In such women the discharge exists more or less abundantly when they are not pregnant, the menstrual secretion being more plentiful than it ought to be, and the intervals between the periods generally shorter than natural. Such women are generally weak, although they may have the appearance of strength; they can take very little exercise without fatigue; and their habits, although perhaps originally sedentary by choice, after a while become so from necessity. The symptoms, disregarded for months, nay, years by the sufferer, increase; and now she has pains in the head, giddiness, and perhaps indistinct vision, and many other symptoms which it is unnecessary to mention. At last the urgency of the symptoms leads her to seek for professional assistance. How much wiser, if the advice of the medical attendant had been sought, at an early stage of the complaint, when the inconvenience was slight and easily manageable; for in proportion to the duration of the disease will be the difficulty in removing it.

Sect. 21.-Pain in the Side.

This affection comes on towards the latter period of pregnancy, never being felt in the earlier months. It is exceedingly troublesome; and it too frequently happens that the remedies given for its relief, although varied enough, produce no good effect.

The pain at first is slight. The individual suffers little in the morning; but a few hours after dinner the pain becomes more violent, she is obliged to lie upon a sofa, and is frequently observed to place her hand over the part in pain, and press it pretty forcibly. Cough does not necessarily accompany this complaint: it is

not unfrequently present, but it is then unconnected with inflammatory action in the chest. This pain no doubt depends on the pressure of the increasing and ascending womb on the liver, which to begin with is perhaps out of order, and so then less tolerable of this interference.

A belladonna or opium plaster should be applied to the side, and a gentle laxative taken before breakfast. If not relieved by these simple means, you must consult your doctor. If the pain be very acute, a mustard

plaster might be applied and kept on as long as can be borne, and followed by repeated poultices of linseedmeal. When the acuteness of the pain has somewhat subsided, then the belladonna plaster may be put on and worn as long as it will remain on.

Sect. 22.-Headache.

Headache during the latter months of pregnancy ought never to be trifled with: for although it will most frequently arise from a disordered stomach, and is then easily removed, it is now and then the effect of a cause much more important.

Headache from Disordered Stomach.-This will generally depend either on a costive state of the bowels, indigestion, or nervous irritation; it is attended with acid eructations, occasional giddiness or slight sickness, foul tongue, and perhaps paleness of the countenance, the attacks being frequently periodical and confined to one side of the head.

This kind of headache is to be relieved by taking a mild aperient every other night, until the bowels are fully relieved and the tongue clean-rest-abstaining from animal food for a few days, and from all stimu

lants for the remaining period of pregnancy. During the attack itself, ether, or eau de Cologne, may be applied to the head.

Sympathetic Headache. This is an important disease when severe and constant, and more particularly if the patient is far advanced in her pregnancy. It is to be recognised by a dull appearance and suffused condition of the eye; by the presence of giddiness, especially upon stooping or lying down; and by a sense of heaviness or weight over the eyes or in the head. Its presence is still more strongly marked if there is singing in the ears, fiery objects before the eyes, and indistinctness of vision. The seat of the pain is generally in the back of the head, and is usually accompanied by a fixed pain in some part of the spinal column.

This form of headache is much rarer; it is generally caused by sympathy with the changes going on in the uterine system. But it must not be forgotten that as in the non-pregnant female so in the pregnant, the headache may be due to inflammatory action in the brain or its membranes, or to rheumatism or gout. Hence the necessity of seeking medical advice early in all cases when the pain is obstinate or long continued.

Sect. 23. Jaundice, &c.

Jaundice sometimes occurs in the early, sometimes in the latter months of pregnancy; now and then a troublesome cough accompanied with considerable pain of the head, and sudden attacks of difficulty of breathing. These and many other slight affections may manifest themselves during gestation; but of these I say nothing: it would be advancing beyond

the bounds by which I thought it right to limit myself, and departing from the object proposed.

I have finished what was proposed, and presented the married woman with that information for direction and relief in those little ailments and discomforts which frequently arise during pregnancy, for which she does not think it necessary to consult her medical adviser, and yet from which she will very often go on suffering for weeks rather than speak of them.

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CHAPTER IV.

ON THE PREVENTION OF MISCARRIAGE.

THERE is no accident befalling female health which forms a greater source of dread, anxiety, and subsequent regret to an experienced married woman, than miscarriage. When this becomes a habit, there is no circumstance the consequences of which are productive of more serious injury to the constitution, blasting the fairest promises of health, and oftimes laying the first seeds of fatal disease.

The frequency of its occurrence, however, would excite little surprise, were the delicacy of the connection which exists in the early months of pregnancy between the future offspring and its parent only understood; for it would then be easily perceived with what facility this union may be destroyed.

If, then, this accident is so frequent—if its consequences are so serious when the habit of miscarriage is established—and if the facility with which it may happen is so great, from the slight connection which exists between parents and offspring at this early period—it will be asked, Are there any means by the adoption of which an event so sad in its results may be prevented? Can the female herself contribute in any measure to avert the liability to it? Or can any plan