contain a kidney-bean, but at the full

time, it expands sufficiently to contain one or more children, with their waters,

membranes, and after-births. At the upper part of the womb, two broad mem

branous expansions arise, and are the means of its attachment to the sides of

the pelvis; in the doublings of these expansions are situated the ovaria, the

which are afterwards animated; and also the

which one or more vesicles pass down into the uterus, there

Sometimes the embryo grows in

being an opening at each side of the fundus.

one of these tubes, instead of getting into the uterus. Such extra-uterine conceptions are generally fatal to the mother and child. From the womb proceeds

the Monthly Discharge.

The sympathies of the womb with the other parts are of the most general

and extensive kind. Not even the stomach itself has more influence on the rest

Cx the system. When the state and contents of the womb are altered by preg-

receptacle of certain vesicles,

tubes, through

DE.

370

CHASE S RECIPES.

nancy, the stomach, the bowels, and digestive functians are in very ft«queu*

instances exceedingly deranged.

The brain and nervous system, the function

of respiration, and the state of the breasts, are all very much influenced by the

condition of the womb.

The womb is subject to a variety of disorderg, the most common and important of which are as follows:

Down

Down

or Falling

signifies that the womb is ]ower

Bearing

1.

than it ought to be. The first symptom is an uneasy feeling in the lower part

of the back, while the patient is standing or walking; with a sense of pressure

or bearing down. As the complaint increases, a swelling appears to come in

the way of the discharge of urine, which the patient cannot pass without lying

down, and pushing aside the tumor which prevents it. In more advanced and

severe cases, the womb is forced altogether out of the parts, as a hard and

bulky substance hanging between the thighs. In many cases the protruded

Many

parts are ulcerated, and give great uneasiness by their being fretted.

complaints arise in other parts of the system from this local disease. There is

sickness and other disorders of the stomach and bowels, with hysterics and

nervous affections; while the inability to take exercise is

itself a

great evil,

and tends to impair still more the general health.

Every woman should know these, and avoid them as far as posCauses.

sible.

Whatever tends to weaken the general system or the passage to the

womb, may give occasion to its falling down. In the unmarried state, all

—

violent or long continued exercise when the person

is

unwell, has a tendency

to bring on the complaint; hence, young women at these times should avoid

long walking or standing. Married women have it

brought on by frequent miscarriage, improper treatment during labor, and

taking much exercise too soon after delivery.

Treatment. When the disease has occurred recently, and is not very

bad, the system is to be strengthened by nourishing diet, by the cold bath, by

moderate exercise; and a mild astringent fluid is to be thrown into the passage.

This may be made of 20 grs of white vitriol to 1 pint of rose-water. But

when the complaint is of longer standing and more severity, the patient must

be confined to the horizontal posture; bark and wine, and chalybeate medicines

must be employed, and a stronger astringent, as a decoction of oak-bark, with

some acid added to it, must be thrown up. Sometimes these means are all

ineffectual, and an instrument of wood or ivory, called a pessary, must be

worn, to fill the outer passage and prevent the womb from falling down. This

instrument should be removed every two or three days, and cleaned. Sometimes this soon effects a cure; but, in general, it requires to be worn for years.

If a person liable to this disease becomes pregnant, it disappears about the third

or fourth month and if proper measures be taken after delivery, the return

of the complaint may be prevented in many instances.

dancing, riding, and

;

2.

Tumors or Polypi in the Womb and Vagina.— These are of

various sizes and consistency; they are sometimes broad and flat at their base,

sometimes they have a narrow neck.

They occasion a discharge of blood at

TREATMENT OF DISEASES.

271

times; but when small, they are not productive of much inconvenience.

But

they become large, they give rise to symptoms both troublesome and dangerous. There is violent bearing down pain, discharges of blood, or of fetid

dark-colored matter from the vagina, pain or diflBculty of making water,

if

irritation of the rectum,

and a frequent desire to go to stool.

large, the polypus hangs out from the passage.

When very

If the disease be not relieved,

the pains become more violent, the constitution is affected, and the continual

discharge greatly weakens the patient.

