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[This tape was transferred from a 16mm film original by Colorlab for the National Library
of Medicine, June 2006, NLM call number HF 1680 parts 1, 2, and 3.]
[Restricted film to be shown to authorized personnel only.]
[United States Navy training film.]
[Produced under the supervision of the Bureau of Aeronautics for the Bureau of Medicine
and Surgery by Audio Productions, Inc.]
[Personal hygiene for women, Part 1.]
Raise your right hands and repeat after me.
I, I, do solemnly swear, do solemnly swear, that I will bear true faith and allegiance,
that I will bear true faith and allegiance.
That all statements made by me, that all statements made by me, that is now given in this record,
that is now given in this record, are correct, are correct.
You are now in the Navy.
To this post of duty you have come from every walk of life.
You have left important jobs, and you have given up other opportunities.
In your previous experience you represent the best examples of American womanhood.
Physically fit, resourceful, alert, intelligent and morally dependable.
You are the American woman.
Because you want to live in the forefront of your times, in ideals and in sacrifice,
you have elected this as your chance to serve.
And you've chosen a woman-sized job.
The purpose of your basic training is not to lessen your individuality, nor to change
the particular character of your talents.
It is, rather, to provide you with self confidence and habits of living that will raise your
talents to the highest peak of efficiency.
You, the modern woman, are well equipped to set a high standard of voluntary performance.
You have a background of resourcefulness and stamina derived from the democratic culture
of your age.
You have the skills which can be adapted to your new responsibilities.
Now you will need to raise your standards of physical health to perfection.
And to keep yourself in the best possible condition to perform any duty you may be given.
You will need to keep an eye open for any sign that your efficiency is low, and to seek
medical advice whenever you suspect that you might not be quite all on the job.
I find nothing wrong physically, but I do think you're suffering from fatigue. Been
working hard?
Well yes sir, you see I wanted ... I know, we all have a big job to do.
But you worked hard during your basic training too, didn't you?
You may have felt tired but you weren't rundown, that's because you followed the regular routine.
You had a good diet which included plenty of energy-giving foods, and lots of fresh
vegetables and milk to supply all the proteins and vitamins you need.
You got regular hours of sleep, and plenty of exercise, didn't you?
I had to - regulations, you know.
Yes, but the purpose of those regulations was to set up habits that would keep you in
top notch physical condition all the time.
If you break those habits, you're going to fall down on the job.
Now I'm going to give you a prescription.
And this is the prescription the medical officer gave her: [EFFICIENCY] a balanced diet, a
normal regular amount of sleep, daily exercise and relaxation.
These are all regular needs which can never be made up if they are lost.
To maintain top notch working efficiency, the right balance must be kept.
Neglecting any one of these props to efficiency is a sure way to physical and mental fatigue.
Fatigue and faulty posture go hand and hand. Let's see why.
Here in simple diagram is the body skeleton and some of the muscles which hold it erect.
Correct posture is correct because it is natural, easy, and involves no strain on the muscles.
A plum line dropped from the ear should pass through the shoulder, hip, knee, and ankle
joints.
In incorrect posture, the muscles are under strain and have to work much harder to hold
the body erect.
A line through the same joints is no longer straight.
Your internal organs are fitted into close but adequate space.
Incorrect posture forces them into unnatural positions so that it is hard for them to do
their work.
You will feel better, and look better too, if you watch your posture.
Check it often and remember to stand tall, walk tall, be conscious of it, it will be
natural in a short time.
Sit tall, you'll feel and work better.
You are proud of the fact that you are healthier and stronger than the women of twenty five
years ago, and your clothes are styled for action.
Your uniform is more practical than the ones the Yeomanettes had in the last war.
You can be glad of that, and you can be glad that you don't have to wear this armor plate.
Pouring the body into this unnatural shape congests the internal organs and makes it
difficult to even to stand naturally.
We know today that girdles and corsets are supposed to support and protect the figure.
Many women don't really need them.
But if you do wear a girdle it must be right for you.
You should not tolerate a girdle that fits improperly any more than you would wear old
fashioned clothing.
