4i8 O F P U B E R T Y, 



fpicuous* The menftrual dlfcliarge appears at 

 the lame period. By an unufual accumulation 

 of blood, all the parts fwell, and approach to- 

 wards each other. The orifice of the vagina 

 contrads, though thedimenfions of the vagina 

 itfelf be enlarged. The appearances produced 

 by this contraction are different in different fub- 

 jeds ; for we are informed by anatomifls, that 

 there are fometimes four and fometimes only 

 three, or two, carunculae ; and that a circular or 

 femilunar ring, or rather a feries of folds, is a 

 common phaenomenon. But anatomifts have 

 jiegleded to tell us, that, whatever form this 

 Gontradion affumes, it never appears before the 

 age of puberty. In young girls whom I have 

 had occafion to diifed, nothing of this kind 

 could be dilcerned ; and, having colleded many 

 fads concerning this fubjed I can with confi- 

 dence affert, that when young women, before 

 pubertv, have commerce with men, no effufion' 

 of blood ever happens, unlefs the parts be great- 

 ly difproportioncd, or fome violence is commit- 

 ted. On the other hand, at the time of puberty, 

 efpecially when the females are regular, and in- 

 good heahh, thefe effufions are common, and 

 produced by the flighieit caufes. But thofc 

 •who are meagre, and fubjed to the fiuor albus, 

 generally want this mark of virginity. The fre- 

 quent repetition of this flux of blood, and even 

 at confiderable intervals of time, is an evident 

 demonflration that it is only a deceitful appear- 

 ance. 



