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Talks with a Boy Concerning Himself
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YOUR BABY
A Guide for Mothers
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HERSELF
TALKS WITH WOMEN CONCERNING THEMSELVES
BY
E. B. LOWRY, M.D.
Author of "Confidences," "Truths," etc.
CHICAGO
FORBES & COMPANY
1917
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COPYRIGHT, 1911, BY
FORBES AND COMPANY
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PREFACE
A recent number of the Journal of the American Medical Association
contained this paragraph:
"A correspondent asks for a good book describing the female generative
organs anatomically, physiologically and pathologically, treating also
of childbirth, written in language easily understood by a layman. He
desires to give copies to some of his young women patients. The editor
regrets there is no satisfactory book on the subject although there is
great need for one."
It is a lamentable fact that the majority of women and girls are
ignorant of the structure of their most important organs. In the
majority of schools and colleges where physiology is taught, absolutely
nothing is mentioned about the reproductive organs. As far as books or
instruction are concerned, the girl is ignorant of their very existence.
If she knew something of the structure of such important organs and the
harmful results of many practices or acts of carelessness affecting
them, would she not be better prepared to take the proper care of
herself and more liable to develop into a strong, healthy woman?
If a girl in the business world is intrusted with a delicate piece of
machinery she is taught the structure, use and care of it. Why is it not
just as necessary that the girl, who is intrusted with the care of
delicate organisms upon whose condition depends the health of the future
generation, be instructed regarding the care of these organs? Instead,
she is left in absolute ignorance and then blamed if she mars them.
Every woman should have some knowledge of the structure and care of her
body, especially of those parts which are concerned so intimately in the
welfare of the future generation. Every woman, too, should receive some
instruction regarding the care of young children and the proper
management of the home. A woman who attempts to care for herself and her
children without proper knowledge of these subjects is like a man who
tries to run his business blindfolded.
That thinking women are awakening to the fact that they have been
suffering unnecessarily and are realizing the necessity for more
knowledge concerning the hygiene and physiology of their own bodies is
shown by the fact that nearly every chapter in this book has been
written in answer to questions asked by women readers of the author's
magazine articles. With the hope that the plain facts herein set forth
will aid some women to have healthier and happier lives and healthier
and happier babies this series of talks has been written.
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CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
I ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE FEMALE ORGANS 11
II MENSTRUATION--PUBERTY--MENOPAUSE 23
III DISEASES OF THE FEMALE ORGANS 33
IV CONSTIPATION--HEMORRHOIDS 47
V THE BLACK PLAGUES 55
VI FAKE MEDICAL ADVICE FOR WOMEN 65
VII THE MARRIAGE RELATION 71
VIII EMBRYOLOGY 81
IX ABORTIONS 89
X MATERNAL IMPRESSIONS--HEREDITY 97
XI CHILDLESS HOMES AND REAL HOMES 103
XII PREVENTION OF PREGNANCY 109
XIII SOME OF THE CAUSES OF DIVORCE 115
XIV THE NEED OF EARLY INSTRUCTION OF GIRLS 121
XV WHY GIRLS GO ASTRAY 131
XVI SELF-ABUSE 137
XVII EFFECTS OF IMMORAL LIFE 149
XVIII FLIRTATIONS AND THEIR RESULTS 157
XIX WHITE SLAVERY 163
XX THE NEED OF EARLY INSTRUCTION OF BOYS 171
XXI WHY BOYS GO ASTRAY 177
XXII HOW SHALL THE CHILD BE TOLD 183
XXIII WOMEN IN BUSINESS 189
XXIV NERVOUSNESS--A LACK OF CONTROL 195
XXV A WOMAN IS AS YOUNG AS SHE WANTS TO BE 203
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HERSELF
CHAPTER I
ANATOMY AND PHYSIOLOGY OF THE FEMALE ORGANS
Before we can understand the care of anything we must have some
knowledge of its structure; so I think it well, in this our first talk,
that we should learn something of the structure of the female generative
organs. As I have told some of you in former talks, the womb is designed
as a nest for the babe during its process of development from the egg or
ovule. It lies in the center of the pelvis, or lower part of the body
cavity, in front of the rectum and behind and above the bladder. It is
pear-shaped, with the small end downward, and is about three inches
long, two inches wide and one inch thick. It consists of layers of
muscles enclosing a cavity which, owing to the thickness of the walls,
is comparatively small. This cavity is triangular in shape and has three
openings,--one at the lower end or mouth of the womb into the vagina and
one at each side, near the top, into the fallopian tubes. The womb, or
uterus as it sometimes is called, is not firmly attached nor adherent to
any of the bony parts. It is suspended in the pelvic cavity and kept in
place by muscles and ligaments. As the muscles and ligaments are
elastic, the womb slightly changes its position with different movements
of the body. Normally, it is inclined forward, resting on the bladder;
so you see, a full bladder will push it backward, while a full rectum
and intestines tend to push it forward and downward.
