is in accordance with the facts."[96]
Fortunately, since we are here primarily concerned with its psychological
aspects, the precise biological cause and physiological nature of
menstruation do not greatly concern us.

There is, however, one point which of late years has been definitely
determined, and which should not be passed without mention: the relation
of menstruation to ovulation. It was once supposed that the maturation of
an ovule in the ovaries was the necessary accompaniment, and even cause,
of menstruation. We now know that ovulation proceeds throughout the whole
of life, even before birth, and during gestation,[97] and that removal of
the ovaries by no means necessarily involves a cessation of menstruation.
It has been shown that regular and even excessive menstruation may take
place in the congenital absence of a trace of ovaries or Fallopian
tubes.[98] On the other hand, a rudimentary state of the uterus, and a
complete absence of menstruation, may exist with well-developed ovaries
and normal ovulation.[99] We must regard the uterus as to some extent an
independent organ, and menstruation as a process which arose, no doubt,
with the object, teleologically speaking, of cooperating more effectively
with ovulation, but has become largely independent.[100]

It is sometimes stated that menstruation may be entirely absent
in perfect health. Few cases of this condition have, however,
been recorded with the detail necessary to prove the assertion.
One such case was investigated by Dr. H.W. Mitchell, and
described in a paper read to the New York County Medical Society,
February 22, 1892 (to be found in _Medical Reprints_, June,
1892). The subject was a young, unmarried woman, 24 years of age.
She was born in Ireland, and, until her emigration, lived quietly
at home with her parents. Being then twenty years of age, she
left home and came to New York. Up to that time no signs of
menstruation had appeared, and she had never heard that such a
function existed. Soon after her arrival in New York, she
obtained a situation as a waiting-maid, and it was noticed, after
a time, that she was not unwell at each month. Friends filled her
ears with wild stories about the dreadful effects likely to
follow the absence of menstruation. This worried her greatly, and
as a consequence she became pale and anaemic, with loss of flesh,
appetite, and sleep, and a lo