IMAGE EVALUATION leST TARGET (MT-S) /. V ^ 4<. '^ Ua v.. LO I.I i.25 lu !f IM IIIIIM IIIM 1 1.8 U IIIII1.6 Photographic Sciences Corporation \ ^ % V \ 23 WEST MAIN STREE1 WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 873-4503 ^ <* CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICIVIH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notes techniques et bibliugraphiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exempjaire qu'il lui a 6t6 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-dtre uniqres du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent rr.odifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la m^thode normale de filmage sont indiqu6s ci-dessous. □ D n Coloured covers/ Couverture de couleur I I Covers damaged/ Couverture endommagee Covers restored and/or laminated/ Couverture restaurde et/ou pellicul6e □ Cover title missing/ Le titre de couverture manque I I Coloured maps/ I I Cartes g6ographiques en couleur Coloured ink (i.e. other than blue or black)/ Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) n Q D Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur Pages damaged/ Pages endommag^es Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaur^es et/ou pellfculees Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages decolor^es, tachet^es ou piquees Pages detached/ Pages d^tach^es -T,iCwthrough/ Transparence □ Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur □ Quality of print varies/ Qualit^ in^gale de I'impression □ Bound with other material/ Relie avec d'autres documents n Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du materiel supplementaire D D Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La reliure serree peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge intdrieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que CGrtaines pages blanches ajoutdes iors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, mais, lu^-sque cela dtait possible, ces pages n'ont pas 6t6 filmdes. n Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been refilmed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une pelure, etc., ont 6t6 filmdes d nouveau de facon it obtenir la meilleure image possible. n Additional comments:/ Commentaires suppl^mentaires; This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est film6 au taux de reduction indiqu6 ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X 7 12X 16X 20X 24X 28X 32X ils u lifier ne age The copy filmed here has been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: National Library of Canada The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Original copies in printed paper covers are finned beginning with th« front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies are filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol —►{meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol V (meaning "END"), whichever applies. Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: L'exemplaire film6 fut reproduit gr§ce d la g^n^rosit^ de: Bibliothdque Rationale du Canada Les images suivantes ont 6t6 reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettet6 de l'exemplaire film6, et en conformit6 avec les conditions du contrat de filmcge. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprim6e sont film6s en commenpant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la dernidre page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soir. par le second plat, selon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont film6s en commengant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaitra sur la dernidre image de chaque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — ► signifie "A SUIVRE", le sy-nbole V signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent 6tre film6s d des taux de r6duct'-n diff6rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Stre reproduit en un seul clich6, il est film6 d partir de I'angle supdrieur gauche, de gauche d droite. et de haut en bas. en prenant le nombre d'images n6cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. rrata :o pelure, 1 2 3 n 32X 1 •f t % S3t, f i*BW-.*iffii.|'i?,:.;.iii-;i; if • ADVICE TO A WIFE AND ADVICE TO A MOTHER TWO VOLUMES IN ONE '~ j • I ' ' I I ' l r "I III 1 II I II ^ jj^f ADVICE TO A WIFE ON THE MANAGEMENT OF HER OWN HEALTH And on the Treatment of Some of the Complaints Incidental to Pregnancy, Labour, and Suckling, with an Introductory Chapter Especially Addressed to a Young Wife m 'i'.:. <■■» BY PYE HENRY CHAVASSE Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeoni of England, Fellow of the ObRtotri(:al SocletT of London, I'ormerly President of (jiieen'a College MeUico-Chirurgical Society, BiriuingliftTn ; Author of " Advice to a Mother on the MantiKement of her Children"; of "Counsel to a Motlier en the Care of her Children" ; and of "Aphorisms for Parents." " Thy wife shall be as the fruitful vine upon the walls of thine hoaM." CANADIAN COPYRIGHT EDITION TORONTO THE HUNTER, ROSE CO., LIMITED ^ 111 . I l l XI imi» » u » Entered according to the Act of ♦he Parliament of Canada, in the year one thotisatul oijjht hiincireci and seventy-nine, by WilmNG & WiUJAMSON, in the Office of the Minister of Agriculture. m «^ V 'M CONTENTS ii^: I I Dedication Preface PAGE V Vll Introductory Chapter - - 1 to 8« PART I. On Menstruation - 87 to 114 PART II. On Pregnancy 115 to 200 PART III. On Labcuk . - - - 201 to 253 PART IV. On Suckling - - - . . 254 to 299 Indcx * . . - - 301 PREFACE 1 The sale of Book is enormous. 20,000 copies have been sold within the last two years,-equal to twenty ordinary editions,-and still the sale rapidly increases. The last edition, the eleventh, having been sold, a new edition, the twelfth, is now published. In this Edition I have Httle to add, and nothing to alter ; indeed, the present is almost njacsimile impres- sion of the previous one. The Book, as experience has proved, was much needed, and has supplied a want which had long been felt ; hence, as a medical work, its marvellous and un- precedented success. PYE HENRY CHAVASSE 214 Haolbt Road, Edgbastoit, BlRlUNOHAM. «l^ ADVICE TO A WIFE INTRODUCTORY CHAl'TKR A good wife is Heaven's last, best gift to man-his angel an I miiiistet of graces innumerable -his gem of many virtues-his tasket of jewels ;- her voice is sweet music-her smilrx. his brightest day her ki. and affections. I am quite aware that what I h9 ze just now written will, by many fashionable ladies, be poohr poohed, and be passed by as " the idle wind." Thej love their pleasures far above either their own or their children's health, and will not allt)vv anything, howeve? precious, to interfere with them ; but still I have coil- 6 iBVIOB TO ▲ WIPB. fidence that many of my judicious readers will see th« truth and justness of my remarks, and will profit by them. 14. A round of visiting, a succession of rich living, and a want of rest, danng the first year of a wife's life, aften plays sad havoc with her health, and takes away years from her existence. Moreover, such proceedings often mar the chances of her ever becoming a mother, and then she will have real cause to grieve over her fatuity. 15. A French poet once sung that a house without a child is like a garden without a flower, or like a cage without a bird. The love of offspring is one of the strongest instincts implanted in woman ; there is nothing that will compensate for the want of children. A wife yearns for them; they are as necessary to her happiness as the food she eats and as the air she breathes. If thi'j be true, — which, I think, cannot be gainsayed, — how im- portant is our subject — one of the most important that can in this world engage one's attention, requiring deep consideration and earnest study. 1 6. The first year of a married woman's life generally determines whether, for the remainder of her existence, she shall be healthy and strong, or shall be delicate and weak; whether she shall be the mother of fine, healthy children, or — if, indeed, she be a mother at all — of sickly, undersized offspring — •' Bom but to weep, and destined to sustain A youth of wretchedness, an age of pain." — Boseoe. If she be not a parent, her mission in life will be only half performed, and she will be robbed of the greatest happiness this world can afford. The delight of a mother, on first calling a child her own, is exquisite, and is beautifully expressed in the following lines — " He was my ain, and dear to me As the heather-bell to the honey-bee, Or the braird to the mountain hare." — Oood Word*. 17. I should recommend a young wife to remember the momentous mission she has to fulfil ; to ponder on INTRODUOTORT CHAPTSH — WALKING. fc • the importance of bringing healthy children into the world ; to bear in mind the high duties that she owes herself, her husband, her children, and society ; to con- sider well the value of health. " The first wealth," says Emerson, "is health;" and never to forget that "life has its duties ever." —Douglas Jerrold. 18. A young married lady ought at once to commence t«»,king regular and systematic out-door exercise^ which might be done without in the least interfering with her household duties. There are few things more condacive to health than walking exercise ; and one advantage of our climate is, that there are but few days in the year in which at some period of the day, it might not be taken. Walking — I mean a walk, not a stroll — is a glorious exercise : it expands the chest and throws back the shoulders ; it strengthens the muscles ; it promotes digestion, making a person digest almost any kind of food ; it tends to open the bowels, and is better than any aperient pill ever invented ; it clears the complexion, giving roses to the cheeks and brilliancy to the eye, and, in point of fact, is one of the greatest beautifiers in the world. It exhilarates the spirits like a glass of cham- pagne, but, unlike champagne, it never leaves a headache behind. If ladies would walk more than they do, there would be fewer lackadaisical, useless, complaining wives than there at present are ; and instead of having a race of puny children, we should hLve a race of giants. Walking exercise is worthy of all commendation, and is indispensable to content, health, strength, and comeli- ness. Of course, if a lady be pregnant, walking must then be cautiously pursued ; but still walking in modera- tion is even then absolutely necessary, and tends to keep off many of the wretchedly depressing symptoms, often, especially in a first pregnancy, accompanying that state. I am quite .sure that there is nothing more con- ducive to health than the wearing out of 10v.« of shoe- leather, and leather is cheaper than physic. 19. Walking is even more necessary in the winter than in the summer. If the day be cold, and the roadf ) ■ '•^I'liiniiiin •MUM nr 1i ill ill 10 IDVIOTB TO A WirW. be dirty, provided it be dry above, I ehould advise my fair readur to put on thick boots and a warm shawl, and to brave the weather. Even if there be a little rain and much wind, if she be well wrapped up, neither the rain nor the wind will harm her. A little sprinkling of rain, provided the rules of health be followed, will not give her cold. Much wind will not blow her away. She must, if she wishes to be strong, fight against it ; the conflict will bring the colour to her cheek and beauty to her eye. 20. Let her exert herself ; lei her mind conquer any indolence of the body , let her throw oflF her lethargy — it only requires a little determination ; let her "run the race that is set before her ;" for life, both to man and woman, is a race that must be run. Bear in mind, then, that if a lady is to be healthy, she must take exercise, and that not by fits and starts, but regularly and syste- matically. A stroll is of little use, she must walk ! And let there be no mistake about it, for nature will have her dues : the muscles require to be tired, and not to be trifled with ; the lungs ask for the revivifying air of heaven, and not for the stifling air of a close room ; the circulation demands the quickening influence of a brisk walk, and not to be made stagnant by idleness. This world was never made for idleness; everything around and about us tells of action and of progress. Idle people are miserable people ; idle people are diseased people ; there is no mistake about it. There is no sub- stitute in this world for exercise and for occupation; neither physic nor food will keep people in health, they must be up and doing, and buckle on their armour, and fight as every one has to fight, the battle of life 1 Mr Milne, the master of the North Warwickshire hounds, lately, at a hunt dinner, pithily remarked, " that fox- hunting was the best physic for improving a bad con- stitution." I am quite sure, with regard to the fair sex, that an abundance of walking exercise and of household occupation is decidedly the best physic for improving ft lady's constitution, more especiaUy if she have, as un- > i K \: INTRO,/fI»^.^ \ b The nunihur is legion I What a dreadful thing It is for a lady — let her station be ever bo exalted — having nothing to do 1 This \b the cune of riches 1 One of the cuxses of OUT favoured land I 33. If a newly-married woman be delicate, as, unfor> tunatoly, too many ai'e, she may be made to bear exercise well, provided she begin by td(ing a short walk at first — bo it ever bo short — and by gradually increasing it, until she be able to take a tolerably lung ou& She might find it irksome at the beginning, and might be inclined to give it up in despair ; but if she value her health and haiipiness, let me urge her to persevere, and she may depend upon it that she will be amply rewarded for her troubla 34. A delicate lady frequently complains of cold feet ; she has noiiher sutticieut food nor sufhcieut exercise to keep them warm. Walking and plenty of nourishment are the best remedies she can use to warm them. If they be cold before retiring to rest, — a frequent cause of keeping her awake, — let her walk briskly for half an hour, before undressing for the night, about either the hall, or the landing, or a large room; or what is better still, let her have a dance with her husband, or a romp with her children, if she have any. 35. Some ladies declare that they are always cold, their feet especially, which are as cold as ice I llie fact is, they not only do not take exercise enough, but they do not take nourishment enough — breakfast especially — to keep them warm. Many ladies really and truly half starve themselves ; they consider it to be vulgar to eat much, and to satisfy cheir appetite t They deem it low to take a long walk : every poor woman can do that ! It is much more easy and pleasant to loll back in an easy carriage, and to be rolled along ! Truly ; but if carriage exercise be more agreeable, is it as healthful 1 Certainly not ; there is very little exercise in riding in a carriage, but every organ, muscle, nerve, and blood-vessel of the body is put into beneficial action by w&lVing. Walking is essential to health, and if to health, to happiness; li ADTIOI TO ▲ Wim 'I 1 ill there is no snbstitnte for it ; there certainly la no perfect health nor perfect happiness without it 36. The reason why my fail countrywoman take so much opening medicine is the want of exercise. How truly it has been said that " physic, for the most part, is nothing else than the substitute of exercise or tem porance." 1 consider it to be a grieyous misfortune for any one — man, woman, or child — who cannot, without the frequent taking of physic, ke3p their bowels regular. When such is the case there is something wrong, very wrong, about her system and about her proceedings, and the sooner the matter is inquired into and rectified the better. The necessity of a constant swallowing oi opening medicine is a proof of chronic ill-health, and will in time injure her constitution beyond remedy. I cannot speak too strongly on this subject ; I have, in my professional experience, seen so much mischief and luseiy caused by the frequent swallowing of opening pills, that I should not do my duty if I did not raise my voice against the abominable custom. Why, many ladies make a practice, during the whole of their lives, of taking two or three times a week opening pills ! The bowels, they say, will not act without them ; but 1 maintain tliat if they would resolutely refrain from swallowing them, and adopt the rules of health laid down in these pages, they would be able altogether to dis- pense with them, to their great benefit and delectation. But then the rules of health require trouble and perse- verance — (and what that is worth having does not!) — while the swallowing of a couple of pills might be done quickly, and with very little trouule ; but although the frequent taking of pills gives at the time but little trouble, they cause much trouble afterwards i Look then, at the results of each system, and decide accordingly I It has been said that "gluttony kills more than the sword ;" my conviction is, tha^ the constant taking of opening medicine kills more tlia gluttony and the sword combined ! The abuse of aperients is one of the crying evils of the day, and who so proper af> a medical man to 1.1 'i.a .' *» w. 'w«».^iR< INTRODT70TORT CfHAPTER — VBNTILATIOV. IT ratse hie voice to siippress, or at all events to If ^sen, the evill 37. If a lady be costive, and is in consequence inclined to take a dose of physic, lot me advise her to take in- stead a long walk, which will in the majority of cases do her vastly more good ; and if requiring repetition, the one is far more agreeable, and the effects are much more likely to be lasting than the other. Exercise, I am quite sure, is, as a rule, in the long run much mure effectual and beneficial and agreeable than opening phjsic ! 38. A newly-married wife ought to bo cautious in the taking of horse-exercise. As long as she be not preg- nant, horse-exercise is very beneficial to health, and is a great enjoyment; but the moment symptoms of pregnancy develop themselves she must instantly give it up, or it will very probably cause her to miscarry. 39. Let her breathe the pure air of heaven, rather than the close contaminated air either of an assembly or of a concert room. The air of an assembly or of a concert room is contaminated with carbonic acid gas. The gas-lights and the respiration of numbers of per- sons give off carbonic acid gas, which gas is highly poisonous. The truth of this assertion is patent to every one who will observe the effects that a large assembly, more especially in the evening, when the gas or candles are flaring away, has on the system : the headache, the oppression, the confusion of ideas, the loss of appetite, the tired feeling, followed by a restless night — all tell a tale, and loudly proclaim that either an assembly or a concert room is not a fit place for a young wife desirous of having a family. 40. Let a young married lady attend well to the ventilation of her house. She may depend upon it that ventilation, thorough ventilation, will prove one of the best friends she has in the world. Let her give direc- tions to her servant to have early every morning every window in the house opened, as the morning air im fresher and sweeter than it is later in the day. *'Foi ▼antilatiou opem youi wiadowi "St^k %i top and bottoni <* mteim •JSimti 18 ADVim TO A WTFK. The fresh air rushus in one way while the foul makes its exit the other. This is letting in your friend and expelling your enemy."* This opening of the window, top and bottom, of course applies only to the rooms that are unoccupied : in an occupied room in hot weather one sash only — the lower, as a rule, is best— ought to be opened. If the upper be lowered when the room is occupied, the cold air is apt to strike on the top of the head, and to give cold. 41. Let her give orders that every chimney in the house be unstopped ; and let her see for herself that her orders have been obeyed ; for servants, if they have the chance, will stop up chimneys, as they are fully aware that dust and dirt «rill come down chimneys, and that it will give them a little extra work to do. But the mistress has to see to the health of herself and of her household, which is of far more consequence than either a little dirt or extra work for her servants. She may rest assured that it is utterly impossible for herself and for her family to have perfect health if the chimneys are allowed to be stopped. I assert this fearlessly, for I have y^d great attention to the subject. The apartment, If the chimney be stopped, must necessarily become con- taminated with carbonic aci'^ 'as, the refuse of respiration, which is, as I have before stated,, a deadly poison. 42. Chimneys, in many country houses, are perma- nently and hermetically stopped : if we have the ill- fortune to sleep in such rooms, we feel hali'-sutfocHted. Sleep did I say I No I tumble and toss are the right wOi'ds to express our real meaning ; for in such chambers very little sleep d< we get, — unless, indeed, we open the windows to let in the air, which, in such an extremity, is the only thing, it we wish to get a wink of sleep, w« can do 1 Stopped-up bedroom chimneys is one and an important reason why some persons do not derive the benefit they otherwise would do from change of air to ihe country. *Tk» Ifamily Friendf voL i. London : Houlston Jt Stoneiuan. INTRODUOTORT OHAPTBR — VRB8H AIR. 19 w 43. I unheaitatiugly declare that ninety-nine bed- rooms ont of every hundred are badly ventilated ; that in the morning, after they have been slept in, they are full both of impure and of poisoned air. I say, advisedly, impure and poisoned air, for the air becomes foul and deadly if not perpetually changed — if not constantly mixed, both by lay and by night, with fresh, pure, ex- ternal air. Many persons by breathing the same air over and over again, are literally " poisoned by their own breaths ! " This \b not an exaggerated statement — alas, it is too true ! Let every young wife remember that she requires just as much pure air in the night as in the day; and if she does not have it, her sleep will neither refresh her nor strengthen her, but that she will rise in the morning more weary than on the previous night when she retired to rest 44. The way then to make a house healthy, and to keep off disease, is by thorough ventilation — by allowing a current of air, both by day and by night, to constantly enter and to sweep through the house, and every room of the house. This may be done either by open skylight or by open landing windows, which should always be left open, and by allowing every chamber window to be wide open during the day, and every chamber door to be a little open both by night and by day, having a door-chain on each door during the night to prevent intrusion. 45. Let her, if she can, live in the country ; for '*Ood made the country, aud man made the town." Cowper. In a town, coal fires — manufactories, many of them unhealthy — confined space — the exhalations from the lungs and from the skin of the inhabitants, numbers of them diseased, — all tend to load the air with impurities. Moreover, if in the town she desire a walk, it is often itself a walk, and a lonp one too, before she can get into the country — before she can obtain glimpses of gieeu fields and breathe the fresh air ; hence walks in vs? i s i .-Li^ .-^j -M ■.■^,~.^y-y|.'*)y- SO ▲DVIOB TO A WIPK. Hi the town do but comparatively little good. In fhe country her lungs are not cheated ; the} get what they wpnt — a good article, pure air — and the eye and heart are both gladdened with the beauties of nature. I consider the following remark of Dr Grosvenor, in his excellent Essay on Health, very pertinent. He ob- serves :--" Hence it is that one seldom sees in cities, courts, and rich houses, where people eat and drink, and indulge in the pleasure of appetite, that perfect health and athletic soundness and vigour which is com- monly seen in the country, in the poor houses and cottages, where nature is their cook and necessity is their caterer, where they have no other doctor but the sun and fresh air, and no other physic but exercise and temperance." 46. Cold air is frequently looked upon as an enemy, instead of being contemplated as, what it really is to a healthy person, a friend. The effect of cold upon the stomach is well exemplified in a walk, in frosty weather, producing an appetite. " Cold air," says Dr Cullen, " applied with exercise, is a most powerful tonic with respect to the stomach ; and this explains why, for that purpose, no exercise within doors, or in close carriages, is so useful as that in the open air." 47. Hot and close rooms, soft ciishions, and luxurious couches, must be eschewed. I have somewhere read, that if a fine, healthy whelp of the bull-dog species were fed upon chicken, rice, and delicacies, and made to lie upon soft cushions, and if, for some months, he were shut up in a close room, when he grew up he would become unhealthy, weak, and spiritless. So it is with a young married woman; the more she indulges, the more unhealthy, weak, end inanimate she becomes — unfit to perform the duties of a wife and the offices of a mother, if, indeed, she be a mother at all ! 48. Rich and luxurious ladies are less likely to be blessod with a family than poor and hard-worked women. But if the hard-worked be poor in this world's goods, they are usually rl^h in children, and "children are n I INTRODUOTORT OHAPTER — BARR£NNBB& 21 a poor man's riches." Here is, to a vengeance, com- pensation ! Compensation usually deals very justly both to man and womankind. For instance, riches and childlessness, poverty and children, laziness and disease, hard work and health, a hard-earned crust and content> ment, a gilded chamber and discontent — "These are ofttimes wedded as man and wife, And linked together, hand in hand, through life.** , Riches seldom bring health, content, many children, and happiness ; they more frequently cause disease, dis- content, childlessness, and misery.* Riches and indo- lence are often as closely united as the Siamese twins ; disease and death frequently follow in their train. ' Give me neither poverty nor riches " was a glorious saying of the wisest of men. Rich and luxurious living, then, is very antagonistic to fecundity. This might be one reason why ^oor curates' wives and poor Irish women gei erally have such large families. It has been proved by experience that a diet, principally consisting of milk, butter-milk, and vegetables, is more conducive to fecundity than a diet almost exclusively of meat In illustration of my argument, the poor Irish, who have usually such enormous families, live almost exclusively on butter-milk and potatoes; they scarcely eat meat from year's end to year's end. Riches, if it prevent a lady from having children, is an evil and a curse, rather than a good and a blessing ; for, a.^'ter all, the g'*eatest treasures in this world are " household treasures " — healthy chil- dren ! If a wife be ever so rich, and she be childless, she is, as a rule, discontented and miserable. Many a married lady would gladly give up half her worldly possessions to be a mother ; and well she might — they are far more valuable. I have heard a wiIb exclaim with Rachel, " Give me children, or else' I die." Truly, the •" The indulgences and vices of prosperity ore far more fatal than the privations entailed by any English form of distrait, "— Tka Tmt$, Feb. 8, 1868. .;% Il f 23 ADVIOR rO A WIFB. A. 4' ■v love oi children is planted deeply in woman's heart " The love of children is woman's instlnut " 49. There is in this country at the present time a vast amount of womb diseases ; much of which, by judicious management, might altogether be prevented ; but really as long as nch wives live a life of excitement, of luxury, of idleness, and of stimulants, there is but little chance of a diminution of the same. 50. Uterine ailment — womb ailment — is a fruitful source of a lady's illness ; indeed, I will go so far as to affirm that u»;erine complaints are almost always, more or less, mixed up with a woman's illness ; hence, the womb has, by a medical man, to be considered in all the diseases and disorders appertaining both to girlhood and to womanhood. 51. If a young wife be likely to have a family, let her continue to live heartily and well ; but if she have been married a year or two without any prospect of an increase, let her commence to live abstemiously on fresh milk, butter-milk, bread, potatoes, and farinaceous diet, with very little meat, and no tsUmulants whatever ; let her live, indeed, very much either as a poor curate's wife or as a poor Irish woman is compelled to iiva 52. It is not the poor woman that is cursed with barrenness — she has often more mouths than she can well fill ; but the one that frequently labours under that ban is the pampered, the luxurious, the indolent, the fashionable wife; and most assuredly, until she change her system of living to one more consonant with common sense, she will continue to dc so. It is grievous to contemplate that oftentimes a lady, with every other temporal good, is deficient of two earthly blessings — health and children \ and still more lamentable, when we know that they frequently arise from her own seek» ing, that they are withheld from her in consequence of her being a votary of fashion. Many of the ladies of the present day, too, if they do bear children, are, from delicacy of constitution, quite unable to suckle them. Should such things be 7 But why, it might be asked, IBTRODUOTORT OHAPTRR — BARRRKNKaa. 33 dpeak BO strongly and make ttu much fuBS about itt Because the disease is become desperate, and delays are dangerous — because children among the higher ranks are become few and far between ; and who so proper as a medical man to raise his voice to proclaim the facts, the causes, and the treatment 1 I respectfully inquire of uiy fair reader, Is fashion a wife's mission ) If it be not, what is her mission t I myoelf have an idea — a very ancient and an almost obsolete one — that the mission of a wife is a glorious mission, far removed from fashion, from frivolity, and from folly. A fashionable wife, after a fashionable season, i.s frequently hysterical and excitable, and therefore exhausted ; she is more dead than alive, and is obliged to fly to the country and dose herself with quinine to recruit her wasted energies. Is such a wife as this likely to become a joyful mother of children t I trow not. Her time is taken up between pleasure and excitement to make herself ill, and nursing co make herself well, in order that she may, at the eailiest possible moment, again return to her fashionable pursuits, which have with her become, like drinking in excess, a neces- sity. Indeed, a fashionable life is a species of intoxica- tion. Moreover, wine-drinking in excess and a fashion- able life are usually joined together. Sad infatuation, destructive alike to human life and human happiness — a road that often leads to misery, disappointment, and death ! These are strong expressions, but they are not stronger than the subject imperatively demands — a sub- ject which is becoming of vital importance to the well- being of society, and, in the higher ranks, even to itt very existence, and which must, ere long, engross the attention of all who love their country. Fashion is a sapper and miner, and is ever hard at work 8ap{)bjg and undermining the constitutions of its votaries. Some- thing must be don«, and that quickly, to defeat its maclixnations, otherwise evils will, past remedy, b« Oon»ummated. 