In conclusion, I remark, that if any one of you who is about arriving at the turn of life, feels that you are growing old, that you will be less attractive to those about you, and that you will enjoy less of the social pleasures of life after this change has taken place, there is yet a comfort for you, even in this world. You will now no longer be subject to those monthly troubles which, for these thirty years, have been your lot. All the annoyance, the irregularity, the tardiness, the suppression, and the pain—these all are now gone from you, no more to return. No doubt you may feel sad as the sighing wind reminds you in the autumn that we can be young but once. We all feel sad at times when we think how age is creeping upon us. But may I not say to you, there is yet that which can make us triumph over all of these things, yea, over death and the grave.
LETTER V.
OF MENSTRUATION.
Tardy and Suppressed Menstruation—Chlorosis—Sudden Check of the Menses.
One of the most important of all subjects connected with the health of females, is that of disordered menstruation.
You will find, as you read medical works on Females, the word amenorrhœa, which signifies a partial or total obstruction of the menses in women, from other causes than pregnancy and old age. You will find, also, the words menorrhagia, signifying an immoderate flow of this discharge, and dysmenorrhea, meaning difficult or painful menstruation.
Before proceeding to speak of obstructed menstruation, I ought to make some remarks upon the too tardy appearance of this discharge.
As I have before observed, the catamenia usually appear at from the fourteenth to the fifteenth years of age. Now, when there is a failure on the part of nature to bring about this state of things, there is not unfrequently a great deal of anxiety experienced on the part of mothers and those most intimately concerned. If, likewise, the girl at this time is attacked with any particular ailment, it is almost sure to be attributed to this cause. Too often, under these circumstances, she is also subjected to various modes of medical treatment, with the view of forcing nature into that sort of work which it is believed she ought to do, but will not. Now, the effect of such a course can be only harmful, as a general fact. To aid nature, it should be remembered that we must increase her powers, and not diminish them, as is almost necessarily the case if a course of drug-medication is practiced.
Please notice, then, that I wish to persuade you that this plan of drugging the system for tardy menstruation is a most unwise and unnatural one. Attend well to nature, and nature will take care of herself. Let me give you a few words from an honest, good man, Dr. Dewees, who years ago went to his long home. He says:
“Our exertions in favor of such patients, should tend to the invigoration of the system in general, and the development of the uterine system in particular. The first should be attempted—First: By the establishment of a regular course of exercise; such as riding on horseback, when practicable; walking in proper weather; skipping the rope within doors, when the weather will not permit exercise abroad; dancing moderately, and with strict regard not to become overheated, and cooling too suddenly. Secondly: By proper attention to dress; wearing flannel next the skin in cold weather, and properly protecting the feet and legs against cold; carefully avoiding damp and wet places, and partial streams of cold air, especially when warm. Thirdly: By a diet of easily-digested substances, both of the vegetable and animal kind; avoiding all stimulating drinks, such as wine, spirits, or beer, etc., under the specious pretext of their being strengthening.”
I give you these words, not that I would altogether agree with every idea advanced, but because of the general worth and correctness of the remarks, and the high authority from which they come. I do not believe it best for any one to wear flannel next to the skin, but I do believe in guarding the body sufficiently against cold, a thing which young ladies too often neglect. Dancing, too, as a general rule, cannot be regulated in the way it should be; and as for animal food, it is not necessary, to say the least.