peculiar to her sex alone; for instance, variously seated neuralgia, — one of the most excruciating tortures the human frame is capable of enduring; while, when we speak of the pangs of maternity, ulcerations, prolapsus, ovarian tumors, swelled breast, profuse, painful, suppressed or abnormal periods, we speak of things whereof man can have no experience whatever, and therefore no adequate idea. Even learned professors know very little of woman, and not one in a thousand has a clear understanding of her nature, — a being so delicate, so full of mystery, and in whom the nervous life is all in all. Disappoint a man in love, and he straightway recovers from the shock. Disappoint a woman, and forthwith she languishes, falls into consumption, and dies. It is a very grievous sin to do such a thing. She needs — always needs — the love and support of a protecting arm, — not false love, but true. When she has this, sick or well, she is a tower of grandeur, and you cannot deceive her. Without it, she becomes warped and soured, and the prey of a hundred forms of disease; and to cure which, people pill, purge, leech, blister, and narcotize her. "What nonsense! Blue pill for a breaking heart! Catnip tea for disappointed love! Blister plasters for a jealous fit! A new bonnet to pay for nights of absence and days of cruelty, neglect, and abuse!
To successfully treat the diseases of woman requires a vast deal more of science, art, culture, patience, experience, and ability, than it does to treat those of the opposite sex, for the reason that her organism is infinitely more complex, and her mission and function broader and deeper than man's. "Not so," says a caviller. "Pray, what has woman done in the world? Has not man built civilization, erected cities, states, and mighty kingdoms? made ships, mills, railways? has he not done all this?" I answer, "Most certainly he has; but look you, sir, — Woman makes the man who in turn does these mighty things!"
The great physical difference between the sexes consists in the uterine system of organs and its tremendous offices, — that of building human bodies and incarnating human souls, — and the mammary glands, or breasts, whereby the young soul is nurtured into life and strength. Now, if by any cause whatever, the life or happiness of the woman be disturbed, there is straightway a reaction upon the breasts, heart, lungs, and the entire uterine system,
