Fundus. Os uteri. Fallopian tubes. Fimbriated extremity. Ovaries Broad the rounded upper surface the fundus. The opening in the cervix which communicates with the vagina is called the "os uteri." That portion of the cervix in front of the os uteri is the anterior lip, while that part which lies behind is the posterior lip. The Fallopian tubes are two canals which pass from each side of the upper portion of the uterus. They are from 3 to 41⁄2 inches long and will admit the passage of a bristle. Each ends in a trumpet-shaped opening surrounded by a fringe of small projections called 'fimbriæ." This is called the fimbriated extremity. When the ovum (or egg) escapes from the ovary, it is received by the Fallopian tube and reaches the cavity of the uterus in this way. The ovaries are two small flattened bodies about and inch long and half an inch thick. They lie about an inch from the fundus of the uterus on each side, in the folds of the broad ligament. The ligaments. broad ligaments are folds of peritoneum, a thin glistening membrane which covers the uterus and all the pelvic organs, and by means of which the uterus is suspended in the pelvis. The bladder and rectum being covered with the same tissue, there is an intimate connection between the three, so that if one is deranged the others are likely to be so also. The breasts are considered as belonging to the Breasts. external organs of generation. They are two glands situated on the front of the chest, one on each side of the breast bone. They vary in size and shape in different women, and during pregnancy they enlarge greatly. They secrete milk for the nourishment of the child. The nipple at the apex of the gland is a conical-shaped projection. The milk ducts all come toward it from the different parts of the breast and open on its surface. The areola is a pink or brown circle which surrounds the nipple. There is an intimate connection between the breasts and the uterus. Pain in the breast may be the result of disease of the uterus. The secretion of milk is called “ lactation.” tion. Menstruation is a bloody discharge from the Menstrua uterus every month. It begins usually about the age of fourteen and recurs every month except during pregnancy or while a woman is nursing. It ceases at the change of life or menopause (between forty-five and fifty). At puberty, that is when this function first appears, Puberty. the girl becomes a woman, the breasts enlarge and the pelvis increases in size. The organs of generation become ready to perform the functions of reproduction. The menstrual flow recurs every twenty-eight Periodicity days and lasts about four days. The quantity of of men Quantity of menstrual flow. strual flow. blood lost at a period is from four to eight ounces. Different women vary much in this respect. The discharge is blood mixed with mucus. Its color is dark red. Any peculiarity in color or the appearance of any clots in the discharge will need to be noticed by the nurse, and the discharge kept for the doctor's inspection. There is usually a feelsymptoms. ing of discomfort at the menstrual period, with headache, pains in the back, breasts, etc. These symptoms are more severe in some women than in others. Accompanying Conception. Conception most usually takes place immediately or very soon after a period. This is not an invariable rule, as women have become pregnant before menstruation has been established or even after the menopause. They may also become pregnant while nursing. A nurse is so often questioned on these points that it is well for her to have information concernin them. Always endeavoring to discourage the inquisitiveness of mere prurient curiosity, she should aim to give wise counsel concerning matters of which her patient may hesitate to speak to her physician. In doing so, the nurse should, however, speak to the physician of any matters of importance concerning the condition of the patient, which she may thus learn, and ask his counsel as to the advice she should give. CHAPTER XIV. DISEASES OF WOMEN. By this term is meant, in particular, the diseases Definitions. affecting the organs peculiar to women, as the external and internal genitals. The term may be made to include diseases of the rectum and bladder, which are closely associated with these organs, and also diseases of the breasts. In investigating the causes of pelvic disease, Causes of we find that ignorance on the part of women is largely responsible for their great number and frequency of occurrence. Civilization, so called, has laid certain restrictions on healthful living, and established fashions which are directly opposed to physiological laws, and which tend to produce abnormal conditions. Some of the most common causes of pelvic diseases are 1. Neglect of physical exercise, especially in the open air. 2. Improper clothing. 3. Improper and insufficient food. Lack of physical exercise, sunlight, and fresh air. 4. Habitual neglect of the functions of the bowels and bladder. 5. Imprudence during menstruation. 6. Overstrain of the nervous system by too much excitement, unwholesome reading, unwholesome companions, unwholesome thought. 7. Marriage when disease of the genital organs exists. 8. Lack of prudence in the marital relations. 10. Induction of abortion. II. Neglect of injuries due to parturition or childbirth. Within recent years it has become more customary for women to take physical exercise: girls may play tennis, row, ride on horseback, and take long walks, without being regarded as unladylike. Even yet, however, so much of woman's work lies within the walls of her home that she is apt to become careless on this point, to lose all taste for outdoor exercise and to confine herself to heated, illyventilated rooms. For amusement she takes up reading, music, drawing, or some other light task, which keeps her sitting, so that her muscular system becomes weakened. It is not only bodily exertion, however, that she needs, but the exhilarating effect of sunlight and fresh air-the mental relaxation which comes from out-door exercise. Every |