The Four Epochs of Woman's Life; a study in hygiene by Galbraith, Anna M. (Anna Mary), 1859-

Profuse Menstruation.-- If the menstrual flow is unusually profuse or lasts beyond the regular time, the woman should stay quietly in bed until the flow ceases. All exercise increases the flow.

The flow now becomes less in quantity, and the periods more infrequent than formerly. Hemorrhage must always be regarded as a danger-signal the significance of which can scarcely be overestimated. To immediately consult a specialist on the appearance of any irregularities of the flow would, in the opinion of the most eminent gynecologists of the day, be the means of saving thousands of women's lives every year.

Mental Therapeutics.-- It is particularly necessary at this time of life that the mind should be pleasantly occupied. Her children have passed the age when they need her constant supervision, and the mother must take some relaxation from her home cares, in the form of social diversions, amusements, outdoor life, and change of scene. Any mental occupation that will take the woman out of herself is the best possible safeguard against a state of introspection which conjures up a host of evil fantasies, and which is the first step in the downward road to a fixed and permanent melancholia.

CHAPTER XVI.

HINTS FOR HOME TREATMENT

-- EURIPIDES.

Indigestion.-- The chief causes of indigestion are: eating rapidly, eating at irregular hours, eating indigestible foods, constipation, and lack of exercise. No one who values her good health will allow herself to be hurried through a meal, nor will she allow the perplexities of life to be thrust upon her at the table for solution. The first requisite for the digestion of foods is that they should be well masticated, so that the digestive fluids may act on the finely divided particles to the greatest possible advantage. And while digestion is going on all mental labor should be held in abeyance, in order to avoid drawing the blood away from the stomach to the brain. Furthermore, it is a well-known fact that digestion is best performed when the meals are served at regular hours.

Constipation leads to the formation of gases in the intestines, to fermentation, and to the absorption of toxic materials by the blood.

Through lack of exercise, the appetite fails, the liver becomes torpid, and the muscular and nervous systems lose their tone.

The exercise which the housekeeper gets in going around her house is not sufficient. Daily exercise in the open air is essential to health; as this is to supplement the indoor exercise, the amount taken will vary in proportion to the former. For teachers or those who have a sedentary occupation an hour's active exercise in the open air-- a three-mile walk-- should be supplemented by active gymnastic exercise.

For people in good health, a mixed diet-- that is to say, a diet consisting of meat, vegetables, and fruit-- is the best. If the individual is not well, then the diet must be adapted to meet the needs of that particular case.

Hot breads, all articles of food fried in fats, salads, and pastry are difficult to digest. Tea is very constipating, and when taken in excessive quantities renders the individual nervous. An excess of coffee leads to congestion of the liver.