Every lump in the breast should be positively diagnosed by cutting into it and examining it. It would be safer to remove every tumor of the breast at an early date.
Any discharge from the privates of a woman which has a bad or foul odor is suspicious; any irregular bleeding is more than suspicious. Any woman having these symptoms should be examined by a competent physician. Every woman over thirty-five years of age should be examined by a physician every six months. No woman should enter the change of life without a very thorough examination. Cancer is a disease which does not permit "taking a chance" with. It is far better to be certain, since it is curable if caught early, than to find out about it when too late, because, "too late" means death.
"CHANGE OF LIFE." THE MENOPAUSE
The average period of life during which a woman menstruates is from thirty to thirty-two years. When this period is about to expire she enters what is termed the "change of life," or the menopause, or the climacteric.
The average age at which "change of life" occurs in this country is about the forty-sixth year. It may normally occur, however, at any time between the fortieth and fiftieth year. There are cases on record when it has occurred earlier than the fortieth and later than the fiftieth year. When menstruation in a girl begins early, the menopause occurs late. On the other hand, if a girl does not have her regular monthly periods until she is older than usual,--about the eighteenth or twentieth year,--the "change of life" will set in at a very early age.
Women who are victims of certain exhausting diseases, as, consumption, Bright"s disease of the kidney, diabetes, or whose health is poor because of general physical debility from any cause, or who have had a large number of children in rapid succession, enter the "change of life"
earlier than they otherwise would if their health was good. In women who are excessively fat the menopause is apt to occur at an early age. On the other hand disease of the generative organs, or the presence of tumors of the womb may r.e.t.a.r.d the process. Women in the higher walk of life, those living in cities those who do not labor or exercise sufficiently will enter this period at an earlier date than those who live in the country, who work and are physically more healthy.
SYMPTOMS OF "CHANGE OF LIFE."--When the menopause begins, the monthly periods are less profuse, the flow is scanty. As the months pa.s.s, menstruation becomes less and less until it ceases entirely. In a certain number of cases it stops abruptly and never appears again.
Sometimes a period misses altogether, or a number of periods are pa.s.sed over without any sign of menstruation, after which it may reappear either as a scanty flow, or as a profuse discharge. This may be followed for a number of months by irregular appearances of the menstrual phenomenon and then by its total cessation.
These may be the only symptoms or signs of the "change of life," and this is the normal state if the health is good. It cannot, however, be said that this is the average experience. Unfortunately the women of the present time do not live lives which conduce to robust health at this period of life. We find as a rule that the general health is below par.
So they suffer from headache, "flushes," digestive disturbances, and many nervous symptoms which appear to be directly caused by the process through which they are pa.s.sing. The "flushes" are disagreeable experiences. They consist of a feeling of heat which spreads over the entire body as if the blood was rushing to the surface and to the head.
These flushes are followed by sweating and chilly sensations. The nervous symptoms may be quite marked. The woman loses her interest in the daily happenings. She may have mental vagaries, she is irritable and often melancholy and periods of seeming insanity may occur.
IMPORTANCE OF A CORRECT DIAGNOSIS.--It is a mistake to attribute every symptom a woman may have at this time of life to the menopause. She is just as liable to develop conditions at this time, which she would at any age, and which have no relation to the "change of life." Every symptom should, therefore, be carefully investigated, because serious conditions may complicate the menopause, and if attributed to it and neglected, may end disastrously.
During the "change of life," the generative organs become smaller or, as it has been termed, "dry up." The b.r.e.a.s.t.s also are involved in the shrinking process. It is quite a common experience for women to "lay on"
fat, to become "flabby," at this age.
It is important that women should become familiar with the ordinary symptoms of the "change of life," in order that they may be constantly on guard against conditions that may indicate danger. Medical investigation has conclusively proved that many women lose their lives because they regarded the presence of certain symptoms as common to the "change of life." There is a tendency to disease at this time which must be intelligently considered, and if women are not posted to note unusual signs or symptoms they may neglect or ignore them, only to find when too late that these signs and symptoms were no part of the "change of life."
THE DANGER SIGNALS OF THE CHANGE OF LIFE.--There are certain "danger signals" which should warn every woman that something is amiss, these are:--
(1) Profuse bleeding during the process of the "change."
(2) Bleeding occurring between the regular menstrual periods.
(3) The reappearance of slight bleedings or hemorrhages after menstruation has ceased for a number of months.
These symptoms are always suggestive of the presence of conditions that should not exist. They may indicate cancer, or some less serious condition that is amenable to cure by prompt and efficient treatment.
