were totally unprepared for its appearance; that thirteen out of the twenty-five were much frightened, screamed, or went into hysterical fits; and that six out of the thirteen thought themselves wounded and washed with cold water.

Of those frightened ...

the general health was seriously impaired." Engelmann, after stating that his experience in America was similar to Tilt's in England, continues ("The Health of the American Girl," _Transactions of the Southern Surgical and Gynaecological Society_, 1890): "To innumerable women has fright, nervous and emotional excitement, exposure to cold, brought injury at puberty.

What more natural than that the anxious girl, surprised by the sudden and unexpected loss of the precious life-fluid, should seek to check the bleeding wound--as she supposes?
For this purpose the use of cold washes and applications is common, some even seek to stop the flow by a cold bath, as was done by a now careful mother, who long lay at the point of death from the result of such indiscretion, and but slowly, by years of care, regained her health.

The terrible warning has not been lost, and mindful of her own experience she has taught her children a lesson which but few are fortunate enough to learn--the individual care during periods of functional activity which is needful for the preservation of woman's health." In a study of one hundred and twenty-five American high school girls Dr.Helen Kennedy refers to the "modesty" which makes it impossible even for mothers and daughters to speak to each other concerning the menstrual functions.