Miss Chadwick has devoted much research and time to the problem of menstruation, which she regards as the core of the woman's secret, and finds in this function the embryo of her loves and hate. A historical survey of the early beliefs and ancient medical theories leads up to an interesting account of the witch-cult. In describing the possible origins of menstrual taboos, Miss Chadwick passes over rather slightly the unconscious motivations; she deals mainly with the conscious attitude of both men and women towards menstruation. The author points out that both the positive attitude towards menstruation as an illness requiring rest and care and the negative attitude that menstruation means nothing to the woman emotionally or physically are based upon man's irrational attitude towards everything connected with sex.

The book is obviously intended for intelligent women and men who