Tkeatment. As the patients themselves cannot distinguish tumors from

—

symptoms, their existence must be ascerby the examination of a physician; and their removal effected by a

surgical operation, either by the knife or by ligature, performed by a surgeon

well acquainted with the structure and connections of the parts. No internal

remedies will do any good till the tumor is removed. When this is accomplished, the general health is to be improved by proper diet and tonic medicines.

other diseases producing similar

tained

3.

Cancer of the Womb. — This, when in a state of ulceration, con-

stitutes one of the most deplorable diseases which can afflict humanity.

Cancer

of the womb most generally attacks at the decline of life, though not exclusively so.

At first the patient has an uneasy feeling of weight at the lower

part of the belly, with heat or itching.

Afterwards shooting pains occur;

then a pain, giving a gnawing burning sensation, seems fixed in the region of

This pain is attended by the discharge of ill-colored, sharp matthe womb.

ter, which irritates and corrodes the neighboring parts.

As the disease continues, almost every function of the

body becomes disordered.

Sickness and

vomiting comes on, the bowels are torpid and irregular, hectic fever, and

Swellgreat emaciation ensue, and the spirits are dejected and desponding.

ings of various glands, and watery swellings of the limbs, not unfrequently

Symptoms resembling those of the early stages of cancer, may arise

occur.

from other complaints in the womb, as from polypus growths; the nature of

the disease should therefore be, if possible, ascertained at an early period, that

the one may be removed, and the other kept from rapid advancement and

ulceration, so far as we are able.

Cancer in the womb appears to begin with

a thickening and hardness of that organ; which we suspect when there are

pains in the thighs and back, a bearing down when the patient is using exer.

cise,

and occasional discharge of clotted blood.

Treatment. — Of the nature of cancer of the womb, we are as ignorant

as of cancer in any other part of the body; and when the disease is established, we are as destitute of any remedy.

In the periods of deplorable suffering which terminate the life of the patient, we can do little more than palliate

symptoms; and the whole tribe of narcotic medicines have been brought into

requisition on such occasions.

Opium, belladonna, hemlock, and various

others have been tried, and failed.

Mercury, in every shape, is absolutely

pernicious in cancer.

The melancholy distress to which patients are reduced by cancer of the

womb, disposes the minds both of themselves and their friends to listen with

DR. CEASE'S RECIPES.

272

eagerness to the promises of relief, which ignorant and interested empirics so

But all such promises must be met with the most obliberally make to them.

The learned, the experienced, and the candid members of

stinate incredulity.

the medical profession declare, that, as yet, no

drug has been found capable

of curing cancer by acting on the constitution; and whoever suffers herself to

be deluded by the boasts of those whose only aim is to vend their nostrums,

might be better employed, and neglects those suggestions

loses the time that

which might palliate, though they cannot cure, her complaints.

Infiamraatioii of the Womb.— This seldom happens, except in

It may occur at any time of life, especially during

Like other inflammations, it is ushered in

the years of menstruation.

by shivering, followed by great heat, thirst, quick hard pulse. Pain is

felt in the womb from the beginning, with a sensation of fulness and weight;

also a burning heat and throbbing.

The exact spot where the pain is felt

4.

the puerperal state.

varies according to the part of the womb that is inflamed;

it

may be towards

the navel, or over the share-bones, or shooting backwards, or down the thighs-

or it may affect the bladder with pain and suppression of urine, or difficulty

of passing it.

It is distinguished

from after-pains by the constancy of the pain, by the

heat and throbbing of the part, and by the pain being much increased on pressure at the region of the womb.

— Inflammation of the womb

induced by cold, direct injury

means to produce

abortion, by difficult or tedious labor, by officious interference during labor,

or by forcing the expulsion of the child and after-birth; by too much strong

food or heating drinks; by exposure to cold during perspiration, or by using

Causes.

external

or internal,

from medicinal

or

is

instrumental

cold drinks.

Treatment.