Too much tightness or downward pressure of weight constricts the abdominal organs and
interferes with their normal activity.
If a brassiere is required it should not compress the *** or push them downward.
For those who really need them, well fitting girdles and brassieres will support the figure
and relieve fatigue.
The correctly fitted girdle lifts the abdomen and helps to flatten the back.
Another special reason for fatigue is a poorly fitted shoe.
Nature has provided you with cleverly constructed flexible arches formed by the bones and joints
which constitute the framework of the human foot.
Every time the foot is brought down, this framework absorbs the shock of contact with
the ground and supports your weight.
But an incorrectly fitted shoe will nullify all nature's good intentions.
A shoe which is too small compresses the foot and prevents natural action. It will in time
deform the foot.
If shoes are fitted properly, the inside edge will be straight.
There will be about half the breadth of the thumb between the tip of the great toe and
the end of the shoe, and plenty of width.
The shoe should not be so wide that the arches spread or that rubbing causes blisters.
The ball of the foot should rest upon the seat which is the widest part of the shoe.
The leather of which your shoe is made should be soft and pliable, yet the shoe itself should
be reasonably heavy and should have a welt sole to give the foot protection.
A shoe with a lining and a strong shank is the most comfortable for drill.
Selecting a shoe which is not functional is hardly less than bad taste.
But you can rely on the smartness of an oxford like this for ordinary wear.
It supports the foot, and has heels which are appropriate to any activity except long
marches, hiking, or extensive field duty.
For these purposes you need a shoe which has a lower heel with a broader base.
Badly fitting stockings can cause almost as much discomfort as badly fitting shoes.
They ought to be about a half inch longer than the foot to prevent binding.
And a badly mended stocking like this will soon produce a blister.
Stockings should be mended carefully with a soft mending thread so that they will not
cause blisters.
This expert method of weaving and interweaving will give you a flat even surface which will
not irritate the skin.
Since your feet support your body all day long they deserve special attention.
Here is a simple exercise to strengthen them if they are weak.
Flex the toes as if you are picking up a marble, then in the same motion turn the toes upward
as if to show the marble to someone.
This is an easy exercise which should be repeated often.
If your feet are tender and tired from unaccustomed marching, toughen them up by soaking them
in cold water to which salt has been added.
Be careful to dry thoroughly between the toes.
Powder is helpful, and it should be used in the morning as well as after bathing.
You are less likely to get athlete's foot if the skin is dry.
Athlete's foot is an annoying and uncomfortable disease.
It appears first as patches of white skin between the toes.
In advanced stages the skin itches and becomes painful.
If you get it, report for medical treatment and be careful not to give it to others.
Since the fungus which causes athlete's foot lives in the moistness of showers, pools,
and bathrooms, it is always wise to walk through the chemical solution which is provided in
most places to kill the organisms, and to wear slippers in these places.
Corns and calluses are caused by badly fitting shoes.
To relieve the pain and discomfort caused by them, soak the feet in soapy water until
the skin is soft.
Then file the corn with an emery board if possible.
Cutting or tearing them out is dangerous and may result in infection.
A moleskin adhesive dressing or a bit of lambs wool or even wool yarn if the corn is between
the toes will help to relieve the pressure and the pain.
The only way to prevent corns and calluses is to wear properly fitted shoes.
Choice of shoes, girdles, all articles of clothing is only part of the talent for good
grooming to which every Wave aspires.
Here is where patience and resourcefulness count, for good grooming is not guaranteed
by the fact that you happen to possess a smartly tailored uniform.
It demands constant attention to little details, sending your uniforms to the cleaners often,
or sponging and pressing them regularly yourself.
It means shining your shoes every day, keeping your underclothes clean even if laundering
facilities are limited.
And by no means least, good grooming calls for strict attention to bodily cleanliness.
During your daily bath you will need to wash every part of your body thoroughly.
The superstition which still crops up occasionally in spite of modern education and cleanliness,
that intimate parts of the body should never be touched, even in washing, is as ridiculous
as it is old fashioned.
Soap and water are needed all over the body.
Ordinary soap and water cleanliness will also get rid of normal body odors, though you may
want to use a mild underarm deodorant to neutralize perspiration odors.