53. While the poor, then, have usually an abundance of children, the rich have, as a rule but few ehildren. 24 iDVIOITO ▲ mtii i ii How very seldom we hear of a rich lady having thro« at a birth ; while it is no very uncommon occurrence for a poor woman having that number, and even as many as five at a birth) A case of this latter kind has just occurred : — " A woman living on the property of Sir Watkins W. Wynn has presented her husband, a labourer, with five children at a birth. A few days age they werfi all alive. The Queen has sent her £7. Twice she has had three at a birth, all of whom have lived. A Welsh correspondent tells us the poor woman has twenty-two children." — Shreicsbury Paper. 64. I consider thorough ablution of the body every morning one of the most important means of health to a young wife ; " while the poor, in the matter of wash- ing, are apt to think that they can put off till Saturday what ought to be performed every day, and that they can wind up the week by a good wash with impunity."* There is nothing more tonic and invigorating and re- freshing than cold ablution. Moreover, it makes one feel clean and sweet and wholesome ; and you may depend upon it, that it not only improves our physical constitution, but likewise our moral character, and makes our n.lnds more pure and holy. A dirty man has generally a dirty mind ! 56. The ewers and basins in on r own country are, for the purposes of thorough ablutioi, ridiculously small, while on the Continent they are still smaller. They are of pigmy dimensions, the basins being of the size of an ordinary slop-basin, and the ewer holding enough water to wasli a finger. How can persons with such appli- ances be either decently clean, or sweet, or thoroughly healthy ) It is utterly impossible. Many people on the Continent have a dread of water — they labour undei a species of hydrophobia : hence one reason why the ewers and basins are of such dwarfish proportions. 56. A young wife ought to strip to the waist, and then proceed to wash her face after the following * From a notice of this work in The ^^ 1868. INT1l«,UTJ(rrOhT OHaPTER — ABLUTIOM. it manner : — She should nil the basin threo-parta full with rain water ; then, having well soaped and cleansed hei hands, she should resoap them, and dip her face into the water, after which she should, with her soaped hands well rub and wash her face and ears; having done which, she should take the wetted sponge, and go over the parts previously travelled by the soaped hands, and then she should dip and swill and cleanse her face in the water, and that part of the operation will be done. Now for the remaining process of ablution. Having well rubbed her neck with her foaped hands, she ought thoroughly to bathe her neck, her chest, and arms by means of a large sponge dipped in cold water — the colder the better. She cannot cleanse her own shoulders, back, and loins \fith a sponge — she cannot get at them. To obviate this difficulty she ought to soak a piece of flannel, a yard and a half long and half-a yard wide, folded lengthwise, in cold water, and throw- ing it over her shoulders, as she would a skipping-rope, she should for a few times work it from right to left and from left to right, " and up and down and then athwart, her loins and back and shoulders. This plan will effec- tually cleanse parts that she could not otherwise reach, and will be most refreshing and delightful. She should then put both her hands, her forearms, and her arms into the basin of water as far as they will reach, and keep them in for a few seconds, or while tho can count fifty. The wet parts should be expeditiously dried. Then, having thrown off her remaining clothes, and merely having her slippers on, she ought to sit for a few seconds, or while in the winter she can count fifty, or while in the summer she can count a hundred, either in a sitz-bath, or in a very large wash-hand basin —called a nursery basin* (sold for the purpose of giving •A nursery basin (Wetlgewood's make is considered the beat) holding six or eight quarts of water, according to the size of the patient— whether she oe either a little or a large woman. It will only be necessary to fill it about one- third full with water ; this, rjinirn'.«fcja~ ,,.■> -.,.'■. -. rift* -M]'ff»,l lM n i 16 APVIOK To A mti. an infant hin morning bath), — containing water to Thb depth of three or foiir iiichea While sitting oitlior in the bath or in the basin, she ought in the winter time to have eilher a small blanket or a woollen shawl thrown over her shoulders. If she have any (iillicuHy in getting in and out of the basin, ahe shouM place a chair on each side of the basin ; she can then, by pressing upon the chairs with her elbows, arms, and hands, readily do so. 67. If a lady be too delicate to take a sitz-bath, or if a sitz-bath should not agree with her, then she ought every morning to use the bidet, and, while .sitting over it, she should well sponge the parts with the water, allovring the water for a few seconds to stream over them. Every lady should bear in mind that either the sitz-bath or the bidet, every morning of her life (except under certain circumstances), is absolutely essential to her comfort and her well-being. At first, until she become accu.stomed to the cold (which she will do in a few days), she ought to use the water tepid, but the sooner she can use cold water, and that plentifully, the better — as it will greatly contribute to her health and strength. But, as I said before, the process ought to be quickly performed, as it is the shock iu bracing and in strengthening the system that does so much good. When a lady is very delicate, it may, during the icinter^ be necessary to put a dash of warm water into the bath, in order to take off the extreme chill ; but, as she becomes stronger, she will be able to dispenoe with the icarm water, as the colder the water is, provided she can beat it, the more good it will do her. 58. If her loins or her back be at all weak, the addition either of a large handful of table-salt, or of a small handful either of bay-salt, or of Tidman's sea-salt, dissolved in the water iu the sitz-bath, will be of gi'eat service to her. of couTM, is only for the sitz-bath— the sitting bath. The mine basin for the previous washiug ought to have been three- (tarts full of water. nrrnnnrcrroRT chapter— abltjtion. Sf 5?. The feet and lej^'s ouf?ht every morning to b« batlied — not by standing in the water, but, on the com- pletion (if the washing of the other parts of the body, by putting one foot at a time for a few secomlH (nut minutes) in the basin conts above directed, will be a great refreshment, and will be most beneficial to health, and will be a means of warding ofl' colds, of preventing chilblains, and of preserving the feet in a sweet and healthy state. The feet ought to be kept as clean, if not cleaner than the hands. Parts that are not seen should be kept cleaner than parts that are seen. Filth is apt to gather in covered-up places ; and if filth, eruptions of the skin I There would be very little skin disease if people would keep their skins — the whole of their skins — perfectly clean ; but then a1)lution must be daily performed, and not by fits and starts — as is too often the case ! 60. The moment she has finisheii her bath she ought quickly to dry herself. I should recommend her to use as one of the towels the Turkish rubber : it wiU cause a delightful glow of the whole body. 61. The whole of the body, except the hair of the head, is, by the above method, every morning thoroughly washed. The hair of the head ought occasionally, even with soap and water, to be cleansed, to keep it clean and sweet and wholesome ; for nothing is more dirty if it be not well attended to than human hair, and nothing is more repulsive than a dirty head. Brushing of the hair, although beneficial both to the hair and health, will not alone thoroughly cleanse the hair and scalp. Some ladies attempt to clean their hair by simply washing it either wm is ADVIOB TO A WIFR. I '- I'll I St with rosemary or with rose-water, or with other washes, but there is no more effect'ial way of doiiifr it than occasionally by a flannel ami soap and water. Bathing in the sea during the season, provided no grease has been previously used, is very good for the hair ; it both strengthens the roots and beautihes the colour. I should advise my fair reader not to piaster her hair either with grease or with pomade, or with other unknown com- pounds : many of them are apt to make the head dirty, scurfy, and sore ; indeed, many a nasty eruption is pro- duced by such means. 62. It niirht be said that it is utterly impossible for a lady to keep her hair tidy, unless she use some appli- cation to it If such be the case, either a little scented castor oil, or cocoa-nut oil, may, by means of an old tooth-brush, be applied to smooth the hair. 63. If the hair should fall off, either a little cocoa-nut oil or a little scented castor-oil, well rubb(jd every night and morning into the roots, is an excellent dressing These are simple remedies, and can never do any harm, which is more than can be said of many quack nostrums, which latter often injure the hair irreparably. 64. If the hair should continue to fall oflF, the ends of the hair ought, every fortnight, to be cut by a hair- dresser : this plan will be found most beneficial in strengthening the hair, and in keeping it from coming off. 66. The best carpet, either for a bath-room or for a dressing-room, is kamptulicon, as the water spilt upon it after the use of a bath or ablution can, by means of a flannel, be readily absorbed : the window ought then to be thrown wide open, and the rcom will quickly be dried. 66. It would be well for her, when practicable, to have, after she has finished dressing, a quarter of an hour's walk, either in the garden or in the grounds, i& order to ensure a reaction, and thus to induce a healthy glow of the circulation, and to give her an appetite for heat breakfitst A quarter of an hour's walk be/ore break- ti7W>ji'»*H^J:-t,, S8 ADYIOR TO A WIfl. ftdvice, that means may be used to bring back he; appetite. The stomach in all probability is at fault ; if it be, the want of appetite, the conf^equent seasatiun of sinking of the stomach, and the depression of the spirits, are all explained ; but which, with judicionr treatment, may soon be set to rights. 74. If the loss of appetite for breakfast arise fron; pregnancy -and sometimes it is one of the earlies* symptoms — time will rectify it, and the appetite, »vitU out the necessity of a particle of medicine, will shortN with its former zest, return. 76. A young married woman's diet ought to be sub- stantia], plain, and nourishing. She must frequently vary the kind of food, of meat especially, as also the manner of cooking it. Nature delights in a variety of food, of air, and of exercise. If she were fed for some considerable period on one kind of meat, she could scarcely digest any other ; and in time either a dis- ordered or a dise£ised stomach would be likely to ensue, I have sometimes heard with pain and annoyance, a patient advised to live on mutton chops, and to have no other meat than mutton ! Now this is folly in the ex- treme. Such an unfortunate patient's stomach in the course of time would not be able io digest any other meat, and after a while would have a difficulty in diges- ing even mutton chops, and wretched and ruined health would to a certainty ensue. 76. Three substantial and nourishing meals a day will be sufficient. It is a mistaken notion to imagine that " little and often" is best The stomach requires rest as much as, or more than, any other part of the body ; and how, if food be constantly put int.o it, cun it have rest t Thjre is no part of the body more imposed and put upon than the human stomach — " To spur beyond Its wiser will the jaded appetite, — Is this for pleasure ? Learn a juster taste, And know that temperance is true luxury." — Armstrong. 77. It ia a mistaken nonon* and injurious to health, ,.U-^:^^--'l.-'u- ■ ^K^^ii^JSiJmm^x* INTRODUOTORT CHAPTBR — DIBI. Si m .' (or a young wife, or for any one else, to eat, just before retiring to rest, a hearty meat supper : — " Oppress not nature sinking down to rest Witn feasts too late, too solid, or too full." — Armstrong, 78. She will, if a hearty meat supper be eaten, be restless, or she will feel oppressed and sleep very heavily, awakening in the morning tired and unrefreshed: her Bleep will not be as it ought to be — " Like infants' alombers, pure and light." — Eeble. 79. How often we hear a delicate lady declare that she can only eat one meal a day, and that is a hearty meat supper the last thing at night ; and who, moreover, affirms that she can neither sleep at night, nor can she have the slightest appetite for any other meal but her supper, and that she should really starve if she could not have food when she could eat it I The fact is, the oppressed stomach oppresses the brain, and drives away sleep, and appetite, and health. The habit is utterly wrong, and oftentimes demands professional means to correct it. 80. The best supper for a wife, if she suffer much from flatulence, is either a crust of bread, or an Abernethy biscuit, and a glass of sherry : much slop, especially at night, encourages flatulence ; and flatulence is a frequent cause of a restless, sleepless night ; indeed, when people cannot sleep at night, the stomach, in nine cases out oi ten, is at fault. 81. A slice or a crust of bread and a glass of good dry ■^liorry certainly makes a light and easily-digested supper, ai d is thus very conducive to sweet and lefreshing Sjeep. Bread and wine is spoken of in the Book of books with great commendation — '* Wine that maketh glad the heart of man, and bread which strengtheneth man's heart." 82. Some persons sleep better at night without supper at all — by going supperless to bed. A clear and an «mpty stoaaach at bedtime is with them th« secret of .<«we«».4u:,<.rT-- S4 AOVIOR TO A Wira. Bweet and refreshing slumber. They cannot, at one and the same time, do two things — digest food and sleep I And as most people can dispense with food better than they can with sleep, by all means let sleep be the first considered. 83. How is it that sometimes a lady who has an ex- cellent appetite is, notwithstanding, almost as thin as a rake? It is not what she eats, hat ichat she digests, that makes her fat. Some people would fatten on bread and water, while others would, on the fat of the lard, be as thin as Pharaoh's lean kine. Our happiness and our longevity much depend on the weakness or on the sound- ness of our stomachs : it is the stumach, as a rule, that both gauges our happiness and that determines the span of the life of both men and women. How necessary it is, then, that due regard should be paid to such an im- portant organ, and that everything should be done to conduce to the stomach's welfare ; not by overloading the stomach with rich food ; not by a scanty and meagre diet, but by adopting a middle course betwixt and between high living and low living — the juste milieu. We should all of us remember that glorious saying — those immortal words of St Paul — '' Be temperate in aU things." 84. Where a lady is very thin, good fresh milk (if it agree) should form an important item of her diet. Milk is both fattening and nourishing, more so than any other article of food known : but it should never be taken at the same meal (except it be in the form of pudding) with either beer or stout or wine : they are incompatibles, and may cause disarrangement of the stomach and bowels. Milk would often agree with an adult, where it now dis- agrees, if the admixture of milk with either beer or stout or wine were never allowed. If she cannot take milk, Jet her take cream and water. Cream, butter, and sugar are fatteners ; but they must be given in moderation, or thoy wiU disorder the stomach, and thus the object will be defeated. Farinaceous food, such as corn-flour •nd arrow-root, ore all fattenera. Stoat, if it agree, f$ I 't' ' A . I' t (• INTBODDOTORY OHAPTBR — DIET. very fattening, rauoh more so than wine; indeed, claret is decidedly more thinning than fattening, and too nearly resenihles vinegar both in taste and in proper- ties, to be at all times agreeable to an English stomach. If claret be drunk at all, it should be sound and good, and of a first-class vintage. Cheap claret is like many other cheap articles — cheap and nasty ! 85, Let me advise my fair reader to take plenty of time over her mtsals, and to chew her food well ; as nothing is more conducive to digestion than thoroughly masticated food. No interruption should be allowed to interfere with the meals ; the mind, at such times, should be kept calm, cheerful, and unruffled, for " un- quiet meals make ill digestions." Miny persons bolt their food ! When they do, they are drawing bills on their constitutions which must inevitably be paid ! The teeth act as a mill to grind and prepare the food for the stomach; if they do not dj their proper work, the stomach has double labour to perform, and being unable to do it efficiently, the stomach and the whole body in conse- quence suffer. 86, The teeth being so essential to health, the greatest care should be taken of them : they should be esteemed among one's most precious possessions.* 87, With regard to beverage, there is, as a rule^ nothing better for dinner than eitlier toast and water, or, if it be preferred, plain spring water — *' Nought like the simple element dilutes ; and after dinner, one or two glasses oi sherry. A lady sometimes, until she have had a glass of wine cannot eat her dinner ; when such be the case, by all means let a glass of wine be taken, — that is to say, let her have it either just before or duriiKj dinner, instead of after din- ner ; or let her have one glass of sherry before or during dinner, and one glass after dinner. • On the best means of preserving the teeth and gnuB, see two tti my other works — Advice to a Mother and Counsel to a Mothtr. k^rxmtxmm. '^"'"^i^ii'mmi SB ▲DTXOK TO A WIFB. 88. A yoang wife sometimes h(is a languid circulation, a weak digestion, and constipated bowels ; then a glass of sherry during dinner and another glass after dinner is beneficial; and however much she might dislike wine, she should be induced to take it, as the wine wiii improve her circulation, will strengthen her digestion, and will tend to open her bowels. But let me urge her never, unless ordered by a medical man, to exceed the two glasses of wine daily. 89. If a lady drink wine at all, let it be wine — if sht can get it ! — there is so much rubbish in the market called wine, that she cannot be too particular in the matter. The only likely way of obtaining it genuine, is by applying to a respectable wine merchant, and by paying a fair price for it. Cheap wine is dear at any price, and is a conglomeration of nastiness ! 90. The old German proverb says, " Wine is not made, it grows." This proverb now-a-days is, unfor- tunately, not always true. A great deal of the wine that is now consumed is made, and does not grow, and has never seen the grape at all, but has been made in the chemist's laboratory ; indeed, there is scarcely any wine that is not more or less "doctoied," either with brandy or with something worse ! Wine from the pure juice ol the grape is a novelty — a rara avia^ and is beyond the reach of the majority of wine-drinkers ! " If you pre- scribe wine, let it be wine. Take care that your patient is not the victim of those audacious falsifiers, who take spirits, mix them with flavouring and sweetening sub- stances, and then send them back as wine, at an enor- mous profit to themselves. . . . Medical men calmly order dyspeptic patients to take * their glass of sherry/ without inquiring whether this is the product of the sun in the vineyard, or of ' applied chemistry ' in the laboratory."* 91. If wine does not agree, and if she require a stimu- lant, a tumblerful either of home-brewed ale or of t ;^ % * A Beport on tiu Cheap London, 1866. Winu. By Bobart Dniitt* 1C.D. INTRODUOTORT OHAPTBR — BRANDT. 37 1 ?A 1 I Burton bitter ale, or of good souiid porter, ought, instead of water, to be taken at dinner. But remember if she drink either beer or porter, she must take a great deal 01 out-door exercise ; otherwise it will probably make her bilious. If she be. inclined to be bilious, wine is superior to either beer or porter. 92. Wine, beer, and porter do not always agree ; some persons enjoy sounder health as thorough teetotallers Wine, beer, and porter will then irritate, excite, and make feverish, and take away their appetitea Such people are better without stimulants altogether — wine, beer, and porter weakening and not strengthening them. It would be folly in the extreme for such persons to be forced to swallow such stimulants — the more they take the worse they would be. Alcohol in the wine, inthebeer, and in the porter act upon them as a poison — there is no mistake about it. Alcohol in " excess is a poison — a deadly poison, as I shall presently prove — and some peculiar constitutions cannot take it, however minute the quantity, or however diluted it might be. This ia not strange — such persons have a peculiar idiosyncrasy; in the same way as some people cannot take opium, how- ever minute it might be — it makes them almost wild as though they were insane j others cannot swallow small doses of ipecacuanha without producing violent vomiting and faintness ; while, again, there are some persons who cannot take the smallest doses of either calomel or blue pill, without its inducing severe soreness of the gums and excessive salivation, 93. Brandy ouglit never to be taken by a young wife but as a medicine, and then but rarely, and only in cases of extreme exhaustion. It would be a melancholy and gloomy prospect for her to daily drink brandy ; she would, in all probability, in a siiort time become a con- firmed drunkard. There is nothing, when once regularly taken, more fascinating and more desperately dangerous and degrading than orandy-drinking. It has caused the destruction of tens of thousands both of men and of women i If a la»^y once take to regular daily brandy- H 38 ADVIOB TO A WIFiL. li II II li drinking her health will as surely melt away as " wax melteth at the fire." Oh, that my feeble voice could be heard through the length and breadth of our land, and be the humble means of deterring ])eople from ever com- mencing the insidious, and hazardous, and disgusting practice of regular daily brandy-drinking ! Robert Hall had a horror of brandy — and well he might have: — " Call things," he says, " by their right names. . . Glass of brandy and water ! That is the current, but not the appropriate name, ask for a glass of liquid fire and distilled damnation." — Gregory's Ldfe of Hall. 94. A barren lady, in consequence of her being barren, is frequently dreadfully depressed in spirits — nothing is more depressing to some wives than the want of children. Now, in her fits of depression, such an one is apt to fly to sips of brandy in order to relieve her depression. Oh ! fatal mistake ! She is only confirming her barrenness, she is only clenching the nail ; as she will, under such treatment, be barren for the rest of hei life ; for there is nothing more conducive to barrenness — there is not a greater enemy to conception — than brandy- drinking ; of this I am quite convinced ! 95. A wife ought not, if she feel low, to fly on every occasion to wine to raise her spirits, but should try the effects of a walk in the country, and " Draw physic from the fields in draughts of vital air." Armstrong. 96. An excitable wife is a weakly wife ; " excitement is the effect of weakness, not of strength." Wine in large quantities will not strengthen,but, on the contrary, will decidedly weaken; the more the wine, the greatei the debility and the greater the excitement, — one fol lows the other as the night the day. A person who drinks much wine is always in a state of excitement, and is invariably hysterical, weak, low, and nervous, and frequently barren. 97. Alcoholic stimulants in excess are " a delusion and a snare," and are one of the most frequent causes of \\ INTRODUOTORT OHAPTBR — BRANDT. 39 k excitement, and therefore both of weakness and of bai*- renness. Alcohol, pure and undiluted, and in excess, is a poison, and ii ranked among the deadly poisons ; if a person were to drink at one draught half a pint of un- diluted alcohol it would be the last draught he or she would ever, in this world, drink, — it would be as surely fatal as a large dose of either arsenic or strychnine ! Brandy, whisky, gin, and wine are composed of alcohol as the principal ingredient ; indeed, each and all of them entirely owe their strength to the quantity of alcohol contained therein. Brandy, whisky, gin, and wine, without the alcohol, would, each one of them, be as chip in porridge — perfectly inert. Brandy and wine, the former especially, contain large proportions of alcohol, and both the one and the other, in excess, either prevents a woman from conceiving, and thus makes her barren, or if she do conceive, it poisons the unborn babe within her J and it either makes him puny and delicate, or it downright kills him in the womb, and thus causes a miscarriage. If he survive the poison, and he be born alive, he is usually, when born, delicate and under-sized ; if such an one be suckled by such a mother, he is sub- jected, if the mother can nurse him, which in such cases she rarely can, to a second couise of poisoning ; the mother's milk is poisoned with the alcohol, and the poor, unfortunate little wretch, ha-'ong to run the gaunt- let in the womb and out of the womb, pines and dwindles away, until at length he finds a resting-place in the grave ! If you wish to make a dog small, give him, when he is a puppy, gin ; the alcohol of the gin will readily do it ; this is a well-known fact, and is, by dog-fanciers, constantly practised. If you desire, in like manner, to make a Tom Thumb of a baby, give him the milk of a mother or of a wet-nurse who imbibes, in the form of wine or of brandy, or of gin, alcohol in quantities, and the deed is done ! Gin-drinking nursing mothers, it is well known, have usually puny children ; indeed, the mother drinking the gin is only another way of giyivg gin to tiie babe — an indirect instead of • 40 A.DV10B TO A Wint direct route, both leadmg to the same terminus — the grave ! 98. Brandy was formerly sold only by the apothecary ; brandy is a medicine — a powerful medicine — and ought only to be preRcribed as a medicine ; that is to say, but seldom, in small and in measured quantities at a time, and only when absolutely necessary : now it is resorted to on every occasion as a panacea for every ill ! If taken regularly and in quantities, as unfortunately it frequently now is, it becomes a desperate poison — a pathway lead- ing to the grave ! It is utterly impossible for any person to hold in the month, for five minutes at a time, a moutliful of neat brandy, Avithout experiencing intense suffering: if it have this fearful effect on the mouth, what effect must this burning fluid, when taken in quantities, have upon the stomach 1 Injury, most decided injury to the stomach, and, through the stomach, disease and weak* ness to the remainder of the body ! Brandy is a w> mderful and powerful agent : brandy has the effectj if taken in excess and for a length of time, of making the liver as hard as a board ; brandy in large quantities, and in the course of time, has the power of making the body marvellously big — as big again; but not with firm muscle and strong sinew, not with good blood and wholesome juices — nothing of the kind ; but of filling it full, even to bursting, with water ! Braudy has the power of taking away a giant's strength, and of making him as helpless as a little child ! habitual brandy-drinking poisons the very streams of life ! It would take more time and space than I have to spare to tell of the wonderful power? of brandy; but unfortunately, as a rule, its powers are more those of an angel of darkness than those of an angel of light ! 99, If the above statements be true (and they cannot be contravened), they show the folly, the utter imbe- cility, and the danger, both to mother and to babe, of dosing a wife, be she strong or be she delicate, and more especially if she be delicate, with large quantities either of wine or of brandy. Brandy, gin, and whisky act on \ I I ;^ ■hi- I : ': -'; : I INTRODDOTORT CHAPTKR — WINK. 41 the human economy very much alike ; for, after all, it is the quantity of alcoliol conkniued in each of thoni that gives them their real strength and danger. I have selected hrandy as the type of all of them, as bmudy is now the fashionahle remedy for all complaints, and unfortunately, in too many instanct's, the habit of (Irink- ing imperceptibly but rapidly increaHCS, until at length, in many cases, that which wiw formerly a tea-spoonful becomes a talflt'-spoonful, and eventually a wine-glassful, with what result I have earnestly endeavoured faithfully to portray. Avoid, then, the lirst step in regular brandy- drinking ; it is the first step in this, us in many other things, that ofttinies leads to danger and eventually to destruction ! T)r Parkos, in his valuable work on Ilyijlene^ asserts that " if alcohol were unknown, half the sin and a large part of the poverty and unhappiness in the world would disappear." Shakspeare was aware of the dia- bolical powers of alcohol when he said, " thou invisible spirit of wine, if thou hast no name to be known by, let us call thee devil!" The Bible, too, gives emphatic testimony of the evil effects of " wine " and of " strong, drink : " — " Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise. " — Proverbs. 100. I am quite convinced that one cause of barrenness among ladies of the present day is exccusive wine-drink- ing. This is an age of stimulants, and the practice is daily increasing. A delicata lady is recommended to take three or four glasses of wine daily. It seems for the moment to do her good, and whenever she feels low she flies to it again. The consequence is, that she almost lives upon wine, and takes but little else besides ! Who are the fruitful women 1 Poor women who cannot afford to drink stimulants ; for instance, poor Irish women and poor curates' wives, who have only, principally, water and milk and butter-milk to drink. 