Private s.e.x Advice to Women.
by R. B. Armitage.
LESSON I
FOREWORD
In this book the writer thereof seeks to convey to women--particularly to young wives and women expecting to be married--certain important facts of knowledge, certain necessary information, which all such women should possess, but which few are given the opportunity to acquire.
It would seem to require no argument to convince a rational individual that before a woman is capable of intelligent motherhood she should be made acquainted with the physiological processes which are involved in the s.e.xual functions leading to the state of motherhood; but we are confronted by the fact that few young women are given such instruction.
It is a strange thing that while even the ordinary school child is made acquainted with the physiological processes concerned with the processes of digestion, respiration, circulation, elimination, etc., and while such education is highly commended, yet at the same time not only are the young of both s.e.xes reared as if there was no such thing as s.e.xual functions in existence, but even full-grown adults are left to pick up their instruction on s.e.xual subjects from chance sources--often polluted sources.
Even those about to enter into the important offices of matrimony and parenthood are permitted to a.s.sume those duties and responsibilities without intelligent and scientific information or knowledge being given them. What would we think of expecting a woman to cook, without previous experience and without even the most elementary instruction on the subject? What would we think of expecting any person to undertake any important task or duty without experience or instruction regarding the same? And yet we seem content to allow young women to enter into the important relationship of marriage, and to undertake the important office of motherhood, often in absolute ignorance of the physiological processes involved, and the physical laws governing the same.
All this absurd practice and custom results simply from the antiquated notion that it is "not nice" to speak or think of the subject of the s.e.x functions. The subject has been considered "taboo" by our particular section of the human race since the Middle Ages, because the ascetic ideals of that dark period of human history brought forward a totally false and unnatural conception of s.e.x as fundamentally impure. If the results were not so deplorable and often tragic, this condition of affairs would be a fit subject for laughter and scornful ridicule. But, alas! on the part of the thoughtful observer of this state of things there is rather great wonder and amazement accompanied by the feeling of deep sorrow.
It cannot be honestly denied that in our present age, and period of modern civilization, and particularly among the Anglo-Saxon branch of the race, the question of the s.e.x functions is a.s.sociated with impurity, at least so far as the popular mind is concerned. In previous civilizations the subject was accorded its proper place, and was discussed sanely and thoughtfully, without any sense of shame or impurity. The Middle Age ideals of celibacy and asceticism brought about the public conception of the human body as a thing impure--something to be modified, tortured, subdued and reviled; and a corresponding conception of s.e.x as a vile, impure thing above which the pure in heart rose entirely and completely, and which those of a lesser spiritual ideal were permitted to indulge with a due sense of their degradation and weakness. It was considered a most worthy thing to lead an ascetic life with its accompaniment of disdain and punishment of the body. It was considered most pious and spiritual to forego the ordinary human relations of s.e.x, marriage and parenthood. From these distorted conceptions naturally evolved the idea that s.e.x, and all connected with it, was a subject unclean and impure in itself, and to be avoided in thought, conversation and writing. Not only the ordinary s.e.x relations of human life were placed under this taboo, but also the phenomena of birth and parenthood. Not only did these incidents of life grow to be considered impure, but they became that which to many was still worse, that is to say, they became to be regarded as "not respectable."
Ignorance regarding the plain elementary facts of s.e.xual physiology is undoubtedly the cause not only of much immorality among young people of both s.e.xes, but also of many unhappy and inharmonious marriages. The intelligent portion of our race is now beginning to realize very keenly the fact that the first requisite of sane marital relations and intelligent parenthood is a practical and clear knowledge of the physiology of s.e.x; education concerning the s.e.xual organism, its laws, its functions, its normal and healthy conditions, its anatomy, its physiology and hygiene.
The average physician of experience in general or special practice can tell tales of almost incredible ignorance on the part of young women who have recently entered into the relationship of marriage. In some cases the ignorance is more than a mere absence of knowledge--it consists too often of false-knowledge, untruthful ideas concerning matters of the most serious import. It is sad enough to think how such persons may work results harmful to themselves, but it is even sadder still to realize that these same ignorant young women must eventually gain their real knowledge through sad experience--experience paid for not only by themselves but also by their children. It is a hard saying, but a true one, that the knowledge of many young wives and mothers is to be gained by experience paid for by their (as yet) unborn children.
