides will be indicated when the disease
is complicated with strangury or difficulty of void-
ing the urine.
Arsenicum, if the patient is very restless; should
this remedy fail to relieve, the alternate use of
camphor and coffea for a few hours, every fifteen
minutes a dose (four glob.,) will quiet the most
intense agony.
Conium, if the menses are suppressed, with
severe semi-lateral headache, debility, blue circles
around the eyes, variable appetite, nausea, swell-
ing of the left ovary, with constant numb aching,
contusive pain, and occasionally at night, par-
oxysms of severe sharp pains in the left side.
Tepid hip-baths will be of great assistance,
-

FIOLL
has risen
a very high degree, we may even be allowed to
use the cold hip-bath, putting, at the same time,
cold compresses on the head and covering well
the other parts. The patient may remain in the
bath from twenty-five to thirty minutes. After
rubbing dry, a wet bandage should be applied
around the parts affected, after which she should
be put to bed, well covered. This treatment is
particularly beneficial in that form complicated
with retention of urine,
The diet should be light as in all inflammatory
fevers; if thirsty, lemonade, water and crust-water
are the best drinks.
OVARIAN DROPSY.
The ovaries are frequently liable to a degene-
ration of this kind. The water is contained within
a sack or cyst, which has been formed by the en-
largement of one of the ovarian vesicles. These
tumors, filled with water, sometimes grow to an
enormous size; their treatment must be left entirely
to the physician, who should be in early attendance
when it is yet possible to arrest their growth.
DISEASES OF THE BREASTS.
The breasts or mammary glands, forming a part,
as it were, of the organs of generation, are in-
volved more or less in all their changes during

DISTAL OF DAS BELASTA
ealth or discase. Thus becom
dent after delivery, when the breasts appear most
prominently occupied in the secretion of that fluid
which is indispensable for the maintenance of the
offspring. It is during the performance of this
important office, tlrat the breasts more than at any
other time, are liable to disease.
We have already, on page 280, mentioned the
inflammation of these organs, known under the
name of ague in the breast, and the swelling and
suppuration which sometimes follows it. The
reader will there find, also, the treatment laid down.
which we have found to act as the most beneficial
during a large course of practice.
We will add, here, a few remarks about other
morbid peculiarities of the breasts which may excite
the interest of the reader.
There have been ob-
served several cases of a total deficiency of the
breasts, occuring always in connection with atro- ·
phy of the ovaries and uterus. Sometimes we meet
with very small breasts and with such as
diminished in size after they had been once devel-
oped; these are called atrophic breasts.
have
Still other instances are recorded where women
possessed more than two breasts, or more than one
nipple on each breast. In some cases the irregular
breasts were located on the thorax, like the regular
breasts; in others they occupied a place on the
abdomen or in the groins.
Kad med de Mad
M
DESIRED KLASER ANALI
PANGANDURURIDAD PAR
SNEAKER & KAR JAUnddə 210,12 RAS
VOLE WRANGLERUOJA

Agame an hypertrophy or faulty enlargemen
of the breasts, is frequently observed, sometimes
to such an extent as to border on a monstrosity;
they have been found to measure forty-two inches
in circumference, weighing twenty pounds.
Swellings of the breasts, different from perma-
nent enlargement, frequently occur in consequence
of lacteal disturbances and constitutional dyscra-
sies. Indurations of this kind have no inalignant
character.
It is quite different, however, with that hard
tumor known as scirrhus, which is the forerunner
of one of the most dreadful diseases, the cancer
of the breast. We refer the reader to what we
have said on page 315, about these diseases when
located in the womb. The same remarks there,
will apply to the scirrhus and cancer of the breasts.
The scirrhus has been frequently cured when reme-
dies were applied early; but an open cancer of the
breast, as yet, belongs to the incurable diseases,
although the palliation of its sufferings is within
our reach.