— requires very prompt and active interference, as

It

gress is very rapid, and

its

event uncertain and dangerous.

its

pro-

If assistance is

may be stopped by blood-letting, both general and local,

by leeches, low diet, diluent drinks slightly acidulated; with laxative medicines or clysters, and fomentations to the belly.

A copious sweat, and a flow

of the lochia, with relief from pain, mark the success of this plan of treatment. But we are not always so successful; for the pain sometimes becomes

more acute, with throbbing, and an increase of fever, sickness, delirium, and

restlessness.

In these cases there is risk of mortification; and this is shown to

have come on by a languid pulse, low deliriun, and cold clammy sweat. Such

termination happens chiefly in bad constitutions, or in those who are much

debilitated,

The discharge does not escape and there is absorption. A

physician should be called at once as there is great danger. "W hen the discharge

commences, the strength of the patient is to be supported by nourishing diet,

the bowels are to be kept open, and bark and wine to be given. Much attention must be paid to cleanliness.

procured in time, it

•

TREATMENT OF DISEASES.

273

MISCELLANEOUS EECEIPTS FOR FEMALE COMPLAINTS

IN GENERAL.

1. Female Debility, Tonic Pill and Infusion for.— In cases of

female debility from uterine difficulties, often also connected with ague or

chills and fever; but whether chills and fever or not, the following pill and

infusion will be found valuable:

Pill.

Sulphate of quinine, 1 dr.; citrate of iron, 2 drs. solid, or alco1.

holic ex. of nux vomica, 16 grs.

Mix thoroughly, and make into 64 pills.

Dose Take 1 pill only, half an hour before each meal and at bed-time.

Tonic and Alterative, or Infusion. In connection with the above pill

II.

—

;

—

—

much additional benefit will be derived in these cases by the use of the compound infusion of gentian, made as follows:

Gentian root, i^ oz.

;

orange peel and coriander seed, each, 1 dr.

alcohol (half alcohol and half water), 4 ozs.

;

;

dilute

cold water, 12 ozs., to which in

—

Dikections. All the articles to be

dry and coarsely ground or bruised; then put on the diluted alcohol and let

stand 3 or 4 hours; then put on the water and let stand 12 hours, and strain;

then add the acid and shake well.

"An excellent way," says Dr. Warren,

" for using gentian." This plant comes from Germany, growing in the Alps,

Apennines and Pyrenees mountains. It excites the appetite and invigorates

the digestive powers, and is used in all cases of debility.

It is much used in

dyspepsia and during recovery from all exhaustive diseases. Dose Take 1

table-spoonful half an hour after each meal.

Remarks. If in any case there are ulcerations at the neck of the womb or

vagina, let there be taken J^ tea-spoonful doses, 3 times daily, of the syrup of

iodide of iron, an hour or two after the infusion is taken; and in these cases of

ulceration it is best to submit the case to a physician and have him make such

these cases add nitro-muriatic acid, 1 dr.

—

—

The Monsel

caustic applications as will kill the ulcers.

thing

by

applied

a sensation of

tion,

is

be

to

discharge

the

well

known

to

them.

The

heat,

and

perhaps

of

matter,

be

exceedingly

to

(lunar caustic in stick) is often used,

etc.

fact

of

ulceration

the

salts

point

pain,

at

This

combination

valuable.

The

of

of

nitrate

and I have applied it

is

a good

may be known

ulcera-

treatment

of

silver

—just touching the

surface of the ulcer once in 4 or 5 days, has soon cured them, but more recently

I have introduced the Monsel salts upon them, and also along the vagina as the

speculum was withdrawn, with very satisfactory results, except that this salt

contains iron, and consequently stains the clothing; hence, again, I have applied

the sub-nitrate of bismuth, which does not stain, and I cannot see but it does

equally well if put on pretty freely twice a week, night and morning, using

the injections as given in leucorrhea (which see).

2. Mrs. Chase's Magic Tonic Bitters for Weak and Debilitated Females. Best red Peruvian bark, prickly ash bark, and poplar

—

root bark, each, 4 ozs.; cinnamon bark, 1 oz.

clear worked cider, each, 2 qts.

