| 397 | from | 40 to 46 | |
| 13 | in their | 47th | year |
| 8 | „ | 48th | „ |
| 6 | „ | 49th | „ |
| 9 | „ | 50th | „ |
| 1 | „ | 52d | „ |
| 1 | „ | 53d | „ |
| 1 | „ | 54th | „ |
In some rare instances, also, conception has been known to take place prior to menstruation. Cases of premature fruitfulness are related by high authorities. Montgomery delivered a female of twins before the completion of her fifteenth year; La Motte and Sir E. Horne give instances of pregnancy in the thirteenth year; the last-named author another in the twelfth; and Bruce, in Abyssinia, and Demboss, in Bengal, met with mothers of eleven years. These facts I take from Dr. Guy.
I am next to speak of the cessation of the menstrual function, the turn, or change of life, as it is called. And I will here observe, that this period is as natural to the system of the female as puberty, or any other. But notwithstanding it is so, it is important to be remembered that all great changes or evolutions of the body render it probably, on the whole, more liable to take on diseased action than it is at ordinary times.
IS THIS PERIOD A DANGEROUS ONE?
From a long-prevailing idea that the cessation of the menstrual function is attended necessarily with a greater or less degree of danger to the general health, it has been called the critical period.
Doubtless, the health of some persons does at this time become worse; but, on the other hand, there are those who improve, and become in every respect stronger at the cessation of the menstrual function.
The learned Dr. Dewees, of Philadelphia, whose experience in the treatment of the diseases of women was perhaps as great as that of any other man, went so far even as to say, “The vulgar error that women at this period of life are always in danger, is replete with danger to the suffering sex;” and he continues: “I feel it a duty to declare that they are not necessarily more obnoxious to disease at this than at any other period of their existence.”
According to observations made on the bills of mortality in France, by M. Benoiston de Chateaunauf, as quoted by Dr. Dewees, it appears that fewer women die between the ages of forty and fifty than men, or, indeed, at any other period of their lives after puberty; and further, that this change is effected without much disturbance; that they live not only longer than men, but are more free from morbid inconveniences. These facts are well worthy of notice.
In some cases, the menstrual function becomes more copious about the time at which it is to cease, and amounts almost, or quite, to an hemorrhage.
Sometimes it ceases, and then returns again; and thus an irregularity is caused. At length a final cessation occurs. In the place of menstrual fluid, a sort of mucous discharge takes place at times; the individual experiences lassitude and depression of spirits, nervous complaints set in, and, in some cases, serious diseases come on. But, poorly as the rules of health are by the many observed, the picture is often reversed—the woman’s health becomes re-established, and firmer and better than before. She appears often more plump and ruddy after the change of life has taken place, and does, in fact, seem to grow younger for a time.