The People's Common Sense Medical Adviser in Plain English: or, Medicine Simplified, 54th ed., One Million, Six Hundred; and Fifty Thousand
John Stuart Mill · en
Woman, from the nature of her organization, has less strength and
endurance than man. Much, however, of the suffering and misery which she
experiences arises from insufficient attention to the sexual organs. The
menstrual function is generally established between the ages of twelve
and fourteen. For want of proper instruction, many a girl through
ignorance HAS caused derangements which have enfeebled her womanhood or
terminated her life. At this critical period the mother cannot be too
considerate of her daughter's health. Preceding the first appearance of
the menses, girls usually feel an aching in the back, pains in the
limbs, chilliness, and general languor. The establishment of this
function relieves these symptoms. Every precaution should be taken
during the period to keep the feet dry and warm, to freely maintain a
general circulation of the blood, to avoid exertion, and to refrain from
standing or walking too much. Menstrual derangements should never be
neglected, for they predispose to affections of the brain, liver, heart,
and stomach, induce consumption and frequently end in death. Young women
should, therefore, properly protect themselves, and avoid extremes of
heat and cold.
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CHAPTER V.
PRACTICAL SUMMARY OF HYGIENE.
1. The first step which should be taken for the prevention of disease,
is to make provision for the health of the unborn child. Greater care
should be exercised with women who are in a way to become mothers. Those
who are surrounded by all the luxuries which health can bestow, indulge
too much in rich food, and take too little exercise; while the poor get
too little nourishment, and work too hard and too long. A woman in this
condition should avoid over-exertion, and all scenes which excite the
passions or powerful emotions. She should take moderate exercise in the
open air; eat moderately of wholesome food, and of meat not oftener than
twice a day; take tea or coffee in limited quantities, and avoid the use
of all alcoholic liquors; she should go to bed early and take not less
than nine hours sleep; her clothing should be loose, light in weight,
and warm. She should take every precaution against exposure to
contagious or infectious diseases.