Our busy life, our manner of dress, with all its attending demands are causing havoc with the health of women who are under its terrible strain.  The number of women undergoing operations in our public and private hospitals from day to day bears witness to the ravages of the strenuous social life and mute testimony of the neglect of the laws of nature.  Good health is the fruition of eternal vigilance and a blessing that money cannot buy.  The conduct and health of our women represents the life of our nation; individually, in a measure at least, health governs the happiness of the home.  Steele says:  “All a woman has to do in this world is contained within the duties of a daughter, a sister, a wife, and a mother.”  But how many girls grow to womanhood untaught; enter wifehood in ignorance, and assume motherhood wholly unprepared for the duties that are thrust upon her.  It would be out of place in a work of this nature, a family table book, to take up all the questions involved in such a subject; we can only leave with you a word of warning.  Before puberty the girl should be taught to lead a life that will make her strong and healthy to prepare her for the coming strain upon her system.  Once she has reached puberty parents should remember, above all things, that health is far more important than high grades in school.  Do not offer prizes for high marks and otherwise add to the pressure of the present school system.  Relieve her of worry, do not add to it.  A cheerful mind, plenty of fresh air and sunshine is more important at this period than school work.  We have paid special attention to “Causes” in this department; may we ask you, Mother and Daughter, to read “Causes” of disease and thus render unnecessary in later life, drugs, medicines, headache tablets and, perhaps, operations.

[490 Mothers’ remedies]

The Pelvis.  It is so called from its resemblance to a basin, is stronger and, more massively constructed than either the skull or chest cavity; it is a bony ring, interposed between the lower end of the spine, which it supports, and the lower extremities, upon which it rests.  It is composed of four bones, the two innominated, (nameless), which bound it on either side and in front, and the Sacrum and Coccyx, which complete it behind.  Further description will be given in the department of Obstetrics.  The cavity of the pelvis contains the bladder, the rectum, and some of the generative organs peculiar to each sex and some windings of the small intestine; they are partially covered by the peritoneum (lining membrane of the abdominal cavity).

Anatomy of the Female Genital Organs.—­The external genital organs, to which the term vulva is usually given, consist of the mons veneris, labia majora, labia minora, clitoris, vestibule, meatus urinarius, hymen, fossa navicularis, fourchette and perineum.

Mons Veneris.—­This is a rounded eminence surmounting the pubic bones, and is composed of fatty tissue, covered by skin and hair.