CHAPTER III.
DISEASES OF NERVOUS FUNCTION.
There are but few diseases located in the nervous
system, which belong, exclusively, to the female
sex. The nervous complaints of the head, breast
and other organs, such as nervous headache, spas-
modic asthma, etc., which frequently can be traced
to female peculiarities, do not constitute separate
forms of disease, but being attributable to one and
the same cause, are treated of together under one
name.
HYSTERIA.
Our readers are perhaps aware that years ago
hysteria or vapours (mostly known under this
name in France) were quite fashionable. Ladies
in high life at the European courts had nothing
wherewith to kill the tedium of an otherwise task-
less existence. To create variety and sustain
intrigues, the hysterical fit, with its Protean cha-
racter, offered the readiest and best means which, in
the boudoir, saloon or promenade, could change, at
once the scene from comedy to tragedy, and convert
P

FUN CIRCON.
mirth into tears, wit into sympathy. This time
has passed; the storms of revolutions have dis
pelled the sentimentalities of the age, and with
them the supreme reign of hysterics and vapours
in the female world.
At the present day, even the name has become
obsolete and obnoxious to the fair sex. They dis-
like extremely to be told that they have the hys-
terics; they have nothing against it, however, to
be nervous, which essentially means the same
thing. We continue to use here, the name hys-
teria, because it is more significant of its origin.
The word hysteria is derived from the Greek,
signifying the womb, because this disease was con-
sidered to be in close connection with the sexual
peculiarities of the female. Upon the whole the
correctness of this idea must be acknowledged,
although different opinions are held, as yet, in
regard to the primary cause of this complaint. Dr.
Meigs gives his views as follows:
"The causes of hysteria are to be found in a
great variety of conditions, both of internal and
external origin; among them may be named a
highly nervous and sanguine temperament, the
pathological propensities of which are promoted by
a sedentary life and luxurious living, hot rooms,
hot beds, highly stimulating food, the use of wine,
of aromatics; a mind ill regulated, indulged, intol-
erant of control, highly impressible. In such an

STERI
vidual, any abnormal degree of excitement
hat might serve to add to the purely physiological
action of the reproductive organs, you could well
deem sufficient to send its aura forth upon its mis-
sion of mischief throughout the entire economy.'
""
Hysteria may be considered as a chronic disease,
appearing from time to time in paroxysms. These
latter are very irregular as to their characteristic
symptoms, their intensity and exciting causes.
Sometimes they occur at once without any appa-
rent cause, or at least but a slight one, not pro-
portionate to the effect produced, at other times
exciting causes of the severest kind, must operate
on the system for a length of time before a hys-
terical fit is produced.
To the unpracticed eye, the diagnosis of hys-
teria is rather difficult; but a careful observation
of the pulse, the movements of which are not
under the voluntary control of the patient, soon
leads us to distinguish between severe forms of
diseases and their hysterical counterfeits.
An hysterical attack usually commences by a
feeling of tightness and fulness in the abdomen,
which, rolling upwards like a ball, (globus hysteri-
cus,) produces, after it has reached the throat, a
distressing sensation of choking and suffocation,
followed by various efforts of the patient of reliev-
ing herself from the smothering and pressure, by
eructations of wind, throwing around her arms,
pl

gasping oregon, ow, finally to lead exhausted
she sinks down, unconscious, falling into spasm
apparently very violent, because the convulsive
movements of the limbs and trunk are sometimes
really frightful, and the spasms of the respiratory
muscles in the highest degree alarming. But they
soon cease; and the patient, having become tran-
quil, lies feeble and exhausted for some time, in a
half sleepy state until she feels perfectly well again,
or goes off into another spasm. If such paroxysms
repeat often, one after the other, they resemble
epileptic fits; in such cases, the history of the pa-
tient must guide us in our diagnosis. Moreover,
in epilepsy the patients have all the symptoms of
congestion to the brain, face red and bloated,
features contorted, foam at the mouth, thumbs
clasped in the palm of the hand, etc., symptoms
which are seldom present in an hysterical fit.
A succession of these spasms may finally ex-
haust the whole system to such a degree that the
patient sinks into a state of insensibility; the heart
apparently ceases to beat, respiration becomes im-
perceptible and a general collapse of functional
vitality takes place. As this state of apparent
death sometimes has lasted for weeks without
destroying the life of the patient, we should not
cease to watch the patient, applying restoratives,
until real signs of death have appeared or resusci-
tation takes place.

