MENSTRUATION. 727 



menstrual flux than at other times ; and, lastly, that 

 the ovaries of the human female become turgid and vas- 

 cular at the menstrual periods, as those of animals do at 

 the time of heat. 



From what has been said, it may, therefore, be concluded 

 that the two states, heat and menstruation, are analogous, 

 and that the essential accompaniment of both, is the matu- 

 ration and extrusion of ova. In both there is a state of 

 active congestion of the sexual organs, sympathising with 

 the ovaries at the time of the highest degree of develop- 

 ment of the Grraafian vesicles; and in both, the crisis 

 of this state of congestion is attended by a discharge of 

 blood or mucus, or both, from the external organs of 

 generation. 



The occurrence of a menstrual discharge is one of the 

 most prominent indications of the commencement of 

 puberty in the female sex; though its absence even for 

 several years is not necessarily attended with arrest of the 

 other characters of this period of life, or with inaptness 

 for sexual union, or incapability of impregnation. The 

 average time of its first appearance in females of this 

 country and others of about the same latitude, is from 

 fourteen to fifteen ; but it is much influenced by the kind 

 of life to which girls are subject, being accelerated by 

 habits of luxury and indolence, and retarded by contrary 

 conditions. On the whole, its appearance is earlier in 

 persons dwelling in warm climes than in those inhabiting 

 colder latitudes ; though the extensive investigations of 

 Mr. Eoberton show that the influence of temperature on 

 the development of puberty has been exaggerated. Much 

 of the influence attributed to climate appears due to the 

 custom prevalent in many hot countries, as in Hindostan, 

 of giving girls in marriage at a very early age, and in- 

 ducing sexual excitement previous to the proper menstrual 

 time. The menstrual functions continue through the 