101. There is decidedly, among the higher ranks, more barrenness than formerly, and one cause of it, in my opinioO) is the much larger quantity of wine now oon- 43 ADVIOB TO k Wiri. k^ I' Bumed than in the olden tiuiss. Many ladies now drink as many glus.scB of wine in one day as their f^ranilinothe's drank in a week ; moreover, the wine-^dii.sHcH of tlni present day are twice the size of oliMiLsliii^iiud wine- glasses ; so that half a-dozon glasses of wine will almost empty a bottle ; and many ladies now actually drink, in the day, half-a dozen glasses of wine ! 102. In the wine-growing and wine-drinking country of France, barrenness prevails to a fearful extent ; it has become there a serious consideration and a state question. Wine is largely consumed in France by ladies as well as by gentlemen. The usual and everyday quantity of wine allowed at dinner at the resfaurunf» of Paris, for each lady, is half a wine-quart bottleful — a similar quantity to tliat allowed for each gentleman. Whore a gentleman and a lady are dining together, and have a bottle of wine between them, it is probable that the former might consume more than his own share of the wine; but whether he does or not, the quantity the lady herself drinks is sadly too much eitlier for her health or for her fruitfuiiicss. I am, moreover, quite convinced that the ([uantity of wine — sour wine — con- sumed by French wives, is not only very antagonistic to their fertility, but likewise to their complexions. Brandy, too, is now largely consumcid in France. "The progress of intemperance in France is fciu'fully rapid. In 1840 the Parisian drank on an average eight litres of brandy in the year, he now drinks forty."* 103. Wine was formerly a luxury, it is now made a necessary of life. Fiuitful women, in olden times, were more common than they are now. Riches, and conse- quently wine, did not then so much abounil, but chil- dren did much mon* abound. The richer the person, the fewer the children ! 104. Wine is now oftentimes sucked in witli a mother's milk ! Do not let me be misunderstood ; wine and brandy, iu certain cases of extreme exhaustion, are, even * Biirm^voluim Daily OazetU, Aug. 24, 1868. ^. ni %' -? INTUODDOTORT OHAPTBR — WIN!. 43 fi for very young children, most valuable remediea ; but I will maintain that both wine an tunately, in this country, not an uncommon occnrrence. Much wine will never make a delicate lady strong — ^it will increase her weakness, not her strength. Wine in excess does not strengthen, but, on the contrary, pro> duces extreme debility. Let this be borne in mind, and much misery might then be averted. ^ i$ ▲DVIOB TO A WIFB 114. This is an age of stimulants — 'tis the curse of the day ! Let me paint a case, not an imaginary one, but from the life : — A lady in the higher ranks is very weak and " nervous ;" she has no appetite ; she cannot sleep at night ; she can take no exercise ; she is depressed and low — feeling as though she should sink into the earth ; her pulse is feeble j she has palpitations of the heart j she feels faint after the least exertion ; she has neuralgia — pains flying about from place to place. She is ordered wine ! she drinks it — glass after glass — with momentary relief ; but it is a flash in the pan, it is an enemy in the guise of a friend ; as soon as the effecte are over, she is weaker than before : at length the wine alone is not strong enough for her ; she feels more , de- pressed than ever ; she now drinks brandy as well ! Shft goes on drinking wine and brandy, more and more and more, until, at length, she lives on them — 'tis her meat and drink, her sleep and exercise, her pill and potion, and everything else besides I Stimulants in excess, instead of giving strength, cause excessive debility. Such a patient is never out of the doctor's hands, until she falls into those of the undertaker ! 'Tis folly to expect that a wife, almost living on stimulants, can even for a single day feel well — leaving alone the chance of her ever being the mother of a family ! 'Tis a blessing that she is never likely to be a mother — she could not perform the offices and duties of a parent ! I am aware that the picture I have just painted is grim, hideous, and ghastly, but it is, notwithstanding, a faithful like- ness, as doctors in extensive practice can abundantly testify. Oh, that my words could, before it be too late, reach the hearts and consciences and understandings oif such patients, and thus be the means of snatching them from inevitable destruction, and from a disgraceful end- ing! It might be asked. What in the first instance caused her illness 1 The stomach was at fault : it was, from improper management, weak and disordered, and quite incapable of doing its needful work : hence the whole machine was thrown out of gear, and which was. n' ii INTRODUCTORY CBkViin^ — AOH OP STIMDLANT& 47 f' A ., •'f. i i beyond measure, aggravated by the subsequeiiv swallow- ing of 80 much wine and brandy. It might, moreover, bo aaked, What, in such a case, is a poor creature to do 1 Let her consult an experienced doctor, and have her stomach put in order, and then let her keep it in order, not by brandy nor by much wine, but by simplicity of living — by the rules of health as laid down in these pages. 115. There is in Crabbe's Poems a graphic and truth- ful description of the eflfects of wine on the human economy, which I cannot help quoting — " Wine is like anger ; for it makes as strong. Blind aud impatient, and it leads as wrong ; The strength is quickly lost ; we feel the error long." 116. A woman can bear less alcohol than a man, a delicate woman than a strong one ; but what is the ridiculous and reprehensible custom 1 Why, the weaker a woman is, the more alcohol is recommended tu her. And with what result '< "To make confusion worse confounded " — to increase her weakness, unti^ she become as weak as a babe I Oh! folly, folly, the very qiiinl- essence of folly ! 117. My deliberate opinion is, and what I have for many years held, and publicly proclaimed, that no woman — be she strong, or be she delicate, and more especially if she be delicate — should ever exceed two glasses of wine daily — sherry as a rule, being the best for the purpose. Beyond that amount, wine becomes a slow and insidious poison. Wine beyond two glasses gives false strength — excitement ; or, in other words, debility aud prostration — chronic ill-health and hysteria ! 118. Remember then, I am not objecting to a lady taking wine in moderation — certainly not ; a couple of glasses, for instance, in the day, of either sherry or claret, might do her great good ; but I do strongly object to her drink- ing, as many ladies do, five or six glasses of wine during that time. I will maintain that such a quantity is most detrimental both to her health and to her fecundity. The e£fect of the use of wine is beneficial ; but the effect MmiiummiiidmiiiiM liii i'!l m. ADYIOB TO A WIFB. of the abiise of it is deplorable in the extreme. Wine is ail edge-tool, and will, if not carefully handled, assuredly wound most unmercifully. I have not the •lightest douht that the quantity of wine consumed hy many ladies is one cause, in this our dr.y, of so much delicacy of constitution. It is a crying evil, and demands speedy redress ; and as no more worthy medical champion has appeared in the field to fight the battle of moderate wine drinking, I myself have boldly come forward to commence the atfray, fervently trusting that some earnest men may join me in the conflict. I consider that the advocates for a plentiful supply of alcoholic stimulants are wrong, and that the upholders of total abstinence principles are equally wrong ; and that the only path of health and of safety lies between them both — in moderation. A teetotaller and an advocate for a plentiful supply of alcoholic drinks are both very diffi- ca" to please; indeed, the one and the other are most intemperate. I am aware that what I have written will be cavilled at, and will give great offence to both extreme partie'' ; but I am quite prepared and willing to abide the consequences, and sincerely hope that what I have said will be the means of ventilating the subject, which is sadly needed. It is the violence and obstinacy of the contending parties, each of whom is partly right and partly wrong, that have long ago prevented a settlement of the question at issue, and have consequently been the means of causing much heart-burning, misery, and sufier- ing. The Times once pithily remarked, that it would be well if the two combatants were " to mix their liquors." 119. You may as well say that you are not to eat because you may gluttonise, as that you are not to drink wine because you may get drunk — the one absurdity is as great as the other. Extremes either in eating or in drinking are alike detrimental to happiness, to health, and to longevity. Blessed is that man, or that woman, who is " temperate in all things." 120. The use of wine and the abuse of wine is graphi- oaily, trathfully, and beautifully told in Ecdenagtlem, it 1 iiiii !;;Im nrTBODUOTORT GHAPTBR — HER MIBSIOir. 49 the advice contained therein being well worthy of deep consideration and of earnest attention : — "Wine is as good as life to a man if it be drunk moderately : what is life then to a man that is without wine 1 for it was made to make men glad. Wine measurably drank, and in season, bringeth gladness of the heart * nd cheerfulness of the mind. But wine drunken with excess maketh bitterness of the mind, with brawling and quarrelling. Drunkenness increaseth the rage of a fool till he offend : it diminisheth strength and maketh wounds." 121. A wife has a noble mission to perform^^to stem the progress and to help to destroy the giant monster Intemperance, who is now stalking through the length and breadth of our land, wounding and slaying in every direction, filling our hospitals, workhouses, lunatic asylums, gaols, and graves with innumerable victims. 122. There an three classes of persons who should be engaged in such a noble mission, namely, the clergy- man, the doctor, and the wife ; but the last named of all the three classes has more power and suasion than th? other two combined : hence one reason of my earnesi appeal to her, and of my strenuous endeavour to enlis< her in the holy cause of temperance. 123. A young wife ought to rise betimes in the morn- ing, and after she be once awake should never doze. Dozing is both weakening to the body and enervating to the mind. It is a species of dram-drinking ; let my fair reader, therefore, shun it with all her might. Let her imitate the example of the Duke of Wellington, who whenever he turned in bed, made a point of turning out of it ; indeed, so determined was that illustrious man not to allow himself to doze after he was once awake, that he had his bed made so small that he f^ould not con- veniently tuon in it without first of all turning out of it. Let her, as soon as she be married, commence early rising > let her establish the habit, and it will foi life .iling to her — " Awake ! the moruinK shines, and the fresh field Caila a> i we lose the prime, to mark how aprinc ■v;J*t?v»S^<.«W^^^ 50 ASVIOB TO ▲ HI ;:u* m m Our tender plants : iiow blows the citron grotv^ What drops the myrrh, and what the balmy reed ; How nature paints her colour ; how the bee Bits on the bloom." — Milton. 1 24. It is wonderful how much may be done betimof In the morning. There is nothing like a good start. Ik makes for the remainder of the day the occupation eaiy and pleasant — " Happy, thrice happy, every one Who sees his labour well begun, And not perplexed and multiplied By idly waiting for time and tide." — Longfellow. 125. How glorious, and balmy and health-giving, is the first breath of the morning, more especially to those living in the country ! It is more exhilarating, invigor- ating, and refreshing than it is all the rest of the day If you wish to be strong, if you desire to retain your good looks and your youthful appearance, if you are desirous of having a family, rise betimes in the morning: if you are anxious to lay the foundation of a long life, jump out of bed the moment you are awake. Let there be no dallying, no parleying with the enemy, or the battle is lost, and you will never after become an early riser ; you will then lose one of the greatest charms and blessings of life, and will, probably, not have the felicity of ever becoming a mother ; if you do become one, it will most likely be of puny children. The early risers make the healthy, bright, long-lived wives and mothers. But if a wife is to be an early riser, she must have a little courage and determination ; great advantages in this world are never gained without ; but what is either man or woman good for if they have not those qualities 1 126. An early riser ought always to have something to eat and drink, such as a little bread and butter, and either a cup of tea or a draught of new milk, before she goes out of a morning ; this need not interfere with, at the usual hour, her regular breakfast. If she were to take a long walk on an empty stomach, she would for the remainder of the day feel tired and exhausted and she i I '\i'v INTRODUOTORT CHAPTER — THE MORNINO. fl ' would then, but most unfairly, fancy that early rising did not agree with her. 127. The early morning is one of the best and most enjoyable portions of the day. There is a perfect ciiarm in nature which early risers alone can appreciate, it is only the early riser that ever sees the " rosy mom," the blushing of the sky, which is gloriously beautiful! Nature, in the early morning, seems to rejoice and be glad, and to pour out her richest treasures : the birds vie with each other in their sweetest carols ; the dew on the grass, like unto myriads of diamonds, glittering and glistening and glinting in the rays of the sun ; occa- sionally the cobwebs on the shrubs and bushes, like exquisite lace, sparkling with gems ; the fresh and match- less perfume and fragrance of the earth and flowers ; — these, one and all, are gloriously beautiful to bihold, and can only be enjoyed to perfection in the early morning ; while the majority of people, during the choicest periodg of their existence, are sweltering, and dozing, and dete- riorating lioth in body and mind, on beds of down, when they ought to be up, out, and about ! Can it be won- dered at, when such weakening and enervating prac- tices are so much in vogue — for luxury is the curse of the day — that there are so many barren wives in Eng- land 1 It looi «, on the first blush, that many of the customs and practices of the present day were to cause barrenness ; for, assuredly, if they had been instituted on purpose, they could not have performed their task more surely and successfully. 128. It might be said that the dews of the morning are dangerous ; but they are not so. Nature is having her morning bath, and diffusing health and happiness around her I The dews of the early morning are bene- ficial to health, while the dews of the evening are detrimental. How truly the poet sings — '* Dew-drops are the gems of moruiug, But the tears of mournful eve !" — Coleridge. 129. Early liaing imparts health to the faxu% strength -,:lr:•'^*'«»■t.''^^'^^v,^Jsa^;^,i^^. .,; ADTIOB TO A WIFB. to the mnscles, and comeliness to the countenance ; it clears the hrain, and thus brightens the intellect ; it ia a panacea for many of the ills of life, and unlike many panaceas, it is both simple and pleasant in its operation ; it calms the troubled breast ; it gives a zest to the af tei employments and pleasures of the day ; and makes both man and woman look up from " nature's works to nature's God ! " 130. Early rising rejuvenises the constitution ; it makes the middle-aged look young, and the eld look middle-aged ; it is the finest cosmetic in the world, and tints the cheeks with a bloom the painter emulates, but in vain I On the other hand, late rising adds years to the looks, fills the body with aches and pains, and the countenance with crow-feet and wrinkles; gives a yellow- ness and pimples to the /ace, and depression to the spirits. Aged looks and ill-health invariably follow in the wake of late rising. 131. If a mistress rise early, the servants are likely to follow suit ; a lazy mistress is almost sure to have lazy servants ; the house becomes a sluggard's dwelling ! Do not let me be misunderstood ; I do not recommend any unreasonable hours for rising in the morning ; I do not advise a wife to rise early for the sake of rising early ; there would be neither sense nor merit in it ; I wish her to have her full complement of sleep — seven or eight hours ; but I do advise her to go to bed early ^ in order that she may be up every morning at six o'clock in the summer, and at seven o'clock in the winter. I maintain that it is the duty of every wife, unless prevented by illness, to be an early riser. This last reason should have greater weight with her than any other that can possibly be brought forward ! All things in this world ought to be done from a sense )f duty ; duty ought to be a wife's and every other person's pole-star ! 132. There is a wonderful and glorious object in creation which few, very few, ladies, passing strange though it be, have ever seen — the rising of the sun« IhA £bw who have seen it are, probably, those who have INTRODUOTORT OHAPTBR — EARLT RISING. 63 turnetl niglit into day, who are returning home in the early morning, jailed and tired, aftei' dancing the whole of the previous night. These, of course, cannot enjoy, and most likely do not even see, the magnificent spec- tacle of the sun, " which cometh forth as a bridegroom out of his chamber, and rejoiceth as a giant to run his course." 133. I am not advising my fair reader to rise every morning with the rising of the sun — certainly not ; but if she be an early riser, she might occasionally indulge herself in beholding the glorious sight 1 134. ** The top of the morning to you " is a favourite Irish salutation, and is very expressive and complimen- tary. " The top of the morning " — the early morning, the time when the sun first rises in his majesty and splendour — is the most glorious, and health -giving, and best part of the whole day ; when nature and all created beings rejoice and are glad — " But mighty Nature bounds ns from her birth. The sun is in the heavens, and life on earth ; i'lowers in the valley, splendour in the beam, Health in ^hegale, and freshness in the stream." — Bynm. 1 35. Let a young wife, if she be anxious to have % family and healthy progeny, be in bed betimes. It is impossible that she can rise early in the morning unless she retire early at night. " One hour's sleep before mid- night is worth three after." Sleep before midnight is most essential to health, and if to health, to beauty ; hence, sleep before midnight is called beauty-sleep I The finest cosmetic is health I 136. She ought to pay particular attention to the ven- tilation of her sleeping apartment, and she herself before leaving her chamber in the morning, ought never to omit to open the windows ; ,nd in the fummer, if the room be large, she should during the ight leave, for about six or eight inches, the window-sash open. If the room be small, it will be desirable to have, instead of the window, the door (secured !'r')m intrusion by a door shAin) unclosed ; and to have, as well, either the sky- r 04 ADVIOE TO A WIFE. light or the landing window open. There ought, by gome means or other, if the inmates of the room are to have Hweet and refreshing sleep, to be thorough ventila- tion of the sleeping apartment. I have no patience to hoar some men — and there are such men I — assert that it is better to sleep in a close room — in a foul room ! They might, with equal truth, declare that it is desir- able for a healthy person to swallow every night a dose of arsenic in order to prolong his life ! Carbonic acid gas is as truly a poison as arsenic ! "If there be a dress- ing-room next to the bedroom, it will bo well to have the dressing-room window, instead of the bedroom window, open at night. The dressing-room door will regulate the quantity of air to be admitted into tlie bed- room, opening it either little or much as the weather might be cold or otherwise."* The idea that it will give cold is erroneous ; it will be more likely, by strengthen- ing the system and by carrying off the impurities of the lungs and skin, to prevent cold. 137. Some persons, accustomed all their lives to sleep in a close, foul room — in a room contaminated with car- bonic acid gas — cannot sleep in a fresh well-ventilated chamber, in a chamber with either door or window open ; they seem to require the stupefying effects of the car- bonic acid gas, and cannot sleep without it ! If such be the case, and as sleep is of such vital importance to the human economy, let both window and door bo closed ; but do not, on any account, let the chimney be stopped, as there must be, in a bedroom, ventilation of some kind or another, or ill-health will inevitably ensue. 138. It is madness to sleep in a room without venti- lation — it is inhaling poison ; for the carbonic acid gas, the refuse of respiration, which the lungs are constantly throwing off, is a poison — a deadly poison — and, of course, if there be no ventilation, a person must breathe tills carbonic acid gas mixed with the atmospheric air. ,; it:! * ^e Chavasie's Advice to a Mother^ Eleventh Edition. ! i 111 !M \ INTnOT5UCrruKY OnAJ'TEU- VENTILATION. 65 Hence the importancB, ilie vital importance, of either an Ojtt'n chimney or of an ofirn window, or of both. The cliimney, thon, tivon if the window be closed, ought never to be stopped ; and the window, either of the bed- room orof tlie dresHing-rooni, Bhould not be closed, even in the nit^ht, unless the weather be either very wet or bitterly cold. I should strongly recommend my fair reader, and, indeed, every one else, to peruse the good and talented Florence Nightingale's Nutea on Nunhuj. They ought to be written in letters of gold, and should be indelibly impressed on the mtjmory of every one who has the interest of human life and happiness at heart. Florence Nightingale dcLLires that no one, while in btd, ever catches cold from proper ventilation. I believe her ; and I need not say that no one has had more exjx'rience and better opportunities of judging about what she writes than this accomplished authoress. 139. I fearlessly assert that no one can sleep sweetly and refreshingly unless there be thorough ventilation of the chamber. She may have, in an unventilated apart- ment, heavy, drowsy, death-like sleep, and well she might ! She is under the stupefying effects of poison ; the carbonic-acid gas, which is constantly being evolved from the lungs, and which wants a vent, but cannot obtain it, is, as I have before remarked, a deadly poison I She may as well take every night a stupefying opiate, as breathe nightly a bedroom charged with carbonic acid gas ; the one woiUd in the long run be as pernicious as the other. To show the power of carbonic acid gas in 8enccui)ation. Occupation — active, useful occupation — is the best composing mcdicino in thu world ; and the misfortune of it is, that the woaltliy have little or no occupation to cause them to sleep. Pleasure fthey have in abundance, but little or no real occupation. "The sleep of a labouring man is sweet, whether he eat little or much : but the abundance of the nch will not suffer them to sleep." — Ecclesiastss. 141. Sleep is of more consequence to the human economy even than food. Nothing should therefore b« allowed by a young wife to interfere with sleep. And. as the attendance on large assemblies, balls, and con certs sadly, in every way, interfere with sleep, thej ought, one and all, to be sedulously avoided. 142. As exercise is very conducive and provocative of sleep — sound, sweet, cluld-like sleep — exercise musi be practised, and that not by fits and starts, but regu- larly abd systematically. She ought, then, during the day, with exercise and with occupation, to tire herself, and shd will then have sweet and refreshing sleep. But some ladies never do tire themselves except with excite- ment J they do not know what it is to be tired either by a long walk or by household work. They can tire them- eeles with dancing at a ball ; poor fragile creatures can remain up the whole night waltzing, qu?drilling, and galloping, but would be shocked at the id . and at the vulgarity of walking a mile at a stretch ! Poor creatures ! they are to be pitied ; and if they ever marry, so are their husbands. Are such wives as these likely to be mothers, and if they are, are their offspring likely to be strong 1 Are such wives as these likely to be the mothers of our future warriors, of our future statesmen and of our other worthies — men of mark who " Departing, leave behind them Footprints on the sands of time !" 143. Sleep is the ciioicest gift of Qod. Sleep is t oomforter, a aoUce, a boon, a nourisher^ a friend. Happj nrnioDUOTomT n thrice happy, is a wife who can slnep like unto a little child 1 When she is well, what a comfort is sleep; when she is ill, what a soother of pain is sleep ; when she iS in trouble what a precious balm is sleep ) 144. Shakspoare, our noblest poet and shrewdest observer of Nature, thoroughly knew the value and im- portance of sleep to the human economy ; his writings are full of its praises ; on no other subject does he descant more lovingly or well, as the following quota- tions, culled at random, will testify. In one place h» says : — " Thy best of rest is ile«p. In another place — " Sleep, gentle aleem N"ture'a soft nurse.'' Im a third- *' Sleep that knits up the ravelled sleeve of ears^ The death of each day's life, sore labour's bath. Balm of hurt minds, great nature's second coiuM^ Chief nourisher in life s feast." In a fourth- " Downy sleep, death ■ connterfelt.'' In a fifth— " And sleep that sometimes shuts np sorrow's 9j%, Many other extracts from his plays, bearing ont my assertions, might, if time and space fdlowed, be adduced. 145. A luxurious idle wife cannot sleep ; she, night after night, tumbles and tosses on her bed of down. What has she done during the day to tire herself, and thus to induce sleep ? Alas ! nothing. She in conBe* quence never experiences " Tired Nature's sweet restorer, balmy sleep." — Ywmg. For, after all, outdoor exercise and asefol occupation are the best composing medicines in the world I Many 58 ADvios TO A wira. r- i' an idle lady who cannot sleep, instead of taking exe»> eise, takes ch1orodyn< " To steep the Bensea in forgetfulnesa. " rhe constant taking of exercise is most beneficial, strengthening alike both the Iwdily and mental faculties ; while the constant taking of chlorodyne is most injurious, weakening alike both the body and mind. Unfor- tunately, in this our day there is too much of the one and too little of the other taken ; but in this, as in everything else, a reckoning day is sure to come when old scores must, to the uttermost, be paid. Do not let me be misunderstood ; chlorodyne is in many diseases invaluable, but, like all valuable but powerful medicines, requires the judgment and the discrimination of a doctor in the administration thereoi. 146. The frequent swallowing of chlorodyne is a ■pecies of dram-drinking — another form — a worse form — of intoxicating liquors ; it is like brandy — if lavishly and not judiciously" given — it can only have but one termination — the grave ! Oh ! if a wife would think a little more of God's grand remedies — exercise and fresh air; and a little less of man's puny inventions — chlorodyne and morphia — how much better it would be for her, and for all connected with her ! 147. Theic is still another fushionable remedy, used by fashionable ladies to j^rocure sleep, namely chloraJ hydrate. It ia, moreover, a fashionable method of intoxication ; but it is far worse in its effects than is even brandy-drinking.* New, the quacking of themselves by powerful agents is the quintessence of folly, of fool- hardiness. Of folly, in attempting to procure sleep by artificial means, when natural mer^ns — nature's remedies — should be used. Of foolhardinfiss : to administer poirson to themselves ; to play with edged too's ; to gamble with loaded dice — the stakes being too frequently death J * It ifl stated, on good anihority, tiiat half-a*toa of chlond is ■uum&ctiired daily by a Gorman ohemistl 1 1 INTRODDOTOBT OHAPTBR — IDLE WIfH. 69 Jhloral hydrate, in ceitain diseases, when prescribed by a medical man, is most valuable ; but for patients them- selves to prescribe it for themselves is quite as perilous an patients inhaling chloroform by themselves ; indeed, chloral hydrate, when in the stomach, much resembles chloroform, and, like chloroform, requires skilful handling, careful watching, and strict supervision. 148. Encompassed as she is with every luxury — par- taking of all the delicacies of tlie season, of the richeist viands, and of the choicest wines — decked out in costly apparel — reclining on the softest cushions — surrounded with exquisite scenery, with troops of friends and with bevies of servants ; — yet, notwithstanding all these apparent advantages, she is oftentimes one of the most debilitated, complaining, " nervous, hysterical, and miserable of mortal.'^. The causes of all these afHictions are — she has nothing to do; she is overwhelmed with prosperity; she is like a fire that is being extinguished in consequence of being overloaded with fuel; she is being killed with over much kindness ; she is a drone in a hive, where all must work if they are to bo strong anil well, and bright and cheerf ill ; for labour is the lot of tdl and the law for all, for '* God is no respecter of persons." The remedies for a lady affected as above described are simple and yet efficacious — namely, sim- plicity of living, and an abundance of outdoor exercise and of useful occupation. It would have been to the manifest advantage of many a fair dame if she wore obliged to put down her close carriage, and were com- pelled to walk instead of drive. Riding in close carriages nurses many ailments which walking would banish ; a brisk walk is the best tonic and the most reviving medi- cine in the worlds and would prevent the necessity of her Bwallowing so much nauseous physic. Nature's simple remedies are oftentimes far superior and far more agree- able than any to be found in the Pharmacopoeia. It would have been a blessing to many a rich, indolent, and luxurious lady, if she hud been born in a lower rank — in one in which she bad been oon^ielled to work jSEam 60 ASVIOB TO A Win. W m i Ijl.i; for her daily bread ; if she had been, she wonid, fn many instanceB, have been far happier and healthier than ■he now is — •Verily I swear, 'tia better to be lowly born. And range with humble livers in content, Than to be perked up in a cliatering grief, And wear a golden sorrow. — Shxikspeare. 