ST
in the
Hysteria, however, not aways, apipes
ormidable form above described; it has various
rees of intensity, sometimes expressing itself
only in crying, without a known cause, in unusual
Dr.
hilarity, laughter, excited conversation, etc.
Meighs draws the following graphic picture of the
versatile nature of hysteria:
"The hysterical woman, like the highly electri-
fied thunder cloud, requires but the point to draw
the flash. She sits, like Tam O'Shanter's wife,
"Gathering her brows, like gathering storm,
Nursing her wrath to keep it warm.”
when, suddenly, and unexpectedly, some word,
sign or gesture, gives the occasion; and we have
reproaches, tears, screaming, laughter, sobs, wring-
ing of hands, tearing of hair, clonic convulsions,
tonic spasms, stertor, smiles like a May morning,
loud laughter again, floods of tears and then a
gradual return to a state of gentle composure,
wherein the tenderest affections of the human
heart come to resume, with unusual supremacy,
their wonted sway over the soul."
During a fit of hysterical passion, it is all-im-
important, not to cross the patient in her expres-
sions, or to heighten her distress by opposing
arguments; it is of no use, but can do a great deal
of harm. If she should fall into a spasm, she
should be laid on a couch or bed, her clothes loos-
ened on the parts where they may be tight around
P2

room, and cold water sprinkled into her face
the latter looks red and bloated, cold water may
be poured on it from a height, or ice laid on the
top of it, at the same time that her feet are put in
a hot bath; if the face looks pale, this treatment
is not necessary. Until the proper medicine can be
procured, a camphor bottle may be held under her
nose from time to time which frequently arrests
the spasms at once.
As sudden mental emotions are the most fre-
quent causes of hysterical fits the latter will be
controlled by the remedies indicated for these va-
rious conditions of the mind. If caused by
Excessive joy: Coffea, opium.
Fright or fear: Opium, aconite. bellad., igna.
Anger, violent: Chamomile, bryonia, nux vom.
Anger, suppressed: Ignatia.
Grief: Ignatia, phosphor. acid, staph., coloc.
Home Sickness: Phosphor. acid, mcrcury, cap-
sicum, staph.
Unhappy Love: Hyoscyam., ignatia, phosphor.
acid.
Jelousy: Hyoscyam., lachesis, nux vom.
Mortification and Insult: Bellad., ignat., pla-
tina, coloc., staph., puls.
Contradiction and Chagrin: Chamom., bryo.,
ignat., coloc., aconite, nux vom., platina, staph.
Indignation: Coloc., staphysagria.

the predicine, beuggled
grobules,
pon the tongue, every fifteen or thirty minutes,
dissolve twelve globules in half a teacupful of
water and give a teaspoonful in the same inter-
vals; after the attack, lengthen the intervals to
three, six and eight hours, until the patient is
relieved.
Of the above remedies coffea, ignatia,pulsatilla,
and aconite will be the most suitable in almost.
any hysterical fit while it lasts. To prevent its
return, however, medicines should be given which
are able to remove the hysterical constitution.
This can only be done by a careful treatment insti-
tuted by a skillful physician. Among the remedies
for this purpose the following are the most impor-
tant: natrum mur., calcarea carb., sepia, sulphur.
They may be taken in their order, each one
for six weeks, every week a dose (six glob.)
During this time the patient should keep a
strict diet, abstain from coffee, tea and all spicy
substances, and if possible, should have recourse
to all the strengthening appliances of the water-
cure, such as frequent sponging-baths, sitting-
baths, etc. If constipation is present, injections
of cold water and the wet sheet around the abdo-
men; if inclined to congestive headache, cold
foot-baths are recommended. The patient must
take exercise in the open air after a cold bath, in
order to promote the necessary re-action.
.
P3

As already stated, hysterical paroxysms has go
late years, diminished in frequency and intensity
they, indeed, very seldom occur at present; and
they do, it is under circumstances, extraordinary
and so severe that the attendance of a physician
is at once required. As to the causes which have
led to this singular phenomenon, the opinions of
the writers vary.
Dr. Dewees remarks: "It
would be difficult to point out the causes of the
diminution of this disease within the last thirty
years in this city, though the fact is certain, so
far at least as we can rely upon our own observa-
tions. Have the temperaments most liable to this
disease been changed by either physical or moral
causes ? Certain it is, that at present we are
rarely called upon to attend in an hysterical par-
oxysm, whereas formerly such calls were fre-
quent." Perhaps the most potent agency having
a tendency to diminish the hysterical diathesis,
may be found in the fact that our present times
exhibit less sickly sentimentality but more health-
ful activity and more sound utilitarian views, in
all departments of life, than any former age.