Inasmuch as they may mean the beginning of cancer,--as explained in the preceding chapter on cancer, and which should be read in this connection,--immediate steps should be taken to find out the actual facts. Delay means death if it is cancer, while the most recent statistics show that in many cases a complete cure is possible if the surgeon gets the case early.
CONDUCT DURING "CHANGE OF LIFE."--When a woman enters the "change of life" she is approaching a crisis that demands the most conscientious attention on her own part, and the sincerest consideration by all around her. She has reached the time of life when she owes herself something, and if she is wise she will willingly pay the debt. If she is not in good health she must make every effort to regain it promptly, even if radical measures must be employed in doing so. Nothing will contribute to her mental and physical comfort more than robust health during this period.
She must employ every hygienic measure that experience has taught us contributes to our well being. She must live an outdoor life as much as possible, taking sufficient exercise to keep the muscles and bodily functions in good condition. If she cannot exercise enough she should sit out of doors, dressed in seasonable clothing, and she should make up the deficiency in exercise by employing a competent ma.s.seuse. A thorough ma.s.sage twice a week is sufficient. If her physician recommends an occasional Turkish bath it is a desirable aid as it helps the skin to throw off any excess of waste matter that may be circulating in the blood.
The home environment of these women should be congenial, and they should be relieved of the work and worry incident to domestic life. The nervous condition demands this degree of consideration, and the husband should make it his business to see that the wife, who has toiled to aid him during all the long years of married companionship, is accorded every possible help through the most trying and important period of her life.
It is not to be understood, however, that she should be left without occupation. It is possible to indulge in congenial work which will occupy her time and attention without overtaxing her strength or fraying her nerves. A certain amount of amus.e.m.e.nt is desirable, and helps to tide over periods that might lag and encourage introspection and worry.
An entire change of scenery and surroundings. A visit to the seash.o.r.e or to the mountains is to be commended.
During this period the diet should be simple and the bowels should be kept open regularly. Inasmuch as these patients frequently suffer from digestive disturbances, it is wise to refrain from those articles of diet that ordinarily cause indigestion. Such articles are, sweet dishes, pies, pastries, candies, fresh bread, fried food, sugars, and the relishes and seasoning extras which const.i.tute the et ceteras of the table. Meat should never be taken to excess, alcohol and all stimulants are to be avoided. Water may be taken freely to advantage.
THE PATENT MEDICINE EVIL
CHAPTER x.x.x
THE PATENT MEDICINE EVIL
What Mothers Should Know About the Patent Medicine Evil--Tonics--Used by Temperance People Because it Could "Stimulate"--Stomach Bitters--Blood Bitters--Sarsaparilla--Celery Compounds--Malt Whisky--Headache Remedies--Pain Powders--Anti-headache Powders--Headache Powders--Soothing Syrups--Baby"s Friends--Catarrh Powders--Kidney Pills--Expectorant--Cough Syrup--Lithia Waters--Health, Wealth and Happiness for a Dollar a Bottle--New Discovery for Consumption--Consumption Cure--Cancer Cures--Pills for Pale People--Elixir of Life.
WHAT MOTHERS SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE PATENT MEDICINE EVIL
Much has been written about the patent medicine evil during the past few years. One very thorough crusade has been inst.i.tuted and efficiently carried through, exposing the evils of the patent medicine business.
Whatever legislation is in force to-day which has for its object the regulation of the evil, is largely a product of that crusade.
Notwithstanding these efforts, it is a fact that scarcely any of the great majority who should be interested in the subject, because they are its victims, have any knowledge of the nature or extent of the evil, or appreciate its far-reaching and pernicious influence. For two reasons I regard it as peculiarly fitting, that the subject should be given adequate consideration in this book:--
First, because mothers should be told the whole truth about all conditions that have any influence on the health of the members of the home.
Second, because though we are the victims of many evils and many forms of "graft," which directly or indirectly affect our pockets and our morals, we submit to them because they have no bearing on the physical well-being of the race. As mothers, however, and as the conservers of the fitness of the family and the home, we are directly and rightly interested in an evil which deeply affects the health and the efficiency of members of the family as the patent medicine evil does. It is through the mothers of the race that this enemy of the home must be finally and completely overthrown. If every mother in the land could be taught to understand even a fraction of the truth of the insidious wrong hidden under the mask of the nostrum advertis.e.m.e.nt, we would witness a righteous resentment that could only be satisfied by legislative enactment that would wipe out forever the whole infamous business. No spasmodic or localized effort will ever succeed against this public enemy. Its very strength is the people whom it dupes and despises, because they supply the money with which the patent medicine combine fights its battles.
It has been estimated that three hundred millions of dollars are spent annually on patent medicines and fake medical cures in the United States. Three hundred million dollars fraudulently obtained every year, mostly from the poor, is surely a subject deserving of honest and careful consideration.
