discharge, it is a wise plan to go at once to
a reliable physician, find out what is the cause and nature and then
take measures to correct it. In the beginning a very little treatment,
such as hot douches, may be all that is required, while if untreated the
condition may become serious, as you will understand when I explain
about the black plagues.

Any disorder of the uterus or ovaries reacts through the nerves upon
other parts of the body and may produce various symptoms such as general
weakness, headaches and backaches. This drain on the system often is
shown by dark circles under the eyes, pale skin and a drawn, haggard
expression. All these tend to rob a woman of her charm of physical
excellence, and none of us wish to lose that; for it is natural for all
women to wish to appear attractive.

One of the most common of the so-called female disorders, which seems to
be the lot of the majority of women, is dysmenorrhoea or painful
menstruation. This is not a disease in itself, but the symptom of
various disorders. A woman in normal health should not suffer at her
menstrual period; so if she does suffer it shows there is something
wrong. The natural thing for anyone to do who had dysmenorrhoea would
be first to find the cause of this pain and then take measures to
correct it. It may be due to displacements, inflammations or tumors; it
may be due to a contraction of the mouth of the womb which does not
dilate sufficiently to allow the menstrual discharge to flow freely. It
may be due to neuralgia or rheumatism of the uterus or ovaries. Pain
always indicates an unnatural condition. It is the cry of tortured
nerves. The cause should be determined by a competent physician and
then measures taken immediately to restore the normal condition.

One who suffers from dysmenorrhoea should try to plan her work so that
she may rest the first day of her menstrual period, and, if possible,
the preceding day. Absolute rest in bed at this time is beneficial. A
hot sitz bath, hot foot bath or hot vaginal douche taken just previous
to the commencement of the period will aid in relieving the congestion
and thus lessen the pain. After the flow has started hot foot baths and
hot applications to the abdomen may be used. Hot drinks also may be
taken, but one should not get in the habit of using any drug at this
time. Hot ginger tea will do as much good as one prepared with some
habit-forming drug. Many of the remedies advertised as a cure f