229
_227
<<
_228
Confinement,
_261
222 Constipation during preg-
256
nancy,
221
260 Convulsions, puerperal,----232
280 Cough, hacking---
229
After-pains,
Ague in the breast,-
Anteversion of the womb,--308 Cramps in legs, back and
Apparent death of the in-
223
_159
fant,
231
253
nancy,
After-birth,-
Abortion,.-
Abnormal erotic sentiment, 200
Absence of
Acid stomach during preg-
(C
(C
204
Blood, spitting of.
Breast, gathered.
"C
INDEX.
stomach,
254 Crusade, moral.
Appetite, derangement of 215 Crying, spasmodic
Asphyxia of the infant,----254 Delivery.
Asthma,
66
ague in the..
abcess of the.
<< diseases of the..
Cancer of the womb..
Cessation of the menses,.
Change of life,--.
Character of woman, physi-
cal,
Character of woman, moral
and intellectual,
Child's water,
Childbed fever,.
Childbed, mania in.
(6
Childhood,
Chloroform, use of.
Chlorosis,
Colic, menstrual
234 Congestion of the head,
<<
of the liver,
of the lungs,
S M
Colic-paius during preg-
nancy,
(C
melancholia in___272
228 Depression of spirits during
228
pregnancy,
280 Derangement of appetite,
280 Destiny of woman,-
282 Deterioration of milk,
-283
(6
315
322 Diarrhea during pregnancy, 219
preceding labor,--241
199 Diet during confinement,-_-263
199 Difficulty of swallowing_-_222
Diseases of women,--- _179
of generative organs,-292
Diseases of sexual develop-
31 ment,
21
(C
_181
251 Diseases of nervous func-
268 tion,..
325
272 Diseases of the vagina,- 297
66
of the uterus,-
__302
61 Dislocation of the womb,---308
153 Displacement
182 Dropsy
197 Dyspepsia during pregnan-
(
66
(C
-
——
230
215
43
308
317
C G C
cy,
223 Dropsy. ovarian,
Color, changed of milk,----256 Dysury during pregnancy,-224
Congestion during pregnan-
су,
222
322
232
Eclampsia gravidarum,-
206 Education, finished.-------103

Education, physical
(c intellectual.
Egg-beds,
Elopement,
<l
66
Erotic sentiment, abnormal_200| Irritability of the womb,-- _310-
absence of 204 Ischury during pregnancy,-224
-153 Itching of the private parts, 295
71 Jaundice,
225
Ether, use of.
Exercise,
External parts, inflamma-
tion of
Labia, oedematous swelling
293 of the..
External parts, wounds on__294 Labor,
Fainting,-
294
_243
""
230
303
Falling of the womb,.
Fashion,
natural, preternatural 244
"" too sudden termina-
111 tion of---
268
"C
"C
213 Labor, protracted-
sudden cessation of__247
excessively painful__250
279 (( commencement of___242
193-195 Labor-pains, spurious or
after parturi-
false,
tion,
258-59 Laughter, spasmodic.
298 Leucorrhea,
Fluor Albus,-.
Fœtus, development of.. 147 Limbs, swelling of.
Generative organs,diseases of 292 Liver, congestion of
Girl,--
53 Lochial discharge,
182 Lochia,
Green sickness,
Gymnastics,
Hacking cough,-
Head-ache
71 CC
229
"C
230
Feet, swelling of
Fever, childbed..
"C
<<
during pregnancy,--206
milk-
Flooding,
(c
CC..
Imikamuurapote of the ovaries
Kapadenramosone of th
73
of the won
89 Intellectual faculties,--.
100 Introduction,
--
су,
Heart, palpitation of.
Hemorrhage during parturi-
tion,
Hemorrhage during preg-
nancy.
Hemorrhoids during preg-
nancy,
Hymen, imperforation of the
Hysteria,.
Icterus,
tracted..
Head, congestion of the...229 Lochia, offensive, sanious__267
Heart-burn during pregnan- Lungs, congestion of..
222 Maiden.
228 Maiden lady,
Mania in childbed,
258 Marks, -
Marriage, second.
209 Married lady,
supression of
excessive and pro-
Imperforation of the hymen, 92
Incontinence of urine,.
Infancy,
Infant, apparent death of
the
Infant schools,..
Inflammation of external
parts, -
254
71
293
--
—
""
--
Matron,
210 Menses, cessation of the____199
292 Menstrual colic,---- __197
325 Menstruation, appearance of 84
225
abnormal ap-
..
pearance of..
225 Menstruation tardy,--
_53
""
245
246
a magh
248
231
298
213
227
264
264
266
267
__228
84
120
272
147
165
132
-169
186
187
suppressed,-_-190
too copious, !93
too long dura-
""
tion of
__196
Menstruation too late and
scanty,-
196