18

;

cloves,

J^ oz.

Directions, Dose, etc.

;

whiskey and

— Grind

all coarsely.

DR.

374

CHASW 8 RECIPES.

or bruise with a hammer, and put into the jug or bottle with the spirits and

no good cider can be had, but the cider is much the best),

and shake daily for 10 days; take out the dregs, either filter, or strain and press

out, as you choose, and take a wine-glass of it immediately after each meal.

The dregs steeped in 1 qt. of water will yield considerable more strength,

which may be added to the tonic bitters when strained off.

Remarks. I have made this for my wife several times, and I did nr>t fail

Her remark has often been:

to help her dispose of it occasionally myself.

"Oh! what an appetite it gives me," etc. It is a very valuable tonic, and,

from the spices, very pleasant to take.

cider, (or water, if

—

3.

—

Sore Nipples, Remedy. A mixture of honey, borax, alum and

Mrs. Mary Blake, of Parsons, Kan., in Blade.

Knowing a

tea.

strong sage

—

similar mixture to be valuable as a gargle for sore throat, I believe it will be

equally valuable for sore nipples.

About

% tea-spoonful each of powdered

borax and alum, and 1 tea-spoonful of strained honey to 1 cup of strong sage

tea.

For a Oargle.

—A heaping tea-spoonful, each, of the powder, and 3

spoonfuls of honey to J^

pt. of the

tea-

strong sage tea, will be sufficient, and be

found excellent; and for the gargle it would be all the better, if 1 to 2 cayenne

peppers (such as pepper sauce is made of), or small red pepper, was steeped with

the sage in making the tea. Children, however, cannot tolerate the pepper;

Gargle at least 6 times a day, and for the

then, for children, leave them out.

(See also

nipples, wash off the saliva, and apply afte- each time of nursing.

the following, and " Sore Nipples, Breasts, etc., to Avoid and to Cure," below.)

—

4. Sore Nipples, EflBcient Remedy. A medical writer informs

us that nitrate of lead, 10 grs., in 1 oz. of glycerine, or brandy, applied after

each nursing, and washed off before each nursing, is an efficient (certain)

remedy.

Remarks. As he leaves it optional to use one or the other, the author

would say use J^ oz. each of brandy and glycerine, to the 10 grs. of nitrate of

—

lead.

5. Milk, Suppression of, While Nursing— Treatment to

Restore. I. As this difficulty quite frequently occurs with nursing mothers,

and is also sometimes slow in its first secretions after child-birth, 1 will give an

item from the L' Union Medicale, a French publication, which will prove valu-

—

able when needed.

It says:

"When the milk secretion is slow in appearing, in a lying-in-woman

(woman in confinement, or child-bearing), or when it ceases from mental or

moral causes (not from inflammation of the breasts or other actual disease), it

may be made to return by cataplasms (poultices), or fomentation of castor

leaves applied to the breast, or by suction of the nipple, or by means of electricity.

Tlie mammary gland (the breast), is to be slightly compressed between

two sponge electrodes (also known as the poles of a battery), and a feeble current passed through the gland for 10 or 15 minutes twice a day, after the first

few electrizations, the breasts become full, the large veins appear on the gland,

and the milk secretion is set up.

TREA TMENT OF DISEASES.

275

—

Remarks. I have only had an opportunity to test this in one case, "which

began to improve by the third day. The poultice should be warm, and if the

castor-bean leaf can be got (many people raise them as an ornamental plant in

the garden), they, too, should be put on as hot as can well be borne. The

poultice or the leaves used in connection with the electricity make it more

likely to succeed.

II.

It is well, also, in

ally, if at all,

3 oz.,

suppression of the milk which occurs most gener-

when the child is only a few weeks old, to give acetate of potash,

in water, 8ozs.

;

adding a little tinct. ess. or fl. ex. of sassafras to flavor.

