store 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,