Motherhood 
 
 The Generative Organs 
 Their Purpose and 
 Derangements 
 
 u M a 11 n a C o o r o f t
 
 MOTHERHOOD
 
 KNOW THYSELF SERIES
 
 COPYRIGHT, 1906, 
 BY SUSANNA COCROFT
 
 MOTHERHOOD 
 
 C s*^ 
 
 BY 
 
 SUSAKNA COCROFT 
 
 COMMANDANTS OF THE 
 
 UNITBD STATES TRAINING CORPS FOR WOMEN 
 
 AUTHOR OF 
 
 KNOW THYSKLF SERIES 
 
 OF TWBLVB BOOKS 
 
 FOURTH EDITION 
 
 PUBLISHED BY THE 
 
 HKADINGTON PUBLISHING Co. 
 
 209 N. MICHIGAN BLVD. 
 
 CHICAGO, ILL.
 
 MOTHERHOOD 
 
 BY 
 
 SUSANNA COCROFT 
 
 To woman is given the most beautiful 
 and most sacred privilege the power with 
 God to create, to bring forth and to unfold 
 life the privilege of motherhood, physical 
 and spiritual. 
 
 It is her privilege and pleasure to guard 
 and to nurture the little one during its 
 delicate young years, to direct it as it ex- 
 pands and grows into a radiant, useful life. 
 She finds her companionship in its respond- 
 ing love and her compensation in the 
 ultimate ripening into useful, beautiful 
 maturity. 
 
 Here is a Divine agency, uplifting, refin- 
 ing, ennobling the connecting link between 
 11
 
 the visible and the invisible, between the 
 finite and the Infinite, between man and 
 God. 
 
 Surely no woman can undergo the respon- 
 sibility of motherhood without developing 
 an unfolding beauty and strength of soul, 
 without being uplifted by the consciousness 
 of her kinship with her Creator. 
 
 Are you an expectant mother ? Then you 
 know that you have formed a partnership 
 with the Creator of all life. Rely upon 
 the power of this partnership. Keep in 
 mind constantly that the Creator of life is 
 Love and that this Divine Force, having 
 asked your help, is going to uphold, to 
 inspire, to empower. 
 
 Realize that you are surrounded with a 
 spiritual atmosphere of beauty and loveli- 
 ness and protection. Know that the 
 "Eternal God is thy dwelling place and 
 underneath thee are the everlasting arms. ' 
 Keep in mind this enveloping Jove and 
 stay close. 
 
 You are breathing, thinking, seeing, feel- 
 ing for the new life that is given to you 
 cement this partnership. 
 
 13
 
 Fear motherhood? No, no fear, but lov- 
 ing expectancy, with perfect faith and 
 confidence that all is well. Yield yourself 
 to the beauty and the sacredness of it 
 ''God's in His heaven, 
 All's right with the world." 
 
 And all is right with the mother and the 
 child. 
 
 Know that Nature would not make laws 
 governing the bringing forth of life that 
 were disastrous to you if you observe them. 
 
 This attitude of love begets kindness to- 
 ward all living creatures and in the mental 
 attitude of kindness the nerves direct more 
 normal impulses to the body, which will 
 function normally if given the proper 
 material. 
 
 Regard your body as a sacred temple. 
 Sweetly and sacredly prepare body, mind 
 and spirit for the trust of another soul. 
 Keep it wholesome, pure and sweet. Con- 
 form to Nature's laws of food, air, water 
 and exercise so as to keep the body clean 
 within as well as without and free for the 
 flow of pure blood containing proper nutri- 
 tion. 
 
 13
 
 Your body is the most wonderful mech- 
 anism known in life. Attend to material 
 conditions just as you would have your 
 engineer attend to the engine of your auto- 
 mobile. Keep it clean within as well as 
 without. Give the machine a proper 
 amount of gas (food), the proper amount 
 of water, sufficient air in the valves, and 
 keep it clean by exercise. An engine will 
 rust if disused; the body will become clog- 
 ged if not used sufficiently. You need daily 
 exercise for every tissue. 
 
 You have been given intelligence with 
 which to select pure food, pure water, pure 
 air and proper exercise. Use this intelli- 
 gence in attending to these material con- 
 ditions and then trust. 
 
 Great souls are usually born of great 
 mothers. 
 
 If her mind dwell on chaste and elevating 
 subjects, or if she delve into the purest 
 and highest of art, literature, philosophy 
 and science, if her actions be permeated 
 with a sweet and wholesome spirit of kind- 
 ness, helpfulness and consideration for 
 those about her, this high degree of spirit- 
 
 14
 
 uality may leave a like impress on the soul 
 of her unborn child, impossible of efface- 
 ment. 
 
 A child whose spiritual welfare is so 
 fostered naturally reveres all that is elevat- 
 ing the beauties of Nature, the great 
 achievements of mankind, in fact all that 
 constitute true greatness in character and 
 mind; every noble act or impulse are re- 
 verenced by him. 
 
 An expectant mother should eliminate 
 every thought and thing that tends to 
 divert the highest current of her mind and 
 soul. She should surround herself with 
 everything which tends to uplift and en- 
 noble. She should create in the home life 
 an atmosphere of pure, unselfish and ele- 
 vating ideals, finding beauty, use and 
 pleasure in the simple, everyday things of 
 life. If she keep close to Nature, the 
 Master Artist, she cannot harbor artificial 
 or common thoughts. If she mentally and 
 spiritually dwell on the heights, the purity 
 and strength of this atmosphere will be an 
 essential part of her child's after life 
 will color his future. 
 
 15
 
 An environment of wealth and power is 
 not in any sense essential to the birth of a 
 great and courageous soul; these might 
 serve but to gratify a purely sensuous taste 
 and thus cause psychological conditions 
 that would give birth to a nature inclined 
 to revel in pomp and empty show. 
 
 Howsoever humble her position, or how- 
 soever narrow her environment, a mother 
 has access always to Nature's great 
 gallery. She may enjoy from her doorstep, 
 according to her soul sense, the glorious 
 sunsets, the clouds with their rare fashion- 
 ing, the music of the wind among the trees, 
 the perfume of the flowers, the restfulness 
 of the droning bees all of these permeate 
 her senses and are hers. 
 
 If the mother look for beauty in Nature, 
 she often gets more out of simple pleasures 
 than the rich and great who have become 
 satiated by a too profligate use of wealth's 
 privileges. Such ennuied mortals pass 
 with unseeing eyes the rarest gems in 
 Nature's gallery, and in their restless 
 search for some new interest rush to 
 view the works of her imitators iii 
 
 16
 
 art galleries made by man. Scenes and 
 pictures in Nature are beyond the brush 
 of artist. No man yet has painted a sky. 
 No man yet has given us water with the 
 ocean's swell. Man imitates still life, but 
 the spirit and movement are God's. One 
 never fully appreciates man's imitation 
 until he has felt and appreciated God's 
 original. 
 
 "I know that I shall never see 
 A poem lovely as a tree, 
 A tree that looks at God all day 
 And lifts her leafy arms to pray : 
 A tree whose hungry mouth is prest 
 Against the Earth's sweet flowing breast ; 
 A tree that may in summer wear 
 A nest of robins in her hair ; 
 Upon whose bosom snow has lain, 
 Who intimately has lived with rain, 
 Poems are made by fools like me 
 But only God can make a tree. ' ' 
 
 Joyce Kilmer. 
 
 If one is not financially able to procure 
 paintings, a few simple prints of great 
 masterpieces may serve the purpose of fix- 
 ing the true ideals of art, and thus create 
 
 17
 
 the atmosphere most beneficial to foster 
 the artistic tastes) in her child. 
 
 There is beauty in a blade of grass, there 
 is use and dignity in the making of a loaf 
 of bread. 
 
 The mental and spiritual attitude with 
 which one approaches her work makes her 
 queen or serf. A woman may be as much 
 a queen in the preparation of a meal for 
 her family as in the idle reading of a novel 
 in her library. 
 
 Keep ever in mind the sweet, new dig- 
 nity, use and purpose given to your life 
 the mysteriously beautiful new life, placed 
 entirely within your power to form into a 
 perfect being. Endeavor to impress on it 
 the stamp of chaste, dignified, strong and 
 useful force, that it may develop into a 
 power for good, for right, for truth. You 
 will thus endow it with a dynamic force 
 which shall give it the strength to make 
 this power felt. 
 
 When woman has developed a keen 
 appreciation of the beauty in even a grain 
 of sand, she is, indeed, rich, at peace with 
 
 18
 
 the world. She envies no one, thinks kindly 
 of all God's creatures, and is ever ready 
 to extend the helping hand when needed. 
 
 The capacity for happiness and the 
 cultivation of the habit of taking a happy 
 view of life is one of the most blessed herit- 
 ages a mother can give to her child, and 
 the habit of finding beauty in the everyday 
 of life is a rich heritage. 
 
 She who is keenly alive to Nature's 
 beauties transmits to her children the 
 ability to be happy, alone with Nature, and 
 with God, independent of life's uncertain- 
 ties. 
 
 A taste and talent for music may be 
 created and stimulated in the child through 
 a mother's appreciation of the song of a 
 bird. 
 
 She may through this song make him 
 conscious of perfect harmony and balance ; 
 she may set in motion a line of noble and 
 chaste tendencies. She may approach the 
 footstool of the Creator of life, and trans- 
 mit to her child a resonance of celestial 
 symphonies thus heard, a reflection of 
 visions thus seen, that will lift him to an 
 
 10
 
 exalted plane and engender spiritual con- 
 ditions which will be his inspiration to 
 great things. 
 
 This was beautifully illustrated in the 
 child of a friend, who, notwithstanding 
 moderate financial circumstances, had sur- 
 rounded herself with an unusually exalted 
 thought atmosphere. At five years of age, 
 although rated by most people as a quiet, 
 imaginative child, he seemed to those who 
 knew him best, hardly less than an infant 
 prodigy. He did not manifest the usual 
 childish curiosity concerning the "whys" 
 and "wherefores" of being or of things, 
 but in a quaint, childish fashion would tell 
 you if you happened to be in his con- 
 fidencewhat they were, and why they 
 were. He saw the rarest beauties in a sea 
 shell, and would explain in baby poetry the 
 complex causes and processes of its beauti- 
 ful colorings, the impressions left by the 
 life the shell had protected. The soughing 
 wind meant to him sweet lullabys or solemn 
 commands the angels were on the wires. 
 The rain, the dewdrops the flowers, every- 
 thing in Nature, had for him a rare and 
 
 20
 
 beautiful significance. When asked where 
 he got his beautiful thoughts, he replied : 
 
 "God sends an angel who tells them to 
 me." God's angel was his mother. 
 
 "A poet in embryo"? Yes, certainly, full 
 of poetic fancies, yet amazingly practical 
 withal, for his mother, aside from her 
 spirituality and ideality, was a practical, 
 perfectly balanced physically sound wom- 
 an, who realized that the world needed 
 pure and spiritual-minded, practical men 
 and women as well as poets. 
 
 The mother is most responsible for the 
 little life launched "from nowhere into 
 now," from the infinite realm of "some- 
 where" into the definite world of action. 
 During all of its nesting, formative period, 
 it is influenced by her health, by her en- 
 vironment, by her mental poise and 
 spiritual atmosphere. 
 
 Then, more than ever she needs to be 
 sustained and soothed by a tender loving 
 husband. % 
 
 Her obligations are far geater than 
 those of the father for she cradles her 
 21
 
 child within her own body for nine months, 
 nourishing it with her own life blood, and 
 unless she be physically strong, the child 
 must suffer. 
 
 After conception the father can effect 
 the life of his child only through the care 
 of the mother, guarding her in an atmos- 
 phere of love and tenderness that her 
 thoughts may direct the normal function- 
 ing and nutrition during gestation. 
 
 Perfect health tends to insure not only 
 a normal well poised brain, but a well 
 poised brain tends to insure the regular 
 flow of nourishment to the growing fetus. 
 
 A diseased or unsound body (and this 
 is especially true where the organs of gen- 
 eration are involved) reacts on the mind, 
 and many unnatural symptoms during 
 pregnancy result. 
 
 To bring an innocent soul from the in- 
 finite realm and thrust it into a hostile 
 environment, to struggle, rise or fall, with- 
 out the equipment of the normal heritage 
 of a perfect body and brain is a tremendous 
 responsibility. The ignorance and thought- 
 
 22
 
 lessness manifested by thousands of women 
 on this subject is truly lamentable. 
 
 Each succeeding generation should pro- 
 gress by avoiding mistakes and profit by 
 the experiences, of the past. 
 
 The reformation and redemption of the 
 world, of society, politics and commerce, 
 rests with the individual, and mothers 
 should rear children of staunch principles, 
 uprightness of character and purity of 
 thought. We need leaders in social and 
 civic progress, and real advancement comes 
 through progress in the hearts and minds 
 of individuals through the establishment 
 of just principles, of high ideals, and the 
 recognition of moral obligations. 
 
 We need rational, intelligent mothers, 
 mentally, morally and physically sound, 
 mothers with sufficient courage and stam- 
 ina to sustain their convictions. 
 
 One strong, well-balanced character can 
 color the thought of a community; one 
 strong community can carry a city, and a 
 city a state. The far-reaching influence of 
 the life of one single man or woman will 
 
 23
 
 never be known; but it is the privilege of 
 each to make the influence of his life vibrate 
 through the ages. 
 
 The evolution and perpetuation of an 
 ideal people, of an ideal civilization, rest 
 largely with the mother in fixing elevated 
 ideals for her children. Nature has en- 
 trusted her with this responsibility, a re- 
 sponsibility far higher than is within the 
 gift of man. 
 
 Through the beautiful privilege of 
 motherhood she may attain the pinnacle of 
 fame ; through her children, she may realize 
 the greatest measure of happiness, contrib- 
 ute the largest share of usefulness to the 
 world. Through neglect or abuse of this 
 privilege she may do infinite harm. 
 
 Children are not sent into the world 
 merely for the perpetuation of the race. 
 They also kindle and strengthen all the 
 best and highest in the mother and father 
 natures, they broaden their lives, elevate 
 their thoughts and quicken their sym- 
 pathies and affections. A child's craving, 
 therefore, for the fullest measure of its 
 parent's affection is a natural instinct, im- 
 
 24
 
 planted within it for a wise purpose. A 
 mother 's loving and intelligent response to 
 this call means her highest evolution, and 
 insures a beautiful, wholesome atmosphere 
 of growth for the child. 
 
 Spiritual Motherhood 
 
 The mere giving of physical birth to a 
 child is not motherhood in its holiest and 
 best sense. Every true woman is a born 
 mother. 
 
 The Eastertide should begin at concep- 
 tion, begin when the mother soul is illu- 
 mined with the knowledge that to her is 
 given the trust of a soul, the beginning of 
 a new life. The spiritual mother nurtures, 
 loves and cherishes the child in thought be- 
 fore its advent. She is uplifted by the 
 knowledge that the beauty of its unfolding 
 is hers, and with it comes the uplifting in- 
 spiration to create a perfect life comes 
 the realization of her kinship with her 
 Maker. Such is true motherhood, the phys- 
 ical is simply the instrument for its expres- 
 sion. 
 
 25
 
 Mothers there are in whom the mother 
 love, the mother nature has developed by 
 the thought and care of the little ones, 
 who have never given physical birth to a 
 child. This spiritual awakening is often 
 noted in a childless woman, and the world 
 says : * * She ought to be a mother, she loves 
 children so. ' ' She is a mother in truth, in 
 the best sense, as soon as the mother soul 
 is awakened. 
 
 On the other hand, there are mothers 
 who have never realized the possibilities 
 of rising above the mere physiological 
 machinery of child bearing and the ma- 
 terial care of the child. Such have never 
 given real spiritual birth. To them mother- 
 hood means merely physical pain and the 
 mental and physical effort to care for a 
 child. Such are to be pitied, for the joys 
 of true motherhood are to them a blank 
 page. Some friend or sister who has ex- 
 perienced the awakening of the mother soul 
 is often the true spiritual mother of their 
 children. It is a pity, in such cases, that 
 the spiritual mother, married or single 
 often can not adopt the child. 
 
 26
 
 The spiritual mother sees to it that her 
 child does not suffer soul isolation or 
 starvation. She sees that body, mind and 
 spirit, the human trinity, receive equal 
 care. 
 
 Great masterpieces on canvas depict the 
 beauty of spiritual motherhood; in their 
 Madonnas they have achieved the highest 
 art. 
 
 Beautiful copies of these masterpieces, 
 in sepia tints and in black are sold at very 
 modest prices, excellent reproductions, 
 suitable for most artistic homes. They are 
 educative, inspiring and helpful to any 
 expectant mother. 
 
 Imitation 
 
 By example, poise, presence and move- 
 ment the mother impresses on the young 
 mind and soul the mental and moral results 
 of her thoughts.* 
 
 A child's tendencies and habits are 
 formed before he leaves the close compan- 
 
 * Publishers' Note: See "Reading of Character through 
 Bodily Expression" by Susanna Cocroft. 
 
 27
 
 ionship of his mother to mingle with 
 friends. If she is in good health, is well 
 poised mentally, morally and physically, 
 she can at least meet the responsibilities 
 of to-day, to-morrow, the future, with cour- 
 age and determination to discharge her full 
 duty. The result of this effort on her part 
 will be transmitted, or impressed, on her 
 children, and will blossom forth in will 
 power and sterling traits of character. 
 
 Example is more than precept the child 
 grows by imitation. Be yourself in both 
 mind and body the example of what you 
 would have him become ; let your physical 
 strength and your upright attitude inspire 
 him to soundness, to freedom and to up- 
 rightness of body and mind. 
 
 Many conditions ordinarily termed in- 
 herited are the unconscious imitation of 
 parents, or teachers, or are the result of 
 the nerve impulse which the child receives 
 from the mother in its tender years. 
 
 Form for yourself, first, the habit of 
 correct bodily poise. The mother who 
 moves about her home with drooping head 
 and chest, rounding shoulders and slouch- 
 
 28
 
 ing hips, will never be able to measure the 
 effect on those about her, will never meas- 
 ure the depressing effect on growing chil- 
 dren. 
 
 Let no woman put a picture of an ideal 
 figure in her home, for educative effect, 
 which is more beautiful in physical and 
 spiritual expression than she herself is. 
 
 The upright head and body inspire to up- 
 rightness of thought; the rounded, full 
 chest expresses courage ; the very lifting of 
 the chest and inflation of a full draught of 
 pure air give strength and poise. It 
 helps to rid the system of impurities and 
 brings all vital organs to proper position. 
 
 The reflex action of bodily poise on 
 mental balance is too broad a study to be 
 discussed here; but, mothers, remember 
 that your children grow by imitation. 
 
 Do not lose sight of the fact that happi- 
 ness and health are habits, that a child's 
 nerves are very responsive, and habits are 
 very quickly formed in the early years. 
 
 A happy face, a buoyant poise and a 
 cheerful tone have much to do in forming 
 
 29
 
 habits of looking on the bright side of 
 lift. If you form the habit of cheer and 
 brightness in your child, by your own ex- 
 ample, you have tided him over many an 
 otherwise disagreeable experience in years 
 to come. A habit of looking on the duties 
 of life, not as worries, but as a series of 
 events to be met with a well-poised brain 
 and a happy mental attitude, is indeed a 
 heritage. It is worth more to him than 
 gold. 
 
 Inheritance and Environment 
 
 Environment plays a most important 
 part in the lives of children ; yet if they are 
 born with strong natures they are better 
 equipped to rise above surroundings which 
 tend to degradation, and will some day 
 grow out of it. 
 
 A mother not only transmits tendencies 
 to her children, but through the environ- 
 ment and habits of thought she creates for 
 them, and which she teaches them to assist 
 her in creating, she largely determines 
 their future. 
 
 so
 
 Do not allow your child to relax to the 
 impression that he is a "creature of en- 
 vironment." Bather train him in the 
 thought that he can mold his environment 
 to conform to his highest, best motives and 
 purposes. 
 
 Do not make the grievous error of as- 
 suming that you are the product merely of 
 your ancestors' ways of living and think- 
 ing and that your life is thus beyond your 
 control. This thought is disastrous to all 
 endeavor. 
 
 We are too apt to lose sight of the fact 
 that we inherit good tendencies which far 
 outnumber the bad. 
 
 "The mothers of great men have them- 
 selves been great," is an aphorism based, 
 to a degree, on facts, but often the world 
 does not discover the mother's greatness 
 until it is recognized in the son. After 
 maturity each is, in the greatest measure, 
 the product of his own way of living and 
 thinking. If one's progenitors have trans- 
 mitted to him, certain evil tendencies, it 
 puts on him an obligation to correct them to 
 
 31
 
 such an extent that they will not be trans- 
 mitted to, or impressed on his offspring. 
 Here one faces true personal responsibility. 
 
 In the short span of life allotted to each 
 mother she can at least begin a tendency 
 towards right and noble living that will 
 conquer, or turn aside, the evil tendencies 
 stretching through the ages. We live but 
 for a day, but good or bad influences live 
 on and on, manifesting themselves from 
 generation to generation, and impressing 
 us through the " choir invisible." 
 
 It is only hereditary tendencies which are 
 inherited, not the conditions themselves, 
 and tendencies can be corrected. Make the 
 most of whatever sterling qualities have 
 been transmitted to you, or impressed on 
 you, and you will reap the reward of your 
 efforts in mental and spiritual growth, and 
 in the advancement of your children. 
 
