s an important consideration.
The function of the kidneys, bowels, bladder, and respiration may be more
or less interfered with, and it may be desirable to use a properly
constructed abdominal support, or maternity corset. These devices support
and distribute the weight, and prevent the womb from resting on or
compressing, and hence interfering with, the function of any one organ. If
the womb sags to one side, thereby retarding the return circulation of the
blood in the veins from the leg, it may cause cramps in the leg, especially
at night, or it may cause varicose veins, or a temporary dropsy. The
correct support will prevent these troublesome annoyances; a properly
constructed maternity corset is often quite effective. The diet should
receive some special attention when these conditions exist. Any article of
diet which favors fermentation (collection of gas) in the stomach or bowel
should be excluded. These articles are the sugars, starches, and fats. It
can readily be understood that if the bowels should be more or less filled
with gas, or if they should be constipated, it will cause, not only great
distress, but actual pain. Regulation of the diet, therefore, and exercise
(walking best of all) will contribute greatly to the avoidance of these
unnecessary sequelae.

It must be kept in mind that the entire apparatus of the body is
accommodating a changed condition, and though that condition is a natural
one, it requires perfect health for its successful accomplishment. This
means a perfect physical and mental condition,--a condition that is
dependent upon good digestion, good muscles, healthy nerves, clean bowels,
and so on. The slightest deviation from absolute health tends to change the
character of the body excretions, the quality of the blood, etc. If the
excretions are not properly eliminated, the blood becomes impure, and so we
sometimes get itching of the body surfaces, especially of the abdomen [82]
and genitals; neuralgias, especially of the exposed nerves of the face and
head; insomnia and nervousness. These are all amenable to cure, which again
means, as a rule, correct diet and proper exercise as the principal
remedial agencies.

UNDUE NERVOUSNESS DURING PREGNANCY.--This is very largely a matter of will
power. Some women simply will not exert any effort in their own behalf.
They are perverse, obstinate, and unreasonable. The measures which
ordinarily effect a cure, they refuse to employ. It is useless to