The pure food and drug act compelled the manufacturers of patent medicines to publish the formulae of their remedies on their labels. This is a big step in the right direction. Many States have helped the propaganda in one way or another, but much remains to be done. When the formulae were demanded it was discovered that all nostrums belonged to a certain cla.s.s. For example it was found that the soothing syrups--which are fed to babies--all contained opium in some form, or an equally dangerous drug. The headache remedies were all dangerous, every one of them containing ingredients which affect the heart seriously. The so-called tonics owed their chief virtue to their stimulating effect, which was due to the alcohol they contained and which in many instances practically equaled ordinary whisky in quality, quant.i.ty, and effect.
It has been authoritatively stated that more alcohol is consumed in this country in patent medicines than is dispensed in a legal way by licensed liquor venders, barring the sale of ales and beer.
Many so-called remedies were found to contain absolutely no medication at all. They were simply sugar, or starch, or some harmless substance.
But they were being sold to cure anything from kidney disease to cancer.
It was an astonishing revelation and in a way it showed how far men will go to attain financial success.
A well-known tonic was at the time of the investigation one of the most prominent proprietary nostrums in the country. The actual cost including bottle, label, contents, and packing is between fifteen and eighteen cents. It costs in the drug store $1.00 per bottle. It was found to contain alcohol and water and a pinch of burnt sugar for coloring purposes, and one-half of one per cent. of mild drugs. It was claimed that it would cure all or any of the diseases listed in the book, and that list practically includes all the ills of man. It is within the limits of truth to a.s.sert that this tonic, though advertised as a medicine, was largely in demand as a stimulant and intoxicant,--just as a certain famous malt whisky is to-day. Voluminous evidence is on record wherein it is shown that it was used in enormous quant.i.ties as a stimulant, in exactly the same way as ordinary whisky is used. The dose of any medicine is, as a rule, seldom over a tablespoonful three or four times a day. The average individual would imagine that there would be some risk attached to increasing the dose from a tablespoonful to the contents of a large size bottle. The only risk was that the patient got a more profound and maybe a more satisfying "jag." In "no license" towns this tonic was bought by the druggists in gross lots and used exclusively for its intoxicating properties. In southern Ohio, and in the mountain districts of West Virginia the "---- jag" was a standard form of intoxication. In many Southern newspapers there appeared regularly advertised cures for the "---- habit," brought on by the use of this preparation,--and no doubt the cure was a stronger percentage of liquor as this scheme was frequently worked to steal the patients from one remedy to another.
The following communication was sent out by the Department of the Interior, as a result of the alarming reports which were regularly reaching Washington regarding the prevalence of drunkenness among the Indians, despite the fact that "no liquor" was sold in these government reservations. The fact was that the Indians had discovered this pleasant tonic.
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of Indian Affairs.
Washington, D. C.
To Indian Agents and School Superintendents in charge of Agencies:
In connection with this investigation, please give particular attention to the proprietary medicines and other compounds which the traders keep in stock, with special reference to the liability of their misuse by Indians on account of the alcohol which they contain. The sale of ----, which is on the lists of several traders, is hereby absolutely prohibited. As a medicine, something else can be subst.i.tuted; as an intoxicant, it has been found too tempting and effective....
Mr. S. H. Adams in "The Great American Fraud" writes as follows: "The other reason why this or some other of its cla.s.s is often the agency of drunkenness instead of whisky is that the drinker of it doesn"t want to get drunk, at least she doesn"t know that she wants to get drunk. I use the feminine p.r.o.noun advisedly, because the remedies of this cla.s.s are largely supported by women. Several of the others of these well-known proprietary medicines depend for their popularity chiefly on their alcohol. One celery compound relieves depression and lack of vitality on the same principle that a c.o.c.ktail does, and with the same necessity for repet.i.tion. I know an estimable lady from the Middle West who visited her dissipated brother in New York--dissipated from her point of view, because she was a pillar of the W. C. T. U., and he frequently took a c.o.c.ktail before dinner and came back with it on his breath, whereon she would weep over him as one lost to hope. One day, in a mood of brutal exasperation, when he had not had his drink and was able to discern the flavor of her grief, he turned on her: "I"ll tell you what"s the matter with you," he said, "You"re drunk--maudlin drunk!"
"She promptly and properly went into hysterics. The physician who attended diagnosed the case more politely, but to the same effect, and ascertained that she had consumed something like half a bottle of a certain swamp root that afternoon. Now, swamp root is a very creditable "booze," but much weaker in alcohol than most of its cla.s.s. The brother was greatly amused until he discovered, to his alarm, that his drink abhorring sister couldn"t get along without her patent medicine bottle!