Give in doses of 1 to 2 tea-spoonfuls, in a little more water, 3 times daily, to

act on the kidneys, which are generally at fault, governing the dose by this

action, not to make too free a flow of urine.

secretory functions of the breasts as well as

As this also helps to relax the

the kidneys, weak coffee with

plenty of milk and loaf sugar, and the old-fashioned chocolate, with milk and

sugar plenty, drank alternately with the coffee, through the day, is also excel-

who has had large experience; and also rub upon the

Trask's ointment, or what he thinks better, the bitter-sweet

ointment, given below, all that will be absorbed.

lent, says an old doctor

breasts

6.

freely,

Sore Nipples, Breasts, etc.— To Avoid and Cure.— Sore

by wearing the dress or corsets too tight, but

m®st generally by neglecting to wash them with cool water, and properly drying with a soft towel, after every nursing.

When there is the least tendency

to soreness of the nipples, dust on a little powdered magnesia or starch, kept

generally as a baby powder, to prevent soreness in the groins or other folds of

A very little mutton tallow, or, better still, lamb tallow, which is

the skin.

much softer, will prevent chafing when applied to any part liable to chafe.

But if they become sore and irritable, make the following:

Bittersweet Ointment.

Bark of the root, with the outside scraped off a

I.

mutton tallow or Iamb tallow,

little, }4 lb.

lb.

stewed carefully together;

then strain while hot, and box or bottle for use. Apply a little after washing

and drying the nipples as above at each nursing.

Smartweed Ointment. In places where the bittersweet can not be

II.

obtained, take smartweed and tallow, the same amount, and make the same

way, and use in the same manner as the Bittersweet Ointment.

[The bittersweet makes a most valuable ointment for all healing purposes,

and I know of only one thing at all comparable with it for similar purposes,

and that is an ointment made with Balm of Gilead buds, same amount, and

made the same as the bittersweet. (See also Tinct. of Balm of Gilead Buds

for Cuts, Bruises, "Wounds, etc.) But the smartweed ointment is considered

much the best to prevent breasts from inflaming and going on to suppuration.]

So if there is danger of this, use the smartweed, if obtainable, or the following:

nipples are sometimes caused

—

%

;

;

—

7. Sore Breasts, to Prevent Breaking, etc.—As soon as there is

inflammation and swelling of the breast, indicating any danger that suppuration will take place, send to the druggist and obtain fl. ex. (remember, fl. stands

for fluid and ex. for extract,) oi

poke root, 4 ozs., and apply to the breast by

DR. CHASET8 RECIPES.

276

wetting cloths with the extract and keeping upon the breast. Also take inter"

nally of the same, in doses of 5 to 10 drops, in a little water, every 3 hours, until

you see improvement has commenced; then every 4 or 5 hours, lessen the dose

to 3 to 8 drops.

(A large, fleshy and robust woman will take the 10 drops;

Re- wet the cloths, at least, as often as

small and feeble ones, the 5 only.)

taken internally.

Remarks. This is from Dr. Duncan (referred to in II., for Milk, To Dry

Up), who says of it: "If administered early, it will in 12 hours begin to give

relief, and in 36 hours all traces of inflammation will have subsided and disap-

—

peared." He has used it in numbers of cases, and always with success, when

begun as soon as inflammation set in, and before suppuration began. He

thinks it, in such cases, specific (positive cure).

But if it is seen that the inflammation of the breast will go on, in any case,

and milk, as warm as can

be borne, till they break without lancing, if possible; but when it comes to

to suppuration, poultice with slippery elm, or bread

lancing, this calls for a physician.

So I will leave the further treatment of

that condition to him, simply remarking that a weak tinct. of myrrh and aloes,

or a weakened tinct. of the muriate of iron,

orifices; if

make good injections into the

they do not heal kindly, with some of the healing ointments, as

Bittersweet, Balm of Gilead, etc. , which are good to heal

any sore on persons

or domestic animals.

Itcliing of

8.

the External Genital

Organs.— The

delicate

internal lining of the external organs of generation sometimes becomes the seat

of a most distressing itching, to relieve which the parts may be so irritated by

friction as to

become violently inflamed.

