The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-24
OUR WIVES AND MOTHERS.
A Mothers Warning Words On the Phys
ical Training or Women.


Please pardon me for intruding on your
columns, but IL is OF q matter that comes
near TO the heart OF every parent and
especially of every mother. The remark
of the sage that 'the proper study OF man
kind is man" is well enough so far rs II
goes, but II needs the additional fact that
man embraces woman likewise There
Is no study Of such deep interest TO the
world, or ono with such far-reaching re-
suits MS that OF woman and woman's nat
ture. The whole history Of the human
family since the origin Of the race OF Adam
has been that Of woman's influence and
woman's power. Everywhere and always,
for good or i'll, for right or wrong, but most
often for good and right, II has been wom-
an who has formed all. In one OF the
books or the Bible. in a discussion on a
state occasion before n great king as to
what was the strongest OF earthly things,
We find this. "Who is IL that ruleth the
king and hath lordship over the multitude
of men? Are they not women And
ms IL was in those days, the days OF
patriarch and prophet. so has 1t been
ever since even until now. II 1t be
true, which nobody can deny, that II
Is the mothers OF the Nation who rule
and guide its dcstinies; II il be q great
natural law that 'lhc foot that
rocks the cradle is the hand that moulds
and moves the world" ought We not TO be
especially careful In the physical training
and development OF those who ARE TO be
| the wives and mothers OF the country
| Ought not every safeguard TO be thrown
around the health, and every possible
care used in tho periocting and rounding
OF their lives physically? A sound body
is necessary to the production and culture
OF Il sound mind and heart. ! have
learned these things by sad and bitter cx.
| perience, and feel most deeply concerning
them, and ii my words can save others
from making the mistaken my mother made,
aud for which | have suffered, ! Will feel
| repaid for writing this. | have no interest
in this doctor, or that one, or any system
Of practice, but ! do wish TO help my sis
ter women. | am impelled hereto by con-
yersations had with a friend, whose young
married daughter residing In New Orleans
has been treated aud permanently relieved
| 10y DIR. Belts, who has recently come here
from that city, and who has achieved great
results In alternating the suilerings OF our
sex, and who has devoted years Of study
in acquiring so far rs possible, a knowl-
edge OF the motives, disposition, wants
and whims Of w%omankind, and Doriocting
himself In the treatment Of the physical
nature and development with the mental
and moral results incident thereto Of the
bundle OF nerves and passions called wo.
man. from her infancy TO her grave. She
impressed me with a conversation which
she had with him while ho was treating
her daughter. In speaking ol these aud
kindred subjects which are OF such deep
interest 10 the welfare of every
family and home. he said at is singular
how little carols devoted 10 improving and
perlecting the human race. II il astonish.
Ing how careless and indifferent parents.
aud especially mothers who know from
sad aud painful experience the necessity
OF proper instruction TO the young and
growing girl, are OF tho physical needs OF
their daughters. How dire and fearful
are the results Of this criminal indiller.
oncc none can know 80 well M those who
like myself, devote their talents and their
lives to alloyiating tho pains and misery
caused 10 the women Of the land by this
neglect. Woman herself Is in n large
measure responsible 10 herself, 10 her Off
spring, and to. tho world for her dcgcn-
crate physical condition. But for the false
modtsty and foolish reluctance ON the part
OF the mother 10 properly instruct her
daughters, we would lose much Of our
practice, for there would be no need of
medical treatment. A lack Of proper
knowledge OF herself and Of the plaincst
laws Of nature and Of womanhood ON the
part Of young and growing girls isthe cause
Of a vast amount OF unnecessary SUI.
icnng and usclcssncss on the part
Of the girls and young marrod women
OF tho country and Of expense aud
trouble TO their parents and hus-
hads m well M Of weakness and disease
In their offspring. Every stock or horse
raiser knows tho value OF caro- aud attcn-
ton and of careful selection ut certain
periods In the life and rearing Of his cattle
and horses. aud uses all this knowledge
for the production Of the best results In
the way Of speed, health and beauty In his
stock, but he pays no attention 10 the roar
ing aud development OF his children. The
human progeny iu lett 10 take It's chances
for this lie aud the next The prominent
and al important periods Of n womnn's
life are but lily nj best understood, and In
too many instances the truth Of the real
conditions existing arc entirely ignored or
passed slightingly Owe with the loolishly
weak, scll-satisiying thought, 'Oh, Il will
BE- oil right some day. or worsc still. 81
shall soon mitgrow these aches and pains. "
AZ the girl doyrlopcs into womanhood a
complete revolution takes place In her
physical organization. Then, too. the mon.
ial and moral qualities undergo q complete
m~olamurphOsis. The change h gradual,
and each, the mental, moral aud physical,
should hc cOntcmporancous, and go on To-.
gclhcr throughout the whole system. II,
through iolly or Ignorance, either Is not NJ
developed, a complete failure Is made Of
that portion, and instead OF bcing
n perfect woman. capable u iulhll.
ing oil the purposes of her being. shs
H. In une-third of her organization a wreck.
and q life OF suffering must inevitably FOL
low and be- transmitted to her children.
! Tor In these cisps the sins Of the parent nr,
most surely visited upon the children, and
mnnyAa wicked or wasted ITO Is du,
solely Ia inherited taintF, the result q
violations Of natures laws. Ninety pc.
cent. Of the suilcungs and physical miscf
les ui women come from these useless an,
, ignorant violations OF the plain laws oi ht
being, aud q very largo proportion %
, nCumlgias aui No-cillcd stomach aud live
troubles are but effects oi these Same VIC
' laiiouA. She suffers, not knowing why
Suilca with more or less oi patience, no
knowing that In q majority OF eases nhl
can be permanently curnd, or NJ loal
greatly relieved" Woman has enougI
81 necessary aud unavoidable misery an.
suffering without being nccdlrssly a.
, ilictrd. ] earnestly commend these word