292 PRACTICE OF PHYSIC. 



DCCCCXCVI. The interruption of the menstrual flux is to 

 be considered as of two different kinds ; the one being when the 

 menses do not begin to flow at that period of life at which they 

 usually appear, and the other being that when, after they have 

 repeatedly taken place for some time, they do, from other causes 

 than conception, cease to return at their usual periods : The 

 former of these cases is named the retention, and the latter the 

 suppression of the menses- 



" Pathologists have generally supposed a third case, viz. 

 that of some matter obstructing the extreme vessels of the 

 uterus, and preventing the due passage of the blood. I do not 

 argue against the possibility of such a cause ; but it is purely 

 hypothetical, no evidence can be produced of its actually taking 

 place, and we abstain particularly from it, because it can have 

 no influence upon practice." 



DCCCCXCVII. As the flowing of the menses depends 

 upon the force of the uterine arteries impelling the blood into 

 their extremities, and opening these so as to pour out red blood ; 

 so the interruption of the menstrual flux must depend, either 

 upon the want of due force in the action of the uterine arteries, 

 or upon some preternatural resistance in their extremities. The 

 former I suppose to be the most usual cause of retention, the 

 latter the most common cause of suppression ; and of each of 

 these I shall now treat more particularly. 



DCCCCXCVIII. The retention of the menses, the emansio 

 mensium of Latin writers, is not to be considered as a disease 

 merely from the menses not flowing at that period which is usual 

 with most other women. This period is so different in different 

 women, that no time can be precisely assigned as proper to the 

 sex in general. In this climate, the menses usually appear 

 about the age of fourteen : But in many they appear more early, 

 and in many not till the sixteenth year : in which last case it 

 is often without any disorder being thereby occasioned. It is 

 not, therefore, from the age of the person that the retention is 

 to be considered as a disease ; and it is only to be considered as 

 such, when, about the time the menses usually appear, some 

 disorders arise in other parts of the body which may be imputed 

 ; to their retention ; being such as when arising at this period, are 