149. Indolence and luxury kill more than hard work and hard fare ever did or ever will kill Indolence and luxury are slow poisons ; they destroy by degrees, but are in the end as certain in their deleterious effects as either arsenic or deadly nightshade — " Come hither, ye that press your beds of down. And sleep not ; see him sweating o'er his bread Before he eats it. 'Tis the primal curse. But softened into mercy — made the pledge Of cheerful days, and nights without a groan. " — Oowper. 150. An active, industrious, useful wife, on the con- trary, sleeps like a little child : for exercise and useful occupation cause sweet and refreshing sleep — " Not poppy, nor mandragora, Nor all the drowsy syrups of the world. Shall ever medicine thee to that sweet sleep. — Shakspeare. 161. How often we hear a rich lady complain that she has no appetite ; she is, in the midst of plenty, half- starved ! What exercise has she taken, what useful work has she done, to ensure an appetite 1 The poor woman, on the contrary, who labours for her living, has often a keener appetite than she has the means to gratify — a crust with her is delicious, " hunger being the best sauca" How true it is that fortune 'Either gives a stomach, and no food,— Such are the poor, in health ; or else a feast, And takes away the stomach, —such are the rich, That have abundance, and enjoy it noV—ShitJcspeurf. 162. I must i\o\ toref't to speak of the i»aramouikl INTRODUOTORT OHAPTBR — DATUOHT. «1 i I importance in a dwelling of an abundance of light — of daylight. Light is life, light is health, light is a physi- cian, light is a beautifier, light is a comforter. Light is life : the sun gives life as well as light ; if it were not for the sun, all creation would wither and die. There is *' no vitality or healthful structure without light."* Light is health : it oxygenises the blood, and renovates and invigorates the frame. Light is a physician: it drives away many diseases, as the mists vanish at the approach of the sun ; and it cures numerous ailmentg which drugs alone are unable to relieve. Light is a oeautifier : it ti;*' the cheeks with a roseate hue, and is far superior to ".osmetic, wash, or ball." Light is a comforter: it brightens the countenance, cheers the heart, and drives away melancholy — "Prime cheerer, light I Of all material beings first and best." — Thomatm. 'Tis a glorious fact to knuw, that "There's always sunshine somewhere in the world.* For the sun "goeth forth from the uttermost part of the heaven, and runneth about unto the end of it again ; and there is nothing hid from the heat thereof." 163. Look at the bloom on the face of a milkmaid 1 What is it that tints her cheek t An abundance of light. Behold '^he pallid, corpse-like countenance of a factory-girl ! What blanches her cheek 1 The want of light, of air, and of sunsh e. 154. A room, then, ougixt to have large windows, in order that the sun might penetrate into every nook and corner of the apartment. A gardener thoroughly appre- ciates the importance of light to his flowers ; he knows, also, that if he wishes to blanch some kinds of vegetables — such as celery and sea-kale — he must keep the light from them ; and if my fair reader desires to blanch her own cheeks, she ought to keep the light from them ; Ught, By Fwbes Winslow, M.D. 69 IDYIOB TO A Win. but, on the other hand, if she he anxious to he healthy and rosy, she must have plenty of light in her dwelling. 156. The want of light stunts the growth, dims the sight, and damps the spirits. Colliers who, a great part of their lives, live in the bowels of the earth, are gene- rally stunted ; prisoners, confined for years in a dark dungeon, frequently become blind ; people who live in dark houses are usually nielancho! c. 156. Light banishes from rooms foulness, fustiness, mustiness, and smells. Light ought, theref'>-e, to be freely allowed to enter every house, and be esteemed as the most welcome of visitors. Let mo then advise every young wife to admit into her dwelling an abundance of li^'ht, of air, and of sunshine. 157. There is nothing like letting daylight into dirty places : the sun is the best scavenger, purifier, and disin- foctor : but the sun itself cannot be contaminated by filth, for "the sun, though it passes through dirty places, yet remains as pure as before." 158. Some ladies, to keep off the sun, to prevent it from fading the furniture, have, in the summer-time all the blinds of the windows of the house down. Hence they save the fading of their furniture, and, instead of which, they fade their own and their children's cheeks. Many houses, with all their blinds down, look like so many prisons, or as if the inmates Tzere in deep afflic- tion, or as if they were performing penance ; for is it not a penance to be deprived of the glorious light of day, which is as exhilarating to the spirits as, and much more beneficial than, a glass of champagne i 159. It IS a grievous sin to keep out from a dwelling the glorious sunshine. We have heard of "a trap to catch a sunbeam :" let the open window be a trap, and a more desirable pri7e cannot be caught than a sun- beam. Sunbeams, both physical and metaphoiical, make a house a paradise u]ion earth ! They are the heritage of the poor as well as of the rich. Sunshine is one of our greatest, purest, and cheapest enjoyments — *'0, 'tis the Mill tliat ciaketli all things iiliine." — Shakspeiw*, II TVTRODUOTORT CHAPTER — DRTSB. 63 There is in Eedesimtes a beautiful passage on the effects of light : " Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun." 160. Let me strongly caution the newly-made wife against the evil effects of tight lacing. The waist ought, w a rule, to be from twenty-seven to twenty-nine inches ip circumference ; if, therefore, she bind and gird herself in until she be only twenty-three inches, and in some cases until she be only twenty-one inches, it ^ust be done at the expense of comfort, of health, and happi- ness. If stays be worn tightly, they press down the contents of the lower parts of the belly, which might either prevent a lady from having a family, or might produce a miscarriage. Tight lacing was in olden times a frequent cause of miscarriage. I am sorry to find that within the last year or two the reprehensible practice has been again advocated, and become fashionable. The result, if tight lacing be adopted in pregnancy, will frequently be either miscarriages, or premature labour, Qr still-bom children. 161. Tight lacing is a frequent cause of displacement of the womb; inclining the womb, as the case ma^ be, either backwards or forwards.* 162. Let her dress be loose, and be adapted to the season. She ought not to adopt the fashion of wearing in the morning warm clothes with long sleeves, and in the evening thin dresses with short sleeves. " It is hopeless to battle with fashion in matters of dress; • I have entered so fully iiito the ^ tU effects of tight lacing in my two other books, Advice to a Mother and Cowtusel to aMother that I consider it (juite unnecessary to say more in this place on the subject. Moreover, it is not so necessary now as in the early editions of my two works to dwell upon the subject, as, I am happy to say, the evil effects of tight lacing are at the present time better understood. Stays used to be fonnidable-looking apparatuses ; indeed, they were instrunients of torture. Now they are more simple, and tl^erefore more suitable. I am sorry to say that, even at tne present day, that there are some few persons endeavouring to revive the abominable and «langerou8 practice of tight lacing I Such individualB are either knaves or simpletons I 64 ADYIOI TO A WIFIi I I .1. women will never believe that their bonnets, neck-wrap- pens, or huge petticoats (until they go out of fashion), can have anything to do with headaches, sore throats, or rheumatism ; but they ought to know that the more they swathe themselves, the more tender and delicate they are likely to be. If they wish to withstand cold, they should accustom themselves to bear it."* 163. If a young wife be delicate, and if her circula- tion be languid, a flannel vest next the skin, and in the day-time, should, winter and summer, be worn. Scarlot is, in such a case, a favourite colour, and may be selected for the purpose. It is important that it should be bOme in mind that the wearing of flannel next the skin is more necessary in the summer than in the winter time. A lady, in the summer, is apt, when hot either from the weather or from exertion, to get into a draught to cool herself, and not wearing flannel next the skin, she is almost sure at such times to catch a cold. Now, flannel being a bad conductor of heat, keeps the body at a tolerably equal temperature, and thus materially lessens the risk. When it is considered that many of the diseases afflicting humanity arise from colds, the value of wearing flannel next the skin as a preventive is at once apparent 164. Never was there such a time as the present when dress was so much thought of. Grand dresses now sweep our dirty streets and thoroughfares ; rich velvets, silks, and satins are as plentiful as dead leaves in autumn. " There is so much to gaze and stare at in the dress, one's eyes are quite dazzled and weary, and can hardly pierce through to that which is clothed upon." Dress is becoming a crying evil ; many ladies clothe themselves in gorgeous apparel at the expense of household comforts, and even of household necea- •nries — *'We sacrifice to dress, till household joys And comforts cease. Dress drains oax caILbib dry, * Iran a notice of UUt work in Tlu Jtead&r, Feb. 14, 1868. INTRODUOTORT CHAPTER — DRESB. «* And keepn our larder lean — pntn out oar fires, And introduces hunger,, frost and woe, Where peace and hospitality might reign." — Cowper. 165. It might be said, What has all this to do with the health of a wife 1 I reply, Much : the customs, habits, and luxuries of the present day are very anta> gonistio both to health and to fecundity ; they can only make work for the doctor, and gladden the hearts of those who preach the doctrine of the eligibility of small families I 166. She must not coddle, nor should she muffle up heir throat with furs. Boas are the most frequent cause of sore throats and quinsies, and therefore the sooner they are discarded the better. " And this is perfectly true, though few seem to be aware of the fact. lielaxed throats would be rare if cold water was more plentifully need, both externally and internally, and mufflers were laid aside."* 1 67. There is something besides dress and amusements to make a young wife healthy and happy, and to look young, and that something is constant employmen^^ housewifery being especially beneficial for the purpose-^ " Oh, if to dance all night, and dress all day. Charmed the small-pox, or chased old age away, Who would not scorn what housewife's cares produce, Or who would learn one earthly thing of use ? — Popn. 168. A good wife dresses to please her husband— to look lovely in his sight — to secure him in her cage, whom she has already c^aght in her net — ** She 's adorned Amply that in her husband's eye looks lovely,-— The truest mirror that an honest wife Can see her beauty in." — Tohin. Swift truly says tliat, "The reason why so few marriage* are happy is because young ladies spend their time ia making necs, not in nxaking cages." * From a notice of this voork in The Reculer, Feb. 14, 1868. 5 ADYICB TO A WIFB. I 169. If my gentle reader will freely use cold water ablutions, she will find that she will not require nearly BO much clothing and mufUing up. It is those who use •o little water who have to wear so rrmch clothing, and the misfortune of it is, the more clothes they weir, the more they require. Many young people are wrapped and muffled up in the wintei-time like old folks, and by coddling they become prematurely old — frightened at a breath of air and at a shower of rain, and shaking in their shoes at an easterly wind ! Should such things bol 170. Pleasure to a certain degree is as necessary to the health of a young wife, and to every one else, ab che sun is to the earth — to warm, to cheer, and to invigorate it, ".nd to bring out its \erclure. Pleasure, in modera- tion, rejuvenises, humanises, and improves the character, and expands and exercises the good qualities of the mind ; but, like the sun in its intensity, it oppresseth, drieth up, and withereth. Pleasures kept within due bounds, are good, but in excess are utterly subversive of health and happiness. A wife who lives in a whirl of pleasure and excitement is always weakly and " ner- vous," and utterly untitted for her duties and responsi- bilities ; and the misfortune of it is, the more pleasure ■he takes, the more she craves for — * As if increase of appetite had grown By what it fed on. —Shakspmre. How true and beautiful is the saying of Emerson, that " Punishment is a fruit that, unsuspected, ripens within the flower of the pleasure that concealed it." 171. Let i\iQ pleasures of a newly-married wife, then, be dictated by reason, and not by fashion. She ought to avoid all recreations of an exciting kind, m depres- sion always follows excitement. I would have her prefer the amusements of the countrj to those of the town, such as a flower-garden, botany, urchery, croquet, bowls ; everything, in fact, that will take her into the open air, and will causae her to appreciate the pure, ' i. ^ m ' } if If tvV: INTKODUOTORY CUAPrKU- liOMK. 67 I dmplc, and exquisite beauties of nature. Croquet I .onsider to be one of the best games ev«>,r invented : it induces a lady to take exorcise which perhaps she would not otherwise do : it takes her into the open air, it strengthens her muscles, it expands her chutit, it pro- motes digestion, it circulates her blood, and it gives her an interest which is most beneficial both to mind and body. I am quite sure that one reason why croquet so much benefits the health is, it is attended with so much pleasuroi for " No profit grows, wher« ii no pleasure ta'en.** 172. Oh I that my countrywomen should prefer the eontaminated and foul air of ball and of concert rooms, to the fresh, sweet, and health-giving air of the country ! 173. Let me in this place enter my strong protest against a young wife dancingj more especially if she be tnceinte. If she be anxious to have a family it is a most dangerous amusement, as it is a fruitful source of miscarriage ; and the misfortune is, that if she once have a miscarriage, she might go on again and again, until her constitution be severely injured, and until all hopes of her ever becoming a mother are at a . end. 174. Although dancing during pregnancy is injurious, singing, at such times, is highly beneficial, and may be indulged in during the whole period of pregnancy ; in- deed, it is, during the time she is enceinte^ peculiarly valuable : it is exercise without too much fatigue, it is pleasure blended with benefit, and cannot be too strongly recommended. 175. The quiet retirement of her own home ought then to be her greatest pleasure and her most precious privilege. Home is, or ought to be, the kingdom of woman, and she should be the reigning potentate. Eng- land is the only place in the world that truly knows what home really means. The French have actually no word in their language to express its meaning, The author of 2%« Paiienee of Uoiie sweetly and truly vngs— ADTIOR TO A MTiriB. " That homes the sound we Engliali love ao well Has bveii rh strange to me r.s to those nations That have no word, they tell me, to fxim'ss it." 176. A father, a motlicr, children, a house, and it* lielongings, constitute, in England, home — the most delightful place in the world, whereallcctiona spring u]), take root, and flourish, and where happiness loves to take up its abode — " Sweet is the 8niile of home ; thu uiiitual look When hearts are of each other sure; Sweet all the joys lliat crowd the household nook, The haunt of all atlections pun*." — Kfble. 177. Allan Ramsay, in The Gentle jS/iepherd, gives in a dialogue between Peggy and Jenny a chaiming de- scription of what home and what a good wife ought to be. Peggy, iu reply to Jenny, says — •• Then I '11 employ wi' pleasure a' my art To keep him cheerfu', an' secure his heart. At e'en, when he conies weary frac e hill, I 'II hae a' things mude ready to hi ill. In winter, when he toils thr< ' wind and rain, A bleezing ingle an' a clean heartlistaiie; An' soon as he flings by his plaid an' staff, The seething pots be ready to take atl' ; Clean hag-a-bag I '11 spread upon his board. An' serve him wi' the btsi we can afford ; Good humour and white higonets shall be Guards to my face to keep his love for me.** 178. A wife who is constantly gadding from home, and who is never happy at home, does not know, and does not deserve to know, what home really means; she Li) moreover, usuaUy weak both in mind and body — " The first sure symptom of a mind in health Is rest of heart, and pleasure felt at home." — Young. 179. A well-regulated, calm, and contented mind is the best physician in the world — which not only ofttimes prevents disease, but if it does occur, tends very much to lessen its poignancy, and eventually to cure it. The hurly-burly of a fashionable life is very antagonistic, then, to health rud to all home comforts. Hov true is IM ;..;1>UOTORY CIFAPTKU — CONTENTMENT, 69 that beautiful saying' in fsniah, — " In quietness and in joiilitlenco shall he your strength." 180, Choerfulneos, contentment, occupation, and litMJthy activity of mini! cannot ho too atrnn^'ly recom- mended. A cheerful, huppy temper is one of the most valuable attributes a w if can have. The pos.sosaion of such a virtue not only makes herself, but every one around her happy. It gilds with sunshine the humblest dwelling, and often converts an indifferent liusband into a good one. Contentment is the finest medicine in the world ; it not oidy fietpiently prevents disease, but, if disease be present, it as-ists in curing it. Happy is tlie man who has a contented wife ! A peevish, discontented lielpmate (helpmate, save the mark !) is always ailing, is never satisfied, and tloes not know, and does not deserve to know, what real hapj)inop9 is. She is " a thorn in the flesh," Notwithstanding she might have all that she can dec. .e in this world, yet being discon- tented, she herself is of all women the most miser- able — *• Nouf^ht's had, all 'a Bpent, Where our desire is got without consent" Shahspoare, in another place, pertinently asks — '* What's more miserable than discontent t" 181. Everything ought to be done to cultivate cheer- fulness j it raiglil be cultivated just as readily as exer- cise or music i.^ cultivated : it is a mi erable thing to go gloomily through the world, when everything in nature is bright and cheerful. " Laugh and grow fat" is a saying as old as the hills, and is as true as it is old. The moping, miserable people there are in the world are enougli to innoculate the rest of mankind with melan- choly. Cheerfulness is very contagious, and few can resist its blandishment- A hearty laugh is good for the digestion, and makes the blood course merrily tlirough the veins. It has been said that it is not genteel no laugh aloud ; hut, like many fashionable say- •^m-i.i¥m*mm^ 70 ADVIOB TO A WIPB. ings, it is the very easepce of folly I Cheerfulnesa is like a valuable prescription, for " a cheerful counte- nance doeth good like a medicine." 182. One of the greatest requisites, then, for a happy home is a cheerful, contented, hnght, and merry wife ; her ftice ia a perpetual sunshine, her presence is that of an angel; she is happy in herself, and she imparts happiness to all around her. A gentle, loving, confid- ing', placid, hopeful, and trusting disposition has a great charm for a husband, and ought, by a young wife, to be Msiduously cultivated — " For gentleness, and love, and trust, Prevail o'er angry wave and gust. "- -Longfeluno. Pope has a similar passage to the above- - *' And tnist me, dears I good humour will prevail, When airs and di hts and screams and scolding fail." 183. Sweet temper gives beauty to the countenance ; while a wife, who, without rhyme or reason, is always grieving and grumbling, becomes old before her time ; she herself plants wrinkles on her brow and furrows on her cheek, and makes her complexion muddy and toad- like— " For the canker grief. Soils the complexion, and is beauty's thief." — Crabbe. ■If ^1 184. Every young wife, let her station be ever so exalted, ought to attend to her household duties. Her health, and consequently Iter happiness, demand the exertion. The want of occupation — healthy, useful occupation — is a fruitful source of discontent, of sin, of disease, and barrenness. If a young married lady did but know the importance of occupation — how much misery might be averted, and how much happiness mi^ht, by attending to her household duties, be ensured, — she would appreciate the importance of the advice. OocujKation inij^rovea the health drives away ennui, i ^ IWTRonUOTORT CHAPTRR—BOUBEHOLD DUTIM. 71 cheers the hearth and home, and what is nioit im- portant, if hoiiwehold dutiea he well looked after, her hotiBe becomes a paradise, and she the ministering angel to her hushand. "I find," says Dr Chalmers, " that successful exertion is a powerful means of ex- hilaration, which discharges itself i' . good humour upon others." 185. But she might say — I cannot always be occu- pif^d ; it bores me ; it is like a common person ; I am a lady ; I was not made to work ; I have neither the strength nor the inclination for it ; I feel weak and tired, nervous and spiritless, and must have rest I reply, in the expressive words of the poet, that — " Absence of occupation is not regt, A mind quite vacant is a mind distress'd.**— (Amipir. Hear, too, what another poet sweetly sings of rest »— " Rest ? Thou must not seek for rent Until thy task be done ; Thou must not lay thy burden down. Till setting of the sun."— T. M. W. **• If time be heavy on your hands," are there no hoQS»> hold duties to look after, no servants to instruct, no flower-beds to arrange, no school-children to teach, no sick-room to visit, no aged people to comfort, no widow nor orphan to relieve 1 " Nor any poor about your lands f Oh I teach the orphan boy to reffd. Or teach the orphan girl to sew — , Pray heaven for a human heart" — TMinyton. 186. To have nothing to do is most wretched, weari- some, and destructive to the mind. The words of Martin Luther on this subject should be written in letters of gold, and ought to be kept in constant remem- brance by every man and woman, be they rich or poor, lettered or unlettered, gentle or simple. " The mind." ft ADVIOB TO A Wtri. ^1 •aid he, ** is like a mill i..at cannot stop working ; give it something to grind, and it will grind that. If it has nothing to grind, it grinds on yet ; hut it is itself it grinds and wears uway." 187. A lady in this enlightened age of ours considers it to he horribly low and vulgar to strengthen lier loins with c ^rcise and her arms with occupation, although such a plan of proceeding is, by the wisest of men, recommended in the Bible — "She gi?deth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms." — Proverbt. 188. A husband soon becomes tired of grand perform- ances on the piano, of crochet and worsted work, and of other fiddle-faddle employments ; but he can always appreciate a comfortable, ylean, well-ordered, bright, cheerful, happy home, and a good dinner. It might be said that a wife is not the proper person to cook her husband's dinner. True ! but a wife should see and know that the cook does ber duty ; and if she did, per- chance, understand how the dinner ongh j to be cooked, I have yet to learn that the husband would for such knowledge think any the worse of her. 189. A grazing farmer is three or four years in bring- ing a beast to perfection; Ht for human food. Is it not a sin, after so much time and pains, for an idiot of a cook, in the course of one short hour or two, to ruin, by vile cookery, a joint of such meat 1 Is It not time, then, tbat a wife herself sLouId know hcve a joint of meat ought to ]>e cooked, and thus beabid to give instructions accordin^'iy. 190. A boy is brought up to his profession, and is expected to know it thoroughly : how is it that a girl is not brought up to her profession, of a wife ; and why is it that she is not taught to thoroughly understand all household duties? The daughters of a gentleman's family in oldea times spent an hour or two every morn- ing in the kitchen and in the laundry, and were initiated into the mysteries of pastry and pudding-making, of preserving fruits, of ironing, &c. Their mothers' and '.fH '! nrraoDtioT'' RT en a PTcn— profession op wif«. 73 ^1 r, hI their grandmothers' receipt-books were at their finge^ ends. But now look at the pii^tuie; the daughters of a gentleman's family of the pro8ent day consider it very low and horridly vulgar to understand any such mattors. It is just as absurd to ask a lady to play on the piano who has never been taught music, as to ask a wife to direct her servants to perform duties which she herself knows nothing about. The duties of a wife cannot come either by intuition or by instinct more than music can. Again I say, every lady, before she be married, ought to be thoroughly taught her profession — the duties of a wife; she then would not be at the tender mercies of her servants, many of whom are either unprincipled or inefficient 191. Do not think that I am overstating the import- ance of my subject A good dinner — I mean a well- eooked dinner ^which, be it ever so plain, is really a good dinner) — is absolutely essential to the health, to the very existence of yourself and your husband ; and how, if it be left to the tender mercies of the present race of cooks, can you have it? High time it is that every wife, let her station be either high or low, should look into the matter herself, and remedy the crying evil of the day. They manage these things better in Sweden. There th? young ladies of wealthy families cook — actually theruselvfis uook — the dinners; and instead of their con- sidering it a disgrace, and to be horridly low and vulgar, they look upon it as one of their greatest privi- leges 1 And what is the consequence 1 A badly-cookod dinner is rare, and not, as it frequently is in this coun- try, of frequent occurrence; and " peace and hai)pine8fl " reign triumphant. It is a pity, U)0, that we do not take a leaf out of the book of our neighbours the French. Every woman in France is a good cook ; good cookery with them is a rule — with us it is the exception. A well-cooked dinner is a blessing to all who partake of it; it promotes digestion, it sweetens Ihe temper, it cheers the hearth and home. There is nothing tries the temper more than an ill-cooked dinner ; it makes peojjili 74 IDVIOB TO k WIFE dyspeptic, and for a dyspeptic to bo awefrl-tempcred it an utter impossibility. Let me, tberefore, advise my fair reader to look well into the matter ; either the gloom or the sunshine of a house depend)^ much upon herself and upon her household mana^cnieut. 1 will, moreover, maintain that no mi»n can bn a thoroughly good man who has a bad couk — it is an utter impossi- bility ! A man who partakes of a badly-cooked dinner is sure, a» I have just now remarked, to be dyspeptic, and, if dyspeptic, to be quarrelsome, snappish, and un- amiable, the one following the other as a matter of course. Take warning, therefore, ye wives ! and look to the dinners of your husbands, and know yourselves how dinners oaght to be cooked 1 A well-cooked dinner im- parts to the happy recipient health, and peace, and content; while an ill'Cooked dinner gives to the miser- able partaker thereof disease, discord, and discontent ! Every girl, then, let her rank be what it might, ought abore all things to be accomplished in housewifery, especially in the culinary department. " Poor creature ! " quoth a wife, " for a man t j be so dependent on his cook ! " Poor creature 1 ht, truly is, if bad cooking make him dyspeptic, which, unless he have the diges- tion of an ostrich, it assuredly will ! 192. If the potatoes be sent to table as hard as bullets, if the spinach taste tough and " like bittei herbs," if the turkey be only half-boiled, if the ham be only half-done. If the bread be " heavy as lead," how, in the name of common sense, can a husband feel comfortable and cheerful, and be loving and affectionate — sufl'ering, as he must do, aU the horrors of indigestion ! If men were saints -but unfortunately they all are not 1 — they might ** grin and bear it," or * Be like patience on a monnment, Smiling at giief. 198. If wives do not cook the dinner themselyes, they •honld sarely know how dinners ought to be cooked t Md "it it not necej9i'.ry to be cooks themsel^efl^ but i '■ ;! I INTRODUOTORT UUAPTKR — TRAINING OF 8KRVANT8. 75 i a cjause of good cooking in others." Half the household miseries and three-fourths of the dyspepsia in England would, if cookery were better understood, be done away with ! There are heaps of good cookery books in the market to teach a wife how a dinner should be cooked. She has only to study the subject thoroughly and the deed is done, to the great happiness and well-being of herself and of her husband. 1 94. Every young wife should be able— ought to be instructed either by her mother oi by some competent person —it should be a part of her education — to teach and to train her own servants aright Unfortunately, in the present day, there is too much cant and humbug about the instruction of the lower orders, and domestic servants among the rest They are instructed in many things that are perfectly useless to them, the knowledge of which only makes them dissatisfied with their lot, and tends to make them bad servants. Among other useless subjects taught them are the " ologies." It would be much more to the purpose if they were thoroughly in- structed in all household duties, and in " the throe R's — reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic " — in obedience to their mistresses, and in simplicity of demeanour and dresa The servants themselves would be immensely benefited by such lessons. 195. A " blue-stocking " makes, as a rule, a wretched wife ; it would bo far better for the health of her hus- band, of herself, and her family, if instead of cultivat- ing Latin and Greek, she would cultivate her household duties, more especially a thorough knowledge of the cooking department "A man is, in general, better pleased when he has a good dinner upon his table than when his wife speaks Groek.'*— -Johnson. 