A CHAPTER FOR GIRLS 447 



scarcely any noticeable disturbance ; and if, during the 

 previous years of life, the laws of health were ob- 

 served, seldom would there by any unusual degree of 

 suffering at this time. Those who have been before 

 this period addicted to the vile habit of which we are 

 writing, will almost invariably show at this time evi- 

 dences of the injury which has been wrought. The 

 unnatural excitement of the organs before the period 

 of puberty lays the foundation for lifelong disease. 

 When that critical epoch arrives, the organs are found 

 in a state of congestion often bordering on inflamma- 

 tion. The increased congestion which naturally occurs 

 at this time in many cases, is sufficient to excite most 

 serious disease. 



Here is the beginning of a great many of the spe- 

 cial diseases which are the bane and shame of the sex. 

 Displacements of various sorts, congestions, neuralgia 

 of the ovaries, leucorrhea, or whites, and a great vari- 

 ety of kindred maladies, are almost certain to make 

 their appearance at this period or soon after in those 

 who have been guilty of self -abuse. If the evil influ- 

 ences already at work are augmented by tight-lacing, 

 insufficient protection of the extremities, hanging heavy 

 skirts upon the hips, and fashionable dissipation gen- 

 erally, the worst results are sure to follow, and the 

 individual is elected to be a subject for the doctors 

 during a good portion of her life. 



A talented writer some time since contributed to a 

 popular magazine an article entitled ' ' The Little Health 

 of Women," which contained many excellent hints re- 

 specting the influences at work to undermine the health 

 and destroy the constitutions of American women; 

 but he did not even hint at this potent cause, which 

 we firmly believe is responsible for a far greater share 



