childbearing is over. The time of its disappearance is known as "the
change of life, or menopause."

=Amount of Monthly Loss.=--The amount of blood lost during menstruation
varies greatly with different individuals, and it would be quite
impossible to give anything like an accurate rule. It varies, normally,
from one to eight ounces, the average being probably about five ounces.

=Duration of Period.=--The duration of the period is from one to eight
days, the average being five days. Hence it will be seen that the
average loss of fluid per day would be about one ounce.

=Loss Should Be Small.=--It should be stated here that, as a rule, those
enjoy the best health who lose but a small quantity of blood at this
time. Some persons seem to think that a very free discharge is
necessary, and that they feel better at such times; but there is no
possible reason why this should be the case.

=The First Menstruation.=--The appearance of the first menstruation is a
most critical time in the life of every young girl, and the mother
should be prepared to give her daughter the best of advice. Some slight
inattention, some undue exposure, some thoughtlessness due entirely to
ignorance on these great subjects, may change the whole future from a
life of comfort and good health to prolonged days of misery and intense
suffering.

=Menstruation and Childbearing.=--It is the belief at the present time,
among all who have studied this subject, that menstruation is closely
connected with the function of childbearing. The changes which take
place each month within the uterine cavity are of precisely the proper
character to prepare this tissue for the reception of the fertilized
egg.

=Rules to be Observed.=--A few rules should be carefully followed during
each menstruation, in order that future trouble may be prevented. First
of all, it is necessary to avoid taking cold; yet a person should not
stay in the house by the side of a fire, or in a warm room all the time,
for this would increase the susceptibility to cold.

Care should be taken to avoid undue exposure, for nothing will disturb
the menstrual process quicker than the sudden chilling of the body,
especially when moist with perspiration.

Intense mental excitement should be avoided, also. If the young girl is
at school, she should be told to study more lightly at this time; while
any great excitement of any kind, as giving way to anger, or extreme
merriment, should be avoided.