 Every child born of fond, true parents, 
 with a clean, wholesome body, who has been 
 cherished in thought and deed through its 
 entire fetal life, is nobly born. No child 
 need ask for a better heritage. Through 
 
 32
 
 individual integrity and effort, every man 
 may become a king, every woman a queen. 
 
 Children born with, or who have culti- 
 vated strong wills and great force of 
 character, imitate least ; they most quickly 
 rise above environment. But the inspira- 
 tion and desire to rise must be quickened 
 by the right ideals. These ideals once fixed, 
 the battle is half won. It is the weaker 
 nature that accepts the conditions of life 
 as inevitable and makes no effort to rise 
 above them. Yet this acceptance and the 
 habit of hiding behind environment as an 
 excuse may grow up out of the strongest if 
 the impression is made under the stress of 
 emotion. 
 
 Ease and luxury are not conducive to de- 
 velopment. It must come through personal 
 endeavor, through the natural process of 
 evolution, or as an inheritance from pro- 
 genitors who have met obstacles and con- 
 quered them, who, having conquered, do not 
 forget or disregard Nature's immutable 
 laws. The children of the middle class, 
 born into environment where strong and 
 weak natures alike are put to the crucial 
 
 33
 
 test, most often rise to greatest power. 
 Out of endeavor is born strength and 
 courage. 
 
 Unwholesome ideas should be banished, 
 and the habit of looking for good in friend 
 and foe, for right motives underlying all 
 human effort should be fully impressed on 
 the growing child. Remember that good is 
 infinitely higher and stronger than evil and 
 that health, kindness and love are the 
 natural states and the atmosphere for 
 growth. 
 
 Keep the mind of your child on the posi- 
 tive; teach him to face the right, to look 
 for the highest and the best in nature and 
 in all life, and you will give him the price- 
 less heritage of true nobility and true 
 happiness. 
 
 Selection and Education 
 for Parenthood 
 
 The great geniuses of the world, men 
 and women who have done and dared, who 
 have achieved, who have accomplished 
 most, who have conferred greatest benefits 
 
 34
 
 on humanity, were born right. Their 
 parents made conscientious and joyous pre- 
 parations for their coming; they were 
 loved, cherished and tenderly fostered in 
 thought before their conception. 
 
 It is needless to add that harmonious con- 
 jugal relations are most essential to such 
 a birth. 
 
 Life holds no greater responsibility than 
 that of bringing into the world a helpless 
 human being. That life should be handi- 
 capped before it is given is heinous, yet 
 how little time is given to the study of 
 eugenics. * 
 
 The study of engenics includes not only 
 the selection for parenthood based on 
 heredity, but also the protection of those 
 selected, in so far as it has to do with 
 prevention of the conception of life. 
 
 When will the world arouse to the re- 
 sponsibility of preventing conception by 
 
 *Every young man and young woman will do well to read 
 Parenthood and Race Culture by Caleb William Saleeby, M. D., 
 Ch. B., F. Z. R. Edinburgh Sexual Knowledge and other sex books 
 by Dr. Winfield Scott Hall, Northwestern University Medical School, 
 Chicago. 
 
 35
 
 sterilization in morons or prevention by 
 other means in those who would transmit 
 incurable disease to posterity? 
 
 The destruction of life is a crime. The 
 prevention, where every sign points to an 
 insurmountable physical handicap, is a 
 duty. 
 
 A most sacred duty devolves on parents 
 to educate their children in these laws of 
 life. 
 
 In the fulfillment of life's evolution a 
 natural desire is implanted in the breast 
 of every mother worthy the name, that her 
 children have better opportunities than she 
 has enjoyed; that they may reach the 
 highest possible standard of mental, moral 
 and physical development; that they may 
 attain to the fullest measure of life's 
 success and happiness. 
 
 As long as there are mothers, ignorant 
 and narrow, or others who are contented 
 merely to be pretty and wear fashionable 
 gowns, who cannot, or do not rise above 
 the trivialities of gossip and senseless van- 
 ities of fashion, children with similar ten- 
 
 36
 
 dencies will be conceived. And just so long 
 as the world holds mothers who are 
 avaricious, greedy for power, or who 
 regard wealth, beyond their personal needs, 
 as their god, will these tendencies be trans- 
 mitted to their children. Yes, and just so 
 long as mothers harbor jealous, envious, 
 bitter, unclean and unworthy thoughts, 
 will these likewise be transmitted to 
 posterity, through the great law of spirit 
 impress. 
 
 Too many parents have a deep-seated 
 idea that they have conferred a grave 
 obligation on a child by giving it birth, 
 believing that it should be humbly grateful 
 to them for such life, no matter how hard 
 and joyless it may be. Why should it be 
 grateful! 
 
 Just how far a child's moral obligation 
 to its parents extends, when they recognize 
 no moral obligation in bringing it into the 
 world, is a question. 
 
 The primary right of every child is to be 
 born not only well, but "on purpose." If 
 it has not been longed for, loved, and its 
 
 37
 
 coming anticipated in the most intelligent 
 and thoughtful manner, it has sustained 
 an injury before its birth. Maternal love, 
 when awakened at conception, however, will 
 insure it, to a very large extent, advantage- 
 ous prenatal influences and be an operating 
 factor in its entire life. An incompetent 
 artist is merely a pathetic failure ; a super- 
 ficial woman lawyer simply goes clientless ; 
 a trivial woman doctor may get a chance to 
 cure a few patients, but her career of harm 
 will be brief; a shallow or lazy woman 
 journalist will be crowded out and back by 
 industrious competitors; but a superficial, 
 shallow, incompetent or trivial mother will 
 poison the stream of life as it flows on and 
 on in an endless widening of incompetence, 
 of pain or disease, of insanity or of crime. 
 The realization of our fondest hopes 
 comes to us through deliberate and intell- 
 igent planning. We carefully guard our 
 pet animals and avoid such cross-breeding 
 as would result in a deterioration of their 
 species ; we watch and tend with much care 
 the flowers of our garden, giving* them 
 intelligent stimulation and nourishment to 
 
 38
 
 encourage perfect fruition; yet in the re- 
 production of our own species, the highest, 
 the most complicated and most sacred 
 process in Nature's scheme, we depend on 
 chance to work miracles. 
 
 It is a lasting reproach to the intelligence 
 of the age that man, woman or child should 
 feel ashamed, or refrain from an intelligent 
 understanding of himself, and of the beauti- 
 ful law of generation. Such a view of 
 life's duties and obligations is unwhole- 
 some and erroneous. Too many women 
 pride themselves on their ignorance of 
 these laws through a mistaken idea that 
 such knowledge means more modesty and 
 refinement. 
 
 Real safety lies alone in knowledge, not 
 only for the mother and for young women 
 contemplating marriage, but also for the 
 child. 
 
 The information should be imparted by 
 parents, attended by the refining and en- 
 nobling thoughts which a parent would in- 
 stinctively give. It should be given the 
 
 39
 
 grave importance which it occupies in the 
 life of every human being. 
 
 Mothers, fathers, this is an education you 
 owe to your children. Do not shun it, do 
 not give them the impression that there 
 is anything about this sacred duty and 
 privilege of parenthood which cannot be 
 discussed freely with father and mother. 
 
 Many a young boy or girl falls through 
 ignorance or through sheer curiosity to 
 know something of the, to them, mystical 
 sex relation, while knowledge would have 
 safeguarded them. 
 
 Sex instinct is natural in every normal 
 child and information will come to him 
 from some source. First impressions are 
 hard to efface. If the knowledge comes 
 first from you, he will instinctively turn 
 from grosser thoughts. If you do not ex- 
 plain to him, and if He be allowed to brood 
 over it his curiosity may become morbid. 
 
 Teach the young inquirer that all thought 
 in regard to this instinct should be kept 
 clean and upright, for the sacred duty of 
 parentage, and the perpetuation of sound 
 
 40
 
 manhood and womanhood. Make him to 
 know that true parenthood means pure 
 thoughts, a clean life and noble respon- 
 sibilities. 
 
 The true education of our girls must 
 teach them to guard and protect their 
 bodies, as the temple of life to come. False 
 modesty in refraining or shrinking from 
 this knowledge of generation is " woman- 
 ish, " not womanly. 
 
 Every young girl should know that the 
 young man to whom she plights her troth 
 is clean in mind as well as in body. That 
 he is manly. To be manly is to understand 
 himself and, understanding, to be the mas- 
 ter of his instincts so that, at such suitable 
 time as marriage seems wise and best, he 
 may transmit life in the spirit of a high 
 purpose that his offspring may have all 
 the heritage of sound mind and body nur- 
 tured by the wise protection of intelligent 
 parenthood. 
 
 The following are a few books which are 
 helpful for one preparing for motherhood 
 to read:
 
 1 "Parenthood and Race Culture, " by Caleb William Saleeby 12.50 
 
 2 "In Tone with the Infinite." by Ralph Waldo Trine 1.00 
 
 3 "Growth in Silence," by Susanna Cocroft 1.60 
 
 4 "Power in Bepose," by Anna PayBon Call 1.00 
 
 6 "The Kingship of Self Control." by William George Jordan 60 
 
 6 "The Woman Worth While." by Susanna Cooroft 1.60 
 
 7 "The Majesty of Calmness," by William George Jordan SO 
 
 8 The Poems of Longfellow. VVhittier, Wordsworth and Bryant, . 1.20 
 
 8 "Modern Painters." by John Ruskin, 6 vols 6.00 
 
 10 "Sesame and Lilies," by John Buskin 60 
 
 11 "Birds and Bees," by John Burroughs 40 
 
 12- "How to Enow the Wild Flowers," by Mrs. Dana 2.00 
 
 IS "Excursions in Forest and Field," by Henry I). Thoreau 1.20 
 
 14 "Bird Life," by Chapman 40 
 
 15 "Self Sufficiency," by Susanna Cocroft 75 
 
 16 "Adventures in Contentment," by David Grajson 1.25 
 
 17 "Adventures in Friendship," by David Grayson 1.25 
 
 Power in Repose 
 
 Too large a percentage of mothers, alas, 
 give full rein to their emotional natures, 
 losing sight of the fact that real power lies 
 in repose. They do not reason, they sim- 
 ply feel and suffer, hampering their men- 
 tal growth through emotionalism. Since 
 the emotional qualities are of a more prim- 
 itive nature than the mental ones, they are 
 oftener transmitted to the child. 
 
 During the first impressionable years, 
 when mind, body, and spirit are plastic as 
 the artist's clay, the character of his 
 thoughts, and the trend of his life are 
 mouldable by the mother love, the home 
 atmosphere and thought influence. A man 
 seldom gets far away from the teaching at 
 his mother's knee. 
 
 42
 
 The most lasting impressions are not 
 alone imparted to him through her voice, 
 but the deep, silent impress of lofty thought 
 comes through the vibrations in the quiet 
 hour, from the depth and power within. 
 "Only the serene soul is strong." 
 
 This strength in repose, in silence, is best 
 attained through the aid of a sound body, 
 because a sound body means a clear brain 
 and only through a clear brain can the 
 mind and soul function truly. 
 
 When this woman's spiritual insight is 
 safe-guarded by a practical knowledge of 
 her own being, she is capable of fulfilling 
 her highest mission in life true wifehood 
 and true motherhood. 
 
 No better or stronger qualities are trans- 
 missible to one's child than self-control 
 and the power of resistance, in its broadest 
 sense. The mother who cultivates these 
 traits instills into her child a natural power, 
 not only to resist disease, but mental and 
 moral temptations, and thus hands down 
 to posterity a priceless legacy. 
 
 43
 
 Spend a little time each day in silence 
 that you may keep in close harmony with 
 the Master Musician who holds the key- 
 note and keeps in vibration every chord of 
 your being. He is holding you closely now ; 
 you are now a Divine instrument with the 
 trust of a soul ; you are starting the rhythm 
 of a new life. It is sacred music. Listen, 
 and in the silence of the ' ' inner chamber, ' ' 
 with the door shut, you will hear the Divine 
 chord, audible to you alone. 
 
 Organs Of Generation 
 
 The generative organs form a wonder- 
 fully intricate and perfect system, all work- 
 ing in harmony to fulfill Nature's grand 
 purpose the perpetuation of the race. 
 
 Nature has provided these organs with 
 the greatest possible security. The con- 
 tour of the abdomen and thighs affords 
 protection. The buttocks form thick cush- 
 ions of strong muscles and shield the pelvic 
 cavity in sitting or falling, and in this nest, 
 packed about with muscular tissue and fat, 
 
 44
 
 the generative organs rest secure from all 
 but the gravest disaster. 
 
 The sacrum also partially protects the 
 generative organs, their nerves, arteries 
 and veins, from the weight of the intestines 
 from above, throwing the greater part of 
 the weight on the abdominal walls. These 
 walls in a healthy, well-poised woman, hold 
 the intestines in place. 
 
 The habit of sitting on the end of the 
 spine, or of standing with the chest de- 
 pressed and the thigh- joints forward how- 
 ever, will crowd all abdominal viscera out 
 of place. High-heeled shoes, likewise, 
 throw the lower pelvis forward and lessen 
 the protection that the sacrum naturally 
 affords the uterus and the ovaries. 
 
 The bones of the lower trunk form the 
 pelvic basin. The ossa innominata, the 
 irregular pubic bones which form the sides 
 and front of this basin, curve to meet in 
 front, the point of meeting being known as 
 the symphysis pubis. Its upper edge is 
 about three inches below the highest pro- 
 jections of the hip bones. 
 
 45
 
 The public arch is formed by the under 
 portion of the symphysis (Fig. 1). The 
 posterior borders of these bones unite with 
 
 Fig. 1 Female Pelvis seen 
 from the front. 
 
 Fig. 2 Outlet of Pelvis 
 seen from below. 
 
 Fig. 3. 
 
 the sacrum, the triangular section of the 
 lower spine, consisting of five vertebrae 
 solidly united. Its lower or narrower end 
 
 46
 
 is attached to the coccyx, the termination 
 of the spine. (See small projecting bone 
 at the end of the spine in Fig. 3). The 
 coccyx sometimes becomes displaced or 
 bent as the result of a fall. 
 
 The space enclosed by these bones is 
 known as the pelvic cavity. 
 
 The open spaces in the wall of this basin 
 are filled with muscular tissue. Tissue also 
 forms the floor of the pelvic cavity, and 
 fills the space between the tip of the coccyx 
 and the pubic bones in front. The bones 
 of the pelvis are so firmly bound together 
 by ligaments that movement is almost im- 
 possible. An exception is made, however, 
 at the junction of the coccyx and the in- 
 nominate bones with the sacrum, ennabling 
 the bones to separate slightly in childbirth. 
 This gives more room for the exit of the 
 child. The pelvic bones which form the 
 front of the basin also spread slightly at 
 childbirth, especially in a young mother. 
 
 The pelvic cavity, which, in women, 
 measures from four and one-half to five 
 and one-half inches in diameter, contains
 
 the generative organs which consist of the 
 vagina, the uterus, the fallopian tubes and 
 the ovaries. 
 
 Location of Organs 
 
 Looking down on the true pelvis from 
 above, the uterus, the fallopian tubes, and 
 the ovaries have the appearance of being 
 suspended in a swing, formed by nest of 
 ligaments, held in place by other rope-like 
 ligaments. But for this ingenious arrange- 
 ment of liganuents, which Nature has pro- 
 vided to hold them in place, and to give 
 them the freedom and ease they require, 
 the organs of generation would lie help- 
 lessly on the floor of the pelvis. This 
 suspension enables the organs to move with 
 every breath (particularly in deep breath- 
 ing) and with every motion of the lower 
 body. 
 
 48
 
 Fig. 4. CORRECT POSITION OF PELVIC ORGANS. 
 
 1. Uterus; 2. Ovary; 3, Fallopian tubes: 4, Peritoneum which 
 covers the ligaments supporting the uterus; 5, Bladder; 6, Os, or 
 opening into the uterus; 7, Vagina; 8, Rectum. 
 
 It will be noted that the uterus, in correct poise, slants for- 
 ward at an angle of above forty-five degrees. 
 
 The bladder lies just in front of the 
 vagina, and the rectum just behind it. 
 Hence, any disturbance of the generative 
 organs may affect both the bladder and the 
 rectum. 
 
 The peritoneum is the membrane which 
 lines the abdomen and covers the abdomi- 
 nal and pelvic organs. It dips down into 
 the lower pelvis, completely covering the 
 
 49*
 
 upper part of the uterus, the fallopian 
 tubes and the ovaries, presenting to them 
 a smooth surface to prevent friction from 
 the contact of the various parts. 
 
 This dipping of the peritoneum in front 
 and back of the generative organs forms 
 two folds, which envelop the organs and 
 form the ligaments which hold them in 
 place. On each side a fold envelops the 
 uterus, the fallopian tubes and ovaries, 
 and then passes to the walls of the pelvis 
 and upward. From the uterus two folds 
 pass backward, encircling the rectum, 
 thence upward. 
 
 There is also a dipping down of the peri- 
 toneum which forms, between the uterus 
 and rectum, a blind pouch extending down 
 the rectum and possibly a quarter the 
 length of the vagina. At the termination 
 of this that is, below it the front wall 
 of the rectum and back wall of the vagina 
 are practically one. Between the vagina 
 and bladder, in front of the uterus, the 
 peritoneum dips again, below which the 
 front wall of the vagina and the posterior 
 
 50
 
 walls of the bladder and urethra are prac- 
 tically one. 
 
 Since any condition which -causes im- 
 poverished blood weakens the ligaments, 
 rendering them so relaxed that they are 
 unable to hold the organs in proper posi- 
 tion, displacements or prolapsus may re- 
 sult and formerly operations were per- 
 formed for this condition, the uterus being 
 stitched to the abdominal wall (a position 
 as unnatural as the displacement). Often 
 all that is needed is to build up the general 
 tone of the entire system by regular exer- 
 cise, breathing and diet. Nature will thus 
 strengthen the ligaments to hold the organs 
 in natural position. 
 
 Happily the use of the knife for the 
 correction of weakened ligaments is becom- 
 ing less frequent. The knife does not cor- 
 rect the cause of the weakness, nor does it 
 strengthen the nerves or connecting tissues. 
 
 Exercises may be particularly directed 
 to promote a better circulation through the 
 pelvic organs, or to any vital organ, thus 
 bringing more blood and more nutrition to 
 
 51
 
 them, just as exercises bring more nourish- 
 ment and strength to the arms or the legs. 
 In case of prolapsus of the uterus, unless 
 the peritoneum has been wasted* away, or 
 punctured, there is no more reason in cut- 
 ting out a piece of the ligaments support- 
 ing the uterus and sewing them together to 
 shorten them, than there is in shortening 
 flabby arm muscles by cutting out a piece 
 and sewing them together. Proper nu- 
 trition, brought to any muscle by exercises, 
 thus a better circulation and a better blood 
 supply, will give tone to any organ. 
 
 Unless the organ itself and the surround- 
 ing tissues are strengthened the weight of 
 an organ stitched to another will drag it 
 down. 
 
 Since the bowels rest on the pelvic or- 
 gans, one can readily understand that tight 
 lacing, the weight of heavy clothing press- 
 ing on the abdomen, or an incorrect posi- 
 tion of the body while standing or sitting, 
 tends to crowd the bowels down on these 
 delicate organs. This may cause irrepar- 
 able injury by cramping them, or crowding 
 
 52
 
 them out of correct position. This will not 
 only undermine the health, but greatly in- 
 creases the dangers and suffering during 
 pregnancy and in childbirth. 
 
 Correct poise of the body in walking and 
 in standing therefore is of utmost import- 
 ance. 
 
 When the generative organs are in 
 correct position, as indicated by Figure 4, 
 they are able with every movement of the 
 torso to move forward, backward and side- 
 wise slightly. The space in which they 
 are held is small and their movement 
 necessarily restricted ; but the exercise thus 
 furnished is essential to perfect circulation 
 of pure blood through them and to a 
 healthy condition. 
 
 The promontory of the sacrum (the for- 
 ward projection at the upper end) partly 
 overhangs the uterus and furnishes the 
 only firm support of the bowels at that 
 point. It can therefore be readily seen 
 that a correct poise of the sacrum, as well 
 as the entire spine, is most essential to the 
 protection of the generative organs. 
 
 53
 
 The standing position of a very large 
 percent of women is such as to throw the 
 thigh joint too far forward. This forces 
 the promontory of the sacrum backward 
 and the coccyx forward. All the pelvic 
 organs are thus forced out of position and 
 the abdominal and pelvic organs lose the 
 support afforded by the sacrum. 
 
 The contents of both cavities the upper 
 and lower pelvis are held in proper posi- 
 tion by the muscular walls of the abdomen. 
 Proper and scientific exercise during preg- 
 nancy therefore, should strengthen these 
 muscular walls, that they may support the 
 weight of the child. 
 
 The Vagina 
 
 The Vagina is a highly elastic tube, ex- 
 tending from the vulva to the uterus. 
 (See 7, Fig. 4). Its walls curve backward 
 following the course of the rectum and are 
 slightly flattened. It varies in size and 
 length, according to the individual. The 
 upper end if firmly attached to the neck 
 of the uterus, which protrudes into it about 
 
 54
 
 three-fourths of an inch. It is Jined with 
 mucous membrane, and is supplied with 
 numerous little mucous crypts which in a 
 healthy condition pour out a sufficient 
 amount of mucus to lubricate the parts. 
 
