ACTION OF THE FEMALE. 695 



undergo a considerable increase of size ; the mammary glands enlarge ; and a 

 deposition of fat takes place in the mamma? and on the pubes, as well as over 

 the whole surface of the body, giving to the person that roundness and ful- 

 ness, which are so attractive to the opposite sex, at the period of commencing 

 Womanhood. The first appearance of the Catamenia usually occurs whilst 

 these changes are in progress, and is a decided indication of the arrival of the 

 period of Puberty ; but it is not unfrequently delayed much longer ; and its 

 absence is by no means to be regarded as a proof of the want of aptitude for 

 procreation, since many women have borne large families, without having ever 

 menstruated. The Catamenial discharge appears normally to consist of blood 

 deprived of its fibrine ; the fluid being composed of serum, in which red cor- 

 puscles are suspended, and being readily distinguishable from true blood by 

 its want of power to clot. When clots are found in it, therefore, a morbid 

 condition of the secreting surface must be inferred. The interval which usu- 

 ally elapses between the successive appearances of the secretion, is about four 

 weeks ; and the duration of the flow is from three to six days. There is, 

 however, great variety in this respect among the inhabitants of different cli- 

 mates, and among individuals ; in general, the appearance is more frequent, 

 and the duration of the flow greater, among the residents in warm countries, 

 and among individuals of luxurious habits and relaxed frame, than among the 

 inhabitants of colder climes, or among individuals inured to bodily exertion. 

 The first appearance of the discharge is usually preceded and accompanied by 

 considerable general disturbance of the system ; especially pain in the loins 

 and a sense of fatigue in the lower extremities ; and its periodical return is 

 usually attended with the same symptoms, which are more or less severe in 

 different individuals. 



909. Much discussion has taken place respecting the causes and purposes 

 of the Menstrual flow ; and recent inquiries have thrown much light upon 

 them. The state of the Female Generative system, during its continuance, 

 appears to be analogous to the heat of the lower animals ; many of which 

 have a sero-sanguinolent discharge at that period. There is good reason to 

 believe that in Women the sexual feeling becomes stronger at that epoch ; 

 and it is quite certain that there is a greater aptitude for Conception, imme- 

 diately before and after Menstruation, than there is at any intermediate period. 

 Observations to this effect were made by Hippocrates, and were confirmed by 

 Boerhaave and Haller; indeed coitus immediately after menstruation appears 

 to have been frequently recommended as a cure for sterility, and to have 

 proved successful. It is well known that, among many of the lower animals, 

 the Ova are entirely extruded by the Female, before the Spermatic fluid of 

 the Male reaches them ; and that even in Birds, this occasionally takes place. 

 This question has been recently made the subject of special inquiry by M. 

 Raciborski ; who affirms that the exceptions to the rule that Conception 

 occurs immediately before or after, or during, Menstruation are not more 

 than 6 or 7 per cent. Indeed, in his latest work on this subject,* he gives the 

 details of 15 cases, in which the date of Conception could be accurately fixed, 

 and the time of the last appearance of the Catamenia was also known ; and in 

 all but one of them, the correspondence between the two periods was very 

 close. Even in the exceptional case, the Catamenia made their appearance 

 shortly after the Coitus ; which took place at about the middle of the interval 

 between the two regular periods. When Conception occurs immediately be- 

 fore the Menstrual period, the Catamenia sometimes appear, and sometimes 

 are absent ; if they appear, their duration is generally less than usual. The 

 fact that Conception often takes place immediately before the last appearance 



* Sur la Ponte des Mammiferes. Paris, 1844. 



