VEINS (VARICOSE VEINS.)--The veins are
frequently much enlarged and distended, causing the legs to be greatly
swollen and very painful, preventing the patient from taking proper
walking exercise. Swollen legs are owing to the pressure of the womb
upon the blood-vessels above. Women who have had large families are
more liable than others to varicose veins. If a lady marry late in
life, or if she be very heavy in pregnancy carrying the child low down
she is more likely to have distention of the veins. The best plan will
be for her to wear during the day an elastic stocking, which ought to
be made on purpose for her, in order that it may properly fit the leg
and foot.

14. STRETCHING OF THE SKIN OF THE ABDOMEN. This is frequently, in a
first pregnancy, distressing, from the soreness it causes. The best
remedy is to rub the abdomen, every night and morning, with warm
camphorated oil, and to wear a belt during the day and a broad flannel
bandage at night, both of which should be put on moderately but
comfortably tight. The belt must be secured in its situation by means
of properly adjusted straps.

15. BEFORE THE APPROACH OF LABOR.--The patient, before the approach of
labor, ought to take particular care to have the bowels gently opened,
as during that state a costive state greatly increases her sufferings,
and lengthens the period of her labor. A gentle action is all that is
necessary; a violent one would do more harm than good.

16. SWOLLEN AND PAINFUL BREASTS. The breasts are, at times, during
pregnancy, much swollen and very painful; and, now and then, they;
cause the patient great uneasiness, as she fancies that she is going
to have either some dreadful tumor or a gathering of the bosom. There
need, in such a case, be no apprehension. The swelling and the pain
are the consequences of the pregnancy, and will in due time subside
without any unpleasant result. For treatment she cannot do better than
rub them well, every night and morning, with equal parts of Eau de
Cologne and olive oil, and wear a piece of new flannel over them;
taking care to cover the nipples with soft linen, as the friction of
the flannel might irritate them.

17. BOWEL COMPLAINTS. Bowel complaints, during pregnancy, are not
unfrequent. A dose either of rhubarb and magnesia, or of castor oil,
are the best remedies, and are generally, in the way of medicine, all
that is necessary.

18. CRAMPS. Cramps of the legs and of the thighs during the latter