The function may be entirely suspended for several months or a year in women who suddenly take up hard work or violent exercise, and persist with it regularly. In such cases the periods gradually recur and finally become normal and regular. The menstrual period is frequently attended by evidences of marked mental and physical disturbances. While many women are fortunate enough to suffer little or no inconvenience during menstruation, the vast majority are more or less wretched and miserable at this time, although in good health in all other respects. Many are tired, have less endurance than usual and are likely to take cold easily. Headaches with a sense of fullness, dizziness, and heaviness are common accompaniments. Backache is a frequent source of discomfort, while abdominal pain, varying from an uncomfortable sense of dragging heaviness to almost unendurable agony, is the rule rather than the exception. And there may be pain in the hips and thighs as well. This state of wretchedness is sometimes increased by a loss of appetite, nausea and even vomiting. At the same time there are changes in the breasts which are much the same as, though slighter than, those occurring during pregnancy. They are firmer, may be somewhat increased in size, and many women experience a burning, tingling sensation, soreness and even pain. The nipples are turgid and prominent and the pigmented areas grow darker for the time being. The skin over the rest of the body sometimes changes in appearance and pimples are common; some women are pale and others are flushed during their periods. These physical disturbances accompanying menstruation vary so widely in different women, and in the same women at different times and under different conditions, that it is not possible to draw a classical picture of the condition. But all of the symptoms above described will persist with more or less severity throughout the entire menstrual life of one woman, while perhaps only one or two of them will occasionally disturb another. Whatever discomfort there may be usually begins from one day to a week before the discharge appears; is at its height during the following day and from that time subsides steadily, until the normally comfortable state is regained. In fact, many women feel better at the end of their periods and during the days immediately following than at any other time during the cycle. Heat applied to the abdomen and lumbar region during the uncomfortable days; hot baths, rest and quiet, will usually give great relief, as might be expected when there is local congestion and general nervous irritability. In this connection, it is worth mentioning that the discomfort of many women is needlessly increased by their heeding the widespread but fallacious belief that general bathing during menstruation is injurious. While cold plunges and cold showers are not recommended, certainly warm baths are innocuous and immensely satisfying.