emembered all her life.

If she gets the proper impression from you at this time she will never
treat the subject lightly, or permit it to be promiscuously discussed
within her hearing.

Begin by telling her that she is about to enter the most important
period of her life. Explain why this is so in the following way, in your
own words. If we admit every female child to be a future mother, and
motherhood the highest function possible to the sex, then the awakening
of the sex organs and the mother instinct, must be the most important
developmental episode in the life story of every woman. If this is so,
then it follows that every girl should enter this period in the very
best physical health possible, in order to reap the best results
incident to this evolutionary period. We impress and warn her,
therefore, that, as her system is about to undergo important changes,
she must be particularly careful of her health. A little mistake at this
time may be followed by more serious consequences than if made at any
other time in her life. If a girl is to become a mother, certain changes
must occur in her body before the nest, of which we previously wrote,
can be made ready. God did not overlook anything when He peopled the
earth; He therefore wisely planned that these changes in the female
should occur at a time when the girl is strong and healthy.

THE PERIOD OF PUBERTY IN THE FEMALE. SYMPTOMS OF BEGINNING
MENSTRUATION.--At about the age of fourteen these changes begin to give
evidence of existence. They affect the girl's whole system and the
mother must be especially patient and sympathetic. Her disposition may
change, she may want to be alone, and she may be more or less
melancholy. She will be dissatisfied with the things that previously
interested her. She will tire easily, and she may have many spasmodic
pains from time to time. The wise mother will tactfully see that she
takes plenty of nourishing food and systematic exercise, and that she
gets enough sleep in a well-aired room. There are other physical changes
which are observable at this age. The girl grows taller, the figure
broadens out, the hips widen, the bust enlarges, and the waist line
increases in size. These are all part of the great change from girlhood
to womanhood.

CHANGES IN THE REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS.--The principal change takes place in
the reproductive organs themselves, and it is very essential that she
should have a clear mental picture of just what is