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قراءة كتاب Treatise on the Diseases of Women

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Treatise on the Diseases of Women

Treatise on the Diseases of Women

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دار النشر: Project Gutenberg
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not one letter in a thousand which we receive do wives ask how childbearing may be prevented, while every day brings us many, many letters asking if something cannot be done in order that there may be a baby in the house.

A Healthy Mother and Child.—If you desire a child, you wish a healthy child; and you certainly desire to be a strong mother, one capable of caring for her infant in every way, and able to direct it all through its young life. Then let us give you some advice.

Why Some Women Do Not Have Children.—The reason why some wives do not have children may be entirely the fault of the husband; but if this is not the case, then in all probability there is some inflammation of the generative organs. This may be of recent or of old standing. It must be thoroughly removed before the impregnated egg from the ovary can become attached.

The Cure for this Condition.—That these changes can be brought about in a vast number of cases I have the most positive testimony. I have advised such wives to continually use Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound; and, with this treatment alone, such a healthy condition of the generative organs has been brought about that pregnancy has very soon followed. This is precisely according to nature's laws, as I have indicated before.

Therefore, I say to every wife who desires a child, "Give Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Compound a thorough trial. If the fault is yours, the Compound will surely remove it, and the longing of your heart will be satisfied."


CHAPTER III.

REPRODUCTION.

The Reproductive Instinct Strong.—The reproductive instinct is very strong in the human race, as is indicated by the large amount of energy the woman expends in the bearing of children, and by both sexes in the care and education of their young. As we know, it is only by the production of new individuals that the continuance of the race is assured.

Problems of Reproduction.—The problems of reproduction are extremely broad, involving not only the immediate questions of individual reproduction, but also those broader and deeper ones which relate to heredity.

A New Life, By Chance.—It is a most astonishing fact that nearly all persons born into the world are given life as the result of chance rather than by careful design. "If my parents had only known!" is the frightful wail of many a wretched life.

To Create is Divine.—At no time does man come so near being omnipotent as when, by the tremendous powers given him, a new life is called into existence. And yet, whether strong or weak, refreshed or exhausted, healthy or diseased, sober or intoxicated, sweet or ill-tempered, yielding or resisting, a new life is begun which may be either of two extremes. How great are such questions! The human mind seems appalled when asked to consider them.

Education on These Subjects Necessary.—It is not the purpose of this book to moralize upon these themes, or to say what should and should not be done; but knowing something of the wretchedness of womankind, and the fearful slavery she often has to endure, I can only hope, with all my heart, that the coming generation may be better educated on these most important topics. It is with a thought or two of this kind in mind that I append the following brief outline of this subject:—

Two Sexes Necessary.—In the higher animals two sexes are necessary for the reproduction of the race, the male and the female. Each contributes some particular element toward the beginning of a new life; this is known as the germ-cell.

The Germ-Cells.—The germ-cells of the male are called spermatozoa, and those of the female, ova. The reproductive process is simply a fusion, or union of these male and female germ-cells.

The Male Elements.—The spermatozoa are exceedingly delicate and minute; they constitute the greatest part of the semen, or sperm. They are peculiar shaped bodies, having a head, body, and tail, as illustrated in the accompanying figure, and they can only be seen by powerful magnifying glasses. (Fig. 1.)

Spermatozoa and Ovum
Fig. 1. At the left are six spermatozoa, or male-elements,
male germ-cells. At the right is an ovum, egg, female germ-cell.
All highly magnified.

 

They have the remarkable property of moving about with considerable activity, and their number is almost beyond computation.

Only One Male Element Necessary.—Although this number is so vast, yet only a single one is required to endow the female cell, or egg, with life. It is another illustration of how nature does everything possible to increase the chances of perpetuating the race, for without such immense numbers, the chances of the female egg being fertilized would be much less.

May Live for Days.—Although these male elements can live but a few hours outside of the body, even when especial precautions are taken to make every thing favorable to their existence, yet they have been known to maintain their full life in the vaginal canal for more than eight days after their discharge; another remarkable provision of nature, for the prolonged existence of these cells increases the probability of the fertilization of an egg, and thus increases the chances of producing a new life.

The Female Element.—As I have already said, the female germ-cell is also known as the ovum, or egg. A single ovum is shown in Fig. 1.

If not fertilized by the male elements, the egg passes off into the outside world; if fertilized, it stops in the cavity of the uterus, where it forms an attachment. Here it remains until perfectly developed, when, at the end of nine months, it is brought forth to the outside world as a perfect infant.

One Female Element; Many Male Elements.—The human ovum is often said to be a miniature of the egg of the common fowl, although there are some quite marked differences between the two. It is a very interesting fact to note that there is only one egg given off at a time; while there are many thousands of the male elements. This is in harmony with the larger size of the egg, and the fact that while this egg awaits fertilization it is most carefully protected within the body of the mother.

Where is Life First Made?—Where the wonderful union of the male and female elements takes place is not definitely known, although it is generally believed that it is upon the surface of the ovary, itself.

If this be true, then it is necessary for the male element to traverse the whole length of the uterine cavity, out along the course of the Fallopian tube, and there be deposited on the surface of the ovary.

The Fertilized Egg.—When a fertilized or impregnated egg is set free from the surface of the ovary, it follows the same course that the unimpregnated egg does until it reaches the uterus. Here some most remarkable changes immediately take place whereby the egg is held firmly to the inner wall of the uterine cavity; while the unimpregnated egg, as I have said, passes down the uterine cavity into the vagina, and thus out of the body. In other words, the

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