"Formerly many absurd notions prevailed respecting menstruation, which in fact are not quite removed even now. Thus some authors asserted that a female, while unwell, could cause various diseases, by merely _touching_ persons! Others supposed they would curdle milk, and nearly all believed that the menstrual fluid itself was highly poisonous, so that females, at those times, were compelled to live apart and approach no one. In the Old Testament there are many regulations given, for females while menstruating, which show the prevalence of such notions in olden times. It is scarcely necessary to say that there is no foundation whatever for all this, as the fluid itself differs but little from ordinary blood, and is equally innocuous. "In like manner it was supposed, that menstruation was influenced by the _Moon_, and only occurred at a certain period of her age. We know, however, that females are unwell almost every hour of every day in the year. "The due establishment of the menstrual function is absolutely necessary, to the perfection both of mind and body, and its regular performance is quite as essential to the continuance of health, for there is scarcely a single disease that its derangement will not either cause, or at least seriously aggravate. "It is therefore _vitally important_ to attend to this matter, _particularly in young persons approaching puberty_! A little care at that time, properly bestowed, may prevent years of disease and suffering, if not untimely _death_!" CONCEPTION. Conception is the union of the male principle with the female ovum, or egg, after that is perfected in the manner described in the article on Menstruation. The precise manner in which this union is effected is unknown, though our information in regard to it is much more extensive, and precise, than formerly. As nearly as can be stated it occurs in the following way: At the time of a fruitful connection, which can only occur, it must be remembered, when the ovum is ripe, the male principle is carried into the Womb, (B, Plates I. and III.) and is then supposed, by some, to meet with the ovum which has descended down the Fallopian Tube (_f_, Plates I. and III.) from the Ovary, so that the union of the two takes place, according to this view, either in the Fallopian Tube or in the Womb. Others, however, suppose that the ovum does not leave the Ovary before conception, but that the male principle passes down the Fallopian Tube and meets it there, and that it is several days after before it reaches the Womb. There are many facts and arguments brought forward in support of each view, all of which will be set forth in my forthcoming work on the reproductive functions. All that is known for certain is, that the two principles must unite in one place or the other, and that the ovum must pass down the Tube into the Womb, either before impregnation, or after.