Be careful to use only one which is non-irritating to your skin.
There are however artificial odors which arise from disorders in the mouth or *** and
which, though unnoticeable to you, may be very unpleasant to others.
Don't hesitate to ask your friends if you suspect such a condition.
If they are really kind, they will tell you, just as you should tell them, so that you
can have the condition checked by your medical officer.
Simple medical treatment will often cure even a deep seated condition of this sort.
Then you will want to take good care of your complexion.
A healthy skin is acquired through the ordinary routine of diet, sleep, and exercise, and
is easily preserved by the use of plenty of soap and water.
A little cold cream or mineral oil at night is a good habit.
Care in applying your cosmetics only to a clean skin with a clean powder puff is another.
These simple methods will keep your face as fresh and attractive as the most elaborate
beauty treatments.
A stiff nail brush, soap and water, a cuticle stick to clean around and under the nails,
and plenty of vigorous scrubbing will keep your hands soft.
It will also keep the cuticle pliable so that it can be pushed back with a towel.
A little cold cream or mineral oil at night now and then and regular attention to filing
your nails will keep your hands attractive even if you should go for months without a
professional manicure.
Daily vigorous brushing with a brush that has long stiff bristles will add life and
luster to your hair.
And here are some hints about giving yourself that shampoo you will need every week or two
depending upon the oiliness of your hair and the conditions in which you live.
If your hair and scalp are dry use a small amount of oil the night before you wash it.
Too much oil however will make the hair greasy and will be difficult to remove.
Any excess should be rubbed off with a towel.
There are several commercial preparations on the market known as wetting agents which
are frequently more efficient than soap.
If soap is used don't rub it directly on the hair. Make it into a solution.
Work the lather well into your hair, rubbing the scalp with your fingertips and rinse it
thoroughly until your hair squeaks when you rub your hands over it.
Wash your hair several times before the final rinsing.
Don't forget that you are responsible for leaving the wash bowl and the shower drain
clean and ready for the next person who wants to use it.
A shower, if available, is the best method for rinsing your hair.
At any rate, be sure you have removed all the soap.
Remove as much water as you can with a towel, and while your hair is drying is a good time
to clean your comb and brush.
A little ammonia added to plain water is a good cleaning agent.
Follow this with soap and water.
Keep your comb and brush clean and allow no one else to use them.
If you are clever at such things, combing the hair when it is partially dry and setting
it will produce much the same effect as the hairdresser's finger waves.
Remember that clean hair will help protect you against unsightly skin and scalp infections.
There are a number of different skin disorders which produce rashes.
Dandruff may be accompanied by an extensive one; some come from an allergy; some may result
partly from a poor diet and lack of exercise.
The oily skin is characteristic of acne.
Some, such as impetigo, may be contracted by exchanging toilet articles, and some may
be caused by syphilis.
All of these skin disorders, no matter what the cause, call for medical attention.
It is possible that under difficult conditions which arise in wartime, you may come into
contact with some form of lice.
Rather than being horrified, an intelligent woman will seek medical advice in such a situation.
If such advice is not available, you might employ an old remedy to get rid of lice on
the head.
Wet the hair thoroughly with equal parts of kerosene and vinegar.
Cover the hair with a towel for a half hour.
Then wash with warm water and soap, or a wetting agent.
This process should be repeated after 8 days [EIGHT DAYS LATER], and again after 8 more
days have elapsed [AND AGAIN EIGHT DAYS LATER], so that all lice hatching from remaining eggs
will be killed.
There are other kinds of lice which are acquired from close association with persons who are
infested.
These are called body lice. Some are very dangerous because they may carry typhus or
other fevers.
Crab lice may be caught from toilet seats or from intimate contact with the body of
a person who has them.
If you find them in the hair on any part of the body, medical attention should be sought.
Some of these instructions for good grooming may be old stuff to you, but they bear repeating
because they are essential to cleanliness - and cleanliness is the basis of all good
looks.
No woman who really cares about her appearance or her health will neglect the matter of internal
cleanliness which begins with the mouth.