196. Not only ought a wife to understand household duties, but she should, previously to her marriage, be by her mother taught the m}»steries of nursing. How many a poor creature marries, who is as ignorant of nursing as a babe ! Should sticb things be ) If love and affection could instruct her, she would be learned ADVIOB TO A Wira. n indeed ; but, unfortunately, nursing ia like everything else, it must, before it can be practised, be taught, and then proficiency will soon follow. Who so proper as a wife to nurse her husband in his sickness 1 She might (if 'she know how) truly say — " I will attend my husband , be his nnrse, Diet his sickness, for it is my office, And Mrill have no attorney but myself." — Shakspear^, 197. As soon as u lady marries, the romantic nonsense of school girls will rapidly vanish, and the stern realities of life will take their place, and she will then know, and sometimes to her grievous cost, that a meful wife will be thoiight much mor« of than either an ornamental or a learned one ; indeed, a huehand soon discovers that there is a " beauty in utility " — " Thou shalt learn The wisdom early to discern True beauty in utility." — Longfellow. 198. It is better for a young wife, and for every one else, to have too much than too little occupation. The misfortune of tLe present day is, that servants arc made to do o^ the work, while the mistress of the house remains idle. Remains idle ! Yes ! and by remaining idle, remains out of health 1 Idleness is a curse, and brings misery in its train ! How slow the hours crawl on when a person has nothing to do ; but how rapidly they fly when she is fully occupied. Besides, idleness is a frequent cause of barrenness. Hard-worked, indus- trious women are prolific ; while idle ladies are frequently childless, or, if they do have a family, their children are puny, and their labours are usually both hard and lingering. We doctors know full well the diilerence there often is between the labour of a poor, hard-worked woman, and of a rich idle lady ; in the one case the labour is usually quick and easy ; in the other, it is often hard dnd lingering. Oh ! if wives would consider betimes the importance of an abundance of exercise and of occupation, what an immense amount of misery, of t ii INTKODUOTORT CHAPTER — OCCHJPATIOW. 77 pain, of anxitty, and anguish 'hey might avert! Work is a blessed thing ; if we do not work, wo ptiy th« penalty- we suflFer "in mind, body, and eptate " An idle man or an idle woman is an object of the d'^epest pity and commiseration. A young wife ought, tlon, always to remember that " The way to bliss lies not on beda of down. " — Quarle$. And that " Sweet tastes have sour closes ; .Vnd ho repents on thorns that sleeps ou beds of roses. 199. Longfellow graphically describes the importance and value of occupation ; and as occupation is as necessary to a woman as to a man, I cannot waist transcribing it — " Toiling — rejoicing — sorrowing, Onward tluough life he goes ; Each morning sees some task began* Each evening sees its close ; Something attempted, something done, Has earned a night's repose," 200. Truly may it be said that " occupation earns a night's repose." It is the finest composing medicine in the world, and, unlike an opiate, it never gives a head- ache ; it never produces costiveness ; and never, by repetition, loses its effect. Sloth and restlessness, even on down, are generally bed-fellows — " Weariness Can snore upon the Hint, when rusty slotli Finds the down pillow hard." 201. The mind, it is well-known, exerts great influence ever the body in promoting health, and in causing and in curing disease. A delicate woman is always nervous ; she is apt to make mountains of molehills; she is usually too prone to fancy herself worse than she really is. I should recommend my gtntle reader not to fall into this error, and not to magnify every slight ache or pain. Let her, instead of whiiiinvheu guntlu and moderate, let them fill the sail, and they will carry the uhip on smoothly to the desired port ; but when violent, unmanageable, and boiHterous, it grows to a storm, and threatens the ruin and destruction of all.'' — Grotwenor. 211. A young wife is apt to take too much opening medicine ; the more Hhe takes, the more she requires, until at length the bowels will not act without an apuriont; hence she irritates the nerves of the stomach and bowels, and injures herself beyond measure. If the bowels be costive, imd variety of food, and of fruit, and of other articles of diet, which I either have or will re- commend in these pages, together with an abundance of air, and of exercise, and of occupation, will not open them, then lot her give herself an enema; which she cat without the slightest pain or annoyance, and with very little trouble, readily do, provided she have a proper apparatus, namely, " a self-injecting enema apparatus ; " one made purposely for the patient, to be used either by herself, or to be administered by another person. A pint of cold water is as good an enema as can be used, and which, if the first should not operate, ought in a few minutes to be repeated. The clyster does nothing more than wash the bowels out, removing any offending matter, and any depression of spirits arising therefrom, and neither uiterfering with the stomach nor with the digestion. Until she become accustomed to the cold, she might for the first few mornings slightly warm the water ; but gradually she should reduce the temperature of it until she use it quite cold. A cold water is more bracing and strengthening to the bowels, and more effi- cacious in action, tlian a warm water enema. It will, during pregnancy and after a confinement, be safer to use a tepid instead of a cold water enema. No family ought to be without a good enema apparatus, to fly to in any emergency. Many valuable lives have been saved by means of it, and having it always in good Older and at hand. INTRODUOTORT OHAPTRB COHTrVB BOWKA 88 212. Thfiro is another exooUent remedy for habitually eostivo hf)Wola, namely, the eating of brown bread — of bread made with undressed flour — that is to say, with the flour ground all one way — with flour containing the flour, the pollards, and the fine bran, with all therein contained oC the grain of the wheat, except the very course brau. Many people are made costive and ill by the eating of bread made with the finest flour only. Broad made with the undressed flour stimulates the bowels to action, and is, besides, much more nourisiiing — undreasod flour being much richer in phosphates than the perfectly dressed flour — than what is usually calletl Best Firsts or Biscuit Flour ; and th(i phosphates are of vital im[iort&nc*e to the diflbrent animal tissues and to the bones. 213. Some paiients with very weak 8tomu(!h8 cannot properly digest hrown bread — it makes them feel un- comfortable and aggrav..*"s their dyspeptic symptoms; but if the bowrlfl bo v. stive and the digestion be not over-weak, brown bread is an admirable means of open- ing them. K millers could devise means to reduce the whole of the bran to an impalpable powder, they would be conferring an incalculable boon on sufiering humanity, as then all the bran may be left in the flour — thus in- creasing the hygienie qualities of the bread. 214. Another admirable remedy for opening the bowels of a costive patient is the drinking of cold water — drink- ing half a tumblerful or a tumblerful of cold water the moment she awakes in the morning, and at any other time during thn day she feels inclined to do so. 215. A variety of diet will often regulate coHtive bowels better — far better — than physic ; and will not — as drug-aperients assuredly will — bung the bowels up more firmly tlian ever after the operation of the drug \b once over. 216. If a young wite have costive bowels, let her, instead of either swallowing opening pills, or >)efoTe even administering to herself an enema, try the ttfecl of visit tug i>he water-closet at one particular peiiod regouulj •K. A^ ^^^4^ ^ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /Aa <«/ *^>>* h ^ /•^ >^*^ 1.0 II • 50 1.8 1-25 1.4 1.6 .« 6" ^ P^ m >>. % ew i^f .>">' s7^ '/ M Photographic Sdences Corporation n WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. M580 (716) 872-4503 n^ •s? ,\ ;\ iV \ ^od, they are not at all likely to be instituted afterwards. The first year is the golden opportunity to 3ow the seeds of usefulness, to make herself healthy and strong, and to cause her to be a blessing, a solace, and a comfort to her husband, her children, and all around her. The wife's mission concerns the husband quite as much as it does the wife herself — " Tlie woman's cause is man's. They riiie or link Together. Dwarf d or godlike, bond or fre« ; If siie be small, alight-natured, miserable, How shall men grow ?" — Tennyson. 222. I cannot, in closing this introductory chaptei do better than quote the following graphic and truthful description of a good, domestic wife : — •' Yes, a world of comfort Lies iu that one word, wife. After a bickering day To come with jaded spirit home at night, And finii the cheerful fire, the sweet repast, At which, in dress of happy cheeks ana eye*, Love «it8, and smiling, Ughtens all the board." J. S. KtuMolm. S23. Pope has painted aa ^* ' ^la portnit of • 86 ADVK^K TO A WiFK wife, which i8 well worth studying and engraving on tlto nieraory : — 1 " She who ne'er answers till her husband coola, Or if she rules liini, never shows she rules ; Charms by aerpiiting, by submitting sways, Yet has her humour most when she obeys," 224. George Herbeifc, two centuries and a half ago, beautifully describes bis wife as " My joy, my life, my crown;" and truly a good wife is emphatically a man's joy, his life, and his crown ! 225. There is, too, in "Wordsworth, a most exquisitely beautiful description of what a woman, if she be perfm t, ought to be, which I cannot refrain from quoting. It IS a perfect gem, a diamond of the first water, brilliant and sparkling, without flaw or blemish : — *' A being breathing thoughtful breath — A traveller betwixt life and death; The refison firm, the tomperato will. Endurance, foresif^hf, strength, and skiU ; A perfect woman, nobly nlann'd, To warn, to comfort, ant^ command ; And yet, a si'irit still, and bright, With aomethiag of an angel light ! " 226. Menstruation, during a period of about thirty years, plays a momentous part in the female economy; indeed, unless it be in every way properly and duly performed, it is neither possible that such a lady can be well, nor is it at all probable that she will conceive. The immense number of barren, of delicate, and oJ hysterical women there are in England, arises mainly from moristrnation not being duly and properly per formed. Sufficient attention has not hitherto been paid to this subject. I therefore purpose devoting an especial chapter to its due and careful consideration, and for which 1 beg my fair reader's earnest attention. It iH a matter that deeply concerns her, as the due per- formance of Mi'Tistniation usually betokens health and hap|>iries8; while lh«i converse frequently tells of oi oienlr and miseiifc PART L MENSTRUATION MautruatUm — " theperiodUT- -it the manifestation, theptvo/poiUitt, the i manual of puberty ; the due per/omianee of ichich it, a$ a rule, neeetiary fvf health and for conception ; it alaayt cease* during pregnancy, utually durinf tuckling, and oftentimes during severe illness ; it comes on generally to the dap, and frequently to the vety hour, every lunar month, for the space of about thirtf }f«art,and then disappears altogether ; constituting, at its elost, ** ehang* of li/k" I t : 227. Barren wives — principally among " the upper ten thousand" — are very numerous — one wife in every eight wives being barren — being childless 1 Must there not be some baneful influences at work to cause such a lamentable state of things 1 Undoubtedly, and many of them — indeed most of them — preventable ! 228. " A tree is known by its fruit," so is a healthy womb — one capable of bearing a child — known usually by menstruation j for if menstruation be, in every way, properly and healthily performed, there is, as a rule, no reason, as far as the mfe herself is concerned, why she should not conceive, carry, and, in due time, bring forth a living child : hence the Importance of Menstrua- tion — the subject we are now about entering upon; and which, indeed, is one of the most important that can engage the attention of every wife, for if menstro*- tion be healthy, the womb is healthy, and the woman, as a rule, is healthy, and capable both of coneeptioii and 9f child-bearing. \ HBBF Pi m 8« ADVIOE TO A WIPB. 229. Rut to our subject : there ia an important epoch in the life of a woman, which might he divided into three stages, namely : (1) the conimeiK-ement of menstru- ation—of puberty ; (2) tlie coutiuuation, at regular periods, of menstruation — the cliild-beariug-age; and (3) the close of menstruation — of child-bearing — " the change of life." 230. (1.) The commencement of menstruation : a good beginning at this time is peculiarly necessary, or a girl's health is sure to sutler, and different organs of the body — her lungs, for instance — might become imperilled (2.) The continuation of menstruation : a healthy con- tinuation, at regular periods, is much needed, or con- ception, when she is married, might not be practicabla (3.) The close of menstruation: requires great attention and skilful management, to ward oiF many formidable diseases, wh'"ch at the close of menstruation — at " the change of life " — are more likely than at any time to become developed. 231. Whether, therefore, it be at the commencement, at the continuation, or at the close, watchfulness and care must be paid to the subject, or ii'reparable mischief might, and probably will, ensue. 232. Menstruation — "the periods" — the appearance of the catamenia or the menses — is then one of the most important epochs in a girl's life. It is the boundary- line, the landmark between childhood and womanhood ; it is the threshold, so to speak, of a woman's life. Her body now develops and expands, and her mental capacity enlarges and improves. She then ceases to be A child, and she becomes a womaa She is now, for the first time, as a rule, able to conceiva 233. Although puberty has at this time commenced. It ct»nnot be said that she is at her full perfection ; it takes eight or ten yecrs more to complete her organisa- tion, which will bring her to the ag»? of twenty-three or twenty-five years ; which perhaps are the best ages for a woman, if she have both the chanco iuid the inclina^ tion, to marj-y. i MINSTRUATION — KaBLT MaHRIAOB. B9 234. If she marry when very young, marriage weakeni her systom, ami prevents a full development of her body. Moreover, such an one is, duiing the progress of her labour, prone to convulsions — which is a very serious childbed complication. Besides, if she marry when she is oidy seventeen or eighteen, the bones of the pelvis — the bones of the lower part of the trunk — are not at that time sufi&ciently developed; are not properly shaped for the purpose of labour ; do not allow of sufj^cient space for the head of the child to readily pass, as though she ware of the riper age of twenty -three or twenty-five. She might have in consequence a severe and dangerous confinement. She will most probably not only herself have a hard and lingering and perilous childbirth, but her innocent babe will most likdy be either stillborn or under-sized, or unhealthy. Statistics prove that 20 per cent. — 20 in every 100 — females marry who are under age ; and that such early marriages are often followed by serious, and sometimes even by fatal consequences either to mother, to progeny, or to both. Parents ought, therefore, to persuade their daughters not to marry until they are of age — 21 ; they should point out to them the risk and danger likely to ensue if their advice be not followed ; they should impress upon fcheiz minds the old udage — " Early wed, Early dead." Thoy should instil into them that splendid passage from Shakspeare that — " Things growing avQ not ripe until their season.'* 236. "What wonder that the girl of 17 or 18, whose bones are only half-consolidated, and v-'hose pelvis, especially with its muscular and ligamentous surround- ings, is yet far from maturity, loses her health after mar- riage, and becomes the delicate mother of sickly children? Parents who have the real interest and happiness of theii daughteifi at heart, ought, in consonance with the 01 M ADTIOa TO A WTin, b laws of physiology, to dificoimteimnce marriage befow 20 ; and the nearer the girls arrive at the age of 26 before th«i consumraatiou of this important rite, the greater the probability tliat, physically and morally, they will b« protected af^ainat those risks which precocious marriages bring in their train."* 236. If a lady marry late in life, say after she be thirty, the soft parts engaged in parturition are more rigid and more tense, and thus become less capable of dilatation, which might cause, for the Jirst time, a hard and tedious labour. Again, when she marries late in life, she might not live to see her children grow up to bo men and women. Moreover, as a rule, " the offspring of those that are very young or very old lasts not.** Everything, therefore, points out that tho age above in- dicted — namely, somewhere between twenty-one and thirty — is the most safe and suitable time for a woman to marry. 237. While talking about marriage, let me strongly urge a mother not to allow her daughter, if she be very deUcate, to marry. 238. A man himself, too, shoidd never contemplate marrying a woman unless she be healthy and of a healthy stock. If this advice were universally followed, how much happiness would be insured, and how much misery would be averted ! The consequences of marrying ftn unhealthy woman are really terrible, to husband, to wife, and to progeny. 239. The assurance companies all speak in language not to be misunderstood of the great stress they lay, in the assurance of a life, upon a healthy family. Their testimony is of immense weight, as, of course, the value of lives ia their especial business. 240. A healthy family, in the selection of a wife, is 'm before a wealthy family; but, indeed, "health is wealth," and wealth most precious ! * The Medical Adviser in Life Aatturance. By Edward Hemy Mtifcking, M.D. London : J. Jt A. ChurchilL I; I MBNSTRUATIOlf — DURATION OMi •1 241. Let us pursue thu subject of marriage a little further, as it is one of great importance. Feeble parenta have goiiprally feeble cl li I dreu, diseased parents diseased children, nervous parents nervous clnhlron, — " like begets like." It is sad to reflect, that the innocent have to sniFer, not only for the guilty, but for the thoughtless and for the inconsiderate. Disease and debdity are thus pro[)agated from one generation to another, and the English race becomes woefully deterio- rated. The above is a gloomy picture, and demands the efforts of all who love their country to brighten its «orabre colouring. 242. It is true that people live longer now than formerly; but it is owing to increased meilical skill and to improved sanitary knowledge, keeping alive the puny, the delicate, and the diseased ; but, unfortunately, those imperfect creatures, who swell the ranks of the population, will only propagate puny, delicate, and diseased progeny like unto themselves. Not only do children inherit the pliysical disetuses, but they inherit likewise, the moral and mental infirmities of their parents. 243. Diseased and delicate people have, then, no right to marry; if they do, a reckoning day will assur- edly come, when they will have to pay the extreme penalty of their temerity and folly. Tmly marriage is a solemn responsibility, and should not, without mature consideration, be entered into. Pure blood and pure siind are, in marriage, far above either riches or rank, or any other earthly po.ssession whatever ! 244. Menstruation generally comes on once every month — that is t-o say, every twenty-eight days ; usually to the day, and frequently to the very hour. Some ladies, instead of being "regular" every month, are " regular" every three weeks. Each menstruation con- tinues from three to iivo days; in some for a week, and in others for a longer period. It is estimated that, during each '* monthly period," from four to six ounces is, on bJi average, the quantity disch.uged. 245. A lady seldom conceives unless she be "regular,** 4/< I ' 99 A.DVIOB TO A WIPB. although there are cases on record where woraeD have conceived who liave never had tlioir '* periods ;" but ■uch cases are extremely rare. 246. Menstruation in this country usually com- mences at the ages of from thirteen to sixteen, some- times earlier ; occasionally as early as eleven or twelve; at other times later, and not until a girl l»e seventeen or eij^'hteeu years of age. Menstruation in large towns is supposed to commence at an earlier period than in the country, and earlier in luxurious than in simple life.* 247. Menstruation continues for thirty, and some- times even for thirty-live years ; and, while it lasts, is a sign that a lady is liable to become pregnant — unlesa indeed, menstruation should be protracted much beyond the usual period of time. As a rule, then, when a woman " ceases to be unwell," she ceases to have a family; therefore, as menstruation usually leaves her at forty-five, it is seldom that after that age she has a child. 248. I have known ladies become mothers when they have been upwards of fifty years of age; although they seldom conceive after they are forty-three or, at all events, forty-five years old, I myself delivered a woman in her lifty-first year of a fine healthy child. She had a kind and easy labour, and was the mother of a large family, the youngest b<>ing at the t'me of her last confine- ment twelve years old.f ** Dr Carpenter, of Durham, tells • *• In the hnman female, the period of puberty, or of com. menciug aptitude lor procreation, ia usually between the thir- teenth and sixteenth years. It is generally thought to be 8ou.e- what tarlior in warm climates than in cold, and in densely popu- lated manufacturing towus than in thinly populated agricultural districts. The meutal and bodily habits of the individual have also considerable iufluence upon the time of its occurrence ; girls brought up in the midst of luxury or sensual inuulgeuce under- going this change earlier than those reared in hardihood and gelf-denial."— Z>r Carpenter's Hmnan Physiology. t "Some curious facts come to light in the Saotch Registrar- General's report in reference to prolific motliers. One mother, who was only eighteen, had fpur children ; one, who was tweutv* /■ \ MKNiSTRUATIOK — LAIK FECUNDITT. O.-) usthatlifihas attended intheircoiifiTiouit;nt8BevtialwoT)i. n whose a^es were fifty. * I well recollect a case occiUTinjT in my father's practice in 1830. vhcre a woman heiaine a widow at forty-nine years of ago. Shortly afterwards she married her secontl hushand, and within twelve months of this tima gave birth to hery//'.s'/ child. These cases belong to the working clnsses. But I know of two others, where gentlewoiucui became mothers at fifty — one with her first child, the other with her eighth. I can say nothing of how they mensti uated, but I know of a virgin in whom the catmuenia dp|ieared regularly and undiminished up to and at the end of sixty.' l)r Powell says that he last year attended a woman in her fiity-second year ; and Mr Heckford, that he attended a woman who stated her age to be at least fifty. Mr Clarke, of Mold, states that he has attended several women whose ages were upwards of forty-four, and tliat he lately delivered a woman of her first child at forty- eight. Mr Bloxham, of Portsmouth, delivered at (iity- two, in her first confinement, a woman who had been married thirty-five years."* 249. The following authentic but rare case of late fecundity has just occurred : — " The Journal de Tovlouse records that Madame X., of Lauvaur, aged 60 years, was recently delivered of twins." tvo, had seven children ; and of two who were only thirtyfonr, o) * iiiid thirtceu and the other fourteen cliilihen ; and, on the 01 KM hand, two women became mothers as latu in life aa at (ilty- oiie, and four at fifty-two ; and one mother was registered aa having given birth to a child in the fifty-seventh year of !ier age." Four children at a birth, and all healthy and doing well, is rather an unusual oecniTence : it is well, therefore, to put on reiord the following interesting case, copi.^d from The Tim ft, Mnivh 15, 1870:— "The BuHm-on- Trent Times of Satuiday states thtit, on Wednesday night last, the wife of a luboiiiiT in the employ of Messrs KoVjinson and Co., brewers, named William Getley, residing in the 'Fourteen Houses,' Rurnblone Road, gave birth to four healthy children, all girls." * British xUedicalJimmcU. Nov 91 lRfi3. V4 ADVtOK TO A WirB. 250. Having iiuMitiunttd a cum of laf< fecnnditp, I will now brinj,' foruiird a case that cauio under my notice, of early fecund it 1/ — iu which a girl Imd three confine- ments before she w;iH 21 years of u^'e ! She was married at 14 — her husband boin;,' only 15 yearo old ! 251. In very warm climates, such as in Abyssinia and in India, girls me' .4ruato when very young, — at ten or eleven years oid ; indeed, they are sometimes mothers at those ages.* But whfii it commence^ early, it leaves early ; so that they are old women at thirty. " Physically, we know that there is a very large lati- tude of diiference in the periods of human maturity, not merely between individual and individual, but also between nation and nation — differences so great, that in some southern regions of Asia we hear of matrons at the age of twelve."! Dr Montgomery :|: brings forward some interesting cases of early maturity. He says — ■ " Bruce mentions that in Abyssinia he has frequently seen mothers of eleven years of ago ; and Dunlop wit- nessed the same in Bengal. I)r Goodeve, Professor of ^lidwifery iu Calcutta, in reply to a query on the sub- ject, said — ' The earliest age at which I have hiown a Hindu woman bear a child is ten years, but I have heard of one at nine.' " 252. In cold climates, such as Russia, women begin to menstruate late in life, frequently not until they are * It is vory unusual, in this climate, for a girl to became a mother until she be seventeen or eighteen years of age. A caso has just occurred, hnwever (1868), where a girl became a mother before she reached her eleventh year. "Our correspondent, Dr King, of liiK'lifort, Kssex, has forwarded us a communication, in which he states that he recr;ully attended the conf-nement of a girl under elovfiu years of age. The mother and infant are both well. Dr King verified the fact by an inspection of the girl's register of birth. This is probably the youngest example on record, anc. we earnestly hope that it may continue to be so, for it manifest: a depraved precocity which is tmly lamentable iu a Christian country." — Lancet. t De Quincey. X Exposition of the Signs and Symptoms of Pregnancy. MnXSTHUATTON — CEASES KS PRKGN,<'^'T. 9fi between twcnly and thirty years old ; and us it loflta on thoin thirty or thirty-live years, it is not an unusiuil occurrence for thoni to Ijear children at a very advanced ago — even so lato aa sixty. Thoy are frequently not *' regular " oftener than three or four times a year, and when it does occur, the raenHtrual discharge is generally •paring In quantity. S.'iS. The menstrual fluid is not exactly blood, al- though, both in appearance and in properties, it much resembles it ; yet it never in the healthy state clots aa blood does. It is a secretion from the womb, and, when healthy, ought to bo of a bright red colour, in appear^ ance very much like blood from a recently cut hnger.* 264. The menstrual fluid ought not, as before ob- served, to clot. If it does, a lady, during " her periods," sulFers intense pain ; moreover, she seldom ccmceives until the clotting has ceased. Application must there- fore, in such a case, be made to a medical man, who will soon relieve the above painful symptoms, and, by doing so, will probably pave the way to her becoming pregnant. 255. Menstruation ceases entirely in pregnancy, du^ ing suckling, and usually both in diseased and in dis- ordered states of the womb. It also cease- in cases of extreme debility, and in severe illness, especi dly in con- sumption ; indeed, in the latter disease — consumption — it is one of the most unfavourable of the symptoms. 256. It has been asserted, and by men of great ex- perience, that sometimes a woman menstruates during pregnancy. In this assertion I cannot agree ; it appears utterly impossible that she should be able to do so. The moment she conceives, the neck of the womb be- • The cataraenial discharge, as it issues from the uterai [womb], appears to be nearly or quite identical with ordinary blood ; but in its passage through the vngina it becomes mixed with the acid mucus exuded frf>in its walls, which oauaUy de- prives it of the power of ooaj^ulating. If the discharge should be profuse, however, a portion of its fibr'n remains unaflTected, •ud clotfi are formed." — Vr CarpenUr's Huvian Physiology, m. 'ii^m 'I vw^i*m V6 •OVtOP! TO A wim F' i: ..N>me8 plugged up by meanr? of mucus ; it is in fact, hermetically sealed. There certainly is sometimes a slight red discharge, looking very much like menstrual fluid, and coming on at her monthly periods ; but being usually very sparing in quantity, and lasting only a day or so, and sometimes only for an hour or two ; but this discharge does not come from the cavity of, but from some small vessels at the mouth of, the womb, and i« not menstrua] fluid at all, but a few drops of real blood. If this discharge came from the cavity of the womb, it would probably lead to a m-bcaiTiage. My old respected and talented teacher, the iate Dr D. Davis,* declared that it would be quite impossible during pregnancy ior rr«?n8truiition to occur. He considered that the discharge which was taken for menstruation arose from the rupture of some small vessols about the mouth of the womb. 257. Some ladies, though comparatively few, men- struate during suckling ; when they do, it may be con- sidered not as the rule, but as the exception. It is said, in such instances, that they are more likely to conceive ; and no doubt they are, as menstruation is an indication of a proueness to conception. Manv persons have an idea that when a woman, during lactation, joenstruates, Vier milk is both sweeter and purer. Such is an error. Menstruation during suckling is more likely to weaken the mother, and consequently to deteriorate her milk, and thus make it less sweet and less pure. It therefore behoves a parent never to take a wet uurse who menstru ates during the period of suckling. 