ields to preserve the vegetation from
worms and caterpillars. According to Flemming, menstrual blood was
believed to be so powerful that the mere touch of a menstruating woman
would render vines and all kinds of fruit-trees sterile. Among the
indigenous Australians, menstrual superstition was so intense that one
of the native blacks, who discovered his wife lying on his blanket
during her menstrual period, killed her, and died of terror himself in
a fortnight. Hence, Australian women during this season are forbidden
to touch anything that men use. Aristotle said that the very look of a
menstruating woman would take the polish out of a mirror, and the next
person looking in it would be bewitched. Frommann mentions a man who
said he saw a tree in Goa which withered because a catamenial napkin
was hung on it. Bourke remarks that the dread felt by the American
Indians in this respect corresponds with the particulars recited by
Pliny. Squaws at the time of menstrual purgation are obliged to seclude
themselves, and in most instances to occupy isolated lodges, and in all
tribes are forbidden to prepare food for anyone save themselves. It was
believed that, were a menstruating woman to step astride a rifle, a
bow, or a lance, the weapon would have no utility. Medicine men are in
the habit of making a "protective" clause whenever they concoct a
"medicine," which is to the effect that the "medicine" will be
effective provided that no woman in this condition is allowed to
approach the tent of the official in charge.

Empiricism had doubtless taught the ancient husbands the dangers of
sexual intercourse during this period, and the after-results of many
such connections were looked upon as manifestations of the
contagiousness of the evil excretions issuing at this period. Hence at
one time menstruation was held in much awe and abhorrence.

On the other hand, in some of the eastern countries menstruation was
regarded as sacred, and the first menstrual discharge was considered so
valuable that premenstrual marriages were inaugurated in order that the
first ovum might not be wasted, but fertilized, because it was supposed
to be the purest and best for the purpose. Such customs are extant at
the present day in some parts of India, despite the efforts of the
British Government to suppress them, and descriptions of
child-marriages and their evil results have often been given by
missionaries.

As the advances of physiology enlightened