Leeches have been used sometimes

with benefit: so has the application of cold, such as ice-water, or even lumps

of ice introduced into the vagina. When there is an eruption like that in the

sore mouth of children, injections of a strong solution of borax have been very

useful; thick starch water, with a solution of sugar of lead, injected into the

vagina and retained for an hour or two, have been also of great utility in a few

This irritation sometimes arises from disease of the

cases under our care.

womb, pregnancy, the presence of a stone in the bladder, or worms in the

bowels. The original affection must first be attended to in these cases.

9. Milk, To Dry Up— Camphor and Soap Liniment for.—

Take a pint bottle and put into it alcohol, 12 ozs.; gum camphor, 1 oz.; and

when dissolved, fill the bottle with good soft soap; but if no soft soap can be

obtained, put in castile soap(shaved finely), 2 ozs.

,

and fill the pint bottle with

Either has to be shaken when used; apply by wetting cloths and

laying on 3 or 4 times a day, after having rubbed the breast thoroughly each

alcohol.

time.

Before rubbing, however, apply a

little

of the Bittersweet Ointment,

or a little mutton or lamb tallow, to enable the hand to glide over the breast

easily.

Careful rubbing

is

good alone

—with the hand, or a soft, dry towel,

The friction must always

want to avoid a broken breast,

properly gathered in the hand, so it shall not slip.

be gentle, but continued some time.

If you

Bee "Sore Nipples, Breasts, etc., to Avoid."

TREATMENT OF DISEASES.

277

D. P, Duncan, M. D., of "Waynesboro, Ga., says that mint leaves, steeped

and applied to the breast, will at once stop the secretion of milk, even of one

breast alone, leaving the other with its usual flow of milk,

if

desired.

The

poultice should be applied hot, and changed when getting cold.

—

10. Sore Nipples. Nothing better than pulverized gum acacia applied

every night, or as often as convenient.

—

Put your bandage on early and secure it

1 1 . Prevent Flooding.

firmly with good, strong safety-pins; as time and labor advances tighten the

Hemorrhage Pill. — Sulphate of berberine made into 5 gr. pills;

Women suffering from excessive flaw may

12.

take every 2 hours if necessary.

rely on these pills, and should always keep

them on hand.

The same cures

itching of the vulva.

Offensive Urine— 10 to 20 grs. of boric acid will remedy it every

13.

time.

Vomiting during Pregnancy— 1 drop of chloroform in hot

14.

sweetened water stops it.

Leuchorrliea or Whites.

15.

—Back ready to break. Take pulver-

ized egg shell (burn the shell so as to pulverize it) 10 grs. with sweetened milk,

1.

BABY'S RECEIPTS.— Sore Mouth.—Wash with cold water,

with a drop of alcohol in it.

—

2. Colic. Aromatic spirits of ammonia, 2 to 4 drops in milk is as good

a thing as I ever discovered.

3 Nursing Baby's Colic. — Let the mother take 1 gr. pill of asaf oetida

every morning for a week; baby will take more comfort. Anise tea taken by

the mother increases the flow of milk and prevents colic.

Fennel seed tea has

.

the same effect.

4.

Baby's Sore Mouth. —Borax mixed in honey and applied to the

sore.

5.

Baby's Food. —Boil sugarof milk, 1 oz. in }/^ pint water 15 minutes,

then add

%

pint fresh cows' milk and boil again.

Always give from bottle

lukewarm. If bowels are loose add a tea-spoonful of ground barley, and if

bowels do not move freely, use oatmeal instead, boil 15 minutes. Do you

want to "make the baby fat," bring fresh milk just to a boil, add 1 tablespoonful each of corn starch and white sugar, and continue to boil until it

thickens.

—

6. Baby's Diarrhea. In the course of 24 hours give the white of an

egg well beaten and stirred into 5 or 6 ozs. of water that has been boiled, add

3 to 5 drs. condensed milk. Increase the quantity if necessary.

7.

Spasms of Children. —Apply a rag wet with ice water, or ice

itself to the back of

the neck, just below the base of the brain.

Never apply

it to the head.

8.

Fretful Baby.

also colds.

—Give

it onion tea.