We hardly need to be told to brush our teeth at least twice a day, but a few hints about
proper methods maybe helpful.
Your toothbrush should have bristles of different lengths which are set in tufts rather widely
spaced.
It should be kept clean and dry. In fact using two toothbrushes ultimately is a good idea.
The best way to keep your teeth clean is to brush them with an up and down motion. This
motion also massages the gums.
Additional massaging of your gums in this manner will help to avoid pyorrhea.
Rinse thoroughly after brushing.
Since it impossible to clean between your teeth with a toothbrush, dental floss should
be used frequently.
The purpose of visiting the dentist at least twice a year is to check and control decay,
prevent tartar from collecting, and make sure the teeth and gums are healthy.
Constipation is a rather common condition, but the cathartic habit or the enema habit,
in fact even the fear of constipation, frequently has worse results than constipation itself.
Let the medical officer advise laxatives if they are really needed.
First you ought to have regular time for going to the toilet. In group living such as yours,
it may be difficult.
But try to choose a time when you won't have to hurry to make way for others, when you
can relax for a few minutes.
By the way, do you drink much water? Not very much I'm afraid.
Well drinking lots of water is important. And be sure you eat a balanced diet with plenty
of leafy vegetables and whole grain cereals.
Then, remember that the regularity with which your bowels function depends on your general
body tone.
Sleep and exercise are important.
Do I have to have a bowel movement every day?
Not necessarily, though most people normally do.
The interval between movements may vary considerably from person to person, but if the movements
take place regularly and you feel well, it doesn't matter.
Constipation, if chronic, may cause a common disorder known as piles or hemorrhoids.
The intestines empty their contents into the *** which act as a reservoir.
The *** is well supplied with blood vessels.
Here on a diagrammatic section through the *** we can see how hemorrhoids occur.
Repeated straining and emptying the bowel forces the blood vessels at the *** and sometimes
part of the intestine itself down from their normal place until they protrude.
They are usually quite sore and often bleed.
Preventing constipation helps to avoid them, but if present, hemorrhoids should always
receive prompt medical attention.
As a part of your physical examination, the medical officer checks the condition of the
pelvic cavity where the organs of reproduction are located.
An intelligent woman will realize that this is just as important as a regular dental examination
or a check on her blood pressure.
The reassurance that no structural difficulty or acquired infection can interfere with the
normal functioning of the body is conducive to well being and she will welcome the opportunity
which the Navy provides to have this examination made by a competent medical officer.
An intelligent woman will realize also that it is not enough for the physician to know
that her physical condition is good.
She too must understand the structure and function of all parts of her body.
Unfortunately however, ignorance about the reproductive system is still widespread.
No human process has been the subject of more superstition and fear and consequently the
cause of more sorrow.
Therefore you will want to know the truth about every part of your own body.
A woman's reproductive or sex organs are peculiarly adaptive to the functions of childbearing.
Here they are seen if they would appear if the body were transparent.
The main organs form a series of hollow or tube like passages.
The external parts of the reproductive organs consist essentially of several folds of skin
called the *** or lips and known as the ***.
These folds of tissue cover important structures.
One is the urethra from which urine is passed.
Another is the *** a small body analogous to the male ***.
Here are the openings of two small glands which provide a lubricating fluid called mucus.
Covering more or less the entrance to the internal organs is a membrane known as the
*** or maidenhead.
Although the *** is present in most instances, some girls are born without it.
It is often broken during childhood.
The superstition that a woman is not a *** unless she has an unbroken *** is completely
inaccurate.
For proper orientation let's look at the body from a front view again.
The reproductive organs can be seen in normal position in the pelvic cavity.
Let's split the model and turn it to observe a section through the middle of these organs.
Here we can pick up where we left off on the external organs.
The *** as we have said stretches partly over the entrance to the internal reproductive
organs.
The first of these is a channel like structure called the ***, which serves as a receptacle
for the *** and forms a birth canal.
It has a moist lining mucus membrane and its walls lie in folds which can be easily distended.
The *** is located at the inner end of the *** forming the neck of the uterus
or womb.
