The London practice of midwifery : to which are added, instructions for the treatment of lying-in women, and the principal diseases of children, chiefly designed for students and early practitioners.

Date:
1820
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The London practice of midwifery : to which are added, instructions for the treatment of lying-in women, and the principal diseases of children, chiefly designed for students and early practitioners. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)

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    MIDWIFERY. CHAPTER I. ON MENSTRUATION. Sect . i. General Nature of the menstrual Discharge. By the menses we mean a periodical discharge of fluid resembling blood, from the vagina of a woman, returning every month ; and continuing from the age of puberty till late in life, unless interrupted by impregnation, disease, or suckling. From the name given to it in different parts of the world, we should be led to suppose that the opinion of most nations agreed, both as to the cause and period of its return ; in every language the expression denoting this dis- charge, also implies the regular courses or returns of the moon. Now, although courses, considered in itself as a word, cannot imply any indelicacy, yet, from its general acceptation, it is such a word as never must be mentioned; therefore we must never speak of the menses in presence of a woman upon any account; but rather inquire thus, Pray when were you unwell last, or regular last ? Or, if it is a young girl, we ask her, Whether she has been regular yet ? There have been a great variety of opinions a3 to where the menstrual fluid comes from ; it can only be from one of three parts; either the vagina, os externum. or uterus. Arguments have been adduced to prove its coming iVom each of these parts. Those who will have it eome from the vagina, advance, that the vessels of E