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White Ribbon, Volume 12, Issue 136, 15 September 1906, Page 10

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Health Hints for Women. DYSMENORRHEA, or PAINFUL MENSTRUATION. In a healthy girl or woman there should lie no pain either before or at the time of menstruation, but so ignorantly do many of us live that suffering, in varying degrees, at these periods is, unfortunately, only too common. Girls who attend school, as well as those who are employed daily in teaching or in business office-, factories or shops, are sometimes altogether unfit for their daily work, owing to the extreue pain and lassitude felt at such times. What is much to be deplored is the fact that the sufferers seem to take it for granted that the pain and discomfort are bound to continue to manifest themselves, and that to swallow a stimulant or a drug to give temporary relief is the only course to be taken. Those who fly to alcohol, opium, cocaine, and other poisonous drugs for speedy relief, little know at what a tremendous cost of vital energy the temporary ease is gained. Not only this, but it is % f »ct that such drugs do not touch the real cause or causes of the trouble, save to aggravate them. I’his they do by benumbing the nervous system, stopping the natural action of the organs, and leaving them less fit than before to cope with the trouble at a future time. It is well to try and realise that no special part of the body can suffer without the entire system suffering sympathetically, and, on the other hand, if the body is improperly clothed and nouri. hed, insufficiently exercised, '»r the blood imperfectly oxygenated, any organ that is weak w ill suffer through this general neglect. Chief Causes. Insufficiency of Fresh Aik. Teachers, clerks, dressmakers and others leading sedentary lives, do not always realise the great importance of taking active exercise in the open air daily Sitting in a stooping position for some hours of every day in, it may he, a badly-ventilated room or building, or sleeping in ill-ventilated bedrooms with closed windows. are primary causes of uterine and other disorders. Irregular Bathing.—Owingtothis inattention the normal action of the skin is hindered from throwing off the natural secretions of the body, thus causing a feverish condition to lie set up, to the detriment of the entire system. A Wrong Diet —Net only rich stimulating finals, such as highly-seasoned meats, pastries, pickles, etc., hut also wrong combinations of foods are answerable for much mischief. The habit of eating frequently and at irregular hours, with drinking at meals, is a fruitful source of indigestion and malnutrition Constipation and congestion of the abdominal and pelvic blood-vessels also result from these habits of living, and the condition induced naturally affects the uterus closely. Unhygienic Clothing. —Corset-wearing (the evils from which would require many

volumes to describe), tight bands, the weight of clothing suspended from the hips instead of from the shoulders, tight shoes and gloves all help to increase the trouble now being dealt with, by impeding circulation and increasing the congested state. Misplacements of the chest and abdominal organs are induced by the corget, and pressure with a “ bearing down’’ of the most delicate organs is the result. Professor O. S. Fowler writes strongly on this fashion He says: “It inflicts the very worst forms of physical ruin on women. By girting in the lungs, stomach, heart, diaphragm, etc., it cripples every one of the life-manufacturing functions, impairs the circulation, and prevents muscular action. . . . . . Most alarmingly has it already deteriorated our very race in physical strength, power, constitution, energy, and talents. Let those who had rather bury than keep alive their children marry tight-laeors ’ Mkntaj Excitement.—Too much study and brain-fag; romance reading by very young girls ; social excitements of an unhealthy kind, necessitating late hours, are a drain on the nervous system, and injure the body very materially. Malformation.—lt is possible that, in a few cases, then* may be some slight uterine obstruction, brought on by the congested state, which may need the attention of a skilful physician, but such cases are not frequent. Natural Remedies. As without an intelligent care of the general hea’th it is not to l>e expected that any specific disease can be successfully dealt with, a few natural and general home remedies for the cure of “ painful menstruation”, may be helpful. And the first and most important of all remedies —paradoxical as it may seem —is Prevention. Fresh Aik and Exercise.—To those who, from leading enforced sedentary lives, suffer from the w ant of fre.-,h air, it is recommended t hat t hey should plan to take a certain time daily for outdoor exjrcise. Even among the large number who have home duties, there are few who jannot manage a short time, either in the morning or evening, if not both, for a quick walk or a “ spin” on the bicycle. Add to this, when possible, a course of “ Physical Culture” exercises, by practising which regularly for five or ten minutes night and niorning, a healthy circulation, improved muscular action, and a really wonderful increase in breathing capacity will be gained. The deep breathing exercises are simply invaluable for all abdominal and pelvic troubles. Severe cases of dysmenorrhea may be entirely cured by a systematic practice of certain of the “ Physical Culture’ exercises. Moreover, by these exercises, a free, graceful prise in standing, sitting and walking, may l>e gained, which is no small benefit. To describe these movements in a short pamphlet like this would be impossible, but by applying to the “ Christchurch Physical Culture Society,” through its Secretary, information and practical advice will gladly be given to anyone desiring it. Diet. Milton says:— “ In what thou eatest and drinkest seek from thence Due nourishment, not gluttonous delight, So mayst thou live till like ripe fruit thou drop, Gathered, not harshly plucked, for death mature.”

