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I ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE FEMALE ORGANS 11

II MENSTRUATION--PUBERTY--MENOPAUSE 23

IV CONSTIPATION--HEMORRHOIDS 47

V THE BLACK PLAGUES 55

VI FAKE MEDICAL ADVICE FOR WOMEN 65

X MATERNAL IMPRESSIONS--HEREDITY 97

XX THE NEED OF EARLY INSTRUCTION OF BOYS 171

HERSELF

ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE FEMALE ORGANS

Before we can understand the care of anything we must have some knowledge of its structure; so I think it well, in this our first talk, that we should learn something of the structure of the female generative organs. As I have told some of you in former talks, the womb is designed as a nest for the babe during its process of development from the egg or ovule. It lies in the center of the pelvis, or lower part of the body cavity, in front of the rectum and behind and above the bladder. It is pear-shaped, with the small end downward, and is about three inches long, two inches wide and one inch thick. It consists of layers of muscles enclosing a cavity which, owing to the thickness of the walls, is comparatively small. This cavity is triangular in shape and has three openings,--one at the lower end or mouth of the womb into the vagina and one at each side, near the top, into the fallopian tubes. The womb, or uterus as it sometimes is called, is not firmly attached nor adherent to any of the bony parts. It is suspended in the pelvic cavity and kept in place by muscles and ligaments. As the muscles and ligaments are elastic, the womb slightly changes its position with different movements of the body. Normally, it is inclined forward, resting on the bladder; so you see, a full bladder will push it backward, while a full rectum and intestines tend to push it forward and downward.

The lower end or mouth of the womb opens into the vagina, a distensible and curved muscular tube, which helps to support the womb and also connects it with the external parts. The vagina is about three and a half inches long. It often is called the birth canal because the baby must pass through it on its way from the womb to the external world.

The two upper openings of the womb lead into the fallopian tubes or oviducts, which are two small muscular tubes leading from the ovaries to the womb. Each one is about four inches long, but the opening through the center in its largest portion is only about as large as a broom straw, while near the womb it narrows down until it will admit only a fine bristle. When the ovum or seed leaves the ovary it must pass through one of these tubes to reach the womb, so you see how necessary it is that they be kept in good condition.

From the end of each tube, but not directly connected with it, is suspended a small almond-shaped body called the ovary. Each ovary is similar in shape and size to an almond, measuring about one and a half inches in length, three-fourths of an inch in width and one-half an inch in thickness. The function or work of the ovaries is to produce, develop and mature the ova and to discharge them when fully formed so they may enter the tubes and so find their way to the womb. In every ovary there are several hundred little ovules or eggs in various stages of development. At irregular intervals one of these ovules ripens and leaves the ovary. It passes along the fallopian tube to the womb. Here it remains if it is impregnated or fertilized, and develops into the babe. If not impregnated, it passes off with the menstrual flow. Every twenty-eight days large quantities of blood are sent to the womb, producing a natural congestion. The pressure of this extra blood in the tiny capillaries of the womb stretches and weakens their walls. This allows the blood, which is being sent to the womb to provide nourishment for the ovum if it be impregnated, to pass into the cavity of the womb, then out through the mouth into the vagina, thence to the external parts. This flow is called the menstrual flow. When the flow ceases the mucosa or lining assumes its former state. This process is repeated every month.

Lining the cavity of the abdomen and also folded over the womb, ovaries, tubes and other organs is a thin membrane called the peritoneum. An inflammation of this lining is called peritonitis.

All these organs I have mentioned are situated inside the body out of sight, but there are other organs that are external. You have noticed two longitudinal folds of skin extending from the anus, or external opening of the rectum, to the rounded eminence in front. Their outer surface is covered with hair and their inner surface with glands that secrete a lubricating material. These folds are called the labia majora. Within the labia majora are two smaller folds called the labia minora. These folds meet at their anterior end. At the meeting point you will notice a very small structure which is called the clitoris. This clitoris is very similar in structure to the penis of the male, having a tiny prepuce or foreskin which folds over to protect the sensitive end. Sometimes the foreskin is bound down too tightly, so that instead of being a protection to the parts, it becomes a source of irritation. Then we say the clitoris is hooded and it is necessary to loosen or cut this fold of skin. The operation is similar to that of circumcision in the male.

Just back of the clitoris, within the folds of the labia, is situated the meatus urinarius, or opening leading to the bladder. This aperture does not open directly into the bladder but is connected to it by a tube, about an inch and a half long, called the urethra.

The orifice or external opening of the vagina is situated just back of the meatus urinarius, also within the folds of the labia. In the virgin it is partly closed by a membranous fold called the hymen or maidenhead. The shape and size of the hymen varies greatly in different individuals, sometimes being entirely absent. After marriage it usually persists as notched folds. The presence of an intact hymen is not necessarily a sign of virginity, nor does its absence necessarily indicate defloration. Its congenital absence or absence at the time of birth is known. It sometimes is injured, or may be destroyed by an accident, as by falling astride of an object; again violent exercise may rupture it . Surgical operations or vaginal examinations, roughly conducted, not infrequently cause rupture. Then, too, authentic cases are on record in which prostitutes have had perfectly preserved hymens. It is well known that the use of vaginal astringents may tone up and narrow the vagina and even restore the hymen to a great degree.

The surface between the vaginal orifice and the anus is called the perineum . It is this perineum that sometimes becomes torn during childbirth. The vaginal opening does not always stretch sufficiently to allow the passage of the child's head and the great pressure being exerted on the child by the uterine and abdominal muscles pushes it through, causing the tear. If this tear is repaired immediately no inconvenience usually results but if it is neglected it may produce a series of complications, some of which are falling of the womb, inflammation and even sterility.

Let not their oaths, by volleys shot, Make any breach at all, Nor smoothness of their language plot A way to scale the wall; No balls of wildfire love consume The shrine which I adore; For if such smoke about it fume, I'll never love thee more.

Then if by fraud or by consent To ruin thou shouldst come, I'll sound no trouble as of wont, Nor march by beat of drum, But fold my arms, like ensigns, up, Thy falsehood to deplore, And after such a bitter cup I'll never love thee more.

Here's to the maiden of bashful fifteen, Now to the widow of fifty; Here's to the flaunting extravagant quean, And here's to the housewife that's thrifty. Let the toast pass, Drink to the lass; I warrant she'll prove An excuse for the glass.

So slowly, slowly she got up, and so slowly she came to him, And all she said when she came there, young Man, I think you are a dying.

She turn'd herself round about, and she spy'd the Corps a coming: Lay down, Lay down the Corps of Clay, that I may look upon him.

When he was dead & laid in Grave, then Death came creeping to she. O Mother! Mother! make my Bed, for his Death hath quite undone me.

A hard hearted Creature that I was, to slight one that loved me so dearly; I wish I had been more kinder to him, the time of his Life, when he was near me.

So this Maid she then did dye, and desired to be buried by him, And repented herself before she dy'd that ever she did deny him.

BY EDM. SPENSER.

It fell upon a holy-eve , When holy fathers wont to shrive , Sitting upon a hill so high The while my flock did feed thereby, The while the shepherd's self did spill.

I saw the bouncing Bellibone Tripping over the dale alone-- She can trip it very well-- Well decked in a frock of gray And in a kirtle of green say-- The green is for maidens meet.

A chaplet on her head she wore ; Of sweet violets therein was store-- She's sweeter than the violet.

My sheep did leave their wonted food And gazed on her as they were wood-- Wood as he that did them keep.

As the bonny lass passed by She rolled at me with glancing eye As clear as the crystal glass. All as the sunny beam so bright Glanceth from Phoebus' face forth-right, So love into my heart did stream.

Or as the thunder cleaves the clouds Wherein the lightsome leaven shrouds, So cleaves my soul asunder; Or as dame Cynthia's silver ray Upon the glistening wave doth play, Such play is a piteous plight.

The glance into my heart did glide , Therewith my soul was sharply gride. Such wounds some waxen wide; Hasting to wrench the arrow out , I left the head in my heart-root: It was a desperate shot.

Then it rankleth aye more and more , Nor can I find salve for my sore-- Love is a cureless sorrow. And though my bale with death I bought Yet should this lass not from my thought, So you may buy gold too dear.

But whether in painful love I pine Or thrive in wealth, she shall be mine. But if thou can her obtain, And if for graceless grief I die , Witness she slew me with her eye, Let thy folly be the preef .

And you that saw it, simple sheep , For prief thereof my death shall weep And moan with many a mock. So learn'd I love on a holy-eve That ever since my heart did grieve. Now endeth our roundelay.

Of all the girls that are so smart There's none like pretty Sally: She is the darling of my heart, And she lives in our alley. There is no lady in the land Is half so sweet as Sally: She is the darling of my heart, And she lives in our alley.

Her father he makes cabbage-nets, And through the streets does cry 'em; Her mother she sells laces long To such as please to buy 'em;

But sure such folks could ne'er beget So sweet a girl as Sally! She is the darling of my heart, And she lives in our alley.

When she is by, I leave my work, I love her so sincerely; My master comes like any Turk, And bangs me most severely;

But let him bang his bellyful, I'll bear it all for Sally: She is the darling of my heart, And she lives in our alley.

Of all the days that's in the week I dearly love but one day, And that's the day that comes betwixt A Saturday and Monday; For then I'm drest all in my best To walk abroad with Sally: She is the darling of my heart, And she lives in our alley.

My master carries me to church, And often am I blamed Because I leave him in the lurch As soon as text is named; I leave the church in sermon-time And slink away to Sally: She is the darling of my heart, And she lives in our alley.

When Christmas comes about again, Oh, then I shall have money; I'll hoard it up, and box it all, I'll give it to my honey: I would it were ten thousand pound, I'd give it all to Sally: She is the darling of my heart, And she lives in our alley.

My master and the neighbors all Make game of me and Sally, And, but for her, I'd better be A slave and row a galley;

Early one morning, just as the sun was rising, I heard a maid sing in the valley below: "Oh, don't deceive me! oh, never leave me! How could you use a poor maiden so?

"Oh, gay is the garland and fresh are the roses I've culled from the garden to bind up my brow. Oh, don't deceive me! oh, do not leave me! How could you use a poor maiden so?

"Remember the vows you made to your Mary; Remember the bow'r where you vowed to be true. Oh, don't deceive me! oh, do not leave me! How could you use a poor maiden so?"

Thus sang the poor maiden, her sorrows bewailing; Thus sang the poor maid in the valley below: "Oh, don't deceive me! oh, never leave me! How could you use a poor maiden so?"

As beautiful Kitty one morning was tripping With a pitcher of milk from the fair of Coleraine, When she saw me she stumbled, the pitcher it tumbled, And all the sweet buttermilk water'd the plain.

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