The writer of the present work is one of the rapidly growing number of thinking persons who believe that the time has come to educate the race concerning the importance of sane instruction concerning the functions of s.e.x. He, and those who think as he does, believe that the time has come to "Turn on the Light!" They believe that the importance of the subject will be realized by all intelligent persons, once that their attention is directed to the subject, and once they have considered it apart from the old prejudices and distorted customs. When public opinion on this subject is reformed, then will the taboo fall away from the body of truth; then will the subject take its place among the "respectable"
topics which may be considered, discussed, and taught, without loss of caste or prestige.
In a few decades, perhaps even much sooner, it will be regarded as quite reprehensible to permit young persons to enter into the relationship of marriage without a sane, practical knowledge of their own reproductive organism and the functions thereof, and of their physiological duties to themselves, to their companions in marriage, and to their children born or to be born. We may even see the practical application of the somewhat startling prophecy of Newell Dwight Hillis, D. D., who said: "The State that makes a man study two years before a license as druggist is given; that makes a young lawyer or doctor study three years before being permitted to practice; ought to ask the young man or young woman to pa.s.s an equally rigid examination before license is given to found an American home, and set up an American family."
While the information above alluded to should be given alike to the young husband and the young wife, it cannot be doubted that the latter is the one of the pair who is most in need of this kind of instruction.
While both the young man and the young woman require this instruction, the need is the greater in the case of the young woman, by the very nature of the case. The s.e.x functions and processes play a much more important part in the life of the woman than in that of the man, the protests of some of the modern feminists to the contrary notwithstanding.
The careful student of the s.e.x life of men and women frankly confesses that in both the physical and the psychical realm the s.e.x offices make a greater demand upon the time and attention of the woman than of the man.
The love-life of the woman is far fuller and more absorbing than is that of the man. Unhappiness concerning her love-life renders the remainder of the life of the average woman of comparatively little account; while, with a happy love-life she will put up cheerfully with the absence of many other things which are usually regarded as necessities for happiness. As a writer has said: "Essentially, a woman is made for love--not exclusively, but essentially; and a woman who has had no love in her life has been a failure."
The same rule operates on the physical plane. As the same writer has said: "Physically, the woman is also much more cognizant of her s.e.x and much more hampered by the manifestation of her s.e.x nature than man is."
The manifestation of the incidents of menstruation is a constant reminder to the woman that she is a creature of s.e.x. The phenomenon of pregnancy is, likewise, something from which the man is free. And, finally, the menopause, or "change of life," with its incidents greatly influencing the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the woman, is Nature"s final word to the woman that she is the active pole of s.e.x-life. As the above-quoted writer has said: "Altogether it cannot be denied that woman is much more a slave of her s.e.x-nature than man is of his. Nature has handicapped woman much more heavily than she has man."
And so, in this book, the young woman--the young wife--is directly addressed, her companion and mate being referred to only indirectly.
LESSON II
ANATOMY OF THE FEMALE s.e.x ORGANISM
Every woman should be given plain, practical, sane, sensible instruction concerning the s.e.x organism of woman, its functions, its laws, its use, and its abuse. This important feature of the physical organism plays an all powerful part in the life of every woman, and particularly in the life of the married woman. It is nature"s mechanism for the reproduction of the race. Every child that is born into the world is conceived, gestated, and finally delivered as a result of the functioning of this organism. Therefore, such instruction and knowledge is vitally necessary, not only for the intelligent performance of the duties of parenthood, but also for the best interests of race-preservation, race-culture, and the physical well-being and health of the individual woman.
And yet, custom and ancient prejudice have drawn the veil over this most important subject, so that it is difficult for the average woman to find practical, clean information concerning her own anatomy and physiological functions concerned with her s.e.x-life. To many it has appeared that the particular organs and parts of the body concerned with the reproductive functions of the woman are base, unclean, and impure, and that any woman discussing them, or seeking information regarding them, must be immoral or at least not "respectable." Anatomical charts and physiological treatises on the subject are tabooed outside of the doctor"s office. Women are considered immodest if they seek to acquaint themselves with the facts of life concerning one of their most important cla.s.ses of physical functions. It is considered "not nice" for a young woman to know anything about her physical being in those phases which play the most important part in her life. Can there be anything more ridiculous and insane? This is a matter which excites the most intense surprise, disgust, and despair in the average person possessing a scientific tendency. But the dawn is breaking, and a better day is ahead of the race concerning these things.