 The lower orifice of the vagina is sur- 
 rounded by elastic tissues capable of great 
 distension one of Nature's provisions to 
 prevent injury at childbirth. When these 
 tissues are healthy, they stretch without 
 harm, and readily resume their normal 
 position. When inelastic, however, they 
 are often torn at the birth of a child. The 
 tissues between the vagina and anus, called 
 the perineum, are often lacerated at child- 
 birth; sometimes this muscular wall be- 
 tween the vagina and rectum is almost 
 wholly destroyed. 
 
 The Uterus (See 7, Fig. 4) is pear 
 shaped and consists of two parts ; the body, 
 the upper large extremity of which is 
 called the fundus, and the cervix or neck, 
 the smaller extremity, around which is at- 
 tached the upper portion of the vagina. It 
 
 55
 
 receives the impregnated ovum and retains 
 it during the term of pregnancy. 
 
 The uterus is about three inches long, 
 two inches broad and one inch thick. It is 
 composed of three coats. The external 
 covering is of serous membrane, a part of 
 the peritoneum; the internal coat is of 
 mucous membrane. Lying between these 
 two is the muscular coat which forms the 
 greater part of the organ, the inner cavity 
 being small compared to the size of the 
 uterus. 
 
 In normal position the uterus lies inclin- 
 ing forward at an angle of 45 degrees be- 
 tween the bladder and rectum, suspended 
 by its eight ligaments. The most import- 
 ant of these are the lateral or road liga- 
 ments, and the round ligaments. The 
 broad ligaments are formed of folds of 
 peritoneum extending from the uterus to 
 the sides of the pelvis. Between the folds 
 lie the ovaries, the fallopian tubes and the 
 round ligaments which pass down and for- 
 ward to their points of attachment. 
 
 The cavity of the uterus is shaped like 
 a triangle, its base upward. Its anterior 
 
 56
 
 and posterior walls are in close relation, 
 the upper angles containing the opening of 
 the fallopian tubes. 
 
 The uterine lining consists of mucous 
 membrane which is smooth, soft and pale 
 red. In it lie the uterine glands. When 
 pregnancy occurs the lining is thrown into 
 folds or ridges which serve as points of 
 attachment for the developing ovum and 
 allow for the distention of the uterine 
 walls. 
 
 The mucous membrane lining the cervix, 
 or neck of the uterus, is continuous with 
 that lining the body, but presents numerous 
 folds which are so arranged that they re- 
 semble the trunk and branching limbs of a 
 tree. Hence they have been called the 
 arbor vitae or tree of life. They become 
 more or less indistinct after childbirth. 
 The cervix narrows at its inner and outer 
 portions into small openings known as the 
 inner and outer os or mouth. The inner 
 opens into the cavity of the uterine body; 
 the outer into the vagina. 
 
 The cervix contains numerous tiny 
 glands which secrete an alkaline mucus. 
 
 57
 
 This serves to keep the tissues moist. 
 
 The muscular coat of the uterus contains 
 three closely connected layers of muscle 
 fibers. As they run in different directions 
 they secure the thorough contraction of the 
 uterus during and after childbirth. This 
 coat contains the blood vessels. 
 
 During menstruation these blood vessels 
 become enlarged as more blood surges into 
 them due to the vaso motor nerve influence, 
 [reflected from the ripening egg in the 
 ovary; probably, also, from the peculiar 
 influence exerted by the ovarian secretion. 
 
 During the term of pregnancy the inter- 
 lacing of the muscle fibers in every direc- 
 tion permits the enormous uniform expan- 
 sion of the uterus to accommodate the 
 growing child. 
 
 After childbirth the uterus regains near- 
 ly its normal size, but the cervix shows the 
 fissures caused by the exit of the child and 
 the cavity of the body is larger than in the 
 virgin state. 
 
 It can be seen from its location and the 
 way it is hung in the pelvic basin or cavity 
 how easily it may be displaced by an over 
 
 58
 
 full bladder or rectum or be prolapsed by 
 the pressure of the intestines and other 
 abdominal organs above it. Faulty sitting 
 or standing postures may cause it to be 
 bent forward or backward with pressure 
 on the nerves and congestion in the blood 
 vessels. All sorts of uterine difficulties and 
 derangements of menstruation are thus 
 brought about. 
 
 High heeled shoes have a tendency to tip 
 the uterus backward. 
 
 Blood Vessels. The arteries of the 
 uterus are remarkable for the twisted, 
 winding course they take through the 
 uterine tissues. They make frequent join- 
 ings with other arteries, thus forming a 
 dense network with its general direction 
 horizontally around the organ. The veins 
 are also numerous and join freely with each 
 other but do not twist and wind like the 
 arteries. Because of the general direction 
 of the vessels there is a greater tendency 
 toward stagnation of the blood. For this 
 reason congestion of the uterus frequently 
 occurs. Hence the necessity of securing a 
 
 59
 
 free circulation of pure blood, by exercises 
 for all of the pelvic organs. 
 
 Nerves. A perfect network of nerves 
 covers the face of the sacrum behind the 
 uterus. Everywhere throughout the gen- 
 erative system are nerve centers and nerve 
 fibres branching in all directions. These 
 small branches unite with the great 
 branches which enter the spinal cord, 
 thence running to the brain. The sympa- 
 thetic nerve centers controlling these or- 
 gans are particularly sensitive. 
 
 The sympathetic nerves equalize the cir- 
 culation and regulate the distribution of 
 nutriment. A diseased condition of the 
 organs of generation interferes with this 
 equal distribution of nutriment, impairs 
 circulation, and affects the entire nervous 
 system. * 
 
 An incorrect poise of the spine, common 
 to so many women, causes pressure on 
 these nerves, weakens them, and the entire 
 
 Publishers* Note: The nerves controlling the generative 
 system are clearly shown on cuts published in the "Body 
 Manikin" and in "The Nervous System," by Susanna Cocroft. 
 
 60
 
 generative system suffers in consequence. 
 High heels cause such pressure. 
 
 The nervous system is too intricate and 
 delicate a piece of machinery to be mis- 
 used or abused ; an incorrect poise and con- 
 sequent pressure on nerve centers and gan- 
 glia is a flagrant abuse of it, and is the 
 primary cause of much suffering. 
 
 The Fallopian Tubes extend from the 
 upper angles of the uterus to the ovaries 
 (See 3, Fig. 3). They are about four inches 
 in length. They are located in the folds of 
 the broad ligament of the uterus. Their 
 walls are muscular, the tissues being con- 
 tinuous with the tissues of the uterus. 
 
 The Fallopian Tubes convey the eggs, or 
 ova, from the ovaries to the uterus. They 
 open into the abdominal cavity by trumpet- 
 shaped mouths, which terminate in a 
 fringe, or a number of slender finger-like 
 filaments. To aid the conveying of the 
 ovum to the uterus the mucous membrane 
 lining the tubes is provided with a vast 
 number of minute cilia, or hair-like pro- 
 
 61
 
 cesses, which forces the ovum towards the 
 uterus. 
 
 When ovulation or the expelling of the 
 ripened ovum occurs, the fringed end 
 receives the ovum which is propelled to- 
 ward it by the movement in the peritioneal 
 fluid occasioned by the wave-like action of 
 the cilia. 
 
 The Ovaries- Nature has, indeed, shown 
 marvelous care and ingenuity in construct- 
 ing the ovaries. (See 2, Fig. 4). The 
 uterus cradles the egg or ovum after im- 
 pregnation until the time of birth, but the 
 ovaries are the nests in which the eggs are 
 stored. A woman deprived of them loses 
 a priceless possession, for they not only 
 play a very important part in her bodily 
 and mental growth, but on them depends 
 the propagation of mankind. Therefore, 
 their disease or removal is resented by 
 every part of the body, and both mind and 
 body often suffer. Their influence on de- 
 velopment is so great that when, as is 
 sometimes necessary, they are removed at 
 an early age, neither the uterus nor pelvis 
 
 62
 
 develops as it should at the time of 
 puberty. 
 
 They are situated on either side of the 
 uterus, below and behind the fallopian 
 tubes, in the folds of the broad ligament. 
 They are about the size and shape of an al- 
 mond, from an inch to an inch and a half 
 in length, about three-quarters of an inch 
 in breadth, and about a third of an inch 
 thick. Each ovary consists of a number of 
 little follicles or cavities set in a frame- 
 work of connective tissue, and supplied 
 with blood vessels, nerves, lymphatics, and 
 muscular fibers. Each follicle is about one 
 one-hundredth of an inch in diameter, ex- 
 cept those which contain the ova near their 
 ripening. These are larger, more irregular 
 and contain a transparent albuminous fluid 
 in which the egg is suspended. 
 
 Even before birth the rudimentary eggs 
 contained in the ovaries of a female child 
 are discernible. There are thousands of 
 these minute eggs, each one occupying its 
 little follicle, each follicle having an abund- 
 ant and independent supply of blood, as 
 well as an independent set of nerves. 
 
 63
 
 During the girl's childhood and youth 
 Nature expends all her forces in the pro- 
 cess of development of brain, bone and 
 muscle. The ovaries, however, lie prac- 
 tically dormant until the age of puberty, 
 when they take on an activity which they 
 retain throughout the entire child-bearing 
 period. 
 
 At each menstruation an egg ripens in 
 one of the follicles. It bursts through its 
 thin covering, enters the fallopian tube and 
 passes to the uterus. If it becomes im- 
 pregnated in the tube, as is now thought to 
 be usually the case, it may be several days 
 before the ovum reaches the uterus. Mean- 
 while changes have been going on in the 
 mucous lining of the uterus. It is thrown 
 up into folds or ridges, one of which re- 
 ceives the ovum which has already begun 
 to develop into an human embryo. If not 
 impregnated, the ovum passes away. 
 
 There is a supposition that the ovaries 
 alternate with each other in ripening an 
 egg at menstruation. This is not proven. 
 Many efforts at pre-natal determination of 
 sex have been the result of this theory. 
 
 64
 
 Thousands of the rudimentary eggs perish 
 in their follicles undeveloped. When all 
 that Nature intends to use have ripened 
 and been cast out, the menopause (change 
 of life) occurs, and the child-bearing 
 period is ended. 
 
 Puberty 
 
 In the life of every individual, plant, 
 animal or human, there is a time when it 
 is capable of reproducing itself. In the 
 human this is called the period of 
 puberty. The entire system undergoes 
 rapid changes. The boy or girl shoots 
 quickly up into the stature of manhood or 
 womanhood. It is at this time that the 
 ordinary parents show such criminal lack 
 of wise guidance of the boy or girl. Many 
 cases of life-long invalidism might be pre- 
 vented if parents were alive to their busi- 
 ness of parenthood. The decreasing 
 vitality of the average American should 
 awaken serious thought as to the reasons 
 therefor and methods to prevent further 
 decrease. Over work in school, late hours, 
 
 65
 
 social dissipation, faulty habits of eating, 
 wrong mental tone, all cause an influence 
 on the body at this critical time, the effects 
 of which may be indeed visited on the 
 second and third generation. 
 
 Parents should particularly see to it that 
 young people stand upright at this time 
 especially is this true of the growing girl. 
 As will be seen in a preceding chapter, 
 the baby boy and girl should be reared 
 from birth with the idea of their potential 
 parenthood. Wise care of the growing 
 child will do away with many of the 
 problems that beset the age of adole- 
 scence. Much of the wilfulness that de- 
 velops at this time is simply the result of 
 the effort of the boy and girl to "find them- 
 selves." And conscious of not being un- 
 derstood by those who should understand, 
 finding poor help or no help at all in them, 
 they grope their way toward anything or 
 anybody from whom they may gain the 
 knowledge they dimly feel they must have, 
 though they do not know just what it 
 should be. 
 
 66
 
 It seems strange that parents who re- 
 member their own thoughts and feelings 
 at this period are so careless and indiffer- 
 ent as to what is going on in the minds of 
 their children. What gross misunderstand- 
 ing, and lack of all delicacy of perception, 
 do we constantly see in the action of 
 parents toward their children during this 
 time of transition. 
 
 The mind, as well as the body, is alter- 
 ing to fit new conditions; the will is 
 vacillating, is changeable. The emotions 
 are largely in the ascendant; children are 
 intuitive, they feel, they do not reason. 
 Their emotions are variable, so that unless 
 self-control has been taught the boy or girl 
 from infancy, habits may be acquired which 
 will be a distinct detriment to their well 
 being in the future. 
 
 In the girl the pelvis broadens and deep- 
 ens, the uterus and ovaries rapidly develop, 
 the ova begin to mature and the function 
 of menstruation is established. 
 
 The tenderest solicitude should be shown 
 young girls from ten to sixteen years 
 of age. Not only should they be fully in- 
 
 67
 
 formed by their mothers regarding this 
 natural function, but their health should be 
 guarded with the utmost care, and under 
 no circumstances should they be over- 
 worked, physically or mentally. The health 
 of thousands of our young girls is wrecked 
 by overstudy during these years. 
 
 Menstruation 
 
 Until comparatively recent years, it was 
 generally believed that menstruation de- 
 pended on the maturing of the ovum and 
 its release from the ovary. However, since 
 removal of the ovaries has established the 
 fact that a woman sometimes menstruates 
 regularly without these organs, the theory 
 that menstruation depends on ovulation has 
 been disputed. 
 
 However it is agreed that there is some 
 connection between the function pf the 
 ovary and the appearance of the menses, 
 although its exact nature has not yet been 
 learned. It is a fact, that in countries in 
 which early marriages are the rule, children 
 have been born before their mothers have 
 
 68
 
 menstruated. Children have been born 
 after the cessation of the menses at the 
 time of the menopause. So the ovarian 
 influence cannot be said to be invariable. 
 
 Menstruation after puberty recurs, as a 
 rule, every twenty-eight days and con- 
 tinues, on an average, for four days. It 
 terminates with the menopause, or change 
 of life. It usually covers a period of from 
 thirty to thirty-five years, varying with 
 climate, race and individual. 
 
 A normal and healthy discharge of blood 
 during menstruation brings a sense of well 
 being the brain is cleared, the nerves re- 
 lieved. It will be plainly seen that the 
 blood supply should be normal, the organs 
 developed and in correct position, in order 
 that there may be no impediment to the 
 natural flow. 
 
 It was formerly thought that the source 
 of menstruation was the disintegration of 
 the lining of the uterus, which, together 
 with waste of the system was discharged 
 monthly. Later investigations have proven 
 that in normal menstruation this lining is 
 
 69
 
 not destroyed, only a few of the epithelial 
 cells being removed. An excessive amount 
 of blood is sent to the pelvic organs at this 
 time, and the tiny capillaries are swollen 
 and gorged with blood. Some of them 
 apparently rupture from the strain, while 
 the blood oozes through the thin walls of 
 others, collecting like sweat on the surface 
 of the lining membrane. 
 
 In cases in which the texture of the lining 
 membrane changes whereby it is softened 
 and loosened and finally discharged, the 
 structure of the uterus is altered. Sterility 
 accompanies this condition, the uterus be- 
 ing unable to retain the ovum. 
 
 It has been practically proved that the 
 ripening of the ovum takes about 14 days 
 after menstruation begins and its discharge 
 from the ovary occurs then. From this it 
 has been supposed that the function of 
 menstruation is to fit the uterus for the 
 attachment and growth of the ovum. 
 
 When the follicle containing the egg 
 ruptures and the egg is discharged, there 
 remains a substance which forms what is 
 
 70
 
 called the corpus luteum. Since the ovary 
 is one of the ductless glands it has been 
 thought that the corpus luteum furnishes 
 the hormone or secretion which exerts a 
 peculiar effect on the uterine tissue. In 
 pregnancy the corpus luteum enlarges and 
 remains throughout the entire term. It is 
 thought that it furnishes the secretion 
 which keeps the uterus in good tone for the 
 growth of the child. If pregnancy does not 
 occur, the corpus luteum gradually dimin- 
 ishes in size and shrinks into a minute scar 
 on the surface of the ovary. 
 
 The ovaries are more vascular at the 
 time of menstruation, owing to the in- 
 creased activity of the generative system. 
 As the ripened ovum bursts through its 
 membrane and tears the epithelial cover- 
 ing of the ovary, there is a small discharge 
 of blood from the tearing of the tiny capil- 
 laries. 
 
 When the rupture of the uterine capil- 
 laries occurs, several days elapse before 
 the torn tissues unite. The length of the 
 flow is determined by the length of time 
 taken by the capillaries to heal themselves. 
 
 71
 
 A prolonged menstrual flow indicates 
 that the capillaries have not healed. This 
 may be due to impoverished blood which 
 prevents its coagulation. An excess of the 
 ovarian hormone also prevents the coagula- 
 tion of the blood. A weakened condition of 
 the nerves or a foreign growth may also 
 be a cause. 
 
 After the menopause the generative or- 
 gans, having no further active work to do, 
 shrink. 
 
 The flow, which is pink in color at the 
 beginning of menstruation, becomes, at its 
 height, the color of arterial blood, gradual- 
 ly changing to a rusty color. Any abnor- 
 mal odor or coagulation of the flow indi- 
 cates a deranged condition, just as a foul 
 breath indicates a stagnant condition of the 
 digestive system. 
 
 The majority of women menstruate dur- 
 ing the first quarter of the moon, a few at 
 new and full moon. 
 
 While, as a rule, menstruation occurs 
 every twenty-eight days, yet a woman may 
 
 78
 
 be perfectly normal and menstruate regu- 
 larly every three weeks. In some cases the 
 time between the periods is lengthened in- 
 stead. If, in such cas"es, she remains en- 
 tirely well and the period recurs regularly, 
 it is evident that this is a physical pecul- 
 iarity, and there is no cause for worry. 
 
 In some women the flow may be irregular. 
 In these cases the flow is usually delayed 
 from two days to a Week, while in other 
 respects the health seems perfect. In these 
 cases menstruation would seem to depend 
 on ovulation, the ova ripening irregularly. 
 
 It is natural for some women to men- 
 struate profusely and feel all the better 
 for it, while others have but a scant flow 
 yet feel perfectly well. If this has always 
 been the case and the health is unimpaired 
 by the frequency and quantity of menstrua- 
 tion, , it cannot be regarded in such indi- 
 viduals as abnormal. If, on >the other 
 hand, the health is affected by such fre- 
 quency, profusion or scantiness of the flow, 
 an abnormal condition is indicated and 
 should be corrected at- once, else in time the 
 health will seriously suffer. As a rule the 
 
 73
 
 flow is more profuse in warm climates than 
 in cold. 
 
 The process of menstruation not only 
 involves energy, but the generative organs 
 become highly sensitized, owing partly to 
 the unusual nerve stimulus and to the 
 greatly increased blood supply. The 
 uterus, the fallopian tubes and ovaries may 
 be considerably congested, because they 
 have their certain work to do in connection 
 with the process. This increases the weight 
 of the organs and the strain on the liga- 
 ments. 
 
 Since this is a natural function, it should 
 be painless. 
 
 Ovarian extract lessens blood pressure 
 and the coagulability of the blood. The 
 secretion of this extract is thought to pre- 
 vent clotting of the menstrual blood. It 
 also has some influence on the thyroid 
 gland. 
 
 Only perfect health will enable the or- 
 gans to bear the intense strain placed on 
 them at this time. They are benefited, 
 however, and bear it painlessly if in a 
 
 74
 
 healthy condition, just as the liver, 
 stomach, lungs, etc., are rendered healthier 
 and stronger by properly doing the work 
 which Nature designed for them. 
 
 Pregnancy 
 
 When conception takes place, a woman 
 assumes the crowning responsibility of her 
 life, for she then enters into the marvelous 
 work of creation into a partnership with 
 God. She is then confronted by? the wond- 
 rous mystery of life physical, mental and 
 spiritual. She is a sacred instrument in 
 fulfilling a most beautiful and most immut- 
 able law of Nature. 
 
 It is needless to say that she should ap- 
 proach the subject with the utmost rever- 
 ence, and with such knowledge as is pos- 
 sible to finite intelligence. 
 
 Anticipation of this Eastertide in her 
 life must draw her closer to her Maker, 
 must awaken and enkindle Divine aspira- 
 tions. A soul has been entrusted to her 
 care a child which may become under her 
 guiding hand a happy and useful member 
 
 75
 
 of society or a discontented incompetent a 
 burden to society and a reproach to the 
 mother who bore him. 
 
 The prospective mother should guard, 
 therefore, her health, her thought, her con- 
 duct. She lives no longer to herself alone ; 
 her life-physical, mental, spiritual during 
 the nine months of gestation moulds to an 
 extent as yet unknown the health, the hap- 
 piness and the destiny of her child an 
 immortal who may have the potentates of a 
 Mozart, a Liszt, a Titian, a Coreggio, a 
 Bonheur, an Eliot, a de Stael, a Willard, a 
 Patti, a Shakespeare, a Savonarola, a 
 Ruskin, a Gladstone, a Lincoln. 
 
 In preparing for pregnancy a woman 
 should see to it that her body is perfectly 
 sound and wholesome, in condition to bear 
 a pure, sweet and healthy child. Since a 
 mother's vital energy is severely taxed 
 during pregnancy she needs abundant re- 
 serve force at this time, for her mental 
 strength and moral poise depend on this. 
 She must also be sufficiently strong in the 
 thought of the new life entrusted to her, 
 to resist influences be they physical ap- 
 
 76
 
 petites or mental or moral weaknesses 
 which militate against her strength and 
 menace the life and well being of her child. 
 Otherwise she is in no condition for the 
 sacred privilege of motherhood. If any 
 disease exists, especially of the genital 
 organs, she should be promptly and pro- 
 perly treated. By far the best and only 
 right method is to correct any disease or 
 weakness, and prepare body and mind for 
 the new life and new duties before con- 
 ception. 
 
