Haller computed it at six, eight, or twelve ounces for the German women.
According to Smellie it amounts to four ounces.
Astruc says that in England it varies from eight to ten ounces.
Magendie thinks it is often very great among the French women, and may amount to several pounds.
It need hardly be said that the quantity of menstrual discharge often varies greatly in the same individual according to the condition of health, general habits, and a variety of circumstances too numerous to mention. It may be so slight as to be scarcely perceivable, or, on the other hand, it may be so very profuse as to amount to several pounds.
I have no doubt but that the amount of this discharge varies a good deal with the same person at different times, and that, even, when the health is good. At all events, I advise you to take no trouble in reference to it, provided you can manage to keep clear of pain and other derangement of the general health. Keep up a good degree of strength, observing, at the same time, all good hygienic rules, and you have nothing to fear in regard to the quantity of blood you may lose. In other words, take good care of the system, and the system will take good care of itself.
In the next, I shall speak of an important matter connected with this subject. I refer to what is termed the change of life, or the period at which the menstrual function ceases. I need not add that this is a matter of importance to each and all of you, for I am persuaded that you already regard it as such.
LETTER IV.
OF MENSTRUATION.
Cessation of the Menses—Turn of Life—Management at this Period.
In every department of nature we see the most unquestionable evidences of design.