The s.e.x organs of the woman are divided into two cla.s.ses, as follows: (1) The external organs; and (2) the internal organs. Let us consider each of these cla.s.ses in turn.
THE EXTERNAL s.e.x ORGANS OF THE WOMAN.
The external s.e.x organs of the woman are as follows: The Mons Veneris; the l.a.b.i.a Majora; the l.a.b.i.a Minora; the c.l.i.toris; the Meatus Urinarius; and the v.a.g.i.n.al Orifice. The term "the v.u.l.v.a" is applied to the external s.e.x organs of the woman in general, but more particularly to the l.a.b.i.a Majora and the l.a.b.i.a Minora (the larger and smaller "lips,"
respectively). The term "v.u.l.v.a" is the Latin term meaning "folding doors."
THE MONS VENERIS is the fatty eminence or elevation just above the other external organs, which forms a mount from which its name (literally, "The Mount of Venus") is derived. At p.u.b.erty it becomes covered with hair.
THE l.a.b.i.a MAJORA are the large "outer lips" or folds of skin which enclose the v.a.g.i.n.al Orifice, and which are situated just below the Mons Veneris.
THE l.a.b.i.a MINORA are the small "inner lips" of folds of membrane, which are concealed within the l.a.b.i.a Majora, or "outer lips," and are seen only when the latter are parted.
THE c.l.i.tORIS is a small organ, about an inch in length, situated at the upper part of the l.a.b.i.a Minora or "inner lips," and usually being partly or wholly covered by the upper borders thereof. At its extremity it has a small rounded enlargement which is extremely sensitive and excitable, and which is the princ.i.p.al seat of sensation in the woman"s s.e.xual organism.
THE MEATUS URINARIUS is the orifice of the urethra of the woman, the purpose of which is to afford an exit for the urine. It is located about an inch below the c.l.i.toris and is just above the v.a.g.i.n.al Orifice. It is a common error among uninformed women that the urine pa.s.ses out through the v.a.g.i.n.a; but this, of course, is incorrect, as the two ca.n.a.ls and their respective orifices are entirely separate from each other, though situated closely together.
THE v.a.g.i.n.aL ORIFICE is the outer entrance to the v.a.g.i.n.a, or v.a.g.i.n.al Ca.n.a.l or Channel. This orifice is located just below the Meatus Urinarius. In the virgin it is usually partly closed by what is known as "THE HYMEN," (vulgarly known as the "maiden head"), although in many cases the latter is absent even in the case of young girl infants. It was formerly regarded as an infallible sign of virginity, and its absence was regarded as a proof that virginity was lacking. But this old superst.i.tion is pa.s.sing away, for science has shown that the Hymen is often absent even in the case of young children and infants, and, on the other hand, is sometimes present after several years of married life, and even during pregnancy. Much unhappiness has been caused in some cases where the husband has doubted the virginity of his wife because of the absence of the Hymen, but consultation with a capable physician usually removes this misunderstanding.
The Hymen is a membranous fold, sometimes circular in shape, with an opening in the center, though in other cases it extends only across the lower part of the orifice. The opening in the center is for the purpose of allowing the menstrual blood and the other secretions of Uterus and v.a.g.i.n.a to flow through. In a few cases this opening is absent, the Hymen being what is called "imperforate"; in which case the girl experiences difficulty when menstruation begins, and a physician is required to make a slit or opening in it. In some girls and women the Hymen is quite tough, while in others it is very thin and is easily broken. In the latter cases the young girl frequently breaks the membrane during vigorous exercise, such as jumping rope, etc. And, as has before been said, in some cases infant girls are born without even a trace of the Hymen. Under the circ.u.mstances, it is seen that the presence or absence of the Hymen is far from being an infallible proof of the presence or absence of virginity, and the belief in the same is now regarded as almost a superst.i.tion of the past.
THE INTERNAL s.e.x ORGANS OF THE WOMAN.
The internal s.e.x organs of the woman are as follows: The v.a.g.i.n.a; the Uterus and its appendages; the Fallopian Tubes; the Ovaries, and their ligaments, and the round ligaments.