258. During " the monthly periods," violent exercise is injurious ; iced drinks and acid beverages are improper ; and bathing in the sea, and bathing the feet in cold water, and cold baths, are dangerous ; indeed, at such times as theae, no risks should be run, and no experiments should, for one moment, be peimitted, othorwiso serious con- sequepoes will, in all probability, ensue. " The monthly * i^t incnd D. Davis was physician-accouohear in iitt««daaaa tfe thfl >n»^K of her present MtvieHtr; . MENSTRUATION — THR OITINC OF OIW. 07 ^.eriods" are times not be trifled with, or woe hetide tfie unfortunate trifler I 259. A laily sometimes suffers severe pains l)oth jHist before and during her " pooriy " times. When such be the case, she seldom conceives until the pain be ramoved. She ought therefore to apply to a medical man, as relief may soon be obtained When she is freed from the pain, she will, in all probability, in due time, becomo enceinte. 260. If a married woman have painful menstruation, •ven if she become pregnant, she is more likely, in the early stage, to miscarry. This is an important considera- tion, and requires the attention of a doctor skilled in such matters. 261. The pale, colourless complexion, helpless, listless, and almost lifeless young ladies, that are so constantly seen in society, usually owe their miserable state of health eithen* to absent, to deficient, or to profuse menstni- ation. Their breathing is short — they are soon " out of breath ; " if they attempt to take exercise — to walk, for instance, piither up stairs or up a hill, or even for half a mile on level ground, their breath is nearly exliausted — thi pant as though they had been running quickly. Th' are ready, after the slightest exertion or fatigue, and at> the least worry or excitement, to feel faint, and sometimes even to actually swoon away. Now such cases may, if judicially treated, be generally soon cured. It therefoi-e behoves mothers to seek early for their girls medical aid, and that before irreparable mischief has been done to the constitution. How many a poor girl might, if this advice had been early followed, have been saved from consump- tion, and from an untimely grave, and made a useful member of society j but, alas ! like many other things in this world, mothers will not "^ hearken unto counsel " until it be too late — too late ; and then, at the eleventh hour, doctors are expected to work miracles ! 262. There is an evil practice, which, as it is very general, requires correction, namely, the giving of gin by a mother to her daughter at the commencement of each [ 98 ADTIOB TO ▲ WTFB. of " her periods ; " more especially if she be ir much pain. Thia practice often leads a girl to love spirits — to become, in course of time, a drunkard. There aw other remedies, not at all injurious, that medical men give at these times, and which will afford both speedier and more effectual relief than gin. 263. If a single lady, who is about to be married, have either painful, or scanty, or too pale, or too dark menstruation, it is incumbent on either her mother or a female friend to consult, two or three months before the marriage take place, an experienced medical man on her case ; if this be not done, she will most likely, after marriage, either labour under ill-health, or be afflicted with barrenness, or, if she do conceive, be prone to mis- carry. 264. In a pale delicate girl or wife, who is labouring under what is popularly called poverty of blood, the menstrual fluid is sometimes very scant, at others very copious, but is, in either case, usually very pale — almost as colourless as water; the patient being very nervous and even hysterical. Now, these are signs of great debility ; but, fortunately for such an one, a medical man is, in tlie majority of cases, in possession of remedies that will soon make her all right again. 265. A delicate girl has no rig^t, until she be made strong, to marry. If bhe should marry, she will fre- quently, when in labour, not have strength, unless she has the help of man. to bring a child uito the world ; which, provided she be healthy and well-formed, ought not to be. How graphically the Bible tells of delicate women not having strength to bring children into the world : " For the children are come to the birth, and here is not strength to bring forth." — 2 Kings xix. 3. 266. The menstrual discharge, as before remarked, ought, if healthy, to be of the colour of blood — of fresh, unclotted blood. If it be either too pale (and it some- tunes is almost colourless), or, on the other hand, if it be both dark and thick (it is occasionally as dark, and lomet ines nearly an thick, as treacle), there will be ITPT^STKbATION — MENSTRUAL n.tJID. 99 but scant hopes of a lady conceiving. A medical man ought, therefore, at once to be consulted, who will, in the generality of cases, be able to remedy the defect. The chances are, that as soon as the defect be remedied, she will become pregnant. 267. Menstruation at another time is too sparing; this is a frequent cause of a want of family. Luckily a doctor will, \n the majdrity of cases, be able to remedy the defect, and, by tloing so, will probably be thu means of bringing the womb into a healthy state, and thus predispose her to become a mother. 268. A married lady is v^.ry subject to the " whites ;" the more there will be of the " wliites" the less there will usually be of the menstrual discharge ; — so that in a bad case of the " whites" menstniutioii might entirely cease, until proper means be used both to restrain the one and to bring back the other. Indeed as a rule, if "the periods," by proper treatment, be healthily established and restored, the " whites " will often cease of themselves. Deficient menstruation is a frequent cause of the " whites," and the consequent failure of a family ; and as defunent menstruation is usually curable, a medical man ought, in all such cases, to be consulted. 269. "The periods" at other times are either too pro- fuse or too long continued. Either the one or the other is a frequent source of barrenness, and is also weakening to the constitution, and thus tends to bring a lady into a bad state of health. This, like the former cases, by judicious management, may generally be rectified ; and being rectified, will in all probability result in the wife becoming a mother. 270. The colour of the menstrual fluid, when not healthy, sometimes varies at each period, and at difierent periods ; some of it might be very dark — almost black, some bright red — as from a cut finger, and some of a greenish hue. Sometimes it might last but one day, sometimes a couple of days, at other times throe or four days, and even a week — there being no certainty in it • mm 100 ADVIOB TO ▲ WIFB, 4 i sometimes it might leave for a while, and then, might, upon the slightest worry, or anxiety, or excitement, return again ; bo that a lady, in such a case, may he said to he scarcely ever properly clear of "her periods." During the interval — if there be an interval — she is troubled with *' the whites ; " so that, in point of fact, she is never free from either the one or the other, making her feel nervous, dispirited, and even hysterical ; giving her pains of the left side, under the short ribs ; filling her with flatulence; racking her with nturalgic pains, first in one place, and then in another, so that at one time or another scarcely any part of the body but either is, or has been, more or less affected ; producing dragging pains loand and down loins and hips ; causing palpita- tation Ox the heart, making her fancy that she has a disease of the heart, when she has nothing of the kind — when it is the womb, and not the heart that is really at fault, and which will, if properly treated, be cured. " The whites " and " the periods " together terribly drain her system, and weaken her nervous energy exceedingly, causing her to be totally unfit for her duties, and making her life a toil and trouble. Now this is a wretched state of affairs, and while it lasts there is, of course, not the vslightest chanc? either of health or of a family. I siiould advise such an one to apply to a doctor expe- rienced in such matters, who will be able to restore the womb to a healthy state, and thus bring back healthy menstruation, which, in due time, might lead to preg- nancy. But if she put off attending to the symptoms just described, continued ill-health, chronic dyspepsia, and barrenness will, for the rest of her life, be her portion. The above sketch of one of a numerous class of similar cases is not overdrawn ; indeed, many of my fair readers will recognise the above picture? as one painted from the very life — which it really has been. 271. When a lady is neither pregnant nor " regular," she ought immediately to apply to a doctor, as she may depend upou it there is something wrong about her. MENSTRUATION — ALCOHOL CAUSES nYSTBBU. 101 and that she is not likely to become encnlnte* until menstruaiion be projierly establishsd. As soon as men- struation be duly and healthily established, pregnancy will most likril)', in duo time, ensue. 272. When a lady is said to be " regular," it is understood that she is "regular" as to " quality " aj\d quantity, and time. If she be only " regular " as to the time, and the quantity be either deficient or in excess ; or, if she be " regular " as to the time, and the quality be bad, either too pale or too dark ; or if she be *• regular " as to the quality and quantity, and be irregular as to the time, she cannot be well, and the sooner means are adopted to rectify the evil, the better it will be both for her health and for her happiness. 273. A neglected miscarriage is a frequent cause of unliealthy menstruation; and until the womb, and in consequence, "the periods," by judicious medical treat- ment, be made healthy, there is indeed but scant chance of a family. 274. 1 have no doubt that alcohol, among fashionable ladies, and which they take in quantities — "to keep them up to the mark," as they call it — is one great cause of hysteria; ladies who never taste brandy, and but one or, at most, two glasses of sherry, daily, seldom labour under hysteria. And why is it so ; Alcohol, at all in excess, depresses the system, and thus predisposes it to hysteria, and to other nervous all'ections. 275. A lady who is not a votary of fashion, and who is neither a brandy-drinker or a wine-bibber, may have hysteria — one, for instance, who has naturally a delicate • With regard to the origin oi the word enceirUe, Dr Mont- gomery, in his valuable Ex][>osition of the Sigrs and Symptomt of Pregnancy, observes: — " Many a one who confesses with a smile or a blush, that she is encientc, would do well to remember the origin of the word she uses. It wan the habit of the Roman ladies to wear a tight girdle or cincture round their waists ; but when pregnancy occurred, they were re 108 ADVIOB TO A WIFH. I! M m fully studied, and ft« T fllmll liave to go over thorn In n sub Bequont j)iirt nl this book, I ]iv.^ to ref(5r my fair readers to those pani^T.iidis; 1 am alluding, of course, to the othor Byniptoms described besides cessation of menstruation. 300. " Tftf periods:" whether, it being "change of life," they have for some time heeu "dndging" her, as it is called — that is to say, whether " tlu^ porioils " are not coming on regularly as was their wont — either taking place more frequensly or less frequently, in larger quan- tities or in smaller (piantities, than they were aceustomed to do ; in pf»int of fact, the patient is now ncitner " regular" either as to time or as to quantity, but varying, in a most uncertain manner, in hoth respects. 301. Hid sudden gewral falneHsnftJie palient: a lady in " change of life " frequently hecomes suddenly fat ; there is not a bone to be seen — she is cushioned in fat — her chin especially fattens — it becomes a double chin — she is " as fat as butter ; " while a patient, who is preg- nant, particularly when late in life, frequently becomes, except in the belly, thin and attenuated ; her features — her nose and chin esjiecially — having a pinched and pointed appearance, very different to the former case. 302. (By way of parenthesis I might say, — There is one consolation for a lady who has a child late in life, namely, it frequently, after it is over, does her health great good, and makes " change of life " to i)ass off more favourably and kindly than it otherwise would have done. A lady who late in life is in the family , way requires consolation, for she usually suffers, at such times, very disagreeable symptoms, which make her feel very wretched. So that for her there is often — as there is in most all other affairs in the world — compensation !) 303. The general state of the health must be taken into consideration. The patient may neither be preg- nant, nor be labouring under the symptoms of " change of life," alone ; but there may be ether causes in opera- tion as well, namely, threatening symptoms of a diseased womb, indicated by bearing-down of the womb, by wvere '* whites," and by other disagreeable dischargea i^' '• MBNHT ftUATIOH — OHANOR OF LITIL 109 \ from 'he womb ; which will n>quiro the care and treat- ment of a medical man skilled in such matters, to cure or to relievo. A doctor should, in all doubtful cases, bo at once consulted, as early treatment, in womb aifeo- tions, in a groat element of success. 304. It should be borne in mind, too, that diseHses of the womb are very apt to show themselves at " change of life," more especially when a lady has never had a child. These facts should make a wife, at such times, doubly tliligent, as " to bo forewarned is to be forearmed," and thus to be, in all doubtful cases, prepared, by call- ing in advice in time, for any and for every emergency and contingency that may arise. How much misery and ill-health might, if this counsel wore followed, be averted ! The womb is the cause of much, indeed of most, of the bad health and suffering of ladies, not only during " change of life," but during the whole period of woman- hood — from puberty to old age ; there may be either dis- placement, or bearing-down, or disease, or disorder of the womb : — hence the importance of our subject, and the great need of careful investigation, and of early troat- m(}nt. How many people lock up the stable when tlie horse is stolen I How many persons defer applying for relief until it be too late — too late 1 OHANOE OF LIFB. 305. As soon as a lady ceases to be •* after the manner of ^vomen" — that is to say, as soon as she ceases to menstruate — it is said that she has a ** change of life ;" and if she does not take proper care, she will soon have " a change of health " to boot, which in all probability will be for the worse. " Change of life " is sometimes called " the critical period." It well deserves its name — it is one of the critical periods of a woman's life, and oftentimes requires the counsel of a doctor experienced in such matters to skilfully treat 306. After a period of about thirty years* continua- tion of " the periods," a woman ceases to menatrtia U ■ no ▲DVIOB TO A Win. ■Ill - that is to say, when she is about forty-four or forty-five years of age, and, occasionally, as late in life as when she is forty-eight years of age, she has " change of life," or, as it is sometimes called, " a turn of years " — " the turn of life." Now, before thi£ takes place, she often- times becomes very " irregular ; " she is at oub time " unwell " before her proper period ; at another time, either before or after ; so that it becomes a dodging time with her — as it is styled. In a case of this kind menstru- ation is sometimes very profuse ; it is at another very sparing ; it is occasionally lights-coloured — almost colour- less ', it is sometimes as red as from a cut finger ; while it is now and then as black as ink, and as thick as treacle. 307. When a lady is about having " change of life," violent flooding is apt to come on — as profuse as though she were miscarrying. Thus violent flooding is often the Unale of her " periods," and she sees no move of them. 308. Others again, more especially the active and abstemious, sufier so little at " change of life," that, with- out any premonitory symptoms whatever, it suddenly, in due time, leaves them — they, the while, experiencing neither pain nor inconvenience. 309. A lady in " change of life " usually begins to feed : fat more especially accumulates about the bosom and about the belly — thus giving her a matronly appear- ance, and, now and then, m.'iking her believe that she is enceinte^ especially if the wish be father to the thought. So firmly has she sometimes been convinced of her being in an interesting condition, that she has actually prepared baby-linen for the expected event, and has even engaged her monthly nurse. Now, it would be well, before such an one have made up her mind that she be really pregnant, to consult an experienced doctor in the matter, and then her mind will be set at rest, and all unpleasant gossip and silly jokes will be silenced. Skilled, knowledge, in every doubtful case, is the only knowledge worth the having ; the opinion of old women, \xL such matters, is indeed of scant value 1 1 "'y- MBNSTRUATIOV— <;HAN0B OF LIFE 111 i-".)' 810. She has peculiar pams, sometimes iu one j)liicu and then in another ; the head is often affected, at one time the back, at another time the froat, over her eyes j Kght and noiae having but little or no effect in aggra- vating the headache. She is very " nervous," as it is called, and b.a2 frequent flutterings of the heart, and sudden flushings of the face and neck — causing her to become, to her great annoyance, as red as a peony I 311. She has swellings and pains of her breast, so as often to make her fancy that she has some malignant tumour there. She is troubled much with flatulence, and with pains, sometimes on the right, and at other times on the left side of the belly; the flatulence is occasionally most outrageous, so as to cause her to shun society, and to make her life almost burdensome ; she has not only " wind " in th* bowels, but " wind " in the fitomach, which frequently rises up to her throat, making her sometimes hysterical ; indeed, she is often hysterical — a little thing making her laugh and cry, or both the one and the other in a breath ! She has frequently pains in her left side — in the region of the short ribs. She has pains in her back — in the lower part of her back, and low down in her belly. 312. The nose is, at these times, very much inclined to bleed, more especially at what was formerly her " periods : " liere nature is doing all she can to relieve her, and, therefore, should not unnecessarily be meddled with ; but the nose should be allowed to bleed on, unless, indeed the bleeding be very profuse. 313. Eruptions of the skin, more especially on the face, are at such «lmes very apt to occur, so as to make a perfect fright of a comely women : there is one com- fort for her, the eruption, with judicious treatment, will gradually disappc^/, leaving no blemish behind. 314. The above dymptoms, either a few or all of them, are, in " change of life," of common occurrence, and require the assistance of a doctor experienced in ■ach matters. If the above symptoms be neglected, 9000 us consequences might, and most likely will ensue ; mmm mmm 119 ADYICn TO ▲ WIFB. m while, on the other hand, if they he properly treated, such eymptoms will gradually subside, leaving her in excellent health — better, probably, than she has been in for years, more especially if her constitution had been previously weakened by repeated childbirths. 315. Fat is apt, at these times, to accumulate about the throat and about the chin — giving her a double-chin. There is oftentimes, too, a slight indication of a beard. 316. We soiuetimes hear of a lady being " fat, fair and forty." Now, when a wife, at the age of forty, suddenly becomes very fat, however "fair" she may be, and she is often very fair, she seldom has any more family, even though she be " regular " — the sudden fatness often denoting premature " change of life." If such an one had, before the fat had accumulated, taken more out-door exercise, she would, in all probability, have kept her fat down, and woulil thus have prevented premature "change of life." Active, bustling women \re seldom very fat, and sometimes have " their periods " mtil they are 48 years of age ; indeed they occasionally bear children at that age, and have splendid confine- ments. How true it is, that luxurious living and small families, and hard and tedious labours and premature decay, generally go hand in hand together ! But so it is, and so it always will bo ; luxury draws heavy bills on the constitutioL, which must eventually be paid, and that with heavy and with compound interest. 317. Bleeding piles are very apt to occur in " change of life ; " they frequently come on periodically. Now, bleeding piles, at such times as these, may bg considered a good sign, as an effort of nature to relieve herself, and to be very beneficial to health, and therefore ought not, unless very violent, to be interfered with, and certainly not without the consent of a judicioua medical man. Meddling with nature is a dangerous matter, and is a hazardous game to play ! 318. When " change of life " is about, and during the time, and for sometime afterwards, a lady labounr binder %t times, as above stated, great flushings of heat ; 8£« am .-I'ti mnrBTRUATION— ohangb. lis rl It were, blushes all over ; she goes very hot and red, almost scarlet, then perspires, and afterwards becomes cold and chilly. These flushings occur at very irregular periods ; they might come on once or twice a day, at other times only once or twice a week, and occasionally only at what would have been her " periods." These flushings might be looked upon as rather favourable symptoms, and as a struggle of nature to relieve herself through the skin. These flushings are occasionally attended with hysterical symptoms. A little appropriate medicine is for these flushings desirable. A lady while labouring under these heats is generally both very much annoyed and distressed ; but she ought to comfort her- self with the knowledge that they are in all probability doing her good service, and that they might be warding o£f from some internal organ of her body serious mischiefs. 319. **Changeof life" is then one of the most im- portant periods of a lady's existence, and generally determines whether, for the rest of her days, she shall either be healthy or otherwise ; it therefore imperatively behoves her to pay attention to the subject, and in ail cases, when it is about taking place, to consult a medical man, who will, in the majority of cases, be of great benefit to her, as he will be able not only to relieve the symptoms above enumerated, but to ward off many im portant and serious diseases to which she would other- wise be liabl . When " change of life " ends favour- ably, which, if properly managed, it most likely will do, she may improve in constitution, and may really enjoy better health and spirits, and more comfort than she has done for many previous years. A lady who has durinj.' her wifehood eschewed fashionable society, and whc has lived simply, plainly, and sensibly, who has avoidf^(^ brandy-drinking, and who has taken plenty of out-dofrr exercise, will during the autumn and winter of her exist ence reap her reward by enjoying what is the greatest earthly blessing — health I Not only her health will be established, but her comeliness and youthfulnesA will 8 I 114 ▲DVIOI TO A Win. L». m ii I ■ -■ ^M be prolonged. Although she might not have the fresh* nees and bloom of youth — which is very evanescent — ahe will probably have a beauty of her own — which ie oft-times more lasting than that of youth — telling of a well-spent life ^ And y«t 'tis said, there's beantv that will last When the rose withers and the bloom be past." — Crabbe. 320. It is surprising how soon a fashionable life plants crow-feet on the face and wrinkles on the brow ; indeed, a fashfonist becomes old before her time ; and not only old, but querulous and dissatisfied ; nothing ag3S the countenance, sours the temper, and interferes with " the critical period," more than a fashionable life. Fashion is a hard, and cruel, and exacting creditor, who will be paid to the uttermost farthing — " See the wild purchase of the bold and rain, Whose every bliss is bonght with equal pain." — JuMtuxl. 321. With regard to wine as a stimulant during * change of life," let me raise my voice loudly against the abuse of wine ; and wine, beyond two glasses daily, becomes, during the period of " change of life," an abuse. There is a great temptation for a lady during that time to drink wine, for she feels weak and de- pressed, and wine gives her temporary relief ; but, aleis 1 it is only temporary relief — the excitement from wine is evanescent, and aggravated depression and increased weakness are sure to follow in the train of the abuse of wine. 322. Although many women at "change of life" de-. rive benefit from one, or at most two, glasses of sherry, some ladies at 3uch times are better without any stitnu- lant whatever. When such be the case, let them be thorough teetotallers. A tumblerful or two of fresh milk during the twenty-four hours is, for those who eannot take wine, an excellent substitute. PART II PEEGNANCY. Of the fruit of thy body—TE* PsAUOl TTie fruitful 9tn«— Tbb Psajlus, ITie fruit of the womfr— Gknbsis. The children which were yet unborn—Tan PlAUMt ITiy children teithin thee— Ta% Psauul SIGNS OF PREGNANCY. 'i i '^^ 323. The first sign that leads a lady to suspect thai ihe is pregnant is her ceadng-to-be-unwell. This, pro- vided she has just before been in good health, is a strong symptom of pregnancy ; but still there must be others to corroborate it. 324. A healthy married woman, during the period op child-bearing, b^jAAqtAj ceasing-to-heunioell is of itself alone almost a sure and certain sign of pregnancy — requiring but little else besides to confirm it. This fact is well known by all who have had children — they base their predictions and their calculations upon it, and upon it alone, and are, in consequence, seldom deceived. 325. But as ceasing -to-he-umoell may proceed from other causes than that of pregnancy — such as disease or disorder of the womb, or of other organs of the body — especially of the lungs — it is not by itself alone entirely to be depended upon \ although, as a single sign, it is— especially if the patient be healthy — the most reliable of all the other ngns of pregnanGgr* f 119 ABVIOB TO A WIFHL 826. The next symtom is moming-siclmesi. This is one of the earliest 83rintom8 of pregnancy ; as it some- times occurs a few days, and indeed generally not later than a fortnight or three weeks after conception. Morning-sickness is frequently distressing, oftentimes amounting to vomitinft and causing a loathing of break- fast. This sign usually disappears after the first three or four months. Morning-sickness ^& not always pre- sent in pregnancy; but, nevertheless, it is a frequent ar3ompanunent; and many who have had families place more reliance on this than on any orther symtom. Morning-sickness is one of the earliest, if not the very earliest, symtom of pregnancy, and is, by some ladies, taken as their starting-point from which to commence making their "count" 327. Morning-sickness, then, if it does not arise from a disordered stomach, is one of the most trustworthy signs of pregnancy. A lady who has once had moming- tickness can always for the future distinguish it from each and from every other sickness ; it is a peculiar sick- ness, which no other sickness can simulata Moreover, it is emphatically a moming-siekness — the patient being, as a rule, for the rest of the day entirely free from sick- ness or from the feeling of sickness. 228. A third symtom is shooting, throbbing, and lancinating pains, and enlargement of the breast, mth soreness of the nipples, occurring about the second month, and in some instances, after the first few months, a small quantity of watery fiuid, or a little milk, may be squeezed out of theuL This latter symptom, in a first pregnancy, is valuable, and can generally be relied on as conclusive that the female is pregnant. It is not so valuable in an after pregnancy, as a little milk might, even should she not be pregnant, remain in the breasts for some months after she has weaned her child. 329. Milk in the breast — however small it might be in quantity — is, especially in a first pregnancy, a very reliable sign ; indeed, I might go so far as to say, a eejrtain sign of pregnanQ^ . !ii I PREONANCY — MARK ROUND NIPPLia. 117 330. The veina of the breast look more blue, and are consequently more conapicuoua than usual, giving the bosom a mottled appearance. The broasta themselves are firmer and more knotty to the touch. The nipples, in the majority of cases, look more healthy than customary, and are somewhat elevated and enlarged; there is generally a alight moisture upon their surface, sufficient in some instancea to mark the linen. 331. A dark-brown areola or disc may usually be noticed around the nipple,* the change of colour com- mencing about the second month. The tint at first is light brown, which gradually deepens in intensity, until towards the end of pregnancy the colour may be very dark. Dr Montgomery, who has paid great attention to the subject, observes : " During the progress of the next two or three months the changes in the areola are in general perfected, or nearly so, and then it presents the following characters : — A circle around the nipple, whose colour varies in intensity according to the particular complexion of the individual, being usually much darker in persons with black hair, dark eyes, and sallow skin, than in those of fair hair, light-coloured eyes, and deli- cate complexion. The area of this circle varies in diameter from an inch to an inch and a half, and in- creases in most persons as pregnancy advances, as does also the depth of colour." The dark areola is somewhat swollen. " There is," says Dr Montgomery, " a puffy turgescence, not only of the nipple, but of the whole surrounding disc." 332. A dark-broton areola or mark around the nipple is one of tho die';inguishing signs of pregnancy — more especially of a.Jirst pregnancy. "Women wIid have had large families, seldom, even when they are not enceinte, lose this mark entirely; but when they are pregnant, it * ••William Hunter had such faith in this sign that he always asserted that he could judge by it alone whether or not • womPTi was pregnant" — Signs and Diseases qf Pregnancy (D» Tajiuef), ■CTP I'l-f tli; 118 ADVIOE TO A WTFBV r 1.^ ii i;i b more Intensely dark — the darkest brown — especially If they be brunettes. 3? 3. A fourth symptom is quickening. This gene- rally occurs about the completion of the fourth calenda;r month ; frequently a week or two before the end of that period, at other times a week or two later. A lady sometimes quickens as early as the third month, while others, although rarely, quicken as late as the fifths and, in very rare eases^ the sixth month. It will there- fore be seen that there is an uncertainty as to the period of quickening, although, as I before remarked, the usital period occurs either on or more frequently a week or two before the completion of XIdlQ fourth calendar month of pregnancy. 