felt in the head.

Any severe pain or profuse flow during the period or a discharge between
periods indicates a weakened or diseased condition and should not be
neglected, for it sooner or later will affect the whole system. A woman
suffering from female diseases not only is unable to perform her work in
a normal manner but the pale skin, dark circles under the eyes and drawn
haggard look which accompany these conditions rob her of her charm of
physical excellence.

The menstrual flow appears, as a rule, every twenty-eight days, although
the length of time varies with the individual. The average duration is
five days, but varies from three to seven. The flow consists of blood
from the uterine mucosa (lining of the womb) together with small
quantities of mucus. The color generally is dark at first while later it
becomes more pale. Women in poor health often have a pale discharge.
There always is a faint odor to the menstrual flow, which has been
likened to the odor of marigolds. The quantity varies with the
individual. Usually fleshy girls flow more than thin ones and dark
complexioned ones than light ones. The average quantity is four to six
fluid ounces. The time between the periods is required by the uterus or
womb to first restore the lining and then prepare it for the reception
of the ovum. Every month one or more ova (eggs) leave the ovary, pass to
the uterus and, if not impregnated, pass off with the menstrual flow.
The material prepared for the reception of the ovum is used to nourish
the new life if pregnancy occurs, but when it does not, this surplus
passes off in the form of the menstrual flow.

The menopause or change of life is the end of the child-bearing period
of a woman's life. The average age at which it occurs is forty-six,
although there is a great difference as to this. In some women it has
been known to occur as early as the thirtieth year, while in others it
does not come until the fifty-fifth year. As a rule, a woman who
commences to menstruate at an early age continues to do so until a late
age, while with a woman who commences to menstruate late, the change
comes early. At this period of a woman's life, there are numerous
changes taking place in the body. The ovaries and uterus atrophy or
shrink in size, and cease to functionate. The nervous system is being
readjusted to meet the changed conditions. One symptom of the approach
of this period is irregularity in menstruation; sometimes several