DISEASES PECULIAR TO WOMEN 591 



she becomes weakened still more. By, a continuance 

 of this periodical loss, the person may be reduced to a 

 state of almost utter helplessness. A deathly pallor 

 of the countenance, extreme emaciation, loss of 

 strength, and general debility mark the effects of the 

 constant drain upon the system. Thousands of young 

 women continue to suffer in this way year after year, 

 until their constitutions are almost hopelessly wrecked, 

 being deterred by false notions of modesty or delicacy 

 from consulting a proper medical adviser and finding 

 relief. 



Treatment.— The observance of a few simple pre- 

 cautions, and the application of proper remedies will 

 very promptly check the unnatural loss in most of these 

 cases. In the first place, absolute rest, chiefly in a 

 supine position, must be observed, not only during the 

 menstrual period, but for a few days previous to its 

 commencement. If this does not restrain the flow, cool 

 and even cold compresses may be applied to the lower 

 part of the abdomen and to the small of the back. In 

 severe cases, no harm will come from the use of an 

 ice compress, made by inclosing pounded ice between 

 the folds of a towel. Great care must be taken to make 

 the hands, arms, feet, and limbs thoroughly warm by 

 the application of warm bottles and woolen blankets. 

 These measures will scarcely fail to accomplish the 

 desired end, if employed efficiently and judiciously. It 

 may be well to add, just here, that the popular fear of 

 using cold in such cases is groundless. No harm can 

 come so long as the extremities are kept warm and 

 the circulation well balanced. However, the patient 

 must not be allowed to become chilly. It is also of 

 importance that the patient be kept mentally quiet as 

 well as physically so. 



