ions, taken in time, will probably put all right.
After the hemorrhage has entirely ceased, and all pain disappeared,
some days should be spent in bed, and active life be only gradually and
cautiously returned to. When there is danger of miscarriage, purgatives
should be avoided; a mild enema is a safer remedy, if needful, but for
two or three days perfect rest is best, and if the food be restricted,
the absence of a motion of the bowels will not do any harm. The patient
should, of course, have the bed to herself.

Miscarriages most frequently occur from the 8th to the 12th week of
pregnancy. The time at which the menses would appear if there were no
pregnancy, is a more likely time for a miscarriage than any other.

It should be remembered that miscarriages are very weakening and
lowering to the general health, and to be dreaded much more than a
confinement. The latter is a natural process, and, under healthy
conditions, recovery of strength after it is rapid, while a miscarriage
is unnatural, and is frequently followed by months of ill-health.
Another thing to be remembered is that a habit of miscarriage may be
established; after one, or more especially after two or three, there is
likelihood of a further repetition of such accidents, resulting in
total break-up of health.

Muscular Action, Weak.--The heart is the most important of all muscles.
Sometimes the action of this is so weak that the pulse in the right
wrist is imperceptible, and that in the left extremely feeble. The
heart may be beating at the usual rate, only its stroke is much too
feeble; and the effects are found in enfeebled life generally,
sometimes shown in fainting fits. If such come on, lay the patient flat
on his back, and if consciousness does not return shortly, apply a hot
FOMENTATION (_see_) to the spine.

Sometimes this heart weakness is only a part of a general muscular
failure. Muscles elsewhere in the body may even swell and become
painful. If strychnine be prescribed, refuse it. It has only a
temporary power for good, soon passing into a wholly bad effect.
Thoroughly good vapour baths will effect some relief, and may be taken
to begin with. The best remedy is found in gentle rubbing and squeezing
the muscles in every part, specially attending to any that may be
swollen and painful. Squeeze gently the muscular mass, so as to press
the blood out of it. Relax the pressure again so as to admit the blood.
Where no help can be had, we have