As soon as a girl attains maturity in this respect,
which is seldom before the age of sixteen, she is ordered to
observe complete rest; not only rest of the body, but rest of
the mind. Many mothers oblige their daughters to remain in
bed for three days, if they are at all delicate in health; but
even those who are physically very strong are obliged to
abstain from study, to remain in their rooms for three days,
and keep perfectly quiet. During the whole of each period,
they are not allowed to run, walk much, ride, skate, or dance.
In fact, entire repose is strictly enforced in every
well-regulated household and school. A German girl would
consider the idea of going to a party at such times as simply
preposterous; and the difference that exists in this respect
in America is wholly unintelligible to them.
As a general rule, a married woman in Germany, even after she
has had many children, is as strong and healthy, if not more
so, than when she was a girl. In America, with a few
exceptions, it appears to be the reverse; and, I have no
doubt, it is owing to the want of care on the part of girls at
this particular time, and to the neglect of their mothers to
enforce proper rules in this most important matter.
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