A light, nutritious, laxative diet should be used, consisting of cereals, whole-meal, twicebaked breads, cream, nuts, fruits, some kinds of vegetables, light puddings, etc. It is better not to eat butcher’s meat, but rely on peas,|beans, and lentils, in moderate quantities, to supply the nitrogenous element contained in meat. I>rink no liquids at meals, but take water between meals. Eschew’ suppers and afternoon teas, and rely on three nourishing meals for a daily supply. Two meals sutfice for some, but this, like other details, must he left to individual judgment. Mastication should l>e slow and thorough. If the bowels are constipated, eat less condensed food anti more fruit. T 1 e occasional use of a warm water enema is useful, and especially about the time of the expected menstrual period, when it is most important that the bowels he kept open. Clothing. —To suggest a style of clothing for girls and women which is both healthful and artistic is not so difficult as at first it may seem. Fashions at the present day vary so much that ample choice is left to each individual to follow’ her taste without appearing singular The entire abandonment of the corset is strongly advised. Even if there are “ no bones ” in this garment, there are the steel fastenings in front which pres 3 on the organs and do real injury. The pressure ar 1 constriction of the corset make it the greatest factor in causing misplacement of the internal organs. A firm bodice buttoned in front may be substituted for the corset. It, however, must he loose enough to leave room for free abdominal breathing. Flat buttons may he sewn on a half-inch above the waist line of the bodice on which to button the skirt of dress, and a row’ of buttons two-and a-half inches below the first on which to fasten ai» under-skirt. The shoulders will thus he made to hoar the weight of the clothing instead of the hips. Some variation of the full blouse front is always pretty, and the back is far more suggestive of grace and strength when the ‘ corset line ’ is coni spicuous by its absence. For a woman to say that she cannot do without the “ support ” of a corset is an insult (whether intentional

or not) to the Creator of the “ human form divine.” The lightest possible clothing consistent with sufficient warmth is recommended, and in wet weather, short skirts and thicksoled shoes are a necessity.

Bathing. —A bath of some kind should be taken every morning regularly, not only for cleanliness, but for healthy, vigorous skin action. A cold sitz hath is most invigorating, with friction afterwards with rough bath gloves or Turkish towel. If nothing but a basin is available a cold sponging is excellent with friction after. A hot bath at least once a week should be taken. A steam bath, also, with cold sponge afterwards, promotes health. Special Home Remedies. When, shortly before the menstrual period, there is a spasmodic or lacinating pain in the lower part of the abdomen and loins, accompanied by flushing of the face and throbbing of the brain, with giddiness and headache of the temples, it is usually h fuuralgic excitement of the nerves of the uterus. Some application of moist heat will in this case allay the pain, but, remembering that these suggestions are intended chiefly for those who are away from home for a large portion of the day, the simplest and quickest methods will be given.

One meihod is a hot sitz bath (which would occupy about tifte n to twenty minutes), with blank t round shoulders and feet in basin of very hot water. If perspiration ensues all the letter. Sponge afterwards with cold or tepid water, to avoid taking cold.

Yet a quicker and easier way is as follows : Before rising in the morning or retiring at night place a rubber bottle half filled with very hot water to the liwer part of the back, with a wet cloth between the b'ttle and the patient’s body. While lying on the bottle press cold or tepid cloths ( wrung out l*»forehand) on the abdomen and change them as they get hot. 011 removing the bottle, sponge the back with cold water.

Another way is to wring a large piece of flannel or blanket out of boiling water anil w rap it round the loins, with a dry covering

firmly fixed on. Heat to the feet at the same time and a cold sponge to follow’. Sipping hot water is also a help, and a very hot enema is an excellent means of allaying severe menstrual pain. But there are other kinds of pain which require cold applications instead of hot, that, in fact, are aggravated by heat and diminished by cold. !)r. Marv Wood Allen says in her valuable book, “ What a Young Woman Ought to Know ” : “I knew such a case where a girl at school, suffering with menstrual pain, alarmed teachers and friends by wringing towels out of cold water and laying them over the abdomen. But the alarm subsided when they saw that the pain soon passed away under the cold application.” Or. Allen also says: “ I have known cases of painful menstruation entirely relieved by simply supporting the liowels by a bandage, thus relieving the uterus of pressure, and allowing a free circulation of the internal organs.” Where there is reason to believe that misplacements and congestion exist, the symptoms of which are a sagging forward of the abdomen, accompanied by a dragged feeling with feverish sensations, the application of cold cloths w’ill l>e best. A hot foot hath, with cold compress to abdomen and thighs for a minute to follow, is also a simple and effective rem dy. Usually, unless in the case of very young girls, the feeling of the patient is a safe guide as to whether hot or cold treatment is l**st In all cases the feet should be kept warm and the head cool. Health is our Birthright. We are told that thought is behind every, thing, so that right or wrong thinking bring health or dis ease in their train Health is normal. Dis-ease is abnormal. Wo were intended to have strong, graceful, beautiful liodies. Ignorance, in our mode of living, has brought dis ease on our nice. Therefore to begin to think on right, intelligent, hopeful lines is the flrsi step towards health. Vigorous action to carry out this tlu ught is the next step, and this, if earnestly liegun and continued, will give us splendid results in healthy, lmppy. useful lives, each possessing “ a sound mind in a sound body.