an), who has no interest at stake except to help you and your
child, and whose fee is no more than the price of one of these bottles
of advertised poison. He is the only one qualified to speak with
authority on such a momentous subject, and you will never spend a dollar
to better advantage. Warn your daughter not to speak about "her
sickness" to other girls.

Especial attention should be paid to cleanliness during this period. The
mistaken idea that bathing of any kind at this time may have disastrous
consequences is responsible for much of this neglect. If proper care is
taken warm sponge baths, in a warm room, will not cause any trouble.
Unpleasant odors can be avoided by sponging the parts with a warm
solution, into which a mild antiseptic is put, upon changing the cloths.

LEUCORRHEA IN GIRLS.--It has been stated above that a displaced womb may
cause leucorrhea or a discharge. It must be remembered that leucorrhea,
or "whites," may occur in girls as well as in married women. It can also
result from catching cold during the menstrual period. Another mistaken
idea is that girls should not take douches for fear of injuring the
hymen. This is erroneous, and while they are entirely unnecessary in a
vast majority of cases it is sometimes absolutely essential to douche in
order to cure leucorrhea. When they are given, it is advisable to use
the small nozzle that comes with every douche bag set.

CONSTIPATION AND DISPLACED WOMBS.--When the picture is fresh in the mind
of the girl, of how the womb is held upright in her body, the mother
should speak to her about the serious results that may occur from
constipation. If the rectum is full of hardened feces the womb will be
pushed out of place, and if under these circumstances straining is
necessary to empty the bowel, and if this condition is habitual,
constipation may be the actual cause of displacement of the womb.

DRESS AND MENSTRUATION.--It is also an opportune time to demonstrate to
what extent serious results may follow mistakes in dressing. The habit
of permitting growing girls to constrict the waist, to bind and pull the
abdomen by too tight garters, or too tight corset, is wrong, and no
mother should permit it. In another part of the book, this matter is
taken up more fully, but if it is explained to the girl while she is
considering the subject of menstruation, she may more quickly and more
fully appreciate its significance.

ABSENCE OF MENSTRUATION--AMENORRHEA.