 The wife and mother must be sufficiently 
 strong in spiritual and mental force to 
 assert her rights of womanhood and 
 motherhood, and at the same time cement 
 the affection andi retain the homage of her 
 husband. A true man will give to his wife 
 a sacred deference, respect and chivalry at 
 such a time, which draws closer the tender, 
 holy bond between them. The thought of 
 the dainty baby fingers is an invisible link 
 stronger than legal bands. 
 
 Any violation of the purpose of Nature 
 at this time in an effort to destroy the em- 
 bryonic child is a crime and an outrage. 
 
 77
 
 ' ' Thou shall not kill ' ' thunders Sinai. The 
 crime degrades the mother who kills her 
 child as much hers at one month as one 
 year. She has insulted Nature and the 
 effect upon her future life in dulling her 
 moral responsibilities is incalculable. 
 
 She has denied herself the highest 
 privilege in the gift of the Creator a joint 
 partnership in the granting of life to a 
 human soul. 
 
 The processes involved in pregnancy are : 
 Ovulation, Impregnation, Gestation and 
 Parturition. 
 
 By Ovulation is meant the escape of the 
 ovum or egg from the ovary. 
 
 By Impregnation, the contact and min- 
 gling of the male sperm with the ovum or 
 female germ. 
 
 By Gestation, the development of the 
 ovum in the uterus during its stages of em- 
 bryonic or fetal life. 
 
 By Parturition, the birth of the child. 
 
 Ovulation has been discussed under men- 
 struation. Nature has ingeniously arrang- 
 
 78
 
 ed, through floral and vegetable kingdoms, 
 for the reproduction of species. For in- 
 stance, in plants, whose blossoms contain 
 both the male and female principle, the 
 parts are so arranged that when the male 
 pollen ripens it drops on the female ovules 
 beneath, and fertilizes them. On one plant 
 some of the blossoms may be male and 
 others female. When all blossoms are 
 either male or female, as in the strawberry, 
 the male and female varieties should be 
 planted in alternate rows, or the berries 
 will grow smaller and smaller each year 
 and the plants finally cease to yield fruit. 
 
 Certain insects, enticed by a secretion 
 of honey, go within the blossoms to seek 
 it. As they do so, they brush against the 
 pistil which is covered with pollen. Having 
 gathered the honey the bee or other insect 
 flies to other flowers to secure their store. 
 Should the flower be a female the pollen is 
 deposited from the legs of the bee on the 
 stamens which wait to receive it. Thus 
 fertilization is complete and the seeds ripen 
 to produce other plants of the same species. 
 
 79
 
 In this way the perpetuation of the race 
 of plants is secured. 
 
 Impregnation is the uniting of positive 
 and negative forces. It occurs when the 
 male sperm meets the matured human 
 ovum; the fertilized ovum finds lodgment 
 and develops in the uterus, and a new life 
 is begun. 
 
 The ovum or egg, after it matures and is 
 discharged from the ovary, may retain its 
 life for from six to eight days, and con- 
 sume that length of time in making its 
 exit from the uterus in the event of its 
 not becoming impregnated. With many 
 women the ovum passes off within twenty- 
 four to forty hours after the cessation of 
 the menses. 
 
 Ordinarily impregnation is likely to 
 occur within six or eight days after men- 
 struationor a few days preceding it. 
 However, exceptions to this may occur in 
 diseased conditions, or in cases of a long 
 separation of husband and wife. It seems 
 also a fairly well-proved fact that the male 
 
 80
 
 sperm will live for some days, if retained 
 in its own element at a certain temperature. 
 
 As stated, it is now pretty well establish- 
 ed that the ovum, or egg, is fertilized in the 
 fallopian tube. However, conception may 
 take place at any point in the generative 
 tract. Fertilization has taken place even 
 at the ovary, and as the impregnated ovum 
 enlarges in this location it forms what is 
 known as an abdominal or extra-uterine 
 pregnancy. If it develops -in the fallopian 
 tube it is called a tubal pregnancy. 
 
 The male sperm has been known to mi- 
 grate as far as the ovary, which is only 2^ 
 inches from the uterus. It is probable that 
 there is some chemical attraction between 
 the male and female germs. 
 
 The normal cervical opening into the 
 uterus through which the male sperm must 
 pass is small. The relaxed condition of the 
 organ during menstruation, however, when 
 perfectly normal, permits the opening to 
 enlarge somewhat. It might be inferred 
 that the relaxed condition attending and 
 following coition would also tend to enlarge 
 this opening slightly. 
 
 81
 
 Many cases of sterility are, doubtless, 
 due to an almost closed cervix. 
 
 Although menstruation usually ceases 
 when conception takes place since the 
 uterus needs all of its energies for the de- 
 velopment of the embryonic child yet 
 there are exceptions to this rule. Since 
 the menses may cease from other causes 
 than conception, the non-appearance of the 
 flow does not always indicate that concep- 
 tion has occurred. 
 
 The story of impregnation and the de- 
 velopment of the ovum is wonderfully in- 
 teresting. As in the ovary, each tiny germ 
 cell lies in its follicle in an albumin-like 
 fluid so in the male sperm millions of germ 
 cells are also contained in an albumin-like 
 fluid. The germ cell in the male, however, 
 consists of a round or oval cell body to 
 which is attached a tail-like filament. It is 
 by means of this so-called tail that the 
 germ-cells move and migrates. 
 
 As though endowed with reason they be- 
 gin their search for the waiting ovum. They 
 migrate through the cervix into the uterus 
 and through the uterine canal to the fal- 
 
 82
 
 lopian tubes. There they meet the ovum. 
 You may have noticed in the yolk of a hen 's 
 egg a tiny spot. In all ova this spot exists 
 and is called the germinal spot or nucleus. 
 
 The germ cells surround the ovum and 
 strive to enter it. Several may pierce the 
 outer envelope, but only one reaches the 
 germinal spot. On its way through the 
 ovum it loses its tail as it is no longer 
 needed for progression. The head pro- 
 ceeds to the germinal spot, fuses with it 
 and impregnation is complete. 
 
 Each germ cell, the father and mother 
 cell, contains all the peculiarities of the 
 generations which have produced it. 
 Family traits, color of hair and skin, fine- 
 ness or coarseness of texture, height, 
 physical or mental strength, tendency to 
 disease all are in the germ cell. 
 
 Some of the traits which are recessive 
 in one generation become dominant in the 
 next, so that children sometimes present 
 the features and reproduce the actions of 
 some ancestor two or three generations 
 back. Contained in the tiny developing 
 
 83
 
 ovum are potentialities which will make an 
 Aaron Burr or a Lincoln, a scientist, a poet 
 or a criminal, as its characteristics are fost- 
 ered or repressed by correct or incorrect 
 parental training. 
 
 Gestation. Immediately after impregna- 
 tion the uterus begins to prepare a lining, 
 or nest, for the reception of the precious 
 embryonic guest, which it must nurture 
 and guard for nine months. 
 
 Extraordinary provisions must be made 
 for the care of the delicate and minute egg, 
 and for its development through the 
 various stages of fetal life. The uterine 
 lining is thrown up into soft, velvety folds, 
 allowing an increased blood supply and the 
 necessary stretching of the enlarging 
 uterus. All the surplus blood and great 
 nerve activity is consumed in this pro- 
 cess. 
 
 Rapid and remarkable changes take 
 place in the ovum after the small germinal 
 spot within the minute egg is united with 
 the male sperm. By this union the inscrut- 
 
 84
 
 able forces of Nature are put into opera- 
 tion to bring forth a new life. New im- 
 pulses are awakened, to which a woman's 
 whole being responds, all her powers mak- 
 ing astonishing readjustments, for her life 
 is now a dual one, and she must meet the 
 responsibility of nurturing two lives. The 
 new life within her must live as she does. 
 Its processes of growth require nourish- 
 ment, circulation, repair, waste and a kind 
 of respiration. These will be performed 
 well or ill according to her own condition 
 the manner in which they are performed 
 determining the future condition of her 
 child. 
 
 In from five to eight days after con- 
 ception a membrane known as the chorion 
 is formed around the ovum. The internal 
 surface of the chorion is supplied with 
 villi or tufts which resemble mulberry 
 seed; it is from these that the embryo re- 
 ceives its nutrition. The mucous membrane 
 of the uterus, which rises in folds to form 
 the nest for the embryo, is known as the 
 decidua vera ; later it entirely envelops the 
 ovum and is then known as the decidua 
 
 85
 
 reflexa. About the third month, the pla- 
 centa begins to develop from tufts of the 
 chorion and the decidua reflexa. 
 
 The placenta is Nature's provision for 
 the nourishment of the fetus; that is, it 
 serves the combined purpose of furnishing 
 nutrition and respiration to the fetus 
 through its circulation. It is seven inches 
 in diameter, and one inch thick at the cen- 
 ter, thinning at the edge. At full term it 
 weighs from three-fourths to one and one- 
 fourth pounds. The placenta, together 
 with the decidua reflexa and the umbilical 
 cord, are known as the ' ' after-birth. " 
 
 The placenta is a spongy body and is 
 connected by the umbilical cord to the fetus. 
 Although it lies in complete juxtaposition 
 with the uterus, an almost imperceptible 
 membrane interposing, its fibers and 
 blood do not interlace with those of the 
 uterus. Both nutrition and excretion are 
 accomplished by transudation through this 
 very attenuated membrane. 
 
 The uterus and placenta each have a dis- 
 tinct set of blood vessels and capillaries, 
 and a separate circulation. The lungs in 
 
 86
 
 the fetus are dormant; the placenta serves 
 the office of both lungs and digestive or- 
 gans. From the placenta oxidized blood is 
 brought to the fetus, through the umbili 
 cal vein, and after traveling the entire cir- 
 cuit, collecting the waste and impurities, it 
 is taken back to the placenta by two umbili- 
 cal arteries, which are given off from the 
 , iliac arteries of the mother. 
 
 At birth the umbilical veins form the 
 round ligaments of the liver, and the um- 
 bilical arteries the round ligaments of the 
 uterus in the female, and the urachus, a 
 ligament of the bladder, in the male. 
 
 The umbilical cord is made up of two 
 arteries and one vein, covered by the mem- 
 brane continuous from the child. It is from 
 two to four feet in length, attached at one 
 extremity to the placenta, at the other to 
 the navel of the child. This is the medium 
 of circulation from the placenta to the 
 fetus. 
 
 The membranes all unite before birth to 
 form a thick, tenacious covering for the 
 child. These enclose the fluid the liquor 
 
 87
 
 amnii which serves to protect the fetus 
 from blows or sudden jars. The mem- 
 branes, and the contained fluid, form what 
 is known as the "bag of waters"; not rup- 
 turing before birth, they make what is 
 called a veil or caul over the child's face, 
 to which is attached various superstitions. 
 
 Eadical and important changes in char- 
 acter, size and position take place in the 
 uterus during pregnancy. For the -first 
 three months the gravid uterus, although a 
 little lower than ordinary, remains in the 
 pelvic cavity. As the fourth month ap- 
 proaches the enlarging uterus, being incon- 
 venienced in the small pelvis, gradually 
 forces itself upward into the more commo- 
 dious false pelvis above, and lies entirely 
 within this at four and a half months. At 
 this time, life is felt, as a rule, indicating 
 that half the period of gestation has 
 passed. Life, however, begins from the 
 moment of conception, although not per- 
 ceptible during the earlier months of gesta- 
 tion, because of the position of the uterus 
 within the pelvic basin. 
 
 88
 
 The growth of the child being rapid 
 during the second half of the period of 
 gestation, the abdominal walls yield accord- 
 ingly. Therefore, they particularly need 
 strength and elasticity at this time in or- 
 der that disfigurement and weakness of the 
 walls may be prevented. This strength 
 and elasticity can be gained by regular ex- 
 ercises for the abdominal walls. 
 
 Not only is the quantity of a mother's 
 blood altered and increased during preg- 
 nancy, but the character is also changed. 
 The heart, having more than ordinary 
 work to do, increases in size about one- 
 fifth. It still remains large if the mother 
 nurses the child after birth, more blood 
 being required for the work of preparing 
 and storing milk. Hence a stronger heart 
 is needed to keep it moving properly, and 
 the importance of deep, full breathing at 
 this time cannot be overestimated. 
 
 The spleen and liver also increase in 
 size. 
 
 The palpitation of the heart, which is 
 likely to occur at such a time, is due to the 
 
 89
 
 pressure of the enlarged uterus upon ad- 
 joining organs. 
 
 One may well imagine how greatly the 
 delicate and complicated nervous system is 
 involved in this process; the brain and 
 spinal centers which govern the genera- 
 tive organs have not only become cogni- 
 zant of the inception of a new life, but are 
 sending to the uterus unusual forces. 
 
 The nerves of the pregnant woman be- 
 come highly keyed, hence she is very im- 
 pressionable. She should, therefore, have 
 the greatest possible care and comfort 
 both mental and physical. The functions 
 of the sensory and motor nerves are often 
 found perverted, and the mother needs 
 soothing influences and special tenderness. 
 If she is nervous, fretful, irritable and 
 unreasonable, she should be given the 
 utmost consideration, for if she is not 
 constitutionally strong and in perfect 
 health, her digestion is likely to suffer, 
 hence her body will not be properly nour- 
 ished, which will affect her inerves and 
 cause a depression of spirits. 
 
 90
 
 Parturition, or the escape of the child, 
 is effected by the contraction of the muscu- 
 lar fibers of the body of the uterus simul- 
 taneously with the relaxation of the muscu- 
 lar fibers of its mouth. The contractions, 
 of the uterus proceed in a peristaltic 
 manner from the fallopian tubes to the 
 cervix, occupying twenty or thirty seconds. 
 
 In a perfectly healthy state the contrac- 
 tions of the uterus occur periodically and 
 rhythmically, the body gathering strength 
 in the intervals for the next effort. 
 
 Although the pressure of the uterine 
 walls in these contractions is great, it is 
 not so great as to injure the child. If, 
 however, the uterus is in an inflamed or 
 swollen condition, this pressure is more 
 than likely to cause the mother excruciat- 
 ing pain. 
 
 According to a wise provision of Nature, 
 fatty degeneration of the membrane lying 
 between the uterine walls and the placenta 
 takes place just before parturition, causing 
 the placenta to be easily shed from the 
 
 91
 
 uterus at labor. It is likely to adhere to 
 the uterus, however, if that organ is in an 
 unhealthy condition. It is here also that 
 exercise that keeps up a circulation of 
 good blood through the uterine walls aids 
 in the normal contraction of these blood 
 vessels, and in a complete disintegration 
 of the above membrane. 
 
 A failure of the uterus to shed the pla- 
 centa properly paves the way not only to 
 placental adhesions, but the uterine lining, 
 from which the placenta must be torn, may 
 form scar tissue, resulting in many serious 
 disturbances. 
 
 If the uterus is lacking in strength or 
 tone, it will contract too feebly to expel 
 the child, in which event mechanical deliv- 
 ery may be necessary. On the other hand 
 the tissues may be too rigid to contract 
 readily, delaying delivery and prolonging 
 suffering. 
 
 Too much stress cannot be laid on 
 regular exercise, correct breathing and 
 diet for the mother during pregnancy. 
 Above all things the mother should live 
 
 92
 
 hygienically during the pregnancy period. 
 She will save herself much pain, much 
 expense, and insure a normal tone after 
 parturition if she puts herself under the 
 direction of a health specialist who studies 
 her case and gives her diet and exercise 
 adapted to her condition. 
 
 The tissues of the abdominal walls be- 
 come greatly stretched during pregnancy. 
 They are also likely to lose tone and remain 
 stretched after confinement. This con- 
 dition is not only disfiguring, but the flabby 
 abdominal walls do not furnish the abdom- 
 inal viscera the support that is essential to 
 perfect health. 
 
 Properly directed exercises after child- 
 birth will not only repair the damage, but 
 will restore the firmness and tone of the 
 abdominal walls. 
 
 The fact that savage women and animals 
 have practically painless confinements 
 proves that severe pain at parturition is 
 unnecessary. 
 
 This is a purely natural process and 
 should be accepted as such without worry. 
 
 93
 
 Indications of Pregnancy 
 
 The first and most important signs of 
 pregnancy are: 
 
 1. Cessation of menstruation. 
 
 2. Changes in the breasts. 
 
 3. Morning sickness. 
 
 4. Disturbances in urination. 
 
 The cessation of the menses is probably 
 the most significant, yet other causes may 
 operate to retard or suspend the menstrual 
 flow. 
 
 Tenderness, stinging and prickling of the 
 breasts are another indication. 
 
 In the beginning of pregnancy there is 
 often a desire to empty the bladder very 
 frequently, chiefly due to the irritation 
 against the bladder, caused by tne growing 
 uterus. This irritation usually disap- 
 pears, however, when the uterus begins to 
 rise in the abdomen after the first few 
 weeks. 
 
 Of course, the most significant sign of 
 pregnancy is the movement of the child 
 in the uterus, or the "quickening." When 
 this occurs, of course there is scarcely any 
 room for doubt as to the definite sign. 
 
 94
 
 How to Count the Days 
 
 Nine months of thirty days each is com- 
 monly termed the pregnancy period. To 
 estimate more closely physicians usually 
 count forward 280 days from the begin- 
 ning of the last menstrual period, thus al- 
 lowing seven days for the menstrual period. 
 Another method is to count back three 
 months from the beginning of the last 
 period and then add seven days. For ex- 
 ample if the last menstruation occurs on 
 September 30th, count back three months 
 to June 30th and add seven days which 
 would bring it to July 6th. This would be 
 the approximate date of confinement, 
 though very seldom does delivery occur on 
 the exact date. 
 
 Preparation for Confinement 
 
 It is becoming more and more common 
 for women to go to a hospital for con- 
 finement and while this is not absolutely 
 necessaiy if one has a competent nurse and 
 doctor engaged, it is safer because if any 
 emergency occurs all necessary appliances 
 
 95
 
 are ready for use and extra doctors and 
 nurses are at hand. It is cheaper because 
 so many things are at hand in the hospital 
 which the mother would need to provide in 
 the home. The nurse's salary, board and 
 laundry would need to be provided at home 
 and it is wise for every expectant mother 
 to engage a nurse for at least two weeks. 
 The routine care of the child in most cases 
 after confinement can be provided by the 
 nurse on the floor, though most physicians 
 prefer to have a special nurse for one week 
 in the hospital. This nurse, of course, 
 must be paid independent of the hospital 
 fees. 
 
 It is wise for every mother to engage 
 this nurse in advance whether the confine- 
 ment be at home or whether she have this 
 special nurse for a week at the hospital. 
 
 The mother needs the well earned rest 
 that a trained nurse gives her by taking 
 all responsibility. 
 
 It is needless to say that the brightest 
 room in the house, with the most cheerful 
 surroundings, should be selected for con- 
 
 96
 
 finement, for the rest of mind and pleasant 
 surroundings mean much to the mother at 
 this time. 
 
 Mrs. Max West of the Children's 
 Bureau, Department of Health, Washing- 
 ton, gives the following as necessary equip- 
 ment for confinement and for the baby: 
 
 Supplies Needed 
 
 If the confinement is to take place at 
 home, the following articles are likely to 
 be needed: 
 
 Two to four pounds of absorbent cotton. 
 
 One large package of sterile gauze (25 
 yards). 
 
 Four rolls of cotton batting. 
 
 Two yards of stout muslin for abdomin- 
 al binders. 
 
 Twelve old towels or diapers. 
 
 Two old sheets. 
 
 Two yards of bobbin, or very narrow 
 tape, for tying the cord. 
 
 From these supplies the mother or nurse 
 may make the necessary pads and band- 
 
 97
 
 ages, which should then be sterilized, in 
 accordance with directions which follow. 
 Other things that may be needed aro : 
 
 One hundred bichlorid of mercury 
 tablets. 
 
 Four ounces powdered boric acid. 
 
 One bottle of white vaselin. 
 
 One pound of Castile soap. 
 
 One quart of grain alcohol. 
 
 One douche pan. 
 
 One stiff hand brush. 
 
 One slop jar or covered enamel bucket. 
 
 Three pottery or agateware basins, one 
 16 inches, and two 11 inches in diameter. 
 
 Pitchers, at least three, holding 1 quart 
 and upward. 
 
 One and one-half yards of rubber sheet- 
 ing, at least 36 inches wide, or 
 
 One and one-half yards of white table 
 "ilcloth, to protect the mattress. 
 
 One 2-quart fountain syringe. 
 
 One medicine glass. 
 
 One medicine dropper. 
 
 One drinking tube. 
 
 98
 
 Preparation of Dressings 
 
 Sanitary pads. These are used to ab- 
 sorb the discharge after the mother has 
 been delivered. They are 10 inches long 
 and 4 inches wide. As absorbent cotton is 
 comparatively expensive, it will be found 
 more economical to make the greater part 
 of each pad of the batting, facing one side 
 with a layer of the absorbent kind. Cut 
 the sterile gauze into pieces of the right 
 size to fold around the cotton, and extend 
 2 or 3 inches beyond it at each end. These 
 pads should be about an inch thick, and at 
 least 5 dozen will be needed. They are 
 pinned front and back to the abdominal 
 binder, which is simply a strip of cotton 
 cloth 12 inches wide and long enough to be 
 fastened comfortably around the abdomen. 
 