334. Quickening is one of the most important signs of pregnancy, and one of the most valuable, as the moment ehe quickens, as a rule, she first feels the motion of the child, and at the same time, she suddenly becomes increased in size. Quickening is a proof that she is nearly half her time gone ; and if she be liable to mis- carry, quickening makes her more safe, as she is less likely to miscarry after than before she has quickened. 335. A lady at thia time frequently either feels faint or actually faints away ; she is often either giddy, or sick, or nervous, and in some instances even hysterical ', although, in rare cayes, some women do not even know the precise time when they quicken. 336. The sensation of " quickening " is said by many ladies to resemble the fluttering of a bird ; by others it is likened to either a heaving, or beating, or rearing, or leaping sensation, accompanied sometimes with a frightened feeling. These flutterings, or heavings, or beatings, or leapings, after the first day of quickening, usually come on half or a dozen times a day, although it might happen for days together, the patient does not feel the movement of the child at all, or if she does, but very slightly. 337. The more frequent description a lady, when she has flrtt " quickened," gives of her feelings, ia, that It is PRKONANOT - QUICKENING. Ill ^1 Si more like " the flutteiings of a bird ;" when she is about another month gone with child — that is to say, in hei sixth month — that it more resembles " a leaping in the womb," or, in the expressive language of the Bible, " the babe leaped in her womb." The difference of the sensation between "fluttering" and "leaping" might in this wise be accounted for : the child between four and five months is scarcely old enough, or strong enough, to leap — he is only able to flutter ; but, when the mother is in the sixth month (as the case recorded in the Holy Scriptures), the child is stronger, and he is able to leap : hence the reason why he at first flutters, and after a time leaps I 338. *' Quickening " arises from the ascent of the womb higher into the belly, as, from the increased size, there is not room for it below. Moreover, another cause of quickening is, the child has reached a further stage of development, and has, in consequence, become stronger both in its muscular and nervous structure, so as to have strength and motion of his limbs, powerful enough to kick and plunge about the womb, and thus to give the sensation of " quickening." The old-fashioned idea was that the chUd was not alive until a woman hac' quick- ened. This is a mistaken notion, as he is alive, or " quick," from the very commencement of his formation. 339. Hence the heinous and damnable sin of a single woman, in the early months of pregnancy, using means to promote abortion : it is as much murdei as though the child were at his full time, or as though he were butchered when he was actually bom 1 An attempt, then, to procure abortion is a crime of the deepest dye, vi2., a heinous murder ! It is attended, moreover, with fearful consequences to the mother's own health j it may either cause her immediate death, or it may so grievously injure her constitution that she might never recover from the shock. If these fearful consequences ensue, she ought not to be pitied ; she richly deserves them all Our profession ih a noble one, and every qualified mem- ber of it would scorn uid detest the very idM •ith«K «f 190 ADTIOl TO ▲ WIF& I promoting or of procuring an abortion ; but there are unqualified villains who practise the damnable art. Transportation, if not hanging, ought to be their doouL The seducers, who often assist and abet them in theit nefarious practices, should share their punishment. 340. Dr Taylor, on the " legal relations " of abortion, gives, in his valuable work on Medical Jurisjjrudence, the following : — " The English law relative to criminal abortion is laid down in the statute 1 Vict. c. Ixxxv. § 6. By it, capital punishment, which formerly depended on whether the female had quickened or not, is abolished. The words of the statute are as follows : — ' Whosoever, with the intent to procure the miscarriage of any woman, shall unlawfully administer to her, or cause to be taken by her, any poison or other noxious thing, or shall unlawfully use any instrument or other means whatso- ever with the like intent, shall be guilty of felony, and being convicted thereof, shall be liable, at the discretion of the court, to be transported beyond the seas for the term of his or her natural life, or for any term not less than fifteen years, or to be imprisoned for any term not exceeding three years.' " 341. Flatulence has sometimes misled a young wife to fancy that she has quickened ; but, in determining whether she be pregnant, she ought never to be satisfied with one symptom alone ; if she be, she will frequently be misled. The following are a few of the symptoms that will distinguish the one from the other : — In flatulence, the patient is small one hour and large the next ; while in pregnancy the enlargement is persistent, and daily and gradually increases. In flatulence, on pressing the bowels firmly, a rumbling of wind may be heard, which will move about at will ; while the enlargement of the womb in pregnancy is solid, resistent, and stationary. In flatulence, on tapping — percussing — the belly, there will be a hollow sound elicited an from a drum ; while in pregnancy it will be a dull, heavy sound, as from thrumming on a table. In flatulence, if the points of the fingers be firmly pressed into the belly, the wind PBEONANOT — KMAOIATION, VTO. 131 ■ will wobble about ; in pregnancy, they will be re8iflte4 as by a wall of fleah. 342. The fifth aymptom is, immediately after the quickening, increaMd size, and hardnPM of the bully. An accumulation of fat covering the belly has sometimes led a lady to suspect that she is pregnant; but the soft and doughy ff'oling of the fat is very different to the hard- ness, solidity, and resistance of the pressure of preg- nancy. 343. Increased size and hardness of the belly is very characteristic of pregnancy. When a lady is not preg- nant the belly is soft and flaccid ; when she is pregnant, and after she has quickened, the belly, over the region of the womb, is hard and resisting. 344. The sixth symptom is poiitiaij or jyrotrtmon of the navel. This aymptom does not occur until some time after a lady have quickened ; indeed, for the first two months of pregnancy the navel is drawn in and depressed. As the pregnancy advances, the navel gradually comes more forward. " The navel, according to the progress of the pregnancy, is constantly emerg- ing, till it comes to an even surface with the integu- ments of the abdomen [belly] ; and to this circumstance much regard is to be paid in cases of doubtful preg- nancy." — Dr Denman. 345. The seventh symptom is emaciation: ths face, especially the nose, pinched and pointed; features altered; a pretty woman becoming, for a time, plain ; these un- becoming appearances generally occur in the early months, the face, as the pregnancy advances, gradually resuming its pristine comeliness. Emaciation, of course, may, and does occur from other causes besides those of pregnancy ; but still, if there be emaciation, together with other signs of pregnancy, it tends to confirm the patient in her convictions that she is enceinte. 346. Many a plump lady, then, tells of her pregnancy by her sudden emaciation. There is one comfort — as Boon as the pregnancy is over, if not before, the bodj usually regains iU former plumpness. h', 12S ADTTOB TO A WIWM. 847. The eighth Bymptom is irritahility of the bladder^ which ifl, sometimes, one of the early signs of pregnancy, as it is, likewise, frequently one of the early symptoms of laboar. The irritability of the bladder^ in early pregnancy, is oftentimes rery distressing and very pain fill — the patient being disturbed from her sleep several times in the night to make water — making generally but a few drops at a time. This symptom usually leaves her as soon as she has quickened ; to return again — but, in this latter instance, usually without pain — just before the commencement of labour. 348. There is very little to be done, in such cases, in the way of relief. One of the best remedies is, — a small toaspoonful of Sweet Spirits of Nitre (Sp. iEthor. x^'it.) in a wine-glassful of water, taken at bed-time. Drinking plentifully, as a beverage, of barley water with Best Gum Arabic dissolved in it — half an ounce of gum to every pint of barley water — the gum arabic being dissolved in the barley water by putting them both in a saucepan over the fire, and stirring the while until the gum be dissolved. This beverage may be sweetened ac- cording to taste, either with sugar-candy or with lump sugar. 349. SleejnnesSf Jieartburriy increased flow of saliva (amounting, in some cases, even to salivation), toothache, loss of appetite, longings, excitability of mind,liver- or sul- phur-coloured patches on the skin, and likes and dislikes in eating, — either the one or the other of these symptoms frequently accompany pregnancy j but, as they might arise from other causes, they are not to be relied on further than this — thr if the\ attend the more certain signs of pregnancy, suih as cessation of being " regular/' morning sickness, pains and enlarritement of and milk in the breasts, the gradually darkening brown areola or mark around the nipple, &c., they will then make assurance doubly sure, and a lady may know fo certain that she is pregnant.* * This work is exclusively intended for the penual of wivM PREONAKOT — LOBb OV APPITm. r23 350. SleepiuMa often accompanies pregnancy— ^e p-tient being able to sleep in season and out of season— oiten falling asloep while in company, so that she can scarcely keep her eyes open ! 351. Heartburn. — Some pregnant ladies are much afflicted with heartburn ; for affliction it assuredly is ; but heartburn, na a rule, although very disagreeable, is rather a sign that the patient will go her time. More- over, heartburn is very amenable to treatment, and is generally much relieved by ammonia and soda — a pre- scription for which appears in these pages (see *' Heart- burn in pregnancy "). 352. Increased flmo of saliva is sometimes a symp- tom of pregnancy, amounting, in rare cases, to regular salivation — the patient being, for a time, in a pitiable condition. It lasts usually for days; but, sometimes, even for weeks, and is most disagreeable, but is not at all dangerous. 353. Toothache is a frequent sign of pregnancy — pregnancy being often vory destructive to the teeth — destroying one with every child ! 354. Loss of appetite. — Some ladies have, during pregnancy — more especially during the early months — wretched appetites; they regularly loathe their food, and dread the approach of meal-times. While others, on the contrary, eat more heartily during pregnancy than at any other period of their lives — they are absolutely ravenous, and can scarcely satisfy their hunger ! 365. The longings of a pregnant lady are sometimes truly absurd; but, like almost everything else, '* it grows I beg, however, to observe that there is one sign of pregnancy which I have not poixited out, but which to a medical man if very conclusive ; I meau the sounds of the foetal heart, indicated by the stethoscope, and which is for the first time heard some- where about the fifth month. Moreover, there are other means besides the stethoscope known to a doctor, by which he can with certainty tell whether a woman be pregnant or otherwise, but which would be quite out of plac« to describe in a popular work of this kind I 'WPWN '24 ADVIOa TO A WIFE. wpon what it ia fed." They long for sucking pig, tot the cracklings of pork, for raw carrots; and raw turnips, for raw meat — for anything and for everything that is unwholesome, and that they wi.uld at any other time loathe and turr away from in disgust. The beet plan of treatment for a pregnant lady, who has longings, to adopt is not to give way to auch longings, unless, indeed, the longings be of a harmless, simple nature, and they then will soon pass harmlessly by. 356. Excitability of mind is very common in preg- nancy, more especially if th*^- patient be delicate ; indeed, excitability is a sign of debility, and requires plenty of good nourishment, but few stimulants. 357. Likes and dislikes in toting are of frequent occurrence in pregnancy— particularly in early preg- nancy — more especially if the patient have naturally a weak digestion. If her digestion be weak, she is sure to have a disordered stomach — one following the other in regular sequence. A little appropriate medicine, from a medical man, will rectify the evil, and improve the diges- tion, and thus do away with likes and dislikes in eating. Liver- or sulphur-coloured patches on the skin — princi- pally on the face, neck, and throat — are tell-tabs of pregnancy, and, to an experienced matron, publish the fac^ that an acquaintance, thus marked, is enceinte, CLOTHING. 358. Some newly-married wives, to hide their preg. nancy from their friends and acquaintances, screw them- selves up in tight stays and in tight dresses. Now, this is not only foolish, but it is dangerous, and might cause either a miscarriage, or a premature labour, or & cross-birth, or a bearing-down of the womb. A wife, then, more especially during pregnancy, should, to the breasts and to the belly, "Give ample room and verge enough." S59. A la ly who is pr«guant ought on no account to l! ; III . .\ \. PBSONAN OT — ABLUTION. 120 wear tight dresses, as the 'child should have plenty of room. She ought to be, as enceinte signifies, incineta^ or unbound. Let the olotbes be adapted to the gradual development, both of the belly and the breasts. She must, whatever she may usually do, wear her stays loose. If there be bones in the stays, let them be removed. Tight lacing is injurious both to the mother and to the child, aTid frequently causes the former to miscarry; at another time it has produced a cross-birth ; and sometimes it has so pressed in the nipples as to prevent a proper development of them, so that where a lady has gone her time, she has been unable to suckle her infant, the attempt often causing a gathered bosom. Tliese are real misfortunes, and entail great misery both on the mother and on the child (if it has not already killed him), and ought to be a caution and a warning to every hAy for the future. But the great tiling is for a mother to begin from the beginning, and for her never to allow her daughter to wear stays at all, and then those painful consequences could not possibly ensue. If stays had never been invented, how much misery, deformity, disease, and death might have been averted 1 3fi0. The feet and the legs during pregnancy are very apt to swell and to be painful, and the veins of the legs to be largely distended. The garters ought at such times, if worn at all, to be worn slack, as tight garters are highly injurious ; tnd if the veins be very much dis- t nded, it will be necessary for her to woar a properly- adjusted eb-Btic silk stocking, made purposely to fit her foot and 1p^, and which a medical man will himself pro- cure for hflr. It is highly neoessary that a well-fitting elastic ptocking be worn j otherwise it will do more harm than good. The feet and lege, in such a case, should, during the day, be frequently rested, either on a leg-rest, or OS % footstool, or on a sofa. ABLUTIOJI. 161. A warm bath in pregnancy is too relaxing. A 126 ADVIOB TO A WIFHi tepid bath once a week is beneficial Sponging the whole of the body every morning with lukewarm water may with safety and advantage be adopted, gradually reducing the temperature of the water until it be used quite cold. The skin should, with moderately coarse towels, be quickly but thoroughly dried. 362. Either the bidet or sitz-bath* ought every morn- ing to be used. The patient should first sponge herself, and then finish up by sitting for a few seconds, or while, in the winter, she can count fifty, or while, in the sum- mer, she can count a hundred, in the water. It is better not to be long in it ; it is a slight shock that is required, which, where the sitz-bath agrees, is immedi- ately followed by an agreeable glow of the whole body. If she sit in the water for a long time, she becomes chilled and tired, and is very likely to catch cold. She ought, until she become accustomed to the cold, to have a dash of warm water added ; but the sooner she can use quite cold water the better. While sitting in the bath she should throw either a woollen shawl or a small blanket over her shoulders. She will find the greatest comfort and benefit from adopting 'he above recommen- dation. Instead of givi'^g it will prevent cold, and it will be one of the means of warding off a miscarriage, and of keeping her in good health. 363. A shower-bath in pregnancy gives too great a shock, and might induce a miscarriage. I should not recommend for a lady who is pregnant, seabathing; nevertheless, if she be delicate, and if she be prone to miscarry, change of air to the coast (provided it be not too far away from her home), and inhaling the sea- breezes, may brace her, and ward oft the tendency. But although sea-bathing be not desirable, sponging the body wit^ sea-water may be of great service to hen * The Udet may be procured of a cabinetsieker, the «ite-laa of a farnlRhing ironmonger. maxAHOT — Am and kxbroisi. UT AIB AND EXERCISE. 364. A yovsg wife, in her first pregnaney, lunially takes too long walks. This is a common cau^ of Hood- ing, of miscarriage, and of hearing-down of the wornb. As soon, therefore, as a lady has the slightest suspieion that she is enceinte, she must be careful vd the taking of exercise. 365. Although long walks are injurious, she ought not to run into an opposite extreme — short, gentle, and frequent walks during the whole period of pregnancy cannot be too strongly recommended; indeed, a lady who is enceinte ought to live half her time in the open air. Fresh air and exercise prevent many of the un- pleasant symptoDis attendant on that state ; they keep her in health ; they tend to open her bowels ; and they relieve that sensation of faintness and depression sc common and distressing in early pregnancy. 366. Exercise, fresh air, and occupation, are then essentially necessaiy in pregnancy. If they be neglected, hard and tedious labours are likely to ensue. One, and an important, reason of the easy and quick labours and rapid "gettings about" of poor women, are greatly due to the abundance of exercise and of occupation which they are both daily and hourly obliged tp get through. Why, many a poor woman thinks but little of a confine- ment, while a rich one is full of anxiety about the result Let the rich lady adopt the poor woman's industrious and abstemious habits, and labour need not then be looked forward to, as it frequently now is, either with dread or with apprehension. 367. Stooping, lifting of heavy weights, and over- reaching, ought to be carefully avoided. Running, horse-exercise, and dancing, are likewise dangerous— they frequently induce a miscarriage. 368. Indolence is most injurious in pregnancy. It is impossible for a pregnant lady, who is reclining all day on a sofa or on an easy ehair to be strong : such s W!T' IM ADVIOIB TO A WTllU m \p§W habit is most enervating to the mother, and w ■■^■41 J ii^ 132 ADVIOB TO A WIPB. in his proper place, to be in every way protected ; tha rat, in drains, is the very best of scavengers ; in a sewer he is invaluable ; in a house he is most injurious ; a rat in a sower is worth gallons of disinfectants, and will, in purifying a sewer, beat all man's inventions hollow j the maligned rat, therefore, turns out, if weighed by common- sense, to be not only one of the most useful of animals, but of public benefactors I The rat's element, then, is the sewer ; he is the king of the sewer, and should there reign supreme, and ought not to be poisoned by horrid disinfectants. 378. If a lady, while on an errand of mercy, sh. aid, In the morning, go into a poor person's bedroom after he, she, or they (for oftentimes the room is crowded to %uliocation) have during the night been sleeping, and where a breath of air is not allowed to enter — the chimney and every crevice having been stopped up— and where too much attention has not been paid to personal cleanliness, she will experience a faintness, an oppression, a sickness, a headache, a terrible fuitid smell; indeed, she is in a poisoned chamber/ It is an odour sui generis, which must be smelt to be remembered, and will then never be forgotten ! " The rankest compound of villainous smell that ever offended nostril." Pity the poor who live in such styes — not fit for pigs ! For pigs, styes are ventilated. But take warning, ye well-to-do in the world, and look well to the ventilation, or beware of the consequences. " If,'* says an able writer on fever in the last century, " any person will take the trouble to stand in the sun, and look at his own shadow on a white plastered wall, he will easily perceive that his whole body is a smoking dunghill, with a vapour ex- haling from every part of it. This vapour is subtle, acrid, and offensive to the smell ; if retained in the body it bffiomes morbid, but if reabsorbed, highly delfiterious. If a number of persons, therefore, are long confined in any close place not properly ventilated, 80 AS to inspire and swallow with theii spit^id the PRKONANOT — DRAINS. ISS vapours of each other, thoy muat soon feel its Lad elFjcts." — Popular Science Remew. 379. Contagious diseases are bred and fed in badly- ventilated houses. Ill ventilated houses aiv, hotbeds of disease. Contagion is subtle, quick, invisible, and in- 8(;rutaltle — tremendous in its effects ; it darts its poison like a rattlesnake, and instantly the body is infected, and the strong giant suddenly becomes as helpless as thu feeble iniant — "Even 80 quickly may one catch the plngua." — Shak8i)ear6. 380. Not only should a lady look well to the venti- lation of her house, but either she or her husband ought to ascertain that the drains are in good and perfect order, and that the privies are frequently emptied of their contents, and that neither drain-fluid nor privy- fluid communicates, in any way whatever, with the drinking-water supply. If it, unfortunately, should do BO, the well is poisoned, breeding pestilence, and tilling our churchyards with corpses. Bad drainage and over- flowing privies are fruitful sources of child-bed fever, of gastric fevei', of scarlatina, of diphtheria, of cholera, and of a host of other infectious, and contagious, and danger ous diseases. It is an abominable practice to allow dirt to fester near human habitations, more especially as dirt when mixed with earth is really so valuable in fertilising the soil. Lord Palmerston wisely says, that " dirt is only matter in the wrong place." 381. Drain-poison 1« so iii;:t2rtaneou8 in its effects, so subtle in its operations, so deadly in its consequences, so untiring in its labours — workuig both day and night— that it may well be said to be *' the pestilence that walketh in darkness," and " the sickness that destroyeth in the noon-day." 382. A lady ought to look well to the purity of her pump-water^ and to ascertain that no drain either enters or percolates, or contaminates in any way whatever, the spring ; if it should do so, disease, such as either cholera, or diarr}ioBa, or dysentery, or diphtheria, or scarlet fever, 134 ADVIGB TO A WIFE. ,1 t 1 ■■ ■ ■ -1 ' - ; V I : ii - . i V: 1 ?;? i; 4 ':; oi giiMtric fever, will, one or the other, as a matter of courBe, ensue. If there be the slightest danger or risk of drain contamination, whenever it be practicable, lot the drain be taken up and be examined, and let the defect be carefully rectified. "When it is impriicticable to have the drain taken up and examined, then let the pump-water, before drinking it, bo always previously boiled. The boiling of the water, as ex{)erience teaches, has the power either of destroying o of making innocuous the specific organic faecal life poison, which propagates in drain contamination the diseases above enumerated. 383. The water from the American Tubi!-\vcll is fa? superior to water from the old pumi)-well : the water from the former is always pure, while from the latter it is usually most impure, — it is oftentimes little better than water from a cesspool, it being contaminated either with drainage impurities, witli fsecal matter, or with water from land-springs. I should advise my friends who are about building houses, to sink the American Tube-well, and to have nothing to do with the antiquated pump, which is both a nuisance and a danger ; indeed, the pump-water being generally impure, is one of the most frequent causes of diphtheria, of scarlet fever, of dysentery, of cholera, and gastric fever. The pump, in fifty years hence, will be, what stage coaches are now, things of the past— a curiosity ! The liuman family is deeply indebted to America for this most useful inven- tion. NECESSITY OF OCCASIONAL REST. 384. A lady who is pregnant ought, for half an hour each time, to lie one or two hourvs every day on the sofa. This, if there be either a bearing-down of the womb, or if there be a predisposition to a miscarriage, will be particularly necessary. I should recommend this plan to be adopted throughout the whole period of her preg- nancy : in the early months, to prevent a miscamage ; and, in the latter months, on account ol the increased weight and size of the womb. PRBONANOY— DIETARY. 135 386. The modern sofas are most unc*)mfortaMe to lie upon : they are not made for comfort, but, like many other things in this world, for show : one of the good old fashioned roomy sofas, then, should be selected for the purpose, in onler that the back may be properly and thoroughly rested. 386. There is, occasionally, during the latter months, a difficulty in lying down — the patient feeling as though, every time she makes the attempt, she should be suffo- cated. When such be the case, she ought to rest herself upon the sofa, and be propped up with cushions, as I consider rest at different periods of the day necessary and beneficial If there be any difficulty in lying down at night, a bed-rest, well covered with pillows, will be found a great comfort. DIETARY. 387. An abstemious diet, during the early period of pregnancy, is essential, as the habit of body, at that time, is usually feverish and infiammatory. I should ^herefore recommend abstinence from beer, porter, and ,arb, etewed, or bakoJ peurH, stewed prunee, the in«i(lii8 of ripe gooflebeniea, and the juicoof oran^'ea, are, during pregnancy, particularly beuoticial ; they both quench lh«i thirHt, and tend to open the bowels. 31) I. Till! food of a pregnant woman cannot be too plain ; high-soiiaoned dishes ought, therefore, to bo avoided. Altliough the food bo plain, it must be fre- quently varieil. She should ring the changes upon buicher's meat, poultry, game, and lish. It is a mis- taken notion, that people ought to eat the same food over and over again, one day as another. The stomach requires variety, or disease, as a matter of course, will ensue. 302. Light puddings, such a^ either rice, or batter, or BUet pudding, or fruit puddings, provided the paste l)e plain, may be taken with idvantage. Kich pastry is iughly objectionable. 393. If she be plethoric, abstinence is still more necessary, or she might have a tedious labour, or might BulFer severely. The old-fashioned treatment was to bleed a pregnant patient if she were of a full habit of body. A more absurd plan could not be adopted I Bleeding would, by causing more blood to be made, only increase the mischief; but certainl;' it would be blood of an inferior quality, watery and poor. It might in such a case, be truly said, that " The wine of life i« dnwn." The best way to diminish the quantity of blood is to moileiate the amount of food — to lessen the supplies ; but no I, on any account, to leave off the eating of meat for dinner ; she will, if she do, suffer both at and after her confinement. 394. A lady who is not plethoric should, during the three or four latter mcjutlis of her pregnancy, keep up her strength by good nourishing food ; but not by stimu- lants — the less Btimulauts eslie takes the better, sdthough there can be no objection to her drinking dail;^ oae oi two glasses of eheiiy. ■Jr i m- r i! »r! "u 13S 4DViaB TO A Win. 395. I bare known some ladies, (hiring the few l.-uit months of their pregnancies, abotaiu from meat altogether, believing thereby that they will insure easier confine- ments and better "gettings about." Now, this is alto- gether a mistake, they are much more likely, from the low diet, to have more tedious and harder labours, and worse " gettings about." Not only so, but if they are kept, during the last months of their pregnancies, on toe low a diet, they are likely to make wretched nurses for their children, both in the quantity and in the quality of their miLL. No ; let a lady who is enceinte adopt the best hygienic means, which I have, in these pages, endea voured to lay down, and she will then be prepared both for her coming labour and for her subsequent suckling. 390. A pregnant lady then should endeavour by every means in her power to make herself healthy ; this is the best way io prepare for labour and for suckling. I am not advocating luxury, 3ase, and enervation — nothing of the kind, for I abhor luxurious living ; but, on the con- trary, I am recommending simplicity of living, occupa- tion, fresh air and exercise, and plain, wholesome, nourishing diet; all of which may be considered as nature's medicine — and splendid physic, too, it is 1 SLEEP. 397. The bedroom of a pregnant lady ought, if prao ticable, to be large and airy Particular attention must be paid to the ventilation. The chimney should on no account be stopped. The door and the windows ought in the day-t^me to be thrown wide open, and the bed- clothes should be thrown back, that the air might, before the approach of night, well ventilate them. 398. It is a mistaken practice for a pregnant woman, or for any one else, to sleep with closely drawn curtains Pure air and a frequent change of air are quite as neces- ttury — if not more so — during the night as during the day ; and how can it be pure, and how can it be changed, If e?irtains be closely drawn around the bed t Impo»> ,1 1 PRTCNANOT — SLKBP. 