DISEASES OF WOMEN. 441 
Having now treated the ordinary and most of the extra- 
ordinary diseases common to both sexes, we will close this 
division of our work with the diseases peculiar to women. 
DISEASES OF WOMEN, 
MENSTRUATION. 
It is well known to adult females that girls, when they 
reach the period of their life, called puberty, have a monthly 
discharge of blood, mingled with waste products, coming from 
organs of generation. We think it is but right that mothers 
should inform their daughters of this natural process, as it 
often terrifies young girls when the change takes place. The 
age when the flow appears differs very much. In hot countries, 
animal, like vegetable life, comes to maturity sooner than in 
cold or temperate ones, where there is still a wide divergence ; 
we having known of girls changing at 12 and others at 17, and 
in extreme cases not till 20. The average, however, may be 
taken at 14 to 15. Im good health there is little or no 
trouble. With some it is hardly noticed, and every 28 or 30 
days the regular appearance of the flow is an evidence of good 
health. With others there is more or less irregularity for a 
time till they are fully established. There are three phases of 
troublethat are connected with the menses : (1) Suppression or 
(amenorrhecea) ; (2) painful menstruation, (dysmenorrhoea); and 
(3) excessive flow, (menorrhagia.). The first condition isa very 
common one, and, if neglected, may lead to serious 
consequences. Waste products of any kind cannot remain 
in the system without danger. The causes of suppression are, 
cold, close confinement, fright, debility, acute disease, &c. 