The same is also good for colic,

3N;cr3D"^n:FEi^-5r

—nsrrji^siisrG-.

nfKE EARLY SIGNS OP PREGNANCY: Cessation of Menses

—Morning Sickness — Changes in the Breasts— Enlargement

of the Abdomen— Calculation of the Probable Date of Confinement.

First Signs of Pregnancy.

suspect that she

is

—

The first circumstance to make a woman

pregnant is generally the non-appearance of her usual

This is called the cessation of the menses, or monthlies,

monthly discharge.

and is one of the most constant signs of pregnancy. Cases, do, indeed, now

and then occur, in which, notwithstanding pregnancy, the customary flow

takes place for the first few months just as usual, and in certain still rarer

instances it has been known to appear regularly throughout the pregnancy.

On the other hand its absence is by no means a sure indication of pregnancy, as it may be due to many other causes; such, for example, as an attack

of severe

illness,

a condition of general weakness, or even strong emotional

excitement.

Another Symptom. —The next symptom to attract attention is usually

a feeling of sickness, often most distressing in the early morning, and sometimes accompanied with vomiting. This commences about the fourth or fifth

week, and continues to the middle of pregnancy, when it generally ceases.

Occasionally it lasts to the end of the pregnancy, while, on the other hand, in

some women it is entirely absent throughout.

Shortly after pregnancy has commenced, a sensation of weight and fullness

is felt in the breasts.

A little later these organs enlarge, and the nipples

become more prominent; the skin, too, just around the nipples becomes darker

in color, an alteration most marked in women of fair skin and light complexion.

Of course these changes are most noticeable in women who are pregnant for

the first time; for when they have once occurred, the breasts never quite resume

their original appearance, so that subsequent changes are less observable.

breasts may increase in size, and

as,

The

may even contain milk, without pregnancy;

for example, in the case of certain diseases of the womb.

Enlargement of the Abdomen. — About the end of the third month

the abdomen begins to enlarge, and continues to do so from that time forwards;

by the end of the seventh month the hollow of the navel has generally disapIt need scarcely be said, however, that the abdomen may enlarge

from many other causes, so that not one of the four signs above described

afEords, when taken alone, positive proof of pregnancy; although, when two

or more of them aj-e found to be present, there is good ground for a strong

suspicion.

Whenever it is important that the question of pregnancy should be

established beyond a doubt, a doctor should be consulted.

peared.

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2T9

Probable Date of Confineraent.— The usual method of reckoning

the probable date of confinement is to learn on what day the last monthly flow

ceased, then to count three months backwards (or nine months forwards) and

add seven days. This is, in practice, the best plan that has been suggested,

and will generally give a date within a very few days of actual confinement,

frequently the very day. The following example will show how the calculation is made: A woman, we will say, was last unwell on March 10; counting

three months back from March 10 gives December 10; add seven days and it

—

will give

December 17, which is the probable date of her confinement.

If

it

is not the actual day, labor will in all probability take place within three or four

days before or after it.

Movements of the Foetus. — The movements of the foetus are not

—

perceived by the mother until between the fourth and fifth months that is,

Not very uncommonly the

until pregnancy has advanced about half-way.

occurrence of the first definite movement of which the mother is conscious is

accompanied by a sensation of nausea and f aintness.

It is this fact which gave

rise to the opinion long held, and still prevalent amongst the ignorant, that the

foetus then for the first time becomes living, an opinion that finds expression in

the word "quickening," the use of which, like that of many other words, has

outlived the theory in which it had its origin. As a matter of fact, the fcetus

is living from the very commencement of pregnancy, and the reason why

movements are not felt during the earlier half of pregnancy is to be found in

the fact that the womb itself is not sensitive, and that it is not until the middle

of pregnancy that that organ has enlarged sufficiently to bring it in direct

contact with a part fully endowed with sensibility namely, the inner surface

—

of the abdominal wall.

From the moment when they are first perceived, the

movements of the child become more and more distinct as pregnancy advances,

and constitute one of the most important of the later signs of that condition.

When from any cause it is