The question as to the nature of the menstrual discharge, has attracted a good deal of attention among physiologists and others. Savage nations, and perhaps some others in the world who would claim a higher place in the range of human civilization and improvement, have entertained singular notions concerning it.
Superstition has been carried so far in this matter, that if a man should meet with the great misfortune of dropping his pipe, and breaking it, the accident would be imputed to its having been lighted at the hut of a female who was at the time menstruating.
So, also, it has been regarded that if a woman, during this period, should walk three times around a garden, all the flowers would be destroyed, and the caterpillars killed in it.
A North American Indian, according to Dr. Gooch, said that if the saliva of a menstruating virgin were applied to the bronchocele of a male, it would cure it.
Every one has read the strict regulations recorded in the Old Testament concerning this function. Thus in the Levitical law we read:
“And if a woman shall have an issue, and her issue in her flesh be blood, she shall be put apart seven days; and whoever toucheth her, shall be unclean until the evening.
“And every thing that she lieth upon in her separation shall be unclean: every thing also that she sitteth upon shall be unclean.
“And whoever toucheth her bed shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.
“And whoever toucheth any thing that she sat upon, shall wash his clothes, and bathe himself in water, and be unclean until the evening.
“And if it be on her bed, or on any thing on which she sitteth, when he toucheth it, he shall be unclean until the evening.