Dr. Edward H. Clarke's 1883 book that held that
female biology severely limited girls' ability to
participate in education and
advocated "a special and appropriate education, that shall produce a just and harmonious development of every part."
Though vague on concrete proposals, Clarke did recommend that girls spend less time on their studies than boys and they be given time off during their menstrual periods.
A ridiculous assertion that, although more dramatic, highlights an assumption of the crippling of women due to menstrual periods. Ideas such as this led to the formulation of a proposed menstrual strike.