[Illustration: GENERATIVE ORGANS.]
The lower end or mouth of the womb opens into the vagina, a distensible
and curved muscular tube, which helps to support the womb and also
connects it with the external parts. The vagina is about three and a
half inches long. It often is called the birth canal because the baby
must pass through it on its way from the womb to the external world.
The two upper openings of the womb lead into the fallopian tubes or
oviducts, which are two small muscular tubes leading from the ovaries to
the womb. Each one is about four inches long, but the opening through
the center in its largest portion is only about as large as a broom
straw, while near the womb it narrows down until it will admit only a
fine bristle. When the ovum or seed leaves the ovary it must pass
through one of these tubes to reach the womb, so you see how necessary
it is that they be kept in good condition.
From the end of each tube, but not directly connected with it, is
suspended a small almond-shaped body called the ovary. Each ovary is
similar in shape and size to an almond, measuring about one and a half
inches in length, three-fourths of an inch in width and one-half an inch
in thickness. The function or work of the ovaries is to produce, develop
and mature the ova (eggs) and to discharge them when fully formed so
they may enter the tubes and so find their way to the womb. In every
ovary there are several hundred little ovules or eggs in various stages
of development. At irregular intervals one of these ovules ripens and
leaves the ovary. It passes along the fallopian tube to the womb. Here
it remains if it is impregnated or fertilized, and develops into the
babe. If not impregnated, it passes off with the menstrual flow. Every
twenty-eight days large quantities of blood are sent to the womb,
producing a natural congestion. The pressure of this extra blood in the
tiny capillaries of the womb stretches and weakens their walls. This
allows the blood, which is being sent to the womb to provide nourishment
for the ovum if it be impregnated, to pass into the cavity of the womb,
then out through the mouth into the vagina, thence to the external
parts. This flow is called the menstrual flow. When the flow ceases the
mucosa or lining assumes its former state. This process is repeated
every month.
[Illustration:
1. Bladder
2. Urethra
3. Uterus
4. Vagina
5. Rectum
6. Peritoneum
7. Perineum
VERTICAL SECTION OF PELVIS]
Lining the cavity of the abdomen and also folded over the womb, ovaries,
tubes and other organs is a thin membrane called the peritoneum. An
inflammation of this lining is called peritonitis.
All these organs I have mentioned are situated inside the body out of
sight, but there are other organs that are external. You have noticed
two longitudinal folds of skin extending from the anus, or external
opening of the rectum, to the rounded eminence in front. Their outer
surface is covered with hair and their inner surface with glands that
secrete a lubricating material. These folds are called the labia majora.
Within the labia majora are two smaller folds called the labia minora.
These folds meet at their anterior (front) end. At the meeting point you
will notice a very small structure which is called the clitoris. This
clitoris is very similar in structure to the penis of the male, having a
tiny prepuce or foreskin which folds over to protect the sensitive end.
Sometimes the foreskin is bound down too tightly, so that instead of
being a protection to the parts, it becomes a source of irritation. Then
we say the clitoris is hooded and it is necessary to loosen or cut this
fold of skin. The operation is similar to that of circumcision in the
male.