THE v.a.g.i.n.a is the ca.n.a.l or channel leading from the v.a.g.i.n.al Orifice to the Uterus or womb. It is situated in front of the r.e.c.t.u.m, and behind the bladder. In length, it averages from three to five inches; and it curves upward and backward, reaching to the lower part of the neck of the womb, or Uterus, which part of the neck is enclosed by it. It is a strong fibro-muscular structure, lined with mucous membrane; and is not smooth inside, but is arranged in inner folds or rings which are capable of great extension.
On either side of the v.a.g.i.n.a, near the outer orifice, are two small glands, about the size of a pea, which secrete a peculiar fluid, and which are known as the Glands of Bartholine. The office of the v.a.g.i.n.a is that of a complementary to the male organ during the copulative process; to also sustain the weight of the Uterus; to also afford a pa.s.sage for the infant at the time of its birth; and also to serve as a pa.s.sage for the menstrual fluid.
THE UTERUS, or Womb, is the internal s.e.x organ of the woman which serves to hold the fertilized ovum, or egg, from the time of impregnation, during the period of pregnancy during which the ovum develops into the young child, and until the time of the delivery of the child.
The Uterus is a hollow pear-shaped muscular organ, about three inches in length, nearly an inch thick, and about two inches broad across its upper part, or FUNDUS; the lower part, or CERVIX, being much narrower.
The CERVIX, or "neck" of the womb, projects into the v.a.g.i.n.a, forming the "os uteri," or "mouth of the womb," at that point. The Uterus is composed chiefly of a muscular coat, its walls consisting of strong muscular fibres which contract independently of the will, as do similar muscles in the stomach and bladder. These muscular walls are capable of enormous distention during pregnancy. The muscles of the healthy womb are capable of a tremendous pressure and resistance, and are capable of expelling the child with but slight labor at the time of delivery.
The Uterus is located just behind and slightly above the bladder, and is supported by eight ligaments which, in a healthy condition, hold it firmly and easily in place. Displacements of the Uterus are due to the weakening or relaxing of some or all of these ligaments, generally caused by general weakness or else by excessive physical exercise or labor. The princ.i.p.al DISPLACEMENTS OF THE UTERUS are as follows: Prolapsus, or lowering of the womb in the v.a.g.i.n.a; Antroversion, or the bending forward of the womb; Anteflexion, or the "doubling up" of the womb FORWARD on itself; Retroversion, or the bending backward of the womb; and Retroflexion, or the "doubling up" of the womb BACKWARD on itself. Extreme degrees of the last four mentioned forms of displacement often interfere with impregnation.
The internal surface of the Uterus is lined with mucous membrane thickly studded with minute hairlike cells which manifest continuous motion. This motion, in the lower part of the womb, is in the direction of the fundus or upper part of the womb; in the upper part of the womb, the motion is in the opposite direction; the purpose of these opposing movements being to carry the male elements toward that portion of the womb into which the Fallopian Tubes discharge the products of the Ovaries, as we shall see presently.
The Uterus is supplied with follicles around its neck which secrete a very firm, adhesive mucus substance, which serves as a gate or door across the mouth of the womb during the period of pregnancy, and which also serves to prevent the accidental displacement of the ovum or egg.
During and just after menstruation, the Uterus becomes enlarged and more vascular. During pregnancy, it largely increases in weight. After delivery, it resumes its normal size, but the cavity is larger than before conception. In old age, it becomes atrophied and denser in structure.
THE FALLOPIAN TUBES are the ducts of the Ovaries, and serve to convey the ova, or eggs, from the Ovaries to the cavity in the Uterus. They are two in number, one on each side, each tube being about four inches in length. They extend from either side of the fundus of the womb, through the broad ligaments which hold them and the Ovaries in position until they communicate with the Ovaries. They are lined with a membrane composed of the same kind of peculiar hair-like cells which are found in the lining of the womb, the purpose in this case being to urge forward the ova or eggs toward the Uterus.
At the ovarian end of the tubes the latter expand into a fringed, trumpet-shaped extremity, the fringe being known as "the fimbria." The tubes are only about one-sixteenth of an inch in diameter, and their small caliber makes it easy for them to clog up as the result of slight inflammation, or to become clogged up or sealed at their mouths or openings, thus causing sterility or inability of the woman to conceive.