lensmutation, deviation of
too difficult,
painful,
Menstruation, cessation of
the
+4
Milk, deterioration of
changed color of..
changed quality of
suppressed secretion of
excessive secretion of
deficiency of..
""
(6
(6
"
Milk fever,
Milk leg,
Miscarriage,'
Monthly period, appearance
of
Moral and intellectual cha-
racter of woman,-
Moral sentiments,.
Mother, duties of a..
Music,
Nausea during pregnancy.217 Show,
Navel, pouting out of the--151 Signs of pregnancy,
Nervous function, diseases Sleeplessness during preg-
of
--
Neuralgic pains,-.
Nervousness,
Neuralgia of the womb,.
Nipples, soreness of..
Nursing,
(6
diet during.
Ovarian dropsy-
Ovaries,-
<<
1--
nancy,
Palpitation of the heart,
Parturition,
Erolapsus of the womb,----303
uteri,
197 Pruritus, - - -
Puberty, abnormal appear-
199
ance of
283 Puerperal convulsions,-
286 Quality, changed, of milk,_286
286 Quickening.
287 Recapitulation,
145-150
_175
288 Retroversion of the womb,__308
289 Rheumatism of the womb,-_310
279 Right side, pain in the.
270 Sabbath schools,
234 Salivation during pregnan-
inflammation of-
Ovale, fecundated..
Pain in the right side,.
Pains,neuralgic during preg-
Phlegmasia alba dolens,-
Physical character of wo-
-
---
cy,
84 Scirrhus of the womb,
Secretion, suppressed,
31 of milk,-
--
325
nancy.
230 Sneezing, spasmodic.
325 Societies, benevolent-
pa v m
A g
_287
34 Secretion, excessive of milk, 288
154 Sexual development, diseas-
107 es of..
303
295
181
232
227
_128
310 Sore nipples,-----
290 Spasmodic, laughter, crying,
sobbing, sneezing, yawn-
273
278 ing,
322 Spasmodic pains during
89
limbs.
214
_315
signs of
Private parts itching of the_295] Urination, involuntary.
181
242
144
230
_231
127
290
231
223
228
205
89
cy,
224
230 Strangury during pregnan-
228
240 Swallowing, difficulty of---222
270 Swelling, oedematous, of the
labia.
pregnancy,
-319 Spitting of blood,--
146 Sterility,
227 Stomach, acidity of the_--_-222
Stroma,
man, -
21 Swelling of the feet
<<
<i
Piles during pregnancy,-
-211
Plethora during pregnancy, 206 Tooth-ache during pregnan-
Pleurisy,
228 су
Polypus of the womb,
Pregnancy,
64
312 Ulceration of the womb
206 Urination, painful, difficult
1441 and interrupted -
294
213
213
214
--316
224
225

Urine, incontinence of. 3225, Vagina, prolapsus of the
Uterus, diseases of the_____302 Varicose veins,..
prolapsus of the. --_303 Veins, varicose.
anteversion of the .308 Vertigo
(
(
((
retroversion of the .308 Vomiting during pregnancy, 217
inflammation of the 309 Waters, the.
6.
_251
"
irritable..
298
310 Whites,
Rheumatism of the_310 Widow,
"(
161
"(
<<
Cl
neuralgia of the...310 Woman's physical character,_21
polypus of the... 312
moral and intellec-
<< scirrhus of the_____315 tual character, -
to G
<<
cancer of the__ 315 Woman's destiny,.
ulceration of the_-_-316 Womb, see Uterus,
dropsy of the------317 Wounds on external parts,__294
Vaccination,-
61 Yawning, spasmodic
Vagina, diseases of the_-_297 Young lady,...
31
43
"6
((
.231
84
Filmed by Preservation 1801


IN OF MICK
7870
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
3 9015 06522 3714
A