kness of a morning, headache, and that troublesome
disease, toothache, which accompanies pregnancy; all of which may
usually be avoided by keeping the bowels gently open with seidlitz
powders, caster oil, or pills of rhubarb, which should be taken
occasionally, either alone or in combination with colocynth and soap.
A clyster made of warm soapsuds will often be sufficient if repeated
every few days; or senna and manna; and if there is any aversion to
taking medicine, give some simple articles, such as roasted apples,
figs, prunes, or anything that will quiet the stomach and prevent
costiveness of the bowels.

THE TOOTHACHE

often complained of by pregnant women, and which may occur at any
period, is seldom relieved by extraction, having its seat in the
adjacent nerves of the face or jaws, and is neuralgic. The teeth ought
not to be drawn during pregnancy, unless urgently required, but should
be relieved by applying hot fomentations to the face, as a camomile
poultice. Rubbing the jaw externally with spirits of camphor or
laudanum, or applying mustard plasters or blisters behind the ears,
will afford relief.

THE CRAMPS OF THE LEGS. ETC.,

in pregnancy, caused by the pressure of the enlarged womb on the
nerves, are often troublesome, but not attended with any danger, and
may be speedily relieved by a change of posture, and friction, or
rubbing with opodeldoc, spirits of camphor, or hot whisky and salt.
Palpitation of the heart occurs frequently, and usually about the
period of quickening. In general, it is the result of a disordered
stomach and may be relieved by attention to diet and moderate doses of
magnesia and Epsom salts, of equal quantities.

THE PALPITATION OF THE HEART

may be produced by a morbid state of the nerves, and is then termed
hysterical. Attention in all such cases should be paid to the diet,
air, exercise, etc., with the view of improving the strength, the
bowels being kept open by mild means. All exciting or agitating
subjects should be carefully avoided, and the mind of the pregnant
woman kept calm and tranquil; for the mind, in the early stages of
pregnancy, exercises the most powerful influence over the child
through life; and how many peculiar traits of character have been
indelibly fixed upon their offspring from these exciting causes is
evident in many families.

When the palpitation occurs from the state of