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[Illustration:

OUTLINE OF THE FEMALE URINARY AND GENERATIVE ORGANS.

The above cut is introduced here to assist in conveying a correct idea
of the Urinary and Generative Organs of Woman, their form and relative
positions, together with the bones, muscles and other tissues forming
the cavity of the pelvis in which the organs rest, and by which they
are protected. By dividing that portion of the body directly through
the middle from before backward, we first cut through the cushion of
fat (mons veneris) covering the pubic bone, then in succession the
bone, bladder, womb, vagina, rectum, front half of spine, spinal
marrow, rear half of spine, and lastly the muscles and skin. Just
underneath the bone in front is revealed that sensitive organ, the
clitoris, a facsimile of the male organ in miniature, the head of
which protrudes, while the body is covered with tissue, but is readily
traced with the finger. Further back is the urethra, or water passage,
which is one and a half inches long. Next is the vagina. When closed,
its mucous lining is folded in upon itself, and requires dilating in
order to be cleansed and to apply remedies. On the vagina rests the
hollow, pear-shaped womb, the small end of which protrudes into the
vagina, and in which is a small opening, leading through the neck into
the cavity of the organ. On either side of the womb, near its top, are
the Fallopian tubes leading to the ovaries, situated between the womb
and hip bones. At every menstruation these organs throw off a
germ-cell, which passes through the Fallopian tubes into the uterine
cavity.]

THE DOOR OF LIFE.

[Illustration]

The fear of pain and the dangers of childbirth fill many a woman's
breast with dismay. In the olden days of leeches and witchcraft, it was
considered sacrilegious to lessen the pains of labor. Latterly,
anaesthetics have been used at the time of parturition, and now people
are beginning to find out that pain and danger can be almost wholly
avoided.

Proper preparation during gestation will make both as rare as they used
to be common. There is no reason why childbirth should be fraught with
danger and distress. It is a perfectly natural function, and should be
performed in a natural way without undue suffering. Nature never
intended that women should be tortured when doing the one thing which
makes them wholly womanly. The perversion of nature's laws has brought
this su