fertilized egg is retained within the body, while the unfertilized one is cast off.

One Egg Discharged Each Month.—An ovum, or egg, is discharged during each menstrual period. It cannot be seen because of its minute size, a magnifying glass being necessary to detect it, even under favorable conditions. At just what time during this period the ovum is cast from the body is not definitely known, but it is generally thought to be toward the latter part.

Time When Fertilization is Most Probable.—From this it is seen that but one egg fully develops and ripens ready to be fertilized each month. As it is the ripened egg which is thrown off at each menstrual period, therefore it follows that the fertilization of this egg would be most probable at about the time of menstruation.

Times When Ova Do Not Ripen.—As a rule, these ova do not ripen, or develop, either during pregnancy, or during the nursing of the child, although there are certain exceptions to this rule; for menstruation occasionally takes place during lactation and pregnancy, and pregnancy itself may occur while the mother is nursing her child.

CHAPTER IV.

THE REMEDY THAT CURES.

A Vegetable Compound.—I hardly think it necessary to mention in detail the separate ingredients of Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound. We wish to call your attention, however, to that word "Vegetable."

I do not believe in mercury, arsenic, and the host of mineral poisons which are found in so many remedies. When taken into the system they disturb every function, interfere with the most vital processes, and produce the most disastrous consequences.

The Purest and Best.—Knowing these things, Mrs. Pinkham was exceedingly careful to put only the purest and choicest of products of the vegetable kingdom into her Compound. Each of the roots and herbs is selected with the most extreme care, and all are prepared under the personal supervision of the most thoroughly trained specialists.

One Secret.—One great secret of the success of Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound is that each vegetable is so treated that all useful elements are retained, and all useless discarded.

Highly Concentrated.—For instance, it is possible for the expert workmen in our laboratory to condense all the medicinal power that exists in a pound of the coarse root into a mass no larger than could be held on the point of a knife. In this way it is possible for a teaspoonful of the Vegetable Compound to represent all the curative properties usually found in eight or ten times that quantity; in other words, it is highly concentrated.

Acts Upon Female Organs.—Mrs. Pinkham knew from the very first that she was on the right track. She knew that her Vegetable Compound contained medicines which act directly and naturally upon the female organs.

She knew that one ingredient produced certain effects on the uterus, while other ingredients tended to relieve pain in the ovaries. She knew that one remedy would heal an inflamed uterine cavity, while another ingredient would cause better circulation in the blood-vessels of this part of the body. Having the theory all worked out most carefully, she awaited the practical test, feeling confident as to the result.

Success Was Immediate.—But she did not have to wait long. Immediately the cures began, and her neighbors and friends told each other what had been done for them. Soon letters came by the hundreds from all parts of the world. Thousands upon thousands have written to Mrs. Pinkham telling her their story, and giving to her, also, full permission to use their testimonials.

It Bridges the Gulf.—I am sure you would be delighted, as well as surprised, if you could see the immense difference between the first and last letters received from women. The first is the story of suffering, of extreme agony with prolonged misery and abandoned hope. The last is a song of gratitude, of great love, of joy and peace. The first tells of disease, the last of health. But what an immense gulf between these two!—a gulf, however, I am glad to say, that can be bridged with Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound.

You Cannot Possibly Doubt.—I do not believe you can possibly doubt for one moment the power of this marvelous remedy to cure the diseases of women. How can you doubt it? For a quarter of a century it has gone into every city, village, and hamlet in our land, and into almost every country home.

Across the water it is finding its way among the rich and the poor. No remedy was ever known that was so generally used. Wherever there are women, there are suffering women; and wherever there are suffering women you are sure to find Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound.

The Testimonials Are True.—Do you think there are hundreds of thousands of your own sex who would wilfully falsify? Do you think that any could be found who would deliberately do this, and without hope of gain or reward? Yet I could point you to hundreds of thousands of letters received from women who write from the fulness of the heart to thank us for what we have done for them.

We Speak Strongly.—Then am I not justified in speaking strongly to you? Don't you think we feel sure of our position? I certainly know what we have done for others, and that makes us feel sure we can do the same for you.

We Can Cure You.—I believe our Vegetable Compound will cure you. I believe it will cure every case where a cure is among the possibilities. You need not be particular whether the soreness in the lower part of your body is in the right side or the left side; whether the pain is sharp, or dull and heavy; whether you suffer terrible agony each month with local pain, or whether it is mental depression; whether the flow is too scant or too profuse.

It Corrects the Wrong.—You need not be particular about these things, for they all show that something is wrong, and Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound corrects this wrong. That is what it was made for; that is precisely the work it does.

Have Faith in Us.—Don't purchase a bottle thinking you will "see what it will do," having made up your mind that you will "try the experiment." Don't come in this spirit, for there is no need of it. Come with the feeling that has inspired so many thousands of your sisters,—come believing that you have at last found a remedy that will relieve you from this terrible slavery to suffering.

I am anxious to have you enjoy all the robust health that is your right. I am anxious to make you happy, hopeful, healthy. Put your confidence in Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound. You will never be disappointed.

CHAPTER V.

THE FEMALE PELVIS AND ITS CONTENTS.

The Pelvis.—The pelvis is the bony framework which forms the lower part of the body. On each side it forms a union with the hip bone to make the hip joint.

The female pelvis contains the reproductive organs (uterus, vagina, and ovaries), and also the bladder and lower bowel.

Fig. 2 gives a very good idea of the shape and general structure of this bony framework; while a careful study of Fig. 3 will enable one to form a very correct idea of the relative size and position of the various