The Physical Life of Woman: Advice to the Maiden, Wife and Mother   By: George H. (George Henry) Napheys (1842-1876)

ADVICE TO THE MAIDEN, WIFE AND MOTHER.

PUBLISHERS' NOTICE.

The extraordinary popularity achieved and maintained by Dr. GEO. H. NAPHEYS' Physical Life of Woman , places it beyond question among the classics of the English language. Convinced of its high literary as well as medical value, the present publishers have spared no pains or expense to place it before the public in the most attractive style.

The text has been most carefully revised and rewritten by the eminent author himself; extensive additions of important matter the fruit of three more years devoted to the study of the subject and the wants of readers, have been incorporated. In type, paper and binding, the most appropriate materials have been selected. And, to satisfy the repeated requests of purchasers, permission has been obtained from the author to insert his portrait, engraved on steel by one of the most skilful London artists.

With these additions, the Physical Life of Woman comes before the public with all the novelty and freshness of a new book, and also with the solid and substantial reputation for practical worth which its sales of nearly fifty thousand copies a year for three years guarantee to it.

We add a

SYNOPSIS OF THE BOOK.

It treats of woman in her three great positions in life, as the MAIDEN, the WIFE, and the MOTHER.

Under the first of these is discussed the mysterious change she undergoes when ripening from the indifferent girl to the tender and sensitive virgin. The dangers she runs at this critical epoch are carefully noted, and the rules to prevent and remedy them clearly set forth. The all absorbing topic of Love , is next treated of in a pure and elevated style, but strictly from the physician's point of view, and many salutary hints are given to direct the passion to noble ends and in proper channels, and to teach the youthful reader how to shun unfortunate unions.

In the part addressed to Wives the health of the married couple is first considered as being essential to their happiness. Plainly, yet delicately, the rules that should govern them are laid down; the absence of children and their excessive numbers are both mentioned, as requiring appropriate correction, and an unsparing hand is laid upon certain prevalent social vices. A full discussion of the important topic of the inheritance of physical and mental traits will be found, and two most thorough and practical chapters on Pregnancy and Confinement are added, most invaluable to every young wife.

The duties of the Mother are next set forth, in nursing her child, and taking proper care of it, in training its budding powers, and also in giving her own attention to it in some of the more common diseases to which children are subject.

The sections devoted to Health in Marriage will be peculiarly welcome to many women suffering in health from they know not what exact cause, but really from some of those inward or local weaknesses which are here described. While to very many others who are approaching or about passing through the critical epoch of the Change of Life , the full and well considered views of the author in the part devoted to that period will be read with benefit and gratitude.

A carefully prepared Index and a copious list of authorities close the volume.

[Transcriber's Note: In the Biographical Sketch section, an "a" with a macron has been marked as [=a] in this file.]

THE PHYSICAL LIFE OF WOMAN: ADVICE TO THE MAIDEN, WIFE AND MOTHER.

by GEORGE H. NAPHEYS, A.M., M.D.

MEMBER OF THE PHILADELPHIA COUNTY MEDICAL SOCIETY; CORRESPONDING MEMBER OF THE GYNECOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF BOSTON; LATE CHIEF OF MEDICAL CLINIC OF THE JEFFERSON MEDICAL COLLEGE; AUTHOR OF "THE TRANSMISSION OF LIFE," "THE PREVENTION AND CURE OF DISEASE," "MODERN MEDICAL THERAPEUTICS," "LETTERS FROM EUROPE," ETC.