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2 - Transitional Bleeding in Early Modern England

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2022

Iosifina Foskolou
Affiliation:
University of Cambridge
Martin Jones
Affiliation:
University of Cambridge
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Summary

This chapter explores the historical evidence for cultural attitudes to menstruation. The most commonly promoted medical theories as to why women experienced a monthly bleed are discussed. The many words and circumlocutions early moderns used to describe menstruation and related female reproductive bleeding are considered, along with prevailing cultural expectations about this event.

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Chapter
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Blood , pp. 18 - 37
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2022

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