The Menses—Names—Source—Commencement—Periodicity—Nature—Quantity of the Menstrual Discharge. In my last letter, speaking of the menstrual discharge in females, I omitted to mention the several names and expressions by which the function is known. Those by which it is more commonly designated are “_menses_” (meaning a month), _monthlies_, _monthly discharge_, _show_, _being regular_, _regular discharge_, _flowers_, _turns_, _monthly turns_, _regular periods_, _monthly periods_, _courses_, _monthly courses_, _catamenia_, _catamenial discharge_, etc. We read in the Bible that Rachel said to her father, “Let it not displease my lord that I cannot rise up before thee, _for the custom of women is upon me_.” And we also read of Sarah, that a son was promised to her when “she was old and well stricken in age, and when it had _ceased to be with her after the manner of women_.” Menstruation, then, commences at puberty and ceases with fecundity, and generally during the period of giving suck. As a general fact, women who experience no menstruation can never bear children. COMMENCEMENT OF THE MENSTRUAL DISCHARGE. This is usually preceded by more or less disturbance of the general system. There may be a general excitement or a depression, or the two in alternation. There is often experienced a sense of weight in the loins, accompanied sometimes by a feeling of tension in the epigastrium, or pit of the stomach, with pain in different parts of the body. There is also general uneasiness, lassitude of the body, and irritableness of the temper and feelings. With these symptoms, a mucous discharge, more or less yellow, takes place. This, after a time, becomes streaked with blood; yet many experience no particular symptoms at this time, and such, doubtless, would generally be the case were the laws of life and health habitually obeyed. In general, menstruation does not become regular until after some months have elapsed from its commencement. The health should be carefully guarded at the coming on of menstruation. Perhaps at no one period of woman’s life is attention to the laws of health more requisite than here. A little mismanagement may now lay the foundation for life-long suffering and disease. Bathing, a full share of exercise in the open air, particular attention to diet, and, in short, all the hygienic means that can be brought to bear in keeping up a good condition of the general health, is the course to be pursued. Cheerfulness, contentment, and a pleasing frame of mind, are very desirable at this time. Severe study and unpleasant discourse, of whatever kind, should not now be undertaken.