7.  TIME.—­Menstruation in this country usually commences at the ages of from thirteen to sixteen, sometimes earlier; occasionally as early as eleven or twelve; at other times later, and not until a girl be seventeen or eighteen years of age.  Menstruation in large towns is supposed to commence at an earlier period than in the country, and earlier in luxurious than in simple life.

8.  CHARACTER.—­The menstrual fluid is not exactly blood, although, both in appearance and properties, it much resembles it; yet it never in the healthy state clots as blood does.  It is a secretion of the womb, and, when healthy, ought to be of a bright red color in appearance very much like the blood from a recently cut finger.  The menstrual fluid ought not, as before observed, clot.  If it does, a lady, during “her periods,” suffers intense pain; moreover, she seldom conceives until the clotting has ceased.

9.  MENSTRUATION DURING NURSING.—­Some ladies, though comparatively few, menstruate during nursing; when they do, it may be considered not as the rule, but as the exception.  It is said in such instances, that they are more likely to conceive; and no doubt they are, as menstruation is an indication of a proneness to conception.  Many persons have an idea that when a woman, during lactation, menstruates, her milk is both sweeter and purer.  Such is an error.  Menstruation during nursing is more likely to weaken the mother, and consequently to deteriorate her milk, and thus make it less sweet and less pure.

10.  VIOLENT EXERCISE.—­During “the monthly periods” violent exercise is injurious; iced drinks and acid beverages are improper; and bathing in the sea, and bathing the feet in cold water, and cold baths are dangerous; indeed, at such times as these, no risks should be run, and no experiments should, for the moment, be permitted, otherwise serious consequences will, in all probability, ensue.

11.  THE PALE, COLORLESS-COMPLEXIONED.—­The pale, colorless-complexioned, helpless, listless, and almost lifeless young ladies who are so constantly seen in society, usually owe their miserable state of health to absent, to deficient, or to profuse menstruation.  Their breathing is short—­they are soon “out of breath,” if they attempt to take exercise—­to walk, for instance, either up stairs or up a hill, or even for half a mile on level ground, their breath is nearly exhausted—­they pant as though they had been running quickly.  They are ready, after the slightest exertion or fatigue, and after the least worry or excitement, to feel faint, and sometimes even to actually swoon away.  Now such cases may, if judiciously treated, be generally soon cured.  It therefore behooves mothers to seek medical aid early for their girls, and that before irreparable mischief has been done to the constitution.

12.  POVERTY OF BLOOD.—­In a pale, delicate girl or wife, who is laboring under what is popularly called poverty of blood, the menstrual fluid is sometimes very scant, at others very copious, but is, in either case, usually very pale—­almost as colorless as water, the patient being very nervous and even hysterical.  Now, these are signs of great debility; but, fortunately for such an one, a medical man is, in the majority of cases, in possession of remedies that will soon make her all right again.