t
it becomes those to be careful who state that all female schools are
injurious to the health of their students. For here is one which, in
attainments of scholarship, general discipline, and religious culture,
has ranked among the highest, and yet its health-influence holds out
better than in gentlemen's schools of kindred grade."

A lady physician formerly connected with this Seminary, speaking of
customs of modern society which have impaired women's powers of
endurance, remarks: "The most pernicious of these customs is certainly
improper dress, viz., tight lacing, long and heavy skirts dragging from
the hips, and the great weight of clothing upon the lower portion of the
back; also, insufficient covering of the lower extremities." The present
physician attributes perhaps the greater part of the ill-health from
which young ladies suffer, to these errors in dress. Another fruitful
source of evil, for which parents are largely responsible, is the
supplying of school-girls with quantities of rich pastry, cakes and
sweetmeats, which are eaten, of course, between meals, and often just
before going to bed. In one instance a young lady, previously in perfect
health, in the course of two years made herself a confirmed dyspeptic,
simply by indulging night after night in the indigestible dainties with
which she was constantly supplied from home. This is her own view of the
matter in looking back.

The following words from the two lady physicians who have been longest
connected with the Seminary, give the results of their professional
experience there:

* * * * *

Extracts from the letter of Dr. (Belden) Taylor, formerly physician at
Mt. Holyoke Seminary:

"In regard to regular study producing pain, haemorrhage or
irregularity, I do not think these disturbances are caused so
much by application to study as by want of care and prudence at
the menstrual period, and of fresh air and exercise during the
interval. * * * I think that labor, both mental and physical,
should be diminished at the menstrual period, for at this time
the ovaries and uterus are intensely engorged, and the nervous
system is in an unusually excitable condition. Do not understand
me that girls should be excused from all physical labor, but only
that they should not undertake unusually hard work, and should
avoid long walks, giving themselves as much rest as possible. * *