139 ' Bible. The roof of the bedstead ought not to be covered with furniture ; it should be open to the ceiling, in order to prevent any obstruction to a free circulation of air. 399. The bed must not be loaded with clothes, more especially with a thick coverlet. If the weather be cold, let an extra blanket be put on the bed, as the perspira- tion can permeate through a blanket, when it cannot through a thick coverlet The knitted, for the summer, are the best kind of coverlets, as they allow the perspira- tion from the body to escape ; and the eider-down, for the winter, as they are light and warm and ventilating. 400. It is a marvel how some people, with close- drawn curtains, with the top of the bed covered in, with four or five blankets, and with thick coverlet on bed, can sle^p at all ; their skins and lungs are smothered up, and are not allowed to breathe : for the skin is as much a breathing apparatus as are the lungs themselves. Oh, it is a sad mistake, and fraught with serious conse- quences' The only uses of bed curtains are to keep out, on the side of the bed where light and draughts intrude, the light and draughty currents. 401. The bedroom, at night, should be dark ; hence the importance of either shutters, or Venetian blinds, or dark blinds impervious to light, or thick curtains to the windows. The chamber, too, should be as far removed from noise as possible — as noise is an enemy to sleep. The loom, then, should, as the poet beautifully expresses it, be ** deaf to noise," " and blind to light" 402. A lady who is pregnant is sometimes restless at night- she feels oppressed and hot. The best remedies are : — (1.) Scant clothing on the bed. (2.) The lower sash of the window during the summer months, to be left open to the extent of six or eight inches, and dur- ing the winter months, to the extent of two or three inches ; provided the room be large, the bed be neither noar nor under the window, and the weather be not intensely cold. If any or all of these latter circum- stances ocoor, then (3) the window to be closed and the •- n W ■ !■ >:»te>ifc»,>v..: mi P.t y* I, '^ IV J \ liiiii i!:'! jfl^ I ill: 140 ADVIOB TO A WIFE. door to be left ajar (the landing or the skylifrht window at the top of the house being left open all night, and the doorbeing secured from intrusion by means of a door- chain). (4.) Attention to be paid, if the bowels be costive — but not otherwise — to a gentle action of the bowels by castor oil. (6.) An abstemious diet, avoiding stimulants of all kinds. (C.) Gentle walking exercise. (7.) Sponging the body every morning — in the winter with tepid water, and in the summer with cold water. (8.) Cooling fruits in the summer are in such a case very grateful and refreshing. 403. A pregnant woman sometimes experiences an in- ability to lie down, the attempt occasionally producing a feeling of suffocation and of faintness. She ought, under Buch circumstances, to lie on a bed-rest, which must, by means of pillows, be made comfortable ; and she should take, every night at bedtime, a teaspoonful of sal- volatile In a wine-glassful of water. 404. Pains at night, during the latter end of the time, are usually frequent, so as to make an inexperienced lady fancy that her labour was commencing. Little need be done ; for unless the pains be violent, nature ouf:ht not to be meddled with. If they be violent, application ehould be made to a medical man. 406. A pregnant lady must retire early to rest She ought to be in bed every night by ten o'clock, and should make a pcunt of being up in good time in the morning, that she may have a thorough ablution, a stroll in the garden, and an early breakfast ; and tliat she may afterwards take a short walk either in the country or in the grounds while the air is pure and invigorating. But how often, more especially when a lady is first married, is an opposite plan adopted ! The importance of bringing a healthy child into the world, if not for her own and her husband's sake, should induce a wife to attend to the above remarks. 406. Although some ladies, during pregnancy, are Tery restless, others are very sleepy, so that they can •carcaly, even in the day, k«ep their eyes open 1 Fresh r. I PREONANOV — MEDIOINH. 141 f^ \ ^ - air, exercise, and occupation, are the best remedies fot keeping them awakt;, and the best remedies for many other complaints besides I MEDICINE. 407. A young wife is usually averse to consult a medical man concerning several trijUmj ailments, which are, nevertheless, in many cases, both annoying and distre&ftng. I have therefore deemed it well to give a brief account of such slight ailments, and to prescribe a few safe and simple remedies for them. I say safe and simple, for active medicines require skilful handling, and therefore ought not — unless in certain emergencies — to be used except by a doctor himself. I wish it, then, to be distinctly understood, that a medical man ought, in all serious attacks, and in slight ailments if not quickly relieved, to be called in. 408. A costive state of the bowels is common in preg- nancy; a mild aperient is therefore occasionally necessary. The mildest must be selected, as a strong purgative is highly improper, and even dangerous. Calomel and all other preparations of mercury are to be especially avoided, as a mercurial medicine is apt to weaken the system, and sometimes even to produce a miscarriage. 409. An abstemious diet, where the bowels are cos- tive, is more than usually desirable, for if the bowels be torpid a quantity of food will only make them more sluggish. Overloaded bowels are very much in the same predicament as an overloaded machine, they are both hampered in their action, and unable to do their work properly, and consoquently become clogged. Bo- sides, when labour comes on, a loaded state of the bowels will add mucli to a lady's uulfeiiugs as well as to her annoyance. 410. The best aperients are castor oil. salad oil, com- pound rhubarb pills, honey, stewed prunes, stewed rhubarb, Muscatel raisins, tigs, grapes, roasted apples, baked pears, stewed Normandy pippins, coilee^ browOf ■ .a^'SMtt^j^lnJsiy"^-, 'it'" W a 142 ADVIOB TO A WTFR. bread nnd treacle, raw Demerara sugar (as a sweetener of the food), Robinson's Pure Scotch Oatmeal made either with new milk or with water, or with equal parts of milk and water. 411. Castor oil in pregnancy is, if an apenent be necessary, a valuable one. Frequent and small are pre- ferable to occasional and large doses. If the bowels be constipated (but certainly not otherwise), castor oil ought to be taken regularly twice a week. The best time for administering it is early in the morning. The dose is from a teaspoonful to a dessert-spoonful. But remember that it is folly in the ertreme to take castor oil merely for the sake of taking it — that is to say, unless the state of the bowels require it. 41 2. The best ways of administering it are the follow- ing : — Let a wine-glass be well rinsed out with water, so that the sides may be well wetted ; then let the wine- glass be half filled with cold water, fresh from the pump. Let the necessary quantity of oil be now carefully poured into the centre of the wine-glass, taking care that it does not touch the sides ; and if the patient will, thus pre- pared, drink it off, at one draught, she will scarcsly taste it. Another way of taking it is, swimming on warm new milk. A third a7id a good method is, floating on warm coffee: the coffee ought, in the usual way, to be previously sweetened and mixed with cream. There are two advantages in giving castor oil on coffee: (1) it is a pleasant way of giving it — the oil is scarcely tasted j and (2) the coffee itself, more especially if it be sweet- ened with raw sugar, acts as an aperient— less castor oil, in consequence, being required ; indeed, with many patients the coffee, sweetened with raw sugar alone, is a sufficient aperient. A fourth and an agreeable way of administering it is on orange-juice — swimming on the juice of one orange. Some ladies are in the habit of taking it on brandy and water ; but the spirit is apt to dissolve a portion of the oil, which afterwards rises in the throat. 413. If aalad oil be chosen as an aperient — it being s I i i t PBBONANCT — KLECl'UART OF FIO«, KTO. 143 J 1 gentlo and nale oue — the dose ought to be as mnch again as of castor oil ; and the patient should, during the day uhe takes it, oat either a fig or two, or a dozen or tit'teeu of stewed prunes, c- of stewed French plums, as salad oil is much milder in its effects than castor oil Salad oil is, if a patient be ill-nourished, preferable to castor oil, the former being not only an aperient, but a nutrient : salad oil is almost as fattening as, and far more agreeable than, cod-liver oil. 414. There is an agreeable way of taking salad oi/, namely, in a salad. If, therefore, it be summer time, and a pregnant lady's bowels be costive, she should par- take plentifully of a salad, with plenty of salad ail in it. If the patient be thin, and of a cold habit of body, salad oil is particularly indicated, as salad oil is not only an aperient, but a fattener and a warmer of the system. Salads, on the Continent, are always made with oil ; indeed, salad oil enters largely into French cookery. 416. Where a lady cannot take oil, one or two com- pound rhubarb pills may be taken at bedtime ; or a Seidlitz powder early in the morning, occasionally; or a quarter of an ounce of tasteless salts — phosphate of da — may be dissolved in lieu of table-salt, in a cupful either of soup or of broth, or of beef tea, and be occasionally taken at luncheon. 416. When the motions are hard, and when the bowels are easily acted upon, two, or three, or four pills made of Castile soap will frequently answer the purpose; and if they will, are far better than any ordinary aperi- ent. The following is a good form : — Take of— Castils Soap, five scmples ; Oil of Carraway, six drops : To make twenty-foor pills. Two, or thrue, or fonr to be taken at bedtime, occasionally. 417. If the motions continue hard, and the Soap Pills be not sufficiently active, an Electuary of Figs, Raisins, and Senna * will be found serviceable — it being : 11 * ▲ formola for the preparation of ** Electuary of Figs, Raisink, tl^ .■, mm. 144 ADVICB TO A WIPE. 18 * i ? ■<■■ .*■ • ;i' gentle In operation and agreeable in taste. The propel quantity for the purpose will be that of the size of a nutmeg, or more, as the case may be, eaton early in the morning, either twice or three times a vftak. 418. A teaspounful of honey, either eaten at break- fast, or dissolved in a cap of tea, will frequently com- fortably and effectual ly open the bowels, and will super- uedo the necessity of her taking aperient medicine. 419. A basin of thick Derbyshire or of Robinson's Pure Scotoh Oatmeal gniel, or of Chapman's Patent Entire Wheat Flour, made either with imw milk or with cream and water, with a little salt, mukos an excellent luncheon or supper for a pregnant lady ; either of the above is delicious, wholesome, nourishing, and aperient, and will often entirely supersede the necessity of giving opening medicine. If she prefer sugar to salt, let rata sugar be substituted for the salt. The occasional sub- Btitution of coffee for tea at breakfast usually acts bene- ficially on the bowels. 420. Let me again urge the Importance of a lady, dui'ing the whole period of pregnancy, to be particular as to the state of her bowels, as costiveness is a fruitful cause of painful, of tedious, and of hard labours. It is my firm conviction that if a patient who suffers from constipation were to attend more to the regularity of her bowels, difficult cases of labour would rarely occur, more especially if the simple rules of health were adopted, such as : attention to diet — the patient par- taking of a variety of food, and allowing the farinaceous, such as oatmeal, and the vegetable and fruit element, to preponderate ; the drinking early every morning of cold water; the taking of exercise in the open air; attending to her household duties; avoiding excitement, late hours, and all fashionable amusements ; and visiting the water- closet at one particular hour every day — directly aftei breakfast being the best time for doing so. •nd Senna" Edition. will U found in Advie* to a Mothtr, Twelfth u m m » PREONANCT — AS KNSUA. 146 421. Many a pregnant lady does not leave the house — she is a fixture. Can it, then, be wc.idered at that lostiveness so frequently prevails] E'cercise in the fresh air, and occupation, and household duties, are the best opening medicines in the world. An aperient, let it be ever so judiciously chosen, is apt, after the e£Fect IS over, to bind up the bowels, and thus to increase the eviL Now, nature's medicines — exercise in the open air, occupation, and household duties, — on the contrary, not only at the time open the bowels, but keep up a proper action for the future : hence their inestimable superiority. 422. An excellent remedy for the costiveness oi preg- nancy is an enema, either of warm water or of Castile soap and water, which the patient, by means of a self- injecting enema-apparatus, may administer to herself. The quantity of warm water to be used is from half a pint to a pint; the proper h^at is the temperature of new milk ; the time for administering it is early in the morning, twice or three times a week. The advantages of clysters are, they never disorder tlie stomach — they do not interfere with the digestion — they do not irritate the bowels — they are given with the greatest facility by the patient herself — and they do not cause the slightest pain. If an enema be used to open the bowels, it may be well to occasionally give one of the aperients recom- mended above (especially the Electuary of Figs, Eaisins, and Senna), in order, if there be costiveness, to ensure a thorough clearance of the whole of the bowels. 423. If the bowels should be opened once every day, *t would be the height of folly for a pregnant lady to fcake either castor oil or any other aperient. She ought then to leave her bowels undislurbe.l, as the less medi- cine she takes the better. If the bowels be daily and properly opened, aperients of any sort whatever would be highly injurious to her. The plan in this, as in all other cases, is to leave weU alone, and never to give physic for the sake of giving it. 424. Muscular Pains q/ the Btlly, — The best remedy 10 •I .' ,1 ; 146 ADVICE TO A Wint j;!. >i- '-> Ji' for which nsnally is, an abdominal bull "on^trui^ied foi pregnancy, adjusted to fit the belly, and made w.th pro- per straps and buckles to accommodate the gradually increasing size of the abdomen. This plan often afifords great comfort and relief ; indeed, in some severe cases, inch belts are indispensably necessary. 425. Diarrhcea. — Although the bowels in pregnancy are generall}' costive, they are sometimes in an opposite •tate, and are relaxed. Now, this relaxation is frequently owing to their having been too much constipated, and nature is trying to relieve it'-elf by purging. Such beiug the case, a patient ought to be careful how, by the taking of cha^k and of astringents, she interferes with the relaxation. The fact is, that in all probability there is something in the bowels that wants coming away, and nature is trying all she can to afford relief. Somtitimes, provided she be not unnecessarily interfered with, she succeeds ; at others, it is advisable to give a mild aperi- ent to help nature in bringing it away. 426. When such is the case, a gentle aperient, such M either castor oil, or tincture of rhubai-b, or rhubarb and magnesia, ought to be chosen. If castor oil, a tear spoonful or a dessert-spoonful, swimming on a little new milk, will generally answer the purpose. If tincture of rhubarb, a table-spoonful in two of water. If rhubarb and magnesia be the medicine selected, then a few doses of the following mixture will usually set all to righta: — ,f: Take of— Powdered Turkey Bhnbarb, half a drachm { Carbonate of Magnesia, one drachm ; Essence of Ginger, one drachm ; Compound Tincture of Cardaoioms, half au ounce; Peppermint Water, five ounces and a half : Two table-spoonfuls of the mixture to be taken three times • day, first shaking the bottle. 427. The diet ought to be siii^ple, plain, and nourish- Ing, and should consist of beef tea, of chicken broth, of urowroot, and of well-made and well-boiled oatmeal iH PBBONANOT — " FIDOBTBi* 147 grnel. Meat, for a few days, ought not to be eaten ; and stimulants of all kinds must be avoided. 428. If the diarrhoea be attended with pain in the bowels, a flannel bag filled with hot table salt, and then applied to the part affected, will afford great relief. A hot-water bag, too, in a case of this kind, is a great comfort.* The patient ought, as soon as the diarrhoea has disappeared, gradually to return to her usual diet, provided it be plain, wholesome and nourishing. She should pay particular attention to keeping lior feet warm and dry : and, if she be much subject to diarrhoea, she ought to wear around her bowels, and next to her akin, a broad flannel belly-band. 429. " Fidgets" — A pregnant lady sometimes suffers severely from " fidgets ;" it generally affects her feet and legs, especially at night, so as entirely to destroy her sleep ; she cannot lie still ; she every few minutes, moves, tosses, and tumbles about — first on one side, then on the other. Although " fidgets " is not at all dangerous, and might seem a trifling complaint, yet, if it be trifling, it is very annoying and destructive both to peace and com- fort, making the sufferer arise from hex bed in the morning unrefreshed for the remainder of the day, indeed, more tired than when the night before she Bought her pillow. 430. The causes of " fidgets " are a heabed state of the blood ; an irritable condition of the nervous system, pre- vailing at that particular time ; and having nothing to do 431. The treatment of "fidgets" consists of: — sleep- ing in a well-ventilated apartment, with either window *The hot-water lag, or bottle as it ib sometimes called, is composed of vulcanised indiarubV r, and is made purposely to hold very hot wter. The bag ought not to be more than 'hal^ filled with water, as it will then better adapt itself to the shape of the bowels. The water muot be hot, but not boiling hot ; if it diould be very hot, the bag ouf^ht to be wrapped iu flannel. It is a most delightful stomach warmer and comforter, and should, where chere is a family, be in every house. One grrat advantagt of it is, that iu a few minutes it is ready fw ue. / < 148 AOVIOB TO A WTITi 1 »•' '■' It: I?':; ifVSl* or door open — if the latter, the door flecured from intra* rion by means of a door chain ; sleeping on a horse- hair mattreae, taking care that the bed be not over- loaded with clothes ; a thorough ablution of the whole body every morning, and a good swilling with cold water of face, neck, chest, arms, and hands every night ; shunning hot and close rooms ; taking plenty of out-door exercise ; living on a bland, nourishing, but not rich diet; avoiding meat suppers, and substituting in lieu thereof, either a cupful of arrowroot made with milk, or of well-boiled oatmeal gruel ; eschewing stimtdants of all kinds ; drinking, for breakfast and tea, hhtrk tea instead of cotfeo ; and taking a dose of the following drops, as prescribed below, in water : — Take of— Compound Spirits of Lavender, one drachm ; Aromatic Spirits of Ammonia, eleven drachms : A teaspoonfnl of the drojjs to be taken every niglit at bedtime, and repeated in the middle of the uight, if necessary, in a wiue-glassful of water. 432. If a lady, during the night, have "the fidgets," she should get out of bed ; take a short walk up and down the room ; drink half a tumblerful of cold water ; empty her bladder ; turn her pillow, so as to have the cold side next the head ; and then lie down again ; and the chances are that she will now fall to sleep. 433. If during the day she have " the fidgets," a ride in an open carriage ; or a stroll in the garden, or in tlie fields ; or a little housewifery, will do her good, as there is nothing like fresh air, exercise, and occupation, to drive away " iLe fidgets." It is generally those who " have nothing to do" who have "the fidgets;" the poor woman who has to work for her daily bread doea not know what " the fidgets " mean 1 Here again we see the value of occupation — of having plenty to do ! But idleness is criminal, and deserves punishment, as it assuredly is, and always will be punished ! 434. Heartbum is a common and often a distressing symptom of pregnancy. The acid producing the heart burn is frequently much increased bv an overloaded L pp.mNANOT — WAirn brasb. 149 ^tcmach. Tlio patient labours uiidor the miwtoki ; notion that, as she has two to sustain, ahe require."' more food during tliia than at any other time ; aht consequently is inducod to take more than lier appctiti demands, and more than her stornath can tli'^ost j hence hoarthurn, indigestion, v^c, are ' aused, and her unborn babe, as well as herself, is thereby weakfMied. 435. An abstemious diet ought to be strictly observed, (xreat attention should be paid to the quality of the food ; greens, pastry, hot l)uttered toast, melted butter, and everything that is rich and gross, ought to be care- fully avoided. 436. Eitiior a teaspoonful of heavy calcined magnesia, or half a teaapoonful of carbonate of soda -th(? f(»nner to be preferred if there be constipatitn- -should ocra- sionally be taken in a wine-glassful of warm water. If these do not relieve — the above iNrections as to diet having been strictly attended to — l .o tallowing mixture ought to be tried : — Take of — SeHiiuii'arlionute of Ammonia, half a ilnuhni; Bicarbonate of Soila, a drachm aud u half ; Water, erght oinioes : To make a mixtiue. — Two table-spoonfuls to be taken twice or three times a day, until relief be obtaiiitd. Chalk is sometimes given in heartburn, but as it pro duces costiveness, it ought not in such a case to be used. 437. If costivenes.s accompany the heartburn, the heavy calcined magnesia ought, as above recommended, to be taken in lieu of either carbonate of soda or of tlie above mixture : the dose being a teaspoonful niix«d in a wine-glassful of water. The heavy calcined magnesia is preferable to the light carbonate of magnesia, — it mixes smoother and iutter in the water, and is therefore more pleasant to take : moreover, it i.s stronger — twice as strong as the light carbonate of magne-ia : it nt)t only relieves the heartburn, but acts gently and. pleasantly on the bowels. 438. Water-brash. — A patioTit, in early pregnancy, oftentimes suffers from water-brash; indeed, it sometiiuea ISO APVIOE TO A WIFBL m \ .. accompanios lioartburn and morning fliclcnoss, and whon it dooH, is very harassing and distressing. Wutor-brash consists of a constant eructation of a thin watery fluid into the mouth — sometimes in very largo quantities. The fluid is generally as thin and clear as pump-water — putting on, indeed, very much the appearance oi water ; occasionally it is acid ; at other times, it is per- fectly tasteless. Now, this water-brash frequently leaves after the patient has quickened ; at other times, it cun- tinues during the whole period of pregnancy, more espo(!ially if the patient he dyspeptic. The best remedies lor water-brash are Y>f ^gg's Charcoal Biscuits — one should be eaten at any time the patient is suireriug from the flow of water. If the fluid of the water-brash be acid, then the mixture I have recommended for Ifearfhnm, will be found very serviceable : a dose of the mixture should be taken three times a day, and q (;harcoal biscuit should be eaten between timea 439. Wind in the stomach and bowels is a frequent reason why a pregnant lady cannot sleep at night. The two most frequent causes of flatulence are (1) the want of walking exercise during the day, and (2) the eating a hearty supn^r, just before going to bed, at night. The remedies are, of course, in each instance, self-evident. It is folly in either case to give jthysic, when avoidance of the cause is the only . ^dit and proper remedy. How much physic might be dispensed with if people would only take nature and common sense for their guides ; but no, they would rather take a pill — it is less trouble I — than walk a mile, they would prefer a hearty meat supper to sweet and refreshing sleep ! What extra- ordinary tastes some pcirsons have ! Luxury and self- indulgence are, alas ' the crying evils of tlie day. 440. Piles are a common attendant upon pregnancy. They are small, soft, spongy, dark-red tumours — en- larged veins — about the size either of a bean or of a cherry — they are sometimes as large as a walnut — and are either within or around the fundament; they are then Moording to their situation, called either internal on PRKUNANOV -PlUCli 161 external pilo» — they may bo Diilior blind or blading. If the latter, blood may be aeon to exuile from them, aud blood will come away every time tlio patient has a Htool; hence the patient ought to hb au quick au pousible ovef relieving her bowels, autl should not at such times sit one moment longer than is abbolutely neceasary. 441. When the pile or [)ilef' are very large, they sometimes, more especially when she has a motion, drag down a portion of the bowel, which adds much to her sufferings. If the bowel should protrude, it ought, by means of the patient's index-tiu-^er, to be immediately and carefully returned, taking cure, in order that it may not scratch the bowel, that the naU be cut clothe. 44? Piles arc very painful and are exceedingly sore, and cause great annoyance, and frequently continue, not- withstanding proper and judicious treatment, during th« whole period of pregnancy. 443. A patient ie pi-edisposed to piles from the womb pressing upon the blood-vessels of the fundament. They are excited into action by her neglecting to keep her bowels gently opened, or by diarrhoea, or from her taking too strong purgatives, especially pills containing either aloes, or colocynth, or both. 444. If the piles be inflamed and painful, they ought, by mean of a sponge, to be well fomented three times a day, and for half an hour each time, with hot camomile and poppy-head tea;* and at bed-time a hot white- bread poultice should be applied. 445. £very time after and before the patient has a motion, she had better well anoint the piles and the fundament with the following ointment : — Take of — Camphor (powdered by means of • f«w drops oi Spirits of Winw, one drachm ; Prepared Lard, two ounces : Mix, to make an ointment. * Take four poppy -heads and four ounces of camomiie blows, and boll them m four pints of w.iter for iialf an hunr. to makt the fomentation, which should then be struinfd, and made quits bet m a saiioepan when required f I p ; r f «: k t \ if- »|i:' 153 ADVIOE TO A WIFE. 446. Tf there bo great irritation and iutenso pain, lot Rome very hot water be put into a close stool, and lot the patient sit over it. " In piles attended with gnat irritation and pain, much relief is often obtained by sitting over tluj steam of hot water for tifteen or tw(Uity minutes, and imnjediately applying a Avarm biead-and milk poult,ice. The.se measures .should be repeated fivf or six times a day ((Jreves)." — Warin^s Therapeutics. 447. If the heat be not great, and the pain be not iutonse, the following ointment will be found efHca- eious : — Fake of — Powdend OpiB;n, one scmple ; Camphor ({>owdered by means of a few drops of - . Spirits of VViue), half a drachm ; Powdered Galls, one drachm ; Spermaceti Ointment, three drachms : Mix. — The ointment to be applied to the piles three times day. Or the Compound Gall Ointment (B. P.) may, in tho stuue manner, be applied. 448. If the heat and the \)x\n be great, the following liniment will be found useful : — Take of — French Brandy, | - u u ir Glycerine, \ ""^ '**^^ ^"'^ *^ ''»°*'« ' Mix, — The liniment to be frefjuently ap])lied, by n. ms ol a ca'nel's hair pencil, to the piles, firn' liiaking the bottle. 449. The bowels ought to be kept gently and regu- larly opened, either by taking every morning one or two teaspoontuls of compound confection of senna, or by a dose of the following electuary : — Take of— Sublin.ed Gulphui, half an ounce; Powdeif d Gmger, half «» drachm ; Cream of Tartar, half an ouno* ; Confection of Senna, om- duucp ; Simple Syruj), it suHicient (luantity : One or two tea»poonfnl« to bo taken early every morning. 460, An electuary, composed of chopped figs, raisins, PRRON kVKTT— FTT.WB. !5S aod senna,* in a case of piles, is another admirable remedy for opening the bowels ; it softens tlie motions, and is gentle in itd operation, and is, moreover, agreeable to take. A piece, the size of a nutmeg, or more, may, early every or every other morning, bo oaten. 451. Magnesia and milk of sulphur is an excellent remedy for piles ; — of each three drachms: Take of — Carhouate of Magneaia, Milk of Sulphur, Mix. — To make nine jiowders. One to he taken early every, or every other, morning, mixed in half a capful of milk. 452. Eemember, in these cases, it is necessary to keep the motions in a softened state, as hard lumps of stool would, in passing, give int se pain. 453. If the confection of senna and the electuary of figs, raisins, and senna, and the other remedies, do not act sufficiently, it may be well to give, once or twice a week, a teaspconful or a dessert-spoonful of castor oil 454. In piles, if they be not much inflamed, and provided there be constipation, a pint of tepid water, administered early every morning as an enema, will be found serviceable. Care and gentleness ought, of course, to be observed in introducing the enema-pipe (but which only requires ordinary care), in order not to press unduly on the surrounding piles. 455. The patient ought to lie down frequently in the day. She will derive great comfort from sitting either on an air-cushion or on a water-cushion about half-filled with water, placed on the chair ; for sometimes she is unable to sit on an ordinary seat. 456. In piles, tht; patient ought to live on a plain, nourishing, simple diet, but should avoid all stimu- lants ; any food or beverage that will inflame the blood will likewise inflame the piles. • A formula for chopped figs, raisins, and senna will be foun ' ^rirtt. n I ^i r,': i- ri 467. Pilea In pregnancy are frequently tronblosome^ and sometimes resist all treatment until the patient be confined, whou they generally get well of themselves j but still the remedies recommended above will, even if they do not affect a cure, usually afford great relief. 458. Swollen legs from enlarged 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 vari- cose veins. If a lady marry late in life, or if she be very heavy in her pregnancy — carrying the chUd low down — she is more likely to have the veins to dis- tend. 469. The best plan will be for her to wear an elastic silk stocking, which ought to be made on purpose for her, in order that it may properly fit the leg and foot. It will draw on like a common stocking. She ought to wear a gauze stocking next the skin, and the elