ment is the
regularity of the return. In temperate climates each menstrual period
ordinarily continues from three to six days, and the quantity lost
from four to eight ounces. The menses continue to flow from the period
of puberty till the age of forty-five or fifty. At the time of its
natural cessation the flow becomes irregular, and this irregularity is
accompanied occasionally by symptoms of dropsy, glandular swellings,
etc., constituting the _critical period_, _turn_ or _change of life_;
yet it does not appear that mortality is increased by it, as vital
statistics show that more men die between forty and fifty than women.

It should be the

DUTY OF EVERY MOTHER

or female in charge of a child in whom age or actual manifestations
suggest the approach of puberty to acquaint her with the nature of her
visitation and the importance of her conduct in regard to it. She
should be taught that it is perfectly natural to all females at a
certain period, and that its arrival necessitates caution on her part
with regard to exposure to wet or cold. The author has made the
acquaintance of the history of many cases of consumption and other
diseases which were directly induced by folly and ignorance at the
first menstrual flow. The child is often kept in extreme ignorance of
the liability of womanhood occurring to her at a certain age, and,
hence, when she observes a flow of blood escaping from a part, the
delicacy attached to the locality makes her reticent with regard to
inquiry or exposure; she naturally becomes alarmed, and most likely
attempts to stanch the flow by bathing or applying cold water to the
part, thus doing incalculable mischief.

This purely feminine physiological function should be well studied and
understood by all females. At least, they should know that the
phenomenon is a natural one, liable to disorder, and that the best
interests of their general health demands care and prudence on their
part to maintain regularity, etc., of the flow. Disregard of such a
duty will surely entail much misery.

DELAYED AND OBSTRUCTED MENSTRUATION.

When the menses do not appear at the time when they may naturally be
expected, we call it delayed or obstructed menstruation. It is,
however, of great importance to know whether a girl is sufficiently
developed to make it necessary for the menses to appear, although she
may have reached the proper age. As long as the girl has not