iJ48 OF THE MENSTRUA. 



occurs about the fifteenth year, preceded by symptoms 

 of plethora, by a sense of heaviness in the chest, and 

 of tension in the loins, by lassitude of the limbs, &c. 

 From the first of these symptoms, a reddish fluid gene- 

 rally flows from the genitals, becoming by degrees of 

 a more bloody colour, and at length completely so. 

 This has a peculiar odor, coagulates but imperfectly, 

 and differs also in other respects from blood. It con- 

 tinues to flow slowly for some days, and the unpleasant 

 symptoms above described in the mean time cease. 



555. This red discharge returns after this period 

 about every four weeks, and continues about six days, 

 during which time a healthy woman is supposed to 

 lose, perhaps, from five ounces to half a pound of 

 blood. 



556. This action is usually discontinued during preg- 

 nancy or suckling. It entirely ceases after existing 

 about thirty years ; and consequently, in our climate, 

 about the forty-fifth year of age. 



557. By some, the vagina, by others, and with more 

 probability, the uterus, is considered the source of this 

 discharge. Instances of women menstruating although 

 pregnant or having the uterus imperforate or prolapsed, 

 do not favour the former opinion, but only prove the 

 extraordinary compensating powers of nature, who 

 employs new ways, when the usual ones are obstructed. 

 On the other hand, the dissection of many women who 

 have died during menstruation, has discovered the ca- 

 vity of the uterus bedewed with the catamenia.* I say 

 nothing of the a priori argument that the purpose of 

 menstruation is probably to render the womb fit for 



\ 



* Sec, for example, Morgagni, Adv. Anal. 1. tab. iii. M. M. M. 



