Herself: Talks with Women Concerning Themselves

In Short

Written by a physician in 1917, this manual acts as a practical handbook for women navigating the physiological realities of their lives. It demystifies everything from puberty and menstruation to childbirth and the dangers of venereal disease. By replacing Victorian-era reticence with clear medical instruction, the author aims to empower women to manage their health with the same professional competence they might apply to any other "delicate machinery." It remains a fascinating historical artifact of early twentieth-century health reform and the shift toward public sexual education.

The Story

The narrative begins with a firm indictment of the status quo: women are expected to manage their health and the health of their families while remaining willfully ignorant of their own reproductive systems. The author positions herself as a mentor, filling a void left by schools and parents who treat the female body as a taboo subject. She moves systematically through the stages of a woman’s life, starting with puberty and the onset of menstruation. Here, she frames physical changes not as mysteries to be feared, but as biological processes that, if understood, can be managed with grace and poise.

From these foundational lessons, the focus shifts to the physical maintenance of the body. The author discusses the common ailments of the reproductive system, such as uterine displacement, and offers specific, actionable advice—like the "knee-chest position"—to alleviate discomfort. She is equally direct about the dangers of neglect, particularly regarding constipation and its systemic effects, illustrating the interconnectedness of bodily systems. As the scope broadens, the discussion turns to the "black plagues" of syphilis and gonorrhea. The author treats these not merely as moral failings but as serious medical threats that require long-term, professional treatment. She emphasizes that these diseases are often contracted through ignorance, and she urges women to move past the "false modesty" that keeps them from seeking help.

The final arc of the book moves from the individual to the social and domestic spheres. The author addresses the physical and emotional burdens of early marriage, advocating for temperance and shared understanding between husband and wife. She discusses the realities of childbirth and infant care, again stressing that knowledge is the key to minimizing suffering. As the book concludes, the author tackles the broader implications of her philosophy: the importance of "finding oneself." Whether through career, parenting, or personal discipline, she argues that a woman must cultivate a sense of purpose and self-control. She ends with an appeal to reject the "whining" or despondency that often accompanies poor health, encouraging women instead to view their lives as a project to be mastered through science, hygiene, and a disciplined mind.

How It Unfolds

The foundational argument The author asserts that the lack of physiological education is a "lamentable fact" that leaves women vulnerable to preventable health crises. She establishes that a woman who attempts to care for her home and children without anatomical knowledge is like a business person operating blindfolded.

The cycles of the body The text moves into the specifics of puberty, the menstrual cycle, and the menopause, framing these as natural phases. She provides clear, clinical descriptions of the reproductive organs and explains how common issues like backaches or nervous symptoms are often traceable to manageable physical displacements.

The reality of illness The author confronts the "black plagues" with clinical detachment, emphasizing that syphilis and gonorrhea are indiscriminate killers that affect even the "innocent." She warns against self-medication and emphasizes the necessity of long-term medical supervision to protect future generations from inherited taints.

Domestic and personal management The book transitions to the daily life of the married woman, discussing the need for physical and emotional moderation. She emphasizes that housework, marriage, and childbirth are not just chores but tasks that require a scientific approach to maintain one's vitality and happiness.

The final call to action The conclusion focuses on the importance of mental discipline and self-mastery. She warns against the "mental self-abuse" of dwelling on past regrets and encourages women to cultivate their own unique potential, ensuring they are not merely "plow horses" when they are meant for something more.

The People

The book is primarily a dialogue between the author—an authoritative, pragmatic physician—and the reader, a woman seeking clarity. The author acts as the voice of reason, positioning herself as a friend to "unfortunate girls" who have fallen into distress through ignorance rather than malice. She also addresses the parents, specifically mothers, whom she holds accountable for failing to educate their daughters, and fathers, whom she blames for "criminal negligence" in leaving their sons to learn about sex from "vulgar" peers. The "ideal" person here is the informed, self-controlled woman who treats her body like a "rare jewel." Conversely, the "unfortunate" figures are those who suffer—be they the childless, the divorced, or the physically diseased—not because they are inherently bad, but because they have been denied the knowledge required to navigate the risks of the world.

In Its Own Voice

"If a girl in the business world is intrusted with a delicate piece of machinery she is taught the structure, use and care of it."

The author makes this analogy to highlight the absurdity of society’s refusal to educate girls about their own biological functions.

"A woman who attempts to care for herself and her children without proper knowledge of these subjects is like a man who tries to run his business blindfolded."

This statement underscores the author’s overarching argument that domestic life requires the same level of intellectual preparation as any professional career.

"It is impossible to take a race horse and expect to make him a good plow horse."

In her closing remarks, the author uses this metaphor to encourage women to pursue the work for which they are best suited by nature and training.

What It's Really About

At its core, this book is a manifesto for the power of scientific knowledge as a tool for personal autonomy. The author argues that "sin is but ignorance," and therefore the solution to most social and physical maladies is not piety or shame, but education. It is an exploration of the link between physical health and moral character, suggesting that by mastering the "delicate machinery" of the body, a woman can gain control over her environment. The book grapples with the tension between the biological drive for reproduction and the modern, practical demands of a woman’s life, ultimately advocating for a life governed by reason, moderation, and the pursuit of one's true, individual capacity.

Why Read It Today

Readers today will find this book to be a stark, fascinating window into the early twentieth-century transition from Victorian prudery to the era of scientific hygiene. You will likely feel a mix of shock at the period-specific attitudes—such as the author’s blunt, sometimes harsh views on divorce and her reliance on eugenic concepts of "inherited taints"—and genuine admiration for her bold, proto-feminist insistence that women deserve access to medical truths. The writing is direct and devoid of sugar-coating, which creates an intimate, albeit clinical, reading experience.

Those interested in the history of medicine or women’s studies will find the author’s approach to domestic labor and self-improvement surprisingly relevant in its emphasis on time management and mental health. While the medical advice on specific ailments is, of course, dated and should be viewed as a historical artifact rather than modern guidance, the author’s underlying message—that you are responsible for your own well-being and that knowledge is your greatest protection—remains a powerful, enduring theme. It is a dense, serious text that demands patience, but it offers a profound sense of the burdens women carried in 1917 and the radical, necessary steps taken to shed them.