No, I'm not referring to the 1990's.
My amazing book 'THE LADIES GUIDE - in Health and Disease' by J.
H.
Kellogg, MD, was actually published in 1893.
Beginning with an extremely 'General' Survey of the Body, the Reproductive System, the Mysteries of Reproduction and Sex in Plants and Animals, Dr.
Kellogg progresses into an extensive examination of Girlhood, Maidenhood, Wifehood and Motherhood.
This time, I am focusing on just a few of Dr.
Kellogg's more unusual 'Diseases of Women'.
As you will learn, it's not just the diseases that are unusual.
Their descriptions and suggested cures are an education in themselves.
In the index, the first 'Disease' is referred to as 'The Effects of Perverted Social Habits'.
You rush to the designated page, overcome with a need to know what the esteemed Doctor could possibly be referring to.
A lengthy lesson ensues about women's attempts to compete scholastically with boys, as being one reason for perversion.
Another reason he gives is that American women are more susceptible than their sisters in other nations, because 'all animals tend to deteriorate in this country'.
No cure appeared to be forthcoming for this one, sadly.
Then, we should never underestimate the detrimental effects of 'Inconvenient and Imperfect Privy Accommodations', inevitably leading to 'Neglect of the Bowels and Bladder'.
Dr.
Kellogg has no doubt whatsoever that neglecting prompt attendance to the 'calls of nature', is the most common cause of uterine disease.
He notes sadly, that the closet accommodations of this time cannot compare with those convenient, comfortable and even attractive closets of ancient times - noting that their stability was such, they withstood 'the blasts of many centuries'.
Dr.
Kellogg states that it is 'False Modesty' that restrains the sufferer from sharing her intimate problems with her trusted medico.
This, undoubtedly leading to such complaints as 'Uterine Catarrh'.
Although improper dressing habits, sexual excess - and even sexual abuse were equally likely causes, these were not elaborated on.
Apart from lengthy discourses on uterine matters, Dr.
Kellogg also spent time examining the breast in detail, and so we find 'Atrophy of the Breast' - ' a frequent condition among American women, caused chiefly by deficient physical development.
And of course,compression by corsets.
Let us not forget 'deficient development of the ovaries', which would usually cause unnatural upper lip hair growth.
Massage and sponging with hot water should prove of value, and uterine massage if any atrophy is apparent there also.
The 'Relaxed or Pendent Breast' however, requires treatment of - proper support, firm bandaging and daily hot and cold applications.
All should remedy this unfortunate situation.
Unless, of course, it could be that the sufferer has 'Irritable or Hysterical Breast'.
We learn that this extreme over-sensitivity of the breast is chiefly caused by indigestion and disease of the womb or ovaries.
The most severe case encountered was due to the young woman's habit of self-abuse.
Discontinuance of 'the habit' resulted in such an incredible recovery, that within a week, she was able to 'strike the breast a full blow without suffering any inconvenience, whatsoever.
' The normal treatment suggested included improved general health, fomentations to the spine, and electricity to the breast.
Although a 'Floating Kidney' sounds a little alarming, Dr.
Kellogg confidently assures us that - 'a floating tumour is simply a kidney which has become dislodged from its proper position'.
He suggests toning up the abdominal walls with the application of electricity - or alternate hot/cold spray to the abdomen.
No need to worry or fret unnecessarily - never fear, the Doctor is here.
Don't stress, or you could easily suffer 'Nerve-Tire' (or exhaustion of the nervous system).
Dr.
Kellogg assures us that although the womb and ovaries are not responsible for all maladies - they certainly are absolutely responsible for 'Nerve-Tire'.
The cure? Take sufferers away from cares and old associations, and surround with entirely new influences.
This is best managed in a well-regulated Sanitarium - and treated with massage, proper diet and - electricity!! (the recommended voltage is never mentioned).
So, the next time you find yourself patiently being a patient, waiting in a Doctor's surgery, maybe it would be beneficial to take some time to reflect on the giant steps taken in medicine (and in particular in Women's Health) since the 'Dark Ages' of medicine.
Perhaps the wait has been worthwhile after all?? Christine