--The absence of menstruation after
it has been established, does not, as a rule, indicate any disease of
the womb or female sexual organs. It is to be regarded merely as a
symptom and can be, as previously stated, safely ignored if the general
health is good. If the general condition is poor, and the quantity and
quality of the blood deficient, it is a provision of nature to suppress
menstruation in the interest of the general health. For this reason it
is safe to disregard the amenorrhea and build up the bodily strength.
This explains why some girls pass the usual age of puberty and show no
signs of menstruating. They are poorly developed sexually, through
deficiency of blood. If, on the other hand, a girl should have all the
symptoms of menstruation every month, but no flow, she should be
examined by a physician to determine if there is any obstruction to the
escape of blood. Total absence of any symptoms of menstruation extending
into adult life, may indicate an absence of the sexual organs. During
the first year after puberty it is quite natural for menstruation to be
irregular; after the function is thoroughly established there are many
causes that may be responsible for its temporary absence.

CAUSES OF AMENORRHEA.--Any condition or circumstance which reduces the
general health or impoverishes the quality or quantity of the blood and
weakens the nervous system, will result in a stoppage of the monthly
periods. Among these are insufficient food and exercise, overwork,
overstudy, exposure to cold, sitting on cold steps or gold ground,
wearing damp clothes, bathing in cold water at the beginning of
menstruation, powerful emotions, as great fright, anger, anxiety; acute
diseases, such as typhoid fever, cholera, the infectious skin diseases;
chronic diseases such as Bright's disease, heart disease, consumption;
anemia and chlorosis are very common causes. Obesity or an overfat
condition will cause an early suppression of the menses which may result
in a fruitless marriage. Displacement of the womb and other local
disorders frequently result in scanty or delayed menstruation. Anxiety
lest pregnancy may occur in the newly married may cause a delay in the
periods. A radical change of climate or sometimes a visit to the
country, or changed circumstances may stop the flow for the time being.

TREATMENT.--The treatment of amenorrhea, or absence of menstruation,
will depend on the underlying cause. A careful investigation sh