TREATMENT OF DISEASES. 263 



active and industrious part of the sex, whereas the indolent and lazy are seldom 

 free from them. These are, in a manner, eaten up by the chlorosis, or green-sick- 

 ness, and otlier diseases of this nature. We would therefore recommend it to 

 all who wish to escape these calamities, to avoid indolence and inactivity, as 

 their greatest enemies, and to be as much in the open air as possible. 



Another thing which proves very hurtful to girls about this period of life 

 is unwliolesome food. Fond of all manner of trash, they often indulge in it, 

 till their whole humors are quite vitiated. Hence ensues indigestions, want of 

 appetite, and a numerous train of evils. If the fluids be not duly prepared, it 

 is utterly impossible that the secretions should go properly on. Accordingly 

 we find that such girls as lead an indolent life and eat indiscriminately 

 are not only subject to obstructions of the menses, but likewise to glandular 

 obstructions, as the scrofula, or King's evil, &c. 



A dull disposition is also very hurtful to girls at this period. It is a rare 

 thing to see a sprightly girl who does not enjoy good health, while the grave, 

 moping, melancholy creature proves the very prey of vapors and hysterics. 

 Youth is the season for mirth and cheerfulness. Let it therefore be indulged. 

 It is an absolute duty. To lay in a stock of health in time of youth, is as nee. 

 essary a piece of prudence as to make provision against the decays of old 

 age. "While therefore wise Nature prompts the happy youth to join in sprightly 

 amusements, let not the severe dictates of hoary age forbid the useful impulse, 

 nor damp with serious gloom the season destined to mirth and innocent festivity. 



Another thing very hurtful to women about this period of life, is tight 

 clothes. They are fond of a fine shape, and foolishly imagine that this can be 

 acquired by lacing themselves tight. Hence by squeezing the stomach and 

 bowels, they hurt the digestion, and occasion many incurable maladies. This 

 erroi is not indeed so common as it has been; but, as fashions change, it may 

 come about again; we therefore think it not improper to mention it. I know 

 many women, who to this day, feel the direful effects of that wretched custom 

 of squeezing every girl into as small a size in the middle as possible. Human 

 invention could not possibly have devised a practice more destructive to health. 



RETENTION OP THE MENSES.— After a woman has arrived at 

 that period of life when the menses usually begin to flow, and they do not appear, 

 but, on the contraiy, her health and spirits begin to decline, we would advise 

 instead of shutting the poor girl up in the house, and dosing her with steel, 

 asafoetida, and other nauseous drugs, to place her in a situation where she can 

 enjoy the benefits of free air and agreeable company. There let her eat whole- 

 some food, take sufficient exercise, and amuse herself in the most agreeable 

 manner, and we have little reason to fear but Nature thus assisted, will do her 

 proper work. Indeed she seldom fails, unless where the fault is on our side. 



This discharge in the beginning is seldom so instantaneous as to surprise 

 women unawares. It is generally preceded by symptoms which foretell its ap- 

 proach; as a sense of heat, weight, and dull pain in the loins; distention and 

 hardness of the breasts; headache; loss of appetite; lassitude; paleness of the 

 countenance; and sometimes a slight degree of fever. When these symptoms 