The uterus is a pear shaped organ which is normally about two and three quarter inches
in length by one and three quarter inches in width.
Since its purpose is to shelter a baby during pregnancy, the uterus is capable of enlarging
to many times its original size.
In addition to the organs of reproduction we see in this view the bladder and the ***.
Here are the reproductive organs in front view.
At the upper end of the uterus are two tubes, one on each side, called the ova ducts or
fallopian tubes.
Their purpose is to transport the ovum, or egg, from the ovary into the uterus.
There are two ovaries, each one located near the end of a tube; and it is in the ovaries
that the female reproductive cells, the ova, are formed.
When an egg is fully developed, it leaves the ovary and enters one of the fallopian
tubes. This process is called ovulation.
The egg is then transported slowly toward the uterus, so slowly that it travels only
a few inches in three or four days.
During that time it softens and begins to be absorbed, unless it has been fertilized
by a male *** on the way.
During this regular process, the walls of the uterus have been building up to prepare
for the nesting of the possible fertilized egg.
Then sometime after ovulation, if fertilization has not occurred, *** takes place.
This is a regular cleaning process.
The thickened membrane lining the walls of the uterus breaks down and is cast off.
This broken tissue, together with the blood and mucus which accompanies it, forms the
substance of the menstrual discharge which passes out through the vaginal opening.
There is nothing mysterious or strange about it. The process is as natural as the peeling
and replacement of skin cells.
If the egg has been fertilized by a male reproductive cell, or ***, it implants itself in the
lining of the wall of the uterus where it continues to grow and *** usually
stops.
When fertilization does not occur, the processes of ***, ovulation, and ***,
take place in a regular cycle, which recurs in most women approximately every twenty eight
days.
However your schedule of this cycle may vary considerably from this one.
Furthermore, the cycle may be upset by changes in bodily condition, environment, mental stress,
or other causes, so that *** may be hastened or delayed.
If your menstrual period should be delayed as much as a week you should see the medical
officer immediately to determine the cause.
Never try to bring on *** by any method for they are all dangerous. Only the
medical officer can safely advise you.
The most alarming things about *** are the old wives tales concerning it. What
we need is more frankness and less fear.
I've been wanting to ask you sir, why is *** often so painful?
*** shouldn't be painful.
Pain usually indicates that something is wrong either with the position of the reproductive
organs or with their functioning.
I have some charts which will explain better.
And he explains that there are a number of causes of menstrual pain or dysmenorrhea.
If the uterus is not in normal position there may be congestion during *** and
consequent pain.
There may be other anatomical reasons for dysmenorrhea, or the cause may be functional.
Here for example you can see that part of the intestine is near the reproductive organs.
Normally there is no bad effect, but constipation may cause pressure on them and make it difficult
for them to function naturally.
As we have seen earlier, poor posture may crowd the reproductive organs into unnatural
positions and cause congestion with possible resultant pain.
Actually no one can diagnose the real cause of dysmenorrhea without a thorough examination.
What can be done about it?
That depends on the cause. Extreme malposition may call for an operation.
Naturally if the cause is constipation, the remedy lies in its cure.
Yes, but when you have cramps you want to relieve them quickly.
Well then, applications of heat, a hot water bottle for instance, will often help to relax
the muscles and relieve the pain, and drugs such as aspirin will give temporary relief.
Most of the painkilling drugs sold for this purpose are dangerous, however, and the habit
of depending on drugs is a bad one.
For any severe menstrual pain you should have a medical examination to determine the cause.
Although it is advisable to keep a record of the menstrual period, its onset should
produce very little change in ones ordinary routine.
An intelligent woman will not regard herself as ill.
On the contrary, though she may avoid violent exercise, she will find ordinary accustomed
forms of exercise good for her, and will take pride in going about her duties with her accustomed
enthusiasm.
It is especially important to keep yourself attractive and clean during the menstrual
period since the danger of offensive body odors is greater then, than at any other time.
Regular bathing is not harmful, and is actually essential to get rid of additional body odors
which are present.
It is only necessary to see that the bath is not usually hot or unusually cold.
Modern hygiene offers two good methods of sanitary protection: the sanitary pad and
the ***.
You are the best judge of their relative value for you.
If sanitary pads are used, they should be kept clean, and should be adjusted carefully
to prevent irritation.
For this reason they should be fastened to a sanitary belt, which has adjustable fasteners.
Both sanitary pads and underclothing should be changed often and as additional guard against
the presence of body odor, it is wise to use a good deodorant powder, of course selecting
one which is not strong or irritating.
It should also be used on the underclothing.
Some women prefer the *** to the sanitary napkin.
The *** is inserted into the *** to absorb the menstrual flow.
If you use the *** be careful to see that it is placed far enough back into the ***
to be comfortable, but not far enough to cause pressure on the ***.
For those women in whom the vaginal opening is small, or those who flow very heavily,
the *** is not usually satisfactory.
Some women use both the sanitary pad and a *** during the days of heaviest flow.
Many women find the vaginal *** a necessary routine, but it is wise to have a medical
examination and to get instructions from a physician before using one for the first time.
While it is not common practice to use a *** during ***, it is not harmful.
The douching fluid can be plain warm water, or a solution of plain water plus one tablespoon
of baking soda, or water plus one half glass of vinegar, depending on your physician's
instructions.
Strong solutions should be avoided since they injure the delicate lining of the ***.
A *** is best taken lying down in the bathtub. Since the amount of the pressure depends on
the height of the bag and little pressure is needed, place it so that the bottom of
the bag hangs about six inches above the level of the hips.
The *** may also be taken sitting on the toilet.
Check the height of the bag carefully since excessive pressure if the bag is too high
may force the fluid up into the uterus.
The nozzle should be gently inserted and the *** held lightly together with the hand
so that the vaginal cavity will be slightly distended as the water enters and the fluid
can flow freely out of the ***.
Since the possibility of strong pressure is greater, many physicians feel that the bulb
or hand type spray should be condemned.
Others believe that it may be used but only with the greatest care.
If the hand type spray is used, the bulb should be pressed gently with the thumb and index
finger, never with the whole pressure of the hand.
Equipment for douching should be kept clean and reserved strictly for your own use.
There is great danger of infection if these articles are exchanged.
We have seen that there are glands around the entrance to the *** which normally
secrete mucus.
The amount of this secretion varies with changes in the menstrual cycle and increases under
*** excitement, but it is usually not noticeable in color, odor or amount.
A persistent vaginal discharge which is noticeable on your underclothing is an indication of
some disorder which ought to be investigated.
Only a medical examination of the individual who has it and of the discharge itself will
reveal the cause and the proper treatment.
This is a type of vaginal discharge or leucorrhea, which is not too difficult to clear up with
medical treatment.
Thank you sir, I was so afraid it might be cancer.
Well it's good that you came to see me about it early.
While cancer is not very common among women of your age, it is quite dangerous when it
does occur.
Therefore its important to report any unusual signs, vaginal discharge, lumps in the breast,
or any abnormal growth, not because they necessarily are cancer but to give us a chance to diagnose
them, and discover cancer if it is there in time to cure it.
You know cancer is curable if the treatment is started early enough, but you have nothing
to worry about.
None of you need worry about your health if you rely on your medical officers and remember
the rules of personal hygiene.
One important purpose of your basic training is to make the fundamentals of healthful living
so automatic that no physical disability will appear to prevent you from carrying out the
important jobs you are here to do.
Perhaps you will be sent to a naval air station like this where thousand of posts of duty
await women who are dependable and well trained.
Perhaps you'll be stationed at a naval base, but where ever you are, you will have a woman
sized job.
Keeping yourself in the best possible physical condition for it need not be difficult if
you consider that the basis of all good health is a balanced routine of proper diet, sleep,
exercise, and relaxation,
that high standards for personal cleanliness will prevent most disorders, and that carelessness,
ignorance, superstition, and fear are your worst enemies.
If you remember these things, you will help to attain the goal of the whole women's reserve
and keep every woman at her post everyday.
[The End. MN-1712-A. United States of America Navy Department. Bureau of Aeronautics. MCMXLIII.]