Just back of the clitoris, within the folds of the labia, is situated
the meatus urinarius, or opening leading to the bladder. This aperture
does not open directly into the bladder but is connected to it by a
tube, about an inch and a half long, called the urethra.
The orifice or external opening of the vagina is situated just back of
the meatus urinarius, also within the folds of the labia. In the virgin
it is partly closed by a membranous fold called the hymen or maidenhead.
The shape and size of the hymen varies greatly in different individuals,
sometimes being entirely absent. After marriage it usually persists as
notched folds. The presence of an intact hymen is not necessarily a sign
of virginity, nor does its absence necessarily indicate defloration. Its
congenital absence or absence at the time of birth is known. It
sometimes is injured, or may be destroyed by an accident, as by falling
astride of an object; again violent exercise may rupture it (horseback
riding). Surgical operations or vaginal examinations, roughly conducted,
not infrequently cause rupture. Then, too, authentic cases are on record
in which prostitutes have had perfectly preserved hymens. It is well
known that the use of vaginal astringents may tone up and narrow the
vagina and even restore the hymen to a great degree.
The surface between the vaginal orifice and the anus is called the
perineum (Do not confuse this with the peritoneum, for they are entirely
different). It is this perineum that sometimes becomes torn during
childbirth. The vaginal opening does not always stretch sufficiently to
allow the passage of the child's head and the great pressure being
exerted on the child by the uterine and abdominal muscles pushes it
through, causing the tear. (You will understand this better when I
explain about the development and birth of the child.) If this tear is
repaired immediately no inconvenience usually results but if it is
neglected it may produce a series of complications, some of which are
falling of the womb, inflammation and even sterility.
Not directly connected with any of the other organs but still associated
with them are the breasts. They vary in size at different periods of
life, being usually of small size when the girl is young but increasing
in size as the generative organs develop. The breasts consist of fatty
tissue surrounding milk glands and ducts. During pregnancy they increase
in size and become filled with milk. After the menopause (change of
life) they ordinarily shrink in size. The ancient Greek statues, such as
the Venus de Medici, long regarded as a type of perfect beauty, the
Venus of Capua, regarded as the bust of a perfect form, show that the
Grecian ideal of the feminine form had small busts. The modern idea
seems to have wandered far from the Grecian ideal and many women devote
much time and money trying to develop their busts. Perhaps sometime we
will give up trying to be so artificial and conform to Nature's ideal.
Nature has constructed the internal female organs so wisely that we
seldom need give them much thought. But the external organs do need our
attention every day. I told you that the labia secreted a lubricating
material which kept the parts moist, but this secretion must not be
allowed to accumulate. The scalp secretes an oil that is necessary to
the health of the hair but if this and the perspiration are allowed to
accumulate the hair has an offensive odor. So it is with the female
organs, the parts must be bathed carefully every day. I have been
surprised in the past to find how many intelligent women neglect these
parts. Women come for an examination, their clothing is scrupulously
clean, their bodies show recent care but in the folds of the labia,
especially near the clitoris, I find an accumulation of a cheesy-like
material which has an odor very offensive to any truly refined woman.
Sometimes in public gatherings, I have been seated near a woman with
this same offensive odor very noticeable, and I have longed to tell her
how to avoid it, for I am sure others must notice the same odor. But
even from a physician, in the privacy of the office, women resent any
suggestion that they are not thorough in matters of cleanliness. Daily
cleansing of these parts is a necessity. At least once a day these parts
should be sponged carefully. The labia should be separated and every
fold thoroughly cleansed. Occasional vaginal douches also are necessary,
for the various secretions often are retained in the folds of the vagina
and cause irritation. But in taking a douche one always should remember
to have the water warm. Cold water may produce congestion. The virtue of
douches (except when taken for medicinal purposes) lies in their
cleansing properties and warm water cleanses even better than cold. Many
women produce grave disorders by the use of cold douches under the
mistaken notion that they are of greater value than hot ones. A douche
should be taken at the close of the menstrual period especially.
These female organs should not be the source of worry but they do
require as much or even more attention to cleanliness than we give to
our mouths or other parts of the body.