excesses and undue exertions; to watch at all times for the insidious approach of disorder; never to neglect any slight ailments, but, regarding them as the forerunners of more serious derangements, seek to repair the most trifling irregularity of function, and give rest, at once, to any organ of the body which shows signs of debility or fatigue. All this more especially refers to those who are conscious of some hereditary or constitutional tendency to disease. It is at this period of life that it is peculiarly the duty of an individual to examine somewhat into his own condition, and to inquire, 1st. Have I any hereditary tendency to disease; and, 2d. From disease, irregularity, excess, accident, or any other cause, is there any one organ of my body which I deem weaker than the rest, or any function of the animal economy which appears to me to be more feebly performed than is natural? There are few persons of 50 or 60 years of age, who are not conscious of some difference in the vigour of the various organs and functions of the body, which has either existed from their youth upwards, or which has arisen at some after-period of life. Many are aware that some hereditary tendency to disease must exist in their constitution, although no symptom of such disease or indication of such tendency has ever appeared. 113 DECLINE OF LIFE IS DISEASE. Physicians who are val nyanted with their patients can generally came the weakest point of the Fortress of Life, either from their knowledge of the past e and family history of the mdmdual, or can £scover in even without such id, by a careful examinatic, coducted with that object in view. Freed is frearmed; and it behoves every toe then to institute such self-examinatico-to find cas with are the weakest points in his organisation, that, by the aid of his own good sense, or by the advice of cubers, he may best protect himself from the accession of disease. CHAPTER II. CLIMACTERIC PERIOD IN WOMEN. It has been observed in the last chapter, that, although climacteric changes do not universally occur in man, yet that decay at that period of life is more common than it is in women. There is this marked distinction between the two sexes: that, whereas there is not of necessity any climacteric change in man, all such must be regarded as disease, whilst in women the phenomena of the climacteric period are of universal occurrence, and are natural and healthful. It is only when abnormal that they are to be regarded as disease; and hence this period is familiarly and properly named amongst women the change of life. The most prominent phenomenon of this period is the cessation of the catamenial discharge; but it is accompanied by various others dependent thereon. At some period usually between 45 and 55 years of age, the monthly catamenial discharge ceases to appear, but not according to any fixed law, nor in any uniform manner. Sometimes it suddenly ceases to flow, and never again reappears. Sometimes it varies through this period free from debility and disease, she has probably before her a long vista of years, during which she is fitted for the enjoyment of vigorous health, and may anticipate attaining a good old age. The most normal manner in which the catamenia cease to appear is a gradual change, the periods becoming prolonged indefinitely,-five or six weeks, one, two, three, or more months may elapse,the discharge becoming at each time less and less, until it ceases altogether. During the period that this change is going on, marks of plethora and excitement are very common, especially in strong healthy women, and those who will most likely, with proper attention, go well through the trial, and become strong and healthful afterwards. It often seems as if the female constitution resists as much and as long as possible the attacks of time, and passes unwillingly into that period of life in which the procreative powers no longer exist. The catamenia often seem to strive to reappear a slight discharge, but no more, takes place again and again. The natural flow of blood being then somewhat changed, there is irregular plethoric sensations in various parts; sudden feelings of heat and flushing are very common, and may excited by slight exertion. Headaches and sensation of fulness in the head, especially in the back be |