 Delivery pads. These pads should be a 
 yard square and 4 inches thick. Cotton 
 batting may form the principal part of the 
 thickness, but the top layer of absorbent 
 cotton should be at least 1 inch thick. Make 
 two of these pads. Cotton waste, if boiled 
 in washing soda and dried thoroughly in 
 
 99
 
 the sun, makes a cheap and effective filling 
 in the place of batting, but as the texture 
 is very loose a thicker layer must be used. 
 If necessary, newspapers may be used 
 both to protect the mattress and for the 
 delivery pads. For the latter use they 
 should be covered with old sheets which 
 have been sterilized. 
 
 Gauze sponges. Two dozen of these 
 will be needed. They are made by cutting 
 sterile gauze into 15-inch lengths, the width 
 of the gauze. Fold down one raw edge 
 about 3 inches ; double the strip by putting 
 the selvage edges together, having the raw 
 edge of the fold on the outside. Fold this 
 into thirds both ways and turn the sponge 
 inside out, so as to have all the raw edges 
 inside. 
 
 Cotton pledgets. These are wads of ab- 
 sorbent cotton, the size of an egg, having 
 the ends of the cotton twisted into the roll. 
 Make several dozen and put them in a 
 small pillowcase or cheesecloth bag. 
 100
 
 Gauze squares. Cut fifty 4-inch squares 
 of the gauze. These will be used to wash 
 the baby's eyes and for other purposes. 
 
 Bobbin. Cut ordinary cotton into six 9- 
 inch lengths for tying the cord. 
 
 How to sterilize. It is possible to steri- 
 lize the dressings in the oven, but as dry 
 heat "is less effective than moist heat, and 
 tEere is danger of scorching by this method, 
 it is better to use steam. To accomplish 
 this, the smaller things may be sterilized 
 in a large kettle or saucepan, and the 
 larger ones in the wash boiler. For the 
 first, invert a bowl several inches high in 
 the bottom of the kettle. On this bowl lay 
 a plate, and on this place the dressings. 
 They may be put into a cheesecloth bag for 
 ease in handling. Let the water just cover 
 the bowl and cover the kettle tightly. The 
 articles should remain for one hour after 
 the water begins to boil. To sterilize in the 
 boiler, a convenient method is to suspend 
 the dressings in the steam by means of a 
 hammock made of stout muslin, which is 
 merely a strip somewhat longer than the 
 101
 
 boiler, so that it will hang down to about 
 a third the depth of the boiler. It must be 
 fastened securely to the handles of the 
 boiler by means of a stout drawstring run 
 through each end and, for additional 
 security, down each side as well. The 
 boiler should be filled about one-quarter 
 full of water. If the dressings are placed 
 in loose cheesecloth bags, it will facilitate 
 handling them. After the articles have 
 been put in the hammock the boiler cover 
 should be put on and the articles left to 
 steam for an hour, when they may be re- 
 moved and dried thoroughly in the sun by 
 pinning the bags to the clothesline or, if 
 that is not possible, they may be dried in 
 the oven, being very careful not to burn 
 them. They are then to be put away in a 
 closed drawer until needed. 
 
 Other Preparations 
 
 As stated, the brightest room in the 
 
 house should be chosen for the delivery. 
 
 If possible, it should be close to the 
 
 bathroom, and if there is a communicating 
 
 102
 
 room that can be given up to the use of the 
 nurse and the baby, this will be greatly to 
 the advantage of the mother. It is needless 
 to say that the delivery room should be 
 made as clean as possible, and all drap- 
 eries, hangings, and upholstered furniture 
 should be removed. 
 
 A single metal bed, either iron or brass, 
 and a comfortable mattress are desirable. 
 The ordinary double bed is inconvenient, 
 because it is both too wide and too low. If 
 a low bed must be used, it will be well to 
 elevate it by putting blocks, 6 or 8 inches 
 high, under the four legs, first removing 
 the casters so that there will be no danger 
 of the bed slipping off, and if the mattress 
 sags in the middle, a board or two under 
 the mattress will be found advantageous. 
 The bed should be placed in such a position 
 that both the doctor and the nurse can get 
 at it at once, and so that a good light falls 
 upon it, especially at night, for in case 
 stitches must be taken a proper light is of 
 the first importance. A portable electric 
 lamp is a great convenience under these 
 circumstances. 
 
 103
 
 Outfit for the Baby 
 
 It is very apt to be the case, especially 
 with a first baby, that the mother wastes 
 a good deal of vital energy in the prepara- 
 tion of an elaborate layette, only to find 
 that many of the garments are outgrown 
 before they are worn. On this account it 
 is much more economical, not only of 
 materials but of the mother's strength, to 
 make only a few very simple garments at 
 first. Later, when the baby is older, such 
 a wardrobe as the mother desires may be 
 added, but for a little baby plain garments 
 of the softest materials procurable are the 
 most suitable. 
 
 Large dealers now supply the entire out- 
 fit for an infant, and in many cases it is an 
 economy to buy one of these layettes com- 
 plete. 
 
 In preparing for the newborn several 
 principles should be kept in mind. The 
 first is that the garments must be warm 
 without being unduly heavy ; another, that 
 they must be loose enough to provide for 
 perfect freedom of the muscles; the third 
 
 104
 
 is the desirability of perfect simplicity; 
 and the fourth that of cleanliness. Adorn- 
 ment serves no other purpose than to 
 gratify the mother's taste. 
 
 The Baby's Clothes 
 
 "The following list includes all the gar- 
 ments that it is necessary for any young 
 infant to have for the first few weeks of 
 life ; later, if a more elaborate outfit is de- 
 sired, other garments may be added: 
 
 Three abdominal bands, 6 to 8 inches 
 wide and 20 inches long, soft flannel strips, 
 unhemmed. 
 
 Three shirts, size 2, wool and cotton, or 
 wool and silk, not all wool. 
 
 Four flannel skirts. 
 
 Three nightgowns or wrappers of out- 
 ing flannel, buttoned in front. 
 
 Eight white slips. 
 
 Three knit bands, with shoulder straps, 
 part wool. 
 
 At least 4 dozen diapers. 
 
 Cloak. 
 
 103
 
 Cap. 
 
 Carriage blanket of crocheted or knitted 
 wool. 
 
 Three pairs of socks, if in summer ; three 
 pairs of long white merino stockings, if the 
 weather is cold. 
 
 Nursery Equipment 
 
 The essential articles for the baby's 
 nursery are a comfortable bed and the 
 things that will be needed in his toilet. The 
 following list will be found to include the 
 essential items : 
 
 An old soft blanket. 
 
 Four dozen safety pins of different sizes. 
 
 Some old soft towels. 
 
 Soft wash cloths. 
 
 Hot-water bag, with flannel cover. 
 
 Talcum powder. 
 
 Castile soap. 
 
 Olive oil. 
 
 Two ounces of boric acid. 
 
 A crib. If desired, a clothes basket 
 makes a good bed. A basket or box that 
 
 106
 
 may readily be moved about is a great con- 
 venience. The mattress for any sort of a 
 bed may be made from table felting, which, 
 when folded a few times, makes a very soft, 
 smooth bed and has the great advantage 
 over the ordinary mattress that it may be 
 washed and boiled and dried in the sun." 
 
 Additional Conveniences 
 
 Below is a list of additional articles that 
 will be found convenient in the care of the 
 baby: 
 
 Bathtub, tin, galvanized-iron ware, or 
 rubber. 
 
 Drying frames for shirts and stockings. 
 Bath apron of turkish toweling or out- 
 ing flannel. 
 
 A low chair, without arms. 
 Baby scales. 
 
 A low screen, to protect the baby while 
 it is being bathed. 
 
 A low table on which to bathe and dress 
 the baby. 
 
 107
 
 Laceration 
 
 Laceration is not only one of the most 
 frequent bad results of childbirth, but it 
 furnishes one of the most prolific sources 
 of cancer. It can be avoided, however, 
 by proper care at confinement and by 
 proper exercises to tone and strengthen 
 the tissues and supply them with pure 
 blood through perfect circulation. If the 
 blood be pure and the circulation force- 
 ful, lacerations may heal of themselves 
 before the torn tissue becomes scarred, but 
 obstetricians find that the safest way is to 
 bring the torn edge together by stitches at 
 once. If the muscles and ligaments are 
 kept strong, free and flexible during pregn- 
 ancy, the tissues usually will not tear. 
 
 Painful parturition and laceration may 
 be caused largely through fear and a con- 
 sequent tensity of nerves. The mother 
 should relax to the realization that this is 
 Nature's work a perfectly normal process. 
 
 If the tissues are elastic they will give 
 naturally. If inelastic, and the nerves con- 
 trolling them are weakened, laceration will 
 
 108
 
 inevitably follow. Laceration, too, is often 
 due to a rigidity of the fibers of the cervix, 
 preventing sufficient relaxation for the pas- 
 sage of the child without injury. 
 
 Exercise During Pregnancy 
 
 The writer has assisted hundreds of wom- 
 en through pregnancy. By following deep 
 breathing exercises to insure complete ox- 
 idation of the waste of the system, by 
 establishing complete circulation through- 
 out the entire body, and by regular practice 
 of special exercises to strengthen all the 
 abdominal and uterine muscles, and by re- 
 laxation to Nature, parturition will be 
 practically painless. 
 
 Through such natural means the mother 
 also regains the symmetry of her own 
 body, prevents erratic mental conditions 
 and gains in both physical endurance and 
 mental repose. 
 
 A healthy balance being thus established 
 between the mother and the fetus, the 
 
 109
 
 growth of the fetus is not at the sacrifice 
 of the mother's strength. 
 
 Proper exercise gives healthy elasticity 
 to the uterus, not only preventing much dis- 
 comfort during pregnancy, but enabling 
 it to expel the child at parturition natural- 
 ly, averting prolonged and exhausting labor 
 and greatly lessening the dangers of lacer- 
 ation. The normal condition thus insured 
 will enable the placenta to disintegrate 
 naturally ; the uterus contracting normally, 
 the blood vessels, ruptured by the separa-. 
 tion of the placenta from the uterine walls 
 are promptly closed and dangerous hem- 
 orrhages prevented. The healthy uterus 
 will then gradually return to its normal 
 size, and the many serious and fatal 
 diseases following parturition be averted. 
 How many women, alas, date their ill 
 health from childbirth. This need not and 
 should not be. 
 
 Poise During Pregnancy 
 
 It is of the utmost importance that a 
 woman learn to stand correctly during the 
 no
 
 pregnancy period. The rib cage should 
 be well expanded, the head carried erect, 
 the chest expanded and the weight over 
 the arches of the feet, because only in this 
 proper poise will the stomach be given 
 room, protected by the rib cage, as the 
 fetus enlarges and rises in the abdomen. 
 If one has been in the habit of stand- 
 ing with the chest depressed, ribs pressed 
 in on the stomach, head forward and 
 weight on the heels, the chances are that 
 she will suffer much nausea and constipa- 
 * tion. 
 
 Correct poise is one of the first essentials 
 for a pregnant woman to establish. (See 
 frontispiece for correct poise). 
 
 Walking is desirable more because it 
 brings the expectant mother out into the 
 open air and it is well if she can walk in 
 the park, if a city dweller, or in the woods, 
 if she resides in the country, rather than 
 upon the streets of city or town, because as 
 her thoughts are directed to Nature, her 
 mind and her nerves are relaxed and she 
 breathes more deeply. However, few well 
 directed exercises will bring a better cir- 
 111
 
 dilation to every organ of the body than 
 walking and if a pregnant Woman will 
 follow a set of exercises directed for her, 
 she does not of necessity need to walk if 
 she rides in the open air and gets the 
 mental diversion suggested. 
 
 Corsets should be discarded during preg- 
 nancy as they impede circulation and diges- 
 tion. The clothing, which should be 
 suspended from the shoulders, should be 
 loose, giving the abdomen, waist and chest 
 ample room ; while it should be as light as 
 the season will admit, it should be 
 sufficiently warm. 
 
 Diet During Pregnancy 
 
 I have been repeatedly asked to give a 
 diet for pregnancy, but the food of a preg- 
 nant woman does not differ materially 
 from any diet which is found to contain the 
 proper amount of nutrition for her. If 
 she has been in health she needs to observe 
 no special diet unless complications arise 
 and then the diet should suit the particular 
 
 112
 
 condition. The following general hints 
 are safe for all, however : 
 
 Keep the bowels regular by exercising 
 them daily, by laxative foods (not by 
 cathartics), and by plenty of liquids. 
 Coarse cereals, bran, figs and other fruits, 
 especially prunes, and fresh vegetables are 
 laxative. It is well to eat a juicy fruit just 
 before retiring. 
 
 Keep the kidneys active by fresh water, 
 exercise and diuretic foods. Among the 
 diuretics are dandelions, buttermilk, horse- 
 radish, onions, spinach and asparagus. 
 
 It is important that a pregnant woman 
 take from two to three quarts of liquid 
 daily. These she gets in water, soups, 
 broths, milk, chocolate, buttermilk. It is 
 well to avoid coffee because of the undue 
 stimulating effect upon the heart. Coffee 
 and meat should be particularly avoided 
 in case of high blood pressure. 
 
 If the urine shows albumin, meats, eggs 
 and other highly nitrogenous foods should 
 be avoided or the quantity lessened. 
 
 113
 
 In general, the mother should have a 
 good, nourishing diet, easily digested. 
 
 The longing for indigestible food, such 
 as pickles, chalk, etc., are simply indicative 
 of a general hysterical condition, and, 
 when the foods are unwholesome, the arti- 
 ficial desire should not be gratified. 
 
 The stomach, especially at night, should 
 not be overloaded. 
 
 In case of severe engorgement of the 
 breasts, fluids should be restricted. 
 
 Immediately after labor, a milk diet for 
 from six to eight hours is best then a 
 regular diet. 
 
 Gruels, plenty of fruits, fresh or stewed, 
 liquids and vegetables are desirable for the 
 nursing mother. 
 
 She should not make the mistake, how- 
 ever, of assuming that nourishing foods 
 mean an excess of fat and starch, for while 
 she needs these in proportion to the amount 
 of energy put forth, she needs tissue-build- 
 ing food in proportionate quantities. 
 
 114
 
 It is commonly said that the mother must 
 eat for two, but only about one-tenth of the 
 child's weight is gained before the fifth 
 month of pregnancy so it is evident that 
 there is no necessity of any addition to the 
 mother's diet up to that time. 
 
 The child gains half its weight in the 
 last eight weeks so that during the eighth 
 and ninth month there will be an increased 
 demand for the heat and energy-giving 
 foods which may be supplied by the addi- 
 tion of milk to the usual diet, taking a 
 glass between meals and at bed time. 
 
 If one has not formed the habit of drink- 
 ing milk or it seems to disagree, some 
 other light food, such as cocoa or broth or 
 soup, may be eaten at these times. 
 
 The habit of eating lightly several times 
 a day will do much to relieve nausea dur- 
 ing the earlier weeks of pregnancy. 
 
 The value of plenty of fresh air day and 
 night cannot be overestimated, both be- 
 fore and after confinement. 
 115
 
 Remember that the child needs fresh air 
 as much as the mother. 
 
 Abundant sleep and periods of complete 
 relaxation are most essential to the health 
 of the pregnant woman. She should lie and 
 rest for an hour regularly each day, and 
 acquire the habit of sleep if possible; if 
 she cannot sleep, she should learn how to 
 completely relax. 
 
 Constipation 
 
 Due to the pressure of the enlarging 
 uterus upon the intestines, which is more 
 pronounced in the later months, the mother 
 may become constipated and it is very 
 important that there be a movement of the 
 bowels at least once a day and twice is 
 preferable. Accomplish this by water and 
 laxative foods wherever possible. Avoid 
 purgatives or enemas, but if at times 
 something is necessary, a physician should 
 be consulted. 
 
 As stated above, at least two to three 
 quarts of liquid should be taken daily. 
 Fresh fruits such as apples, peaches, 
 
 116
 
 apricots, pears, oranges, figs, cherries, 
 pineapples, grapes, plums, strawberries, 
 grapefruit or other fresh fruits are in- 
 cluded in a properly laxative diet. These 
 fruits should preferably be eaten raw. 
 Cooked fruits such as prunes, figs, apples, 
 peaches and apricots may be eaten freely. 
 
 Bran bread, whole wheat bread, corn 
 meal or graham bread should be eaten in 
 preference to white flour. If these are not 
 always available, two tablespoonsfuls of 
 bran mixed with a breakfast food, such as 
 oatmeal, or mixed in the juice of one or 
 two oranges, or eaten with the juice of 
 grape fruit is not only laxative and nutri- 
 tious, but pleasant to the taste. 
 
 Fresh vegetables, especially green vege- 
 tables, eaten with olive oil, also have a 
 laxative effect. Onions, asparagus, toma- 
 toes, peas, potatoes, lima beans, carrots, 
 string beans, spinach, celery, cress, lettuce, 
 and in fact any fresh vegetable which 
 digests readily will help to keep the bowels 
 regular. Sometimes a vegetable with 
 coarse fiber such as cabbage, cauliflower, 
 turnips, etc., will help to keep the digestive 
 
 117
 
 tract clean. If these disagree, of course 
 they should not be eaten. 
 
 If constipation persists in spite of the 
 water, fruit, vegetables and coarse grains, 
 try mixing senna with prunes or figs. 
 
 If constipation still persists, then it is 
 well to call in a physician, but if the 
 physician gives you a cathartic be sure 
 not to take it longer than he designates, 
 but rely upon your exercises and the above 
 diet. 
 
 Vomiting. The first principle in the re- 
 lief from vomiting, at any time, is to give 
 the stomach a rest for from ten to twelve 
 hours. If, however, there is a desire to re- 
 plenish the loss of food after vomiting, do 
 so by a dry cracker, or toast, well masti- 
 cated. 
 
 Nausea is often relieved by the sipping 
 of very hot water, which has a tendency to 
 relax the nerves and muscles of the stom- 
 ach. 
 
 Very often a little nourishment before 
 arising will prevent it. A little gruel, a 
 
 118
 
 cracker, an apple, a piece of toast, or any 
 simple nourishment will do. 
 
 Self-control in the selection of foods, no 
 overindulgence, fresh air and daily exer- 
 cise are the best preventatives. 
 
 Avoid tight clothing and all pressure or 
 weight on the stomach or abdomen. 
 
 Eemember that the mind has something 
 to do with daily morning sickness. Ner- 
 vous apprehensions will cause it. Be happy 
 form the habit of happiness. This is one 
 of the surest remedies. 
 
 The following is a list of dietetic sub- 
 stances commonly prescribed for the relief 
 of nausea and vomiting, or for nourishment 
 while those conditions exist: 
 
 Cracked ice, milk with soda, one-third of 
 a teaspoon to a glass, milk and lime water, 
 milk and vichy, soda, seltzer, or carbonic- 
 acid water, kumyss, meat juice, raw meat 
 pulp scraped, clam broth, sour lemonade 
 or lemonade and vichy. 
 
 Dry crackers, dry toast, and ginger 
 snaps will cometimes be retained in sea- 
 sickness, or a cracker buttered and sprinkl- 
 ed with a little Cayenne pepper. 
 
 119
 
 An excellent preventive measure for 
 nausea is to take six small meals a day 
 instead of three large ones. It is important 
 to do everything possible to ward off the 
 initial attack so as not to establish the 
 tendency toward nausea. 
 
 Try to prevent the mind dwelling upon 
 the thought of sickness and to keep it upon 
 thoughts of outdoor life and normal, 
 healthy interests. 
 
 The establishment of a happy habit of 
 thought and the regulation of one's time so 
 that she is not alone brooding over the 
 condition is one of the best preventives of 
 the nausea habit. 
 
 If, however, the nausea persists and in- 
 creases, the physician should be called as 
 the condition sometimes requires medical 
 skill. 
 
 Heartburn 
 
 " Heartburn" is a misnomer. It ihas 
 nothing whatever to do with the heart, but 
 is a burning sensation in the throat caused, 
 120
 
 as a rule, by the development of too much 
 acid in the stomach. 
 
 Sometimes the secretion of acids is re- 
 tarded! by taking a little fat in the form of 
 a glass of rich milk or cream or a table- 
 spoonful of olive oil fifteen or twenty 
 minutes before meal time. After heart- 
 burn begins, however, fat is apt to make it 
 worse and one must refrain from butter, 
 milk, cream and greasy foods until the 
 attack is over. Some physicians treat this 
 by the use of alkalines such as 1/3 of a 
 teaspoonful of common baking soda in a 
 glass of water. 
 
 Varicose Veins 
 
 As a prevention of varicose veins, be 
 sure to stand correctly so that all of the 
 abdominal contents have plently of room 
 to rise in the abdomen and there is no un- 
 due pressure upon either arteries or veins 
 in the abdominal region. 
 
 The establishment of the habit of correct 
 poise and the regular practice of exercises 
 for the abdominal organs will almost al- 
 121
 
 ways prevent this condition. If it occurs, 
 however, the expectant mother should lie 
 down a great deal of the time, being par- 
 ticular to lie so that there is no pressure 
 over the abdomen. If one sits, be sure to 
 sit well back in the chair with the stomach 
 free. 
 
 If it becomes necessary to bandage the 
 legs, provide bias strips of flannel, three 
 inches wide, and sew these together until 
 the strip measures eight yards in length. 
 Bind these about the calves of the legs 
 before arising. Begin at the toes, leave 
 the heels uncovered, carrying the bandage 
 around the legs and well over the knees, 
 or higher if the thigh veins are distended. 
 
 Hemorrhoids or piles are distended 
 veins. They are aggravated by constipa- 
 tion and by straining at the stool. 
 
 One should go to the stool regularly 
 twice a day and sit there for ten or fifteen 
 minutes, rather coaxing Nature and relax- 
 ing the bowels instead of straining them. 
 Of course, the regular use of a laxative 
 diet, as outlined above, is the best preven- 
 122
 
 live measure. The knee chest position 
 often relieves the pain as does also, some- 
 times, cold ice packs if the veins protrude 
 outside the rectum. 
 
 Auto-Intoxication (or Toxemia) 
 
 As the uterus grows, it is necessary for 
 the mother to throw off more waste. The 
 pores of the skin must be kept open by 
 regular bathing and the use of coarse 
 towels or a flesh brush. 
 
 Some of the symptoms which indicate 
 that the waste of the system is not fully 
 thrown off are: 
 
 Persistent vomiting. 
 
 Repeated headaches. 
 
 Dizziness. 
 
 Puffiness about the face and hands. 
 
 Spots before the eyes. 
 
 Neuralgic pains. 
 
 Twitching of the muscles. 
 
 As a rule, this condition indicates that 
 the mother has not been getting the proper 
 amount of exercise or the proper amount 
 of fresh air or that she has not been eating 
 sufficient laxative food, drinking sufficient 
 
 123
 
 water and has not kept the bowels and the 
 kidneys regular. 
 In case of this kind: 
 
 Avoid meat. 
 Drink plenty of water. 
 Take plenty of exercise. 
 Get plenty of fresh air day and night. 
 Bathe every day. 
 
 Sleep at least eight hours a night. 
 Do not overtire. 
 
 And get mental diversion which will give 
 a happy, peaceful frame of mind. 
 
 Husband's Responsibility 
 
 Nature, in designing her great plan for 
 the perpetuation of the race, intended that 
 a woman should be joyous in the perfor- 
 mance of her important part in the scheme 
 of life. Any departure from this indicates 
 an unnatural condition. Not only should 
 the husband plan pleasant diversions for 
 the wife and mother, but she should not be 
 left to brood in solitude. Every fret and 
 jar should be removed from her life, so far 
 as possible, and she should not be over- 
 burdened with domestic cares. 
 
 124
 
 The tender love and care of the husband 
 at this time foster natural and perfect 
 growth of the child in tfie effect on the 
 nutriment as governed by the nerves of the 
 mother. There is no direct connection be- 
 tween the nerves of the mother and the 
 complete nerve organism of the child. This 
 is a most fortunate provision of nature, 
 for were the growing fetus directly con- 
 trolled by the moods and thoughts of the 
 mother, many a child would start life with 
 most unfortunate physical habits.* It is 
 through control of the circulation and the 
 quality of blood that a mother's thoughts 
 directly affect the child. 
 
 It is through the husband's treatment of 
 the wife and mother that he is enabled to 
 impress his own life, character and de- 
 velopmient on his child. Her condition 
 should appeal to the finest instincts of his 
 manhood, and every resource within his 
 power should be employed for the happi- 
 ness of the two lives entrusted to his keep- 
 ing. 
 
 'Publishers' Note: See Habits; Their effect upon The 
 Nervous System: by Susanna Cocroft. 
 
 125
 
 Birds and! other animals furnish us a 
 good example of the care and solicitude 
 that the male shows the female in the 
 propagation of species, guarding her from 
 worry or physical discomfort during the 
 development of their offspring, both before 
 birth and while nourishing their young. 
 
 Intercourse during pregnancy frequently 
 causes miscarriage, and is often the origin 
 of distressing pelvic troubles. Most savage 
 people as well as beasts of the forest 
 suspend sexual relation during pregnancy. 
 
 Notwithstanding the fact that the great- 
 est possible obligation rests on the hus- 
 band, the mother's own conduct and mental 
 poise determine, after all, the happy or 
 wretched issue of her condition. She should 
 form the habit of looking for good in friend 
 and foe, and strive to be even-tempered and 
 joyous. 
 
 Above all things, she should strive for 
 self control; should rememiber that God, 
 having enlisted her as a co-worker, is her 
 sure strength and comfort. 
 
 126
 
 Kemember "The Eternal God is thy 
 dwelling place, and underneath thee are 
 the everlasting arms." 
 
 Distaste for Motherhood 
 
 A repugnance for maternity indicates 
 something radically wrong in a woman's 
 ideals of life, dwarfing the highest and 
 noblest instincts of womanhood and rob- 
 bing her life of its most exquisite joys. 
 When too late her solitary heart yearns 
 for the clasp of little arms and the caress 
 of little lips. 
 
 She who deliberately evades motherhood 
 barters her birthright. The wife who 
 refuses motherhood robs the husband of 
 fatherhood and he will not hold her guilt- 
 less. 
 
 If nature has stricken her she must sub- 
 mit but she who deprives herself is indeed 
 misguided. 
 
 The awakening of the mother nature 
 heralds true soul development, lifts her to a 
 
 127
 
 higher plane; broader vistas open before 
 her, and life assumes a new and brighter 
 outlook. 
 
 Harmony with the Creator once estab- 
 lished, this divine aid and the abounding 
 love of the mother heart will so aid her in 
 guiding the young life entrusted to her, 
 that she cannot go far wrong. 
 
 With many modifications and variations 
 all living things come within the range of 
 this ingenious arrangement of Nature. Her 
 highest, most complex and most marvelous 
 manifestations, however, are in the human 
 species. That this beautiful law, in its 
 highest and holiest sense, should be re- 
 garded with shame, or veiled with false 
 modesty, degrades it resulting in perverted 
 ideas, disease and suffering. 
 
 Children rivet the ties of matrimony. 
 The bond is incomplete without this triune 
 relation, representing the holy of holies 
 in domestic life. 
 
 A married woman should at least be in 
 condition for pregnancy, otherwise she is 
 not a perfect woman, nor is she a perfect 
 
 128
 
 wife. If she is physically normal, and not 
 entirely selfish, looking alone to her own 
 physical comfort the probabilities are that 
 she will strongly desire to realize the joys 
 of motherhood. 
 
 Unusual care and solicitude are shown on 
 the part of Nature to produce her highest 
 type, and eliminate all such as would 
 thwart her purpose. She will often cripple 
 a mother with disease, when hereditary 
 taint or disease is likely to crop out in her 
 children, thus rendering her sterile. 
 
 If a woman has no physical ailments 
 which she fears to transmit to her progeny, 
 and has sufficient intelligence to properly 
 care for herself during the pregnancy 
 period, a shrinking from the duties and 
 privileges of motherhood is selfish, and 
 narrow she is not expanding, not ennobl- 
 ing, not taking her place in the world, 
 realizing as did Mary, her power with God 
 to create. She is not rising to her best, is 
 not being the woman with whom every son 
 should be able to compare his sweetheart; 
 she must measure up to his mother or fall 
 below his ideal. 
 
 129
 
 Sterility 
 
 Sterility among young women usually 
 has its inception in painful menstruation, 
 the primary cause being inflammation of 
 the ovaries. Non-development of the 
 ovaries at puberty is, in many cases, re- 
 sponsible for this condition. Atrophy 
 many times follows, producing sterility and 
 loss of sexual function. Painful menstrua- 
 tion in such cases is due to unusual conges- 
 tion of the pelvic organs, which causes 
 pressure on the diseased and sensitive 
 nerves. The pain is most excruciating, 
 neuralgic in character, coming in par- 
 oxysms. 
 
 It must not be inferred that painful 
 menstruation indicates sterility, however, 
 for this is far from true. The causes of 
 painful menstruation are discussed else- 
 where. 
 
 Another cause of sterility is due to the 
 cervix being almost or completely closed 
 between the menstrual periods. This clos- 
 ure is due, sometimes to overstrained 
 nerves and the habit of holding brain and 
 
 130
 
 body too tense, and sometimes to displace- 
 ment or flexion of the uterus. 
 
 A sterile wife, who longs for the beauty 
 and soul growth of motherhood, should at- 
 tend to the development of the ovaries 
 through regular exercise to strengthen and 
 bring nourishing blood to them, should 
 build up her general vitality and her ner- 
 vous system. She should also relax to en- 
 joy coition because the relaxation and con- 
 sequent opening of the cervix, by which 
 the sperm more readily enters the uterus, 
 depends to a degree upon the relaxed con- 
 dition of the nerves during and following 
 coition. Lying on the back in a relaxed 
 condition after coition is helpful. 
 
 By virtue of the fact that the virile ovum 
 remains in the uterus for 5 six to eight days 
 after menstruation, this is the most favor- 
 able time for impregnation. Three or four 
 days before menstruation is also favorable. 
 
 Many causes of sterility are amenable to 
 rational treatment, and, if conception be a 
 physical possibility, the sterile woman, 
 yearning for the joys of motherhood may 
 
 131
 
 realize this natural and beautiful desire 
 by overcoming the cause of her sterility in 
 a perfectly safe and scientific way. If the 
 tissues are merely weak, they can be toned, 
 and displaced organs can almost always 
 be toned and put in place by exercise and 
 by deep breathing thus purifying the 
 blood and creating a good circulation. 
 
 Exercises should be prescribed for her 
 by one who has made exercise, breathing, 
 bathing, diet and rest, for this purpose a 
 study. 
 
 Lactation 
 
 Since it was the mother's blood that sup- 
 plied her nesting child with nutriment, her 
 blood should also furnish it nutriment in 
 the form of milk after its birth. Unless her 
 blood is pure, however, it is best not to 
 nurse her child. 
 
 Some children may thrive on manufac- 
 tured baby foods, while such foods arc 
 most detrimental to others; to none are 
 they a satisfactory substitute for the 
 mother's milk. 
 
 132
 
 Nature did not design the milk of an 
 inferior animal for the nourishment of a 
 human infant. The milk of a cow, for in- 
 stance, not only contains too much casein 
 for the new-born baby, but it is more 
 difficult of digestion. 
 
 Where it is absolutely necessary to nur- 
 ture the child with cow's milk, care should 
 be taken that the milk be pure, containing 
 no tuberculosis bacilli. It should always 
 be sterilized. 
 
 The contents of the bowels of a new- 
 born baby consist of a substance known as 
 meconium, and, although this substance 
 served a necessary purpose during its fetal 
 life, it must be discharged after its birth. 
 Nature, therefore, has wisely supplied the 
 mother's first milk with the needed laxa- 
 tive, and, while this milk contains but little 
 nourishment, it serves the purpose of free- 
 ing the infant's bowels of the meconium. 
 
 The mother's milk does not "come" 
 until from forty-eight to sixty hours after 
 the birth of the child. During this period 
 the baby needs simply a few drops of 
 
 133
 
 slightly warmed water now and then. It 
 should be put to the breast every six hours 
 after the motEer has somewhat recovered 
 from the fatigue of labor. 
 
 Should there be an excessive supply of 
 milk for a few days, one may help to regu- 
 late this by the use of hot or cold appli- 
 cations according to the weather and the 
 preference of the mother. 
 
 The nipples should be washed with boric 
 acid or clean water after each nursing. 
 Then they should be thoroughly dried and 
 kept clean and dry as possible. 
 
 If the nipple cracks, a nipple shield 
 either of rubber or glass should be used 
 until they are healed. The baby's mouth 
 should not be allowed to come in contact 
 with a sore nipple. 
 
 Cracked nipples are sometimes caused 
 by allowing the baby to nurse too long so 
 that the nipples are wet and irritated too 
 much of the time. 
 
 Irregular nursing should be very care- 
 fully avoided. Some physicians allow the 
 child to nurse once in two hours in the be- 
 
 134
 
 ginning and to gradually lengthen the 
 period between nursing until the child 
 nurses once in four hours. 
 
 If it is determined by weighing the baby 
 every week or so that it is getting sufficient 
 nourishment, then the periods between 
 feeding should be lengthened to four hours. 
 
 The first few days there may be a slight 
 loss in weight, but after that there should 
 be a steady gain. 
 
 The breasts need great care during the 
 pregnancy period. Gently and soothingly 
 massage them daily. As you do so, use any 
 kind of a pleasant lubricant, a little olive 
 oil into which you have mixed a few drops 
 of perfume, cocoa butter, a face cream 
 anything which serves as a pleasant lubri- 
 cant so that the hands may slip smoothly. 
 After massaging and drying, bathe them 
 in witch hazel, cold tea or alcohol. 
 
 This will prevent the nipples from crack- 
 ing. 
 
 Avoid all pressure or irritation from 
 clothing, particularly avoid bust forms 
 which press on or overheat the breasts. 
 
 135
 
 If the breasts yield milk to the child, 
 menstruation should not be expected, as a 
 rule, for seven or eight months after con- 
 finement. If the mother does not nurse 
 her child menstruation may be expected 
 much sooner. 
 
 Profuse and regular menstruation after 
 confinement is an evidence of inflammation 
 and enlargement of the uterus, or some 
 other diseased condition which needs at- 
 tention. 
 
 Diet for a Nursing Mother 
 
 As a rule, the same diet which has been 
 observed during pregnancy should be ob- 
 served during the nursing period. This 
 diet tends to prevent constipation and 
 above all things constipation should be 
 avoided. 
 
 If the milk is scanty, take plenty of fresh 
 milk, eggs, fresh vegetables, ripe fruit and 
 other plain foods with two or three tea- 
 spoonfuls of honey a day. 
 
 If the appetite is capricious it is better 
 to eat six light meals a day than to depend 
 upon four larger meals. 
 
 136
 
 If the milk does not come in sufficient 
 quantity or regularly, care should be taken 
 to see that the mother is not worried, be- 
 cause the worry in taking care of the little 
 one in her weakened condition is apt to 
 not only effect the quality of the milk but 
 the quantity. 
 
 Plenty of fresh air and sunshine in the 
 mother's room is imperative. Do not be 
 afraid of ventilation, but do not keep 
 mother and child in a draft. 
 
 If the mother will make every effort to 
 nurse her baby during the first few weeks 
 when mother and child are adjusting them- 
 selves, the chances are that she can nurse 
 it right through the early months and this 
 is the surest safeguard for the health of 
 the baby. 
 
 Tlie menses sometimes recur before the 
 nine months and it is not necessary to wean 
 the baby when the menses appear, but it is 
 necessary to wean it should pregnancy 
 recur because in this event the mother can- 
 not supply sufficient nutrition for herself 
 and the baby. 
 
 137
 
 Abortion, or Miscarriage 
 
 In the usual acceptation, the term abor- 
 tion means to produce the death and ex- 
 pulsion of the fetus by a deliberate act 
 which is feticide. In scientific parlance, 
 the death and expulsion of the fetus, up to 
 the sixth month of pregnancy, is designat- 
 ed either as abortion or miscarriage, 
 whether it be the result of a deliberate act, 
 or the result of an accident. After the 
 expiration of six months the expulsion of 
 the fetus is referred to as premature birth. 
 
 A tendency to abortion or miscarriage 
 may be due to various causes, a weakened 
 or diseased condition of the organs of gen- 
 eration furnishing a prolific cause. Any 
 disease of the uterus that lessens its vitality 
 and prevents its enlargement will tend to 
 result in the death of the fetus. Or, any 
 diseased condition of the system that en- 
 feebles it may render a continuance of life 
 in the embryo impossible. 
 
 A lack of room in the pelvis and abdomen 
 frequently cause miscarriages in first 
 pregnancies. This results from tight and 
 
 138
 
 heavy clothing, insufficient exercise and 
 defective breathing. The debilitating ef- 
 fect of impure, heated atmosphere is also 
 a cause; hence the importance of getting 
 out into the fresh air and sunshine and of 
 well ventilated sleeping and living rooms. 
 
 Every woman, in the early months of 
 pregnancy, should be careful not to over- 
 tax herself at the time when the menses 
 naturally would appear. If at this time a 
 feeling of heaviness and pains are expe- 
 trienced, it is well to go directly to bed until 
 the heaviness has passed. 
 
 As previously stated, the proper poise, 
 with the rib cage fully expanded, so as to 
 allow plenty of room for the fetus to rise 
 and the child to be carried high, is one 
 safeguard against miscarriage. 
 
 Immoderate sexual indulgence is exceed- 
 ingly harmful at this time, for it diverts 
 from its needed purpose the mother's en- 
 ergies. Incontinence at this time espe- 
 cially endangers a woman who has once 
 miscarried. 
 
 139
 
 The immediate cause of miscarriage may 
 be lifting, straining, a fall, a jar, a blow, 
 a violent cold, an acute attack of disease, 
 fright, or any sudden mental emotion. The 
 system soon forms any habit, and once 
 having miscarried, a recurrence in sub- 
 sequent pregnancies, at the same periods, 
 frequently results, unless proper precau- 
 tions are taken to build up the vitality. 
 
 Tne union betwen the placenta and the 
 uterus does not become firm until about the 
 eighteenth week of pregnancy, therefore 
 miscarriage is more likely to occur before 
 this time. 
 
 One should guard against over-exertion 
 in the early weeks and at the first appear- 
 ance of bleeding or abdominal pain the 
 expectant mother should go to bed. If this 
 pain persists, it is wise to send for a 
 doctor, especially if pregnancy has ad- 
 vanced beyond the sixth week. 
 
 Occasionally the loosening of the placenta 
 is so slight that it does not result in mis- 
 carriage, but if it is determined that the 
 placenta has loosened the mother should 
 rest in bed. 
 
 140
 
 The same attention and treatment are 
 required during and after miscarriage as 
 for normal confinement. It should be as- 
 certained that all parts of the placenta 
 have been removed. 
 
 A neglected miscarriage may mean the 
 total loss of health, while on the other hand 
 a properly attended miscarriage will have 
 no worse results than a delivery at normal 
 time. 
 
 Marking the Child 
 
 Doctors and scientists are now practical- 
 ly agreed that a mother cannot mark her 
 child by any mental impression. It has 
 been commonly thought that if a mother 
 was frightened by an animal, the child may 
 take on the characteristics of the animal, 
 but this has been so fully disproven that it 
 is now given no credence. 
 
 Physicians agree that there is no con- 
 nection between the mother and the child 
 in the uterus by which nervous impressions 
 can be conveyed. These nervous impres- 
 sions by effecting the mother's health and 
 
 141
 
 disturbing the circulation, may effect the 
 health of the child through the circulation, 
 but not directly through the nervee. 
 
 Derangements of the Generative 
 Organs 
 
 Uterine and ovarian weakness often 
 have their origin in a generally depleted 
 condition of the entire nervous system, in 
 poor circulation, and a consequent mal-nu- 
 trition. The cure for such cases is the 
 building up of the strength and of the blood 
 through proper assimilation of good, nour- 
 ishing food. 
 
 Scientific physical exercises adapted to 
 the needs of the individual, deep breathing, 
 proper bathing and diet, sunshine, hot and 
 cold water in fact Nature's remedies- 
 will in many cases be all that is needed to 
 supply the needed tone to the nerves, 
 establish perfect circulation through the 
 vital organs, create a normal digestion, and 
 cause a free elimination of the waste from 
 the system. 
 
 142
 
 In cases in which disease has its origin 
 in the pelvic organs, these organs must be 
 strengthened first. If they are displaced, 
 merely to replace them will not keep them 
 in position unless they, and the ligaments 
 supporting them are strengthened. Proper 
 exercise directed to the pelvic organs 
 creates a strong circulation through them 
 and the ligaments supporting the organs, 
 supplying them with pure blood. Conges- 
 tion, inflammation, general weakness, dis- 
 placement, etc., are thus overcome, normal 
 menstruation is established, and the liga- 
 ments are sufficiently strengthened to hold 
 the organs in place. It takes time and 
 patience to correct conditions of years' 
 standing, but relief through building up the 
 natural strength is lasting. 
 
 The network] of sympathetic nerves about 
 the pelvic organs is like so many telegraph 
 wires over which messages are sent to the 
 various organs of the body; hence, if the 
 pelvic organs are diseased, the whole body 
 suffers in sympathy. The connection be- 
 tween these organs and the nerve centers 
 of the spine is very close, and the sympathy 
 
 143
 
 very great. Any weakened or diseased con- 
 dition of them, therefore, is communicated 
 to the great nerve centers, thence to tne 
 brain, and results in extreme nervousness, 
 headache, backache and general loss of 
 strength. The sciatic nerve is often af- 
 fected, which accounts for the pain in legs 
 and feet in many cases of uterine weakness. 
 
 In fact the whole nervous organism is 
 involved, the stomach being a most vulner- 
 able point, because of its sensitiveness to 
 all nervous disturbances, and because of 
 the direct connection between the sympa- 
 thetic nerve centers to the uterus and to the 
 stomach; hence the digestion suffers and 
 nutrition often becomes insufficient. 
 
 Indigestion and constipation are often 
 the first apparent symptoms of uterine 
 weakness. The futility of treating a 
 patient for these conditions when they are 
 merely symptoms, resulting from their 
 close connection and sympathy with the 
 nerves of the pelvic organs is appar- 
 ent. Causes must be removed before dis- 
 ease can be eradicated. 
 
 144
 
 Amenorrhea.- Cessation of menstruation, 
 or amenorrhea, varies, from an occasional 
 appearance of the function to its total sup- 
 pression. It may be due to various causes. 
 A general impairment of the generative 
 organs may cause it; an excessive accum- 
 ulation of fat; a dropsical condition; a 
 breaking down of lining tissue; anemia; 
 constipation; displacement of the pelvic 
 organs; adhesions; flexions of the uterus; 
 a closing of the os by reason of a growth 
 or some impediment, or by flexion at the 
 os; weakness of the nerves; or a harden- 
 ing of the uterus after pregnancy. The 
 most prolific cause of suppressed men- 
 struation is probably congestion due to 
 taking cold at the time of the flow. 
 
 Menstruation may be suppressed tem- 
 porarily by apprehension, anxiety, grief, a 
 nervous shock, a disturbance of the diges- 
 tive system, weakness following fever, or 
 a change of climate. 
 
 All of these conditions cause obstruc- 
 tion, hence a retention of waste in the 
 system. If this waste accumulates for a 
 long period the blood is poisoned by it. If 
 
 145
 
 menstruation cannot be established, death 
 will ensue, although the immediate cause 
 of it may be due to some such disease as 
 consumption, diabetes, Bright *s disease, 
 etc. 
 
 Impure blood, resulting from suppressed 
 menstruation, reacts on the brain, causing 
 dullness and drowsiness. Nature's effort 
 to rid the system of the accumulation of 
 blood is often manifested in nose bleed, 
 headache, a dropsical condition, great 
 lassitude, heaviness and aching of the 
 limbs. 
 
 The only rational relief from suppressed 
 menstruation is the building up of the ner- 
 vous system, getting the circulation in per- 
 fect working order, the blood in a healthy 
 condition, and in strengthening and putting 
 the generative organs in place. 
 
 Proper exercises, deep breathing, good 
 nourishing food, regular habits, plenty of 
 fresh air and sunshine, abundant rest and 
 relaxation especially at the time when 
 menstruation should occur will give Na 
 ture the needed aid in the work of recup- 
 
 146
 
 eration. A cure thus established will be 
 permanent, if ordinary care and precau- 
 tions are observed, and, in the event of a 
 cold being contracted at some unguarded 
 moment, the body will have sufficient 
 resistance to throw it off. A treatment 
 confined to local conditions, merely, can 
 never accomplish such a result. There is 
 no tonic so effective as exercise, fresh air 
 and sunshine. 
 
 Painful Menstruation or Dy smenorrhea, 
 has so many phases, and differs so ma- 
 terially in individuals, that it is impossible 
 to treat the subject in its entirety in this 
 volume. Since it is a symptom indicative 
 of derangement of the organs of genera- 
 tion, it should be treated as a symptom. 
 
 It may be due to any one of several 
 causes: congestion of the uterus; inflam- 
 mation of the ovaries or fallopian tubes; 
 sluggish circulation; weakness causing a 
 distention of the walls of the blood vessels ; 
 a stagnant condition of the blood in 
 the uterus; or structural changes in the 
 walls of the uterus. An oversupply 
 
 147
 
 of blood in the yielding vessels the flow 
 will cause unnatural congestion and result 
 in torturing pain, severe headaches, great 
 restlessness, ofttimes accompanied by a 
 rise in temperature and quickening pulse, 
 the skin becoming hot and dry. Reflex 
 symptoms are often apparent, such as pain 
 down the legs and in the small of the back, 
 nausea, constipation, exhaustion, sensitive 
 bladder, and sore, tender breasts. In very 
 severe cases, the pain will appear at inter- 
 vals between menstrual periods. 
 
 Painful menstruation may also be due to 
 some mechanical obstruction, such as a clot 
 of mucus or blood in the cervix, or some 
 growth as a polyp or small tumor may im- 
 pede the flow. 
 
 Flexion of the uterus is a very common 
 cause of painful menstruation. The uterus 
 being bent on itself, either forward or back- 
 ward, will nearly close the cervical canal 
 and cause the patient to writhe in agony as 
 the muscles contract in an effort to expel 
 the accumulation of menstrual fluid. Uter- 
 ine colic is frequently observed in such 
 cases. The retention of the menstrual flow
 
 by such obstructions distends the uterus, 
 the muscles contract, and this expulsive 
 effort causes pain. As the flow comes with 
 a gush the pain is relieved until another 
 accumulation causes a distention. Clots 
 are sometimes expelled resembling pieces 
 of liver. This is especially the case when 
 the obstruction occurs in the cervix. 
 
 A thickening of the lining membrane of 
 the uterus will prevent its allowing the 
 blood to escape easily through its surface. 
 In these conditions it is expelled in patches 
 or shreds, or as a whole, accompanied by 
 intense pain. This has been explained un- 
 der "Menstruation." 
 
 The almost unbearable neuralgic pains, 
 variable and shifting, which occur in highly 
 nervous temperaments, indicate a derange- 
 ment of the nerves centering in the pelvic 
 organs. They are most frequent in young 
 girls at the age of puberty and married 
 women who have never borne children 
 These neuralgic pains being of a shifting 
 nature may attack various parts of the 
 body, the head or the teeth, sometimes ex- 
 tending down one or both legs, as well as 
 
 149
 
 through the breasts, the intercostal mus- 
 cles, etc.; even the heart is sometimes 
 affected by them. 
 
 The mind suffers greatly from these ner- 
 vous disturbances and irritability is very 
 frequent in such cases, accompanied often- 
 times by a desire to withdraw from all 
 companionship and brood over fancied 
 sorrows. The only rational method of 
 treating such a condition is to strengthen 
 the entire nervous system, and build up the 
 vitality. 
 
 Painful menstruation is so frequent 
 among civilized women that it has come to 
 be universally regarded as ' ' the sick! time, ' * 
 and anticipated by many with fear and 
 dread. This should not be. Perfectly nor- 
 mal menstruation is so essential to a 
 woman's well being that the importance 
 of its regular and painless recurrence can- 
 not be too forcibly impressed on her mind. 
 There is nothing that makes such sad 
 ravages in her appearance as a disturbance 
 of this function. The traces of painful, 
 profuse, irregular or scanty menstruation 
 may in the beginning disappear at the ces- 
 
 150
 
 sation of the flow, yet it is only a matter 
 of time when the tense lines of the face, 
 the unhealthy color of the skin, the dark 
 circles about the eyes will proclaim, to even 
 the casual student of physiology, the 
 nature of her ailment. The woman so 
 afflicted soon loses her buoyancy and her 
 attractiveness; her mind becomes dulled, 
 and her whole nervous organism suffers. 
 Many women become morbid and even in- 
 sane through such disturbances. 
 
 A dilation of the cervix by hard instru- 
 ments in an effort to relieve painful men- 
 struation, may seriously injure the tissues 
 and nerves. Nature, properly assisted by 
 special exercises, and a toning of the 
 nerves will usually take care of this natural 
 function and will not injure the delicate 
 parts. 
 
 Chlorosis, or green sickness, most often 
 attacks young women or girls nearing pub- 
 erty. This disease is due to insufficient red 
 corpuscles in the blood. The skin becomes 
 pale, dark circles appear around the eyes, 
 the lips are pale, dropsical symptoms often 
 
 151
 
 appear, the hands and feet are icy, indi- 
 cating that the circulation is poor, and 
 often there is palpitation of the heart. 
 Without the least exertion the sufferer will 
 feel exhausted, the head becomes dizzy, and 
 she will experience a ringing in the ears. 
 An aching along the spine, and symptoms 
 of hysteria and melancholia, great loss of 
 appetite and cravings of a morbid nature, 
 are symptoms frequently encountered. In 
 such cases the menses are usually irregular 
 or absent, the flow thin leukorrhea may 
 appear at the time of menstruation. How- 
 ever, profuse menstruation accompanies 
 some cases of chlorosis. 
 
 If young girls, nearing the age of puber- 
 ty, receive intelligent and proper instruc- 
 tion, tender care, and affection, much suf- 
 fering will be saved them throughout their 
 lives. In their ignorance they frequently 
 check the menstrual flow, and arrest their 
 development, by taking cold. It is of the 
 utoost importance that the health be well 
 looked after at this age, that life be made 
 as easy and pleasant as possible. The cir- 
 culation should be free and strong, and 
 
 152
 
 blood properly nourished, the organs of 
 elimination in perfect working order, else 
 development of the generative organs will 
 be retarded. Non-development of the 
 ovaries may manifest itself in a flat chest, 
 stooped shoulders, lustreless eyes, a dull 
 mind and blunted affections. 
 
 Epilepsy, also, often has its inception in 
 some disturbance of the menstrual func- 
 tion. 
 
 Congestion and Inflammation of the 
 
 uterus are caused by a distention of the 
 uterine bloodvessels. It may be due to a lack 
 of tone of the nerves, or to too high nerve 
 tension. It results in tension, swelling, pain, 
 heat and redness, and in profuse and pro- 
 longed menstruation. This distention of 
 the blood vessels causes a pressure on the 
 weakened nerves that traverse the tissues 
 of the uterus, and produces great pain and 
 distress, both in the uterus and in the or- 
 gans connected with it. Pain is also felt 
 in the back and in the head. 
 
 The fact that the uterine blood vessels 
 are crooked conduces to great distention 
 
 153
 
 of them when congested. The stagnant con- 
 dition which results, and the consequent 
 enlargement of the organ, prevent the pro- 
 per nourishment of the uterine tissues and 
 the natural elimination of their waste. The 
 only wise course is to take prompt meas- 
 ures for the building up of the nerves. 
 These nerves are strengthened by hygienic 
 living by exercise, deep breathing, nourish- 
 ing food and fresh air. 
 
 There are special high-sounding names 
 given inflammation, varying according to 
 its location, yet the condition, regardless 
 of location, is of the same general char- 
 acter. 
 
 Each blood vessel is supplied with motor 
 nerves. A weak condition of the nerves, 
 therefore, will prevent proper expansion 
 and contraction of the arteries, circulation 
 will be impeded by the vessels becoming 
 distended with blood. Their walls become 
 lax and gradually expand, allowing some 
 of the elements of the blood to escape into 
 adjoining tissues. This accumulation of 
 blood causes engorgement of the tissues; 
 
 154
 
 chemical changes take place, which cause 
 inflammation, and may result in ulceration. 
 
 Enlargement of the Uterus. In preg- 
 nancy the uterus gradually enlarges and 
 rises from the lower into the upper pelvis. 
 This enlargement is natural, but enlarge- 
 ment of the uterus through disease places 
 too great a strain on the ligaments that 
 support it. An undue strain weakens them 
 and retards their movement ; if the enlarge- 
 ment continues the ligaments give way un- 
 der this strain, and the uterus is then not 
 only enlarged but it becomes displaced. 
 
 The enlarged uterus may be indurated or 
 soft, extremely sensitive to the touch, or 
 its sensory nerves may have become so im- 
 paired that it is devoid of sensation. 
 
 There are many causes for the enlarge- 
 ment of the uterus, as, adhesion of a part 
 of the placenta after childbirth, a weakness 
 due to a lack of exercise of the pelvis, or a 
 consequent refusal of the uterus to resume 
 its normal size after confinement, etc. 
 
 Leukorrhea. The immediate cause of 
 leukorrhea is congestion. It is sometimes 
 
 155
 
 called "the whites," because of its color, 
 although, owing to its constituents, it 
 sometimes changes in color from white to 
 greenish yellow It varies from the con- 
 sistency of cream to that of a curd. Being 
 one of the commonest diseases, or symp- 
 toms of disease, it is regarded by most 
 women as "nothing serious," and by some 
 as "natural," which facts greatly increase 
 the grave danger of it. 
 
 Young girls are often afflicted with leu- 
 korrhea without their mothers' knowledge. 
 The insidiousness of the derangement is 
 increased by the fact tliat it seemingly 
 gives but little trouble fort so long a time ; 
 yet the vitality of the victim is being surely 
 and steadily sapped by it. Owing to the 
 sensitiveness of the nerves of the genera- 
 tive organs, diseased products are more 
 easily absorbed into the system than is the 
 case in any other part of the body. By 
 virtue of the absorption of such poisonous 
 products of disease, abnormal growths fre- 
 quently result. 
 
 Leukorrhea is analogous to catarrh of 
 the lining membrane of the head, nose and 
 
 136
 
 throat. In severe and advanced cases of 
 the disease, the discharge is of so acrid and 
 excoriating a character that the skin will be 
 rendered sore, and the vulva become highly 
 inflamed by it. It will eventually cause 
 looseness and flabbiness of the vagina. 
 
 Some of the richest constituents of the 
 blood are contained in this discharge ; hence 
 it deprives the system of important nu- 
 tritive elements, and is a continual drain 
 on the vital forces. The system so de- 
 prived of these nutritive elements, which 
 were designed to meet the general needs 
 of the body, is too enfeebled to meet the 
 deficiency, This is owing principally to 
 the fact that instead of being supplied with 
 reserve strength, enabling it to resist dis- 
 ease and run the human machinery, it has 
 been weakened by the unnatural waste of 
 nutritious elements. 
 
 The sticky character of the discharge, to- 
 gether with the inflamed condition of the 
 cervix, sometimes completely closes the 
 mouth of the uterus. This causes an accu- 
 mulation of mucus within the uterus, and 
 
 157
 
 in order to expel this, labor-like contrac- 
 tions occur. 
 
 Various local causes may lead to leukor- 
 rhea. Some of the most frequent immediate 
 causes are tight lacing, strenuous exercise 
 during menstruation, heavy underskirts 
 hung from the waist, damp clothing, wet or 
 cold feet, uncleanliness, prolonged nursing, 
 abortions, miscarriages. 
 
 The only cure for leukjorrhea is in over- 
 coming the cause of the inflammation and 
 weakness. This is effected by good blood 
 and by exercise to strengthen the affected 
 parts, as well as the entire body, by deep 
 breathing, fresh air and nourishing food. 
 
 Displacement of the Uterus 
 
 Since the uterus is suspended within the 
 pelvis by ligaments, which allow it freedom 
 of motion, it can only be regarded as dis- 
 placed when it permanently remains out of 
 position. A distention of the bladder will 
 cause a temporary backward displacement 
 and a heavily loaded rectum, a forward dis- 
 placement; but the uterus resumes its cor- 
 
 158
 
 rect position when the bladder and rec- 
 tum are relieved. With every step and 
 
 Fig. 4. 
 
 CORRECT POSITION OF PELVIC ORGANS. 
 
 1. Uterus; 2, Ovary; 3, Fallopian Tubes; 4, Peritoneum which 
 forms the ligaments supporting the uterus; 5, Bladder; 6, Os, or 
 opening info the uterus; 7, Vagina; 8, Rectum. 
 
 It will be noted that the uterus, in correct poise, slants for' 
 ward at an angle of above forty-five degrees. 
 
 with every breath, particularly with deep 
 breathing, the uterus moves with a rhyth- 
 mic motion which aids in the maintenance 
 of a perfect circulation, and perfect equili- 
 brium. The importance of deep breathing 
 should be emphasized yet how few women 
 breathe correctly! 
 
 159
 
 A prolonged displacement impedes its 
 natural motion, preventing the blood from 
 passing freely to and from it; as a result, 
 it becomes enlarged, heavy, weakened, and 
 an easy prey to disease. A displacement 
 twists the broad ligaments supporting it, 
 and since it is through these broad liga- 
 ments that the blood vessels pass to and 
 from the uterus, they also, are distorted; 
 as the quantity of blood held within its 
 walls increases, the uterus becomes heavier, 
 the ligaments weaker and less able to aid 
 it in resuming its normal position. 
 
 The primary cause of such displacement 
 is usually a general weakness of the entire 
 body. 
 
 The weakness may be due to overwork, 
 overstrain, menstrual difficulties, too fre- 
 quent childbearing, constipation, indiges- 
 tion, poor circulation, impoverished blood, 
 etc. 
 
 A heavy, bearing-down pain in the pel- 
 vis, backache, difficulty in walking, pain- 
 ful menstruation, and excessive nervous- 
 ness, are symptoms of a displaced or pro- 
 lapsed uterus. 
 
 160
 
 Measurements of eighteen thousand 
 women show that the standing position of 
 seventy-five per cent of them tips the ute- 
 rus backward. If one walks with the body 
 in this poise, the heel strikes the ground 
 and the body is jarred so that the liga- 
 ments become stretched and weakened ; the 
 result is prolapsus or retr over sion very 
 common derangements. 
 
 Walking is not good exercise unless the 
 body is properly poised. If women merely 
 form habits of correct standing, walking 
 and breathing, a new and vibrant life force 
 will be experienced. 
 
 Unless bound down by firm adhesions, 
 the uterus will go back to place when the 
 patient assumes the right position to so 
 replace it, and its supporting ligaments 
 can be .strengthened by special physical 
 exercises used while in this position. The 
 right exercises directly reach and strength- 
 en these organs just as the muscles of the 
 arms and legs are strengthened by exer- 
 cises. 
 
 It is just as reasonable to splice [ the arm, 
 take out a section of the muscles and sew 
 
 181
 
 it together because the arm muscles have 
 become weak and flabby through lack of 
 exercise, as it is to cut out a piece of the 
 ligaments supporting the uterus and sew 
 them together because they have become 
 flabby. Happily this operation is not so 
 common as it formerly was. "Women and 
 physicians are realizing that there is a bet- 
 ter way. Exercise intelligently prescribed 
 for the ligaments brings new strength, and 
 they contract and shorten naturally by 
 reason of this strength, just as flabby mus- 
 cles in any part of the body become strong 
 by exercise and general vitality. 
 
 The above is the only rational method of 
 correcting displacement, where adhesions 
 are not present. 
 
 Anteversion is a turning forward of the 
 whole uterus, the bend coming near the os. 
 
 162
 
 Fig. S. 
 ANTEVERSION AND ANTEFLEXION 
 
 1, Uterus; 2, Bladder; 3, Rectum; 4, Vagina. 
 The uterus, bent upon itself, as well as tipped forward, inter- 
 feres with menstruation and compresses the bladder. 
 
 Anteflexion is a bending forward of the 
 top of the uterus only, and results from the 
 muscles of the uterus becoming so softened 
 and relaxed that the organ bends on itself, 
 or it is due to pressure of intestines. When 
 both anteversion and anteflexion are 
 present, the condition is more serious and 
 complicated, and will require a longer 
 time to cure, since such a displacement in- 
 
 163
 
 dicates both an enlargement of the organ 
 and a softening of its muscular walls (See 
 Fig. 5). 
 
 When the uterus is displaced, it cannot 
 always empty itself properly at the men- 
 strual period, and a part of the flow in the 
 form of clots may be retained from one 
 period to the next. This may be especially 
 true in anteflexion of the uterus. 
 
 If the uterus becomes anteverted, the 
 bladder and the nerves controlling it be- 
 come greatly irritated, hence the desire for 
 frequent urination in such cases ; yet void- 
 ing the urine does not relieve the discom- 
 fort. If this unnatural strain on the 
 bladder is not removed, inflammation, or 
 cystitis, results. Through the constant irri- 
 tation on the nerves, the sphincter muscles 
 controlling the neckj of the bladder eventu- 
 ally lose their power of contraction and a 
 constant dribbling of urine will render the 
 life of such a sufferer a burden. 
 
 The urethra may become involved in pro- 
 longed inflammation of the bladder; when 
 prolonged for a long period such inflamma- 
 tion may extend to the kidneys. 
 
 164
 
 Retroflexion is a bending backward of 
 the uterus on itself in the same manner 
 as the anteflexed uterus bends forward 
 The muscular walls of the uterus, in retro- 
 flexion, become abnormally thin in the 
 front, while the rear walls become abnor- 
 mally thick, resulting in a varicose condi- 
 tion of the veins within the ligaments, even- 
 tually leading to prolapsus of the ovaries, 
 fallopian tubes, and the uterus. 
 
 Since flexions are so liable to occur after 
 confinement, owing to the soft and enlarged 
 condition of the uterus, women cannot be 
 too careful at this time, and should not 
 leave their beds too soon. 
 
 The inflammation caused by flexions is a 
 very prolific cause of adhesions of the bow- 
 els, and if the uterus remains displaced for 
 long it is very liable to adhere to the rec- 
 tum. 
 
 Both retroflexion and anteflexion are due 
 to weakened ligaments, to a heavy uterus, 
 and a softening of its tissues. 
 
 The cavity of the uterus may close by 
 retroflexion, just as described in anteflex- 
 ion, impeding the menstrual flow. 
 
 165
 
 Retroversion means a backward dis- 
 placement of the entire organ. As the 
 enlarged uterus falls back against the rec- 
 tum, that portion of the bowel is weakened, 
 and the space through which the fecal 
 matter must pass is lessened, so that con- 
 stipation often results. 
 
 The unnatural tension put on the uterine 
 ligaments causes backjache; a hardening 
 and drying of the f eces packed in the upper 
 part of the rectum results. While so re- 
 tained, some of the poisonous elements are 
 absorbed into the circulation and the whole 
 system suffers, the uterus often becoming 
 infected by the poison. 
 
 Various diseases of the rectum often at- 
 tend such displacement of the uterus, not 
 only because of the pressure on the rec- 
 tum, but also because of the interference 
 with the circulation through the mesenteric 
 veins, which causes piles. 
 
 Such displacement drags all of the con- 
 necting organs more or less out of posi- 
 tion. The stretching backward of the liga- 
 ment which attaches the bladder to the 
 
 166
 
 navel causes pain in the umbilical region, 
 and serious complications often arise. The 
 pressure of the uterus causes a disturb- 
 
 Fig. 6. 
 
 RETEROVERSION 
 
 1, End of Fallopian Tube; 2, Ovary; 3, Uterus; 4, Bladder; 
 S, Rectum; 6, Vagina. 
 
 It will be noted that in retroversion the uterus, instead of 
 tipping forward forty-five degrees, tips backward, compressing the 
 bladder, the vagina and the rectum and flexing the opening into 
 the vagina, which interferes with menstrual flow. 
 
 ance in the network of nerves of the back, 
 producing distressing mental and nervous 
 symptoms and backache. 
 
 Some of the symptoms attending such a 
 displacement are a dragging sensation in 
 
 167
 
 the pelvis and the back, pains down the 
 front of the thighs, derangement of the 
 nerves of the stomach, severe pain in the 
 back of head, melancholia, etc. The cir- 
 culation is impeded by the twisting of the 
 broad ligaments, and there is always lia- 
 bility of this resulting in varicose veins. 
 
 Prolapsus, or Falling of the Womb is due 
 
 to an enlargement of the organ, as a 
 result of congestion and inflammation, the 
 muscles by which it is swung being so se- 
 verely taxed that they lose their elasticity, 
 and can no longer hold the enlarged and 
 heavy organ in place. The prolapsus may 
 be complete (See Fig. 7) or partial. 
 
 Such a displacement ultimately drags 
 down the vaginal walls, as they are con- 
 tinuous with the neck of the uterus. As 
 the anterior wall of the vagina forms the 
 posterior wall of the bladder, it also be- 
 comes prolapsed, resulting in serious com- 
 plications. 
 
 Partial paralysis may result from a com- 
 plete prolapsus, owing to the pressure on 
 
 168
 
 the sciatic nerves. This pressure on the 
 nerves causes them to ache, and this ache is 
 often confused with rheumatism. 
 
 In order to overcome this difficulty the 
 inflammation must be reduced before the 
 uterus will return to its normal size, 
 weight and position. If the vitality be 
 
 Fig. 7. 
 PROLAPSUS, OR FALLING OF THE WOMB. 
 
 1, Peritoneum; 2, The Ligaments of the Peritoneum, which 
 have become so weakened and stretched that they give no sup- 
 port to the uterus; 3, Rectum; 4, Bladder; 5, The prolapsed 
 uterus, which has dropped down into the vagina. 
 
 The pull and pressure on the delicate and sensitive nerves 
 about the uterus may be well imagined in the displaced position 
 of this organ illustrated in Fig. 5, 6 and 7. These cuts 
 show the extreme position of the organs; many women suffer 
 from displacement in varying degrees. 
 
 169
 
 built up systematically, the uterus will re- 
 gain its normal tone, and the ligaments 
 holding the organ in place will be strength- 
 ened. Exercises and cold salt water 
 douches are particularly helpful in most 
 cases of prolapsus. They give strength 
 and re-establish the normal circulation 
 through the organ. 
 
 Many advise pregnancy as a means of cure 
 for displacements, but a displaced uterus 
 means a weakened and often a diseased 
 one, which may affect the carrying of the 
 child. The mother may miscarry and thus 
 bring on herself still greater sufferings. 
 The general weakness, or the impoverished 
 blood which may have caused the displace- 
 ment, should be corrected before a woman 
 risks pregnancy, both for her own sake and 
 for the sake of the child. 
 
 A prolapsed uterus can be lifted unless 
 the peritoneal wall has been punctured, 
 atrophied or wasted away. Exercise to 
 strengthen the tissues by bringing a good 
 circulation of nutritious blood to all ab- 
 dominal organs, correct posture so that the 
 
 170
 
 organs will retain their normal poise, pro- 
 per walking (not on the heels), and proper 
 breathing will raise prolapsed abdominal 
 organs. 
 
 Operations 
 
 One cannot speak too strongly against 
 the tendency current in the past few years 
 to operate on a woman on slight provoca- 
 tion. Every woman should hold her body 
 as Godgiven and inviolable and should al- 
 low an operation only after every other 
 means has failed. Osteopathy, physical 
 culture, the rest cure and such means are 
 more natural and more lasting than the 
 knife. 
 
 Vigorous, promiscuous exercise must not 
 be indulged in ; but the right kind of exer- 
 cise, directed by one who has made the 
 condition a study, is invaluable. 
 
 Many of the local treatments and opera- 
 tions resorted to for female complaints are 
 barbarous to a degree, and tend to aggra- 
 vate such troubles. Cancer may result 
 from a bruise of the delicate tissues by the 
 harsh instruments. 
 
 171
 
 Pessaries and Shortening of Ligaments. 
 
 The use of pessaries, or artificial sup- 
 ports, do not overcome the cause of dis- 
 placements or prolapsus of the uterus, 
 hence their use, alone, cannot effect a cure. 
 The real cure lies in building up the 
 strength and vitality through the natural 
 means of exercise, nourishing food, deep 
 breathing of fresh air and rest. The work 
 of restoration of a good circulation and 
 tone to the muscles should be begun at once. 
 Neither can an artificial shortening of the 
 ligaments correct the cause of their laxity. 
 If the blood remains impoverished, and all 
 connecting tissues remain weak, with the 
 heavy uterus, which almost always pre- 
 vails, it is only a matter of time when 
 the ligaments will stretch still more. These 
 relaxed muscles need tone, not abuse. 
 Harsh methods do not supply the nerves 
 with the needed tonicity, and often takes 
 one longer to recover from the shock of the 
 operation than from the original trouble. 
 Properly treated and strengthened, the 
 nerves and muscles will, of themselves, lift 
 the uterus into its normal position. 
 
 172
 
 Pessaries are often a help, however, in 
 holding the uterus in place and thus pre- 
 venting the undue strain on the ligaments 
 while they are being toned and strength- 
 ened. 
 
 Fixation. One of the replacing methods 
 employed in surgery is ventral fixation, a 
 fastening of the fundus of the uterus to 
 the abdominal walls. Fixation is un- 
 natural, the uterus should be movable. In- 
 tense nervousness, burning pains and a 
 pulling sensation may follow such an opera- 
 tion. Nature never intended this organ 
 to be sewed to another. This unnatural 
 effort to overcome a form of displacement, 
 amenable to rational treatment, produces 
 another kind of displacement, with no 
 chance of relief. Dragging the uterus for- 
 ward and upward several inches in such 
 an operation puts a strain on the blad- 
 der, as well as on the nerves, muscles and 
 tissues and may cause displacement of the 
 contents of the whole pelvic viscera. Hap- 
 pily the most progressive physicians no 
 longer recommend this operation, unless 
 
 173
 
 the supports are entirely gone, which is 
 seldom the case. 
 
 Curettement. In curettement, a specu- 
 lum is inserted into the vagina. Then the 
 uterus, by the aid of sharp hook,s, is 
 dragged downward and 'outward to the 
 vaginal orifice. The mouth of the uterus is 
 then dilated, the curette inserted into its 
 cavity, and, as it is drawn outward, the 
 inner wall of its lining membrane is 
 scraped away by the pressure of the sharp 
 edges of the instrument against it. Osten- 
 sibly the purpose of this operation is to 
 clear away the diseased lining membrane 
 in order that a new lining membrane may 
 form. With proper assistance, in toning 
 the nerves and establishing good circula- 
 tion, a new and healthy lining membrane 
 may be produced. 
 
 There is no organ of the body so sensi- 
 tive as tne uterus, and it not only resents, 
 but resists, such mechanical interference. 
 Even with the most careful manipulation 
 and dilation it can only be opened suffi- 
 ciently to introduce the curette. No matter 
 
 174
 
 how skillfully it may be done, treatment 
 that requires such harsh and forceful meas- 
 ures bruises the tissues. An incompetent 
 or careless operator may thrust the curette 
 through the uterine walls, especially if 
 these walls are soft, and dangerous hem- 
 orrhages may ensue. 
 
 After such an operation the uterine ends 
 of the fallopian tubes are left raw and 
 bleeding, and their small openings are 
 sometimes entirely closed by the subse- 
 quent inflammation, resulting in serious 
 complications. The lining membrane, 
 afterward formed, is not always a normal 
 one, but may become scarred and hard. 
 Repeated curettements may convert the 
 naturally thin and tissue-like lining mem- 
 brane into a tough and thickened covering. 
 
 The ligaments of the uterus, as well as 
 the posterior walls of the bladder, and the 
 anterior walls of the rectum, are stretched 
 by this harsh usage and often subsequent 
 skillful medical treatment and care will not 
 enable them to regain their normal elas- 
 ticity and strength. 
 
 175
 
 Such harsh and unnatural methods will 
 not cure a disease of the uterus, but, on the, 
 contrary, will implicate the ovaries and fal- 
 lopian tubes, and pave the way to men- 
 strual complications. Such methods do not 
 give the needed tone to the weakened 
 nerves, but irritate and enfeeble them; 
 neither do such harsh methods promote 
 good circulation or nourish the blood. 
 
 One of the most eminent surgeons of the 
 United States says that curettement is only 
 necessary, or beneficial, in cases of abor- 
 tion, or when the afterbirth is retained; 
 otherwise the operation is harmful. 
 
 Strangely enough, physicians seldom al- 
 low this operation on their own wives or 
 daughters. The average physician advises 
 this because medicine and every other 
 means with which he is personally familiar 
 has failed and the patient insists on relief 
 in some form. 
 
 Removal of the Ovaries. No outrage 
 on womankind so deserves the condemna- 
 tion of every thinking man and woman 
 as the freedom with which physicians 
 
 176
 
 formerly removed the ovaries of women. 
 The fact that one physician cannot cure a 
 diseased ovary does not preclude another's 
 doing so, nor does it mean that such or- 
 gans cannot be put in normal condition by 
 exercise, rest, diet and breathing; neither 
 does it invest such physician with the right 
 to cut out an organ which he personally 
 cannot cure, and throw it away. Such an 
 operation should be deferred until every 
 known remedy has been exhausted, and 
 only resorted to in an extremity, as a 
 means of saving life or reason. 
 
 Many times death would be preferable 
 to the mental anguish and nervous hor- 
 ror which follow such an operation. It 
 should be borne in mind, also, that sur- 
 geons, even reputable ones, are entirely too 
 ready to declare such an operation neces- 
 sary. Many physicians have a very 
 limited knowledge of cures outside of 
 medicine or the knife. Their knowledge 
 is broadening, however, from year to year. 
 
 So great is the indignation that rankles 
 in the hearts of men and women, who are 
 informed on this subject, as the full 
 
 177
 
 significance of the injustice done their suf- 
 fering womankind is borne on them, that 
 they would fain shout from the very 
 housetops protests and warnings of the 
 multiplicity of dangers and sorrows thus 
 invited. This icustom of mutilating >the 
 bodies of women is becoming less and less 
 frequent, and it is well. The growing skill 
 in surgery has reached so high a point of 
 excellence that danger of death from 
 ovariotomy has been reduced to a minimum 
 but the surgeon rarely follows up his case 
 long enough to know the effect on his 
 patient's nerves. 
 
 The inference is not to be drawn from 
 this that all surgeons so recklessly use the 
 knife. Yet such recklessness is altogether 
 too prevalent for the safety and happiness 
 of woman. 
 
 The ovaries cannot be removed without 
 seriously impairing and weakening the 
 brain centers that control them. A woman 
 deprived of these organs loses the vital 
 force they represent, and often becomes 
 coarse and mannish. 
 
 178
 
 There is always hope of curing dis- 
 ease, but none, whatever, of restoring or- 
 gans once removed. Not only do the brain 
 centers controlling these organs suffer by 
 their disease or removal, but all the other 
 brain centers suffer in sympathy. There- 
 fore, such a severance of the intricate sys- 
 tem of connecting nerves endangers both 
 mind, body, and the spirit. 
 
 No part of the generative tract can be 
 cut without the severance of many nerves ; 
 a constant irritation of these severed nerve 
 ends results, this nags the brain centers and 
 depletes the vitality. 
 
 The large supply of blood of these organs 
 requires a large number of blood vessels. 
 A severance of these also takes place in 
 ovariotomy, the larger ones must be tied, 
 the smaller one are covered by the scar 
 tissue that forms. 
 
 Disintegration of the nerves may fol- 
 low ovariotomy, for the reason that they 
 are deprived of the work that nature in- 
 tended them to do, so naturally they perish, 
 partly through inactivity, and partly 
 
 179
 
 owing to the violence of cutting them, 
 gradually wasting away at the severed ends 
 towards the spinal cord. This will explain 
 why a woman thus deprived of normal 
 physical and mental activity sometimes be- 
 comes morbid and loses interest in life ; it 
 will explain, in a great measure, the fright- 
 ful nervous condition, the headaches at the 
 base of the brain, following ovariotomy. 
 
 The statistics of one of the largest hos- 
 pitals in Paris taken a few years ago 
 show that an overwhelming per cent, of 
 young women, unsexed by the removal of 
 the ovaries, were more or less maimed for 
 life, either by increased nervousness, in- 
 somnia, insane fits of temper, melancholia, 
 headaches, stomach difficulties, or loss of 
 feminine characteristics resulting in a 
 coarsening of the whole nature. 
 
 Swollen, sensitive and displaced ovaries 
 can be relieved by safe and natural meth- 
 ods, if the disease has not become malig- 
 nant. 
 
 There are numerous causes for ovaritis ; 
 a sudden suppression of the menses is a 
 
 180
 
 very prolific one; inflammation of the sur- 
 rounding parts will extend to them; dis- 
 placements of the pelvic organs, barbarous 
 local treatments, pessaries, excessive indul- 
 gences, and anything that weakens or in- 
 terferes with the circulation. 
 
 Because of its position, the left ovary is 
 more vulnerable than the right, and is 
 oftener affected. The upper part of the 
 rectum being on that side, the pressure 
 caused by the passage of fecal matter, es- 
 pecially if constipation exists, tends to irri- 
 tate that ovary. There is a greater ten- 
 dency to congestion and inflammation of 
 the left ovary also for the reason that un- 
 like the right ovary the value that aids in 
 controlling the circulation of the latter is 
 lacking in it. 
 
 Such a mutilation of a woman 's body is a 
 crime against womankind and against God, 
 a crime which it is impossible to atone, 
 a breakage that no human skill can repair. 
 
 181
 
 Contents 
 
 Abortion or Miscarriage 138 
 
 Amenorrhea 145 
 
 Anteflexion 163 
 
 Anteversion 162 
 
 Auto-Intoxication 123 
 
 Chlorosis 151 
 
 Clothes for Baby 105 
 
 Confinement Preparation for 95-97-99-102 
 
 Congestion and Inflammation 153 
 
 Constipation 116 
 
 Construction of Pelvis 45 to 48 
 
 Curettement 174 
 
 Diet During Pregnancy 109 
 
 Diet for Nursing Mother 136 
 
 Displacement of Uterus 158 
 
 Dysmenorrhea 147 
 
 Distaste for Motherhood 127 
 
 Enlargement of Uterus 155 
 
 Exercise and Diet during Pregnancy 109 
 
 Fallopian Tubes 61 
 
 Falling of Womb 168 
 
 Fixation 173 
 
 Generative Organs, Derangement of 142 
 
 Gestation 84 
 
 Heartburn 120 
 
 Husband's Responsibility 124 
 
 Imitation 27 
 
 Impregnation 80 
 
 Inheritance and Environment 30 
 
 Laceration 108 
 
 Lactation 132 
 
 Leukorrhea 155 
 
 Location of Organs .48 
 
 Marking the Child 141 
 
 182
 
 Menstruation 68-147 
 
 Miscarriage 138 
 
 Nerves and Blood Vessels 59 to 64 
 
 Nursery Equipment 106 
 
 Operations 171 
 
 Organs of Generation 44 
 
 Outfit for Baby 104-105 
 
 Ovaries 62 
 
 Ovaries, Removal of 176 
 
 Ovulation 78 
 
 Painful Menstruation 147 
 
 Parenthood, Education for 34 
 
 Parturition 91 
 
 Pelvis, Construction of 45 
 
 Pessaries 172 
 
 Poise Ill 
 
 Power in Repose 42 
 
 Preparation of Dressings 96 
 
 Pregnancy 75 to 94 
 
 Prolapsus 168 
 
 Puberty 65 
 
 Psychology of Motherhood 11 to 43 
 
 Retroflexion 165 
 
 Retroversion 166 
 
 Selection and Education 34 
 
 Shortening of Ligaments 172 
 
 Spiritual Motherhood 25 
 
 Sterility 130 
 
 Supplies for Pregnancy 97 
 
 Toxemia 123 
 
 Uterus 55 
 
 Enlargement of .155 
 
 Displacements 158 
 
 Vagina 54 
 
 Varicose Veins 121 
 
 Vomiting 118 
 
 183
 
 Books by Susanna Cocroft 
 
 GROWTH IN SILENCE 
 
 "Enter into thine inner chamber and shut the door.' 1 
 "There is a divine sequence, a golden thread running through 
 the lives of all men and women of truly great and lasting 
 power." R. W. TRINE. 
 
 A GOOD FIGURE OBESITY, LEANNESS 
 (Illustrated) 
 
 "Style is in the carriage, not in the gown." 
 
 "No woman is to blame for not being beautiful at sixteen, but 
 
 she has only herself to blame if she is not beautiful at 
 
 forty." FRA LIPPO. 
 
 "Few women know how to stand, to sit or to walk without undue 
 
 expenditure of nerve force." 
 
 THE WOMAN WORTH WHILE 
 
 "The normal woman is happy if well." 
 
 "Her first duty is to herself. To be a good mother she must 
 
 first be a perfect woman." 
 
 "She has not only her rights as a true woman, but the devoted 
 
 homage and service of man." 
 
 THE CIRCULATORY SYSTEM Heart, Lungs, Arteries, 
 Veins, Lymphatics and Blood 
 
 Miss Cocroft has spent years in the practical study of anatomy 
 and physiology. This lecture follows the blood from the heart 
 on its complete circuit of the body back to the heart showing 
 the dangers and results of sluggish and of impure blood flow, 
 with resultant physical ailments and their relief. No student 
 of physiology should be without it. 
 
 BODY MANIKIN AND POSITION OF VITAL 
 ORGANS 
 
 The body manikin with but few additions is sold to physicians 
 for $5.00. This manikin is printed in seven colors and in- 
 cludes fourteen different plates, showing the muscles, blood 
 vessels, nervous system, the organs of respiration, digestion 
 and all other vital organs, each in its exact relation to Che 
 other. It enables a woman to look within her physical self 
 and to understand the many facts about herself which Miss 
 Cocroft explains in her lessons facts which every woman, wife 
 and mother should know facts which it is a sin for her not 
 to know. 
 
 CHARACTER As Expressed in the Body (Illustrated) 
 
 "How can I hear what you say when what you are is forever 
 
 thundering in my ears." EMERSON. 
 
 True grace is visible expression of graciousness. 
 
 Grace, womanly dignity, self control, ease of manner, laziness, 
 
 indifference, lack of energy and ambition, moral weakness, or 
 
 moral courage, each has its expression. Not only how to thus 
 
 read character, but how women can best express it in herself 
 
 is the theme of this address. 
 
 "The secret of the highest power is in uniting the outer agencies 
 
 of expression with the power that works from within," 
 
 184
 
 THE NERVOUS SYSTEM Effect of Habit upon Life 
 
 This lecture includes a clear description of the nervous system, 
 its functions and its influence upon various parts of the body. 
 Many of woman's physical ills are traceable to shattered nerves, 
 and many such ills yield with astonishing readiness to the in- 
 fluence of a rightly directed mind. Habit is a marvelous gift 
 of nature. Rightly used, it lengthens life and is a great con- 
 server of energy. Wrongly developed habit it a check to growth. 
 
 SELF-SUFFICIENCY Mental Poise 
 
 "The great man is he who, in the midst of a crowd, can keep 
 with perfect sweetness the serenity of solitude." EMEBSON. 
 "Man has two creators: The Infinite, who created the atoms 
 and the laws by which the atoms take form; and himself, the 
 moulder of the form, and the moulder of thought and character." 
 "It is not a soul, it is not a body we are developing, butf an 
 individual." MONTAGUE. 
 Belief in self is the first element in success. 
 
 FOODS Nutritive Value and Digestibility 
 
 The problem of proper nutrition for the body is as (vital as any 
 study effecting the morals, health and the consequent power of 
 a nation, since upon the kind, quality and quantity of food 
 depend the sustenance, health and strength of its citizens. 
 
 MOTHERHOOD 
 
 The life, the vitality, the mental capacity, the moral character 
 of the child depend directly upon the strength, the character, 
 the mental attitude of the mother. Motherhood is woman's most 
 sacred privilege and the true mother finds greatest joy in fitting 
 herself to fulfill thati privilege in the most beautiful way. How 
 woman may best equip herself for motherhood and how the 
 mother may preserve herself and prolong her usefulness to her 
 children, is clearly set forth in this lecture. 
 
 THE VITAL ORGANS Liver, Stomach, Intestines, 
 Kidneys their Use and Abuse 
 
 The whole treatise is so lucid and so simply told that all can 
 perfectly understood it, and the body manikin shows the organs 
 referred to and renders the explanations absolutely clear. This 
 lecture is full of practical, everyday health hints. 
 
 AIDS TO BEAUTY Skin, Hair, Eyes, Teeth, Hands, 
 Feet and Ears 
 
 Life is made up of little things and so is beauty. No woman 
 can be truly beautiful or wholesome who neglects the details 
 of her toilet. Indeed, these little things are a constant index 
 of character. This lecture gives many health and beauty hints 
 which some women have paid hundreds of dollars to learn. 
 
 PUBLISAED BY THE 
 
 HEADINGTON PUBLISHING CO. 
 
 209 N. Michigan Blvd., Chicago. 
 
 185
 
 THE LIBRARY 
 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA 
 
 Santa Barbara 
 
 THIS BOOK IS DUE ON THE LAST DATE 
 STAMPED BELOW. 
 
 9482
 
 4 REGIONAL LIBRARY FACIUTY 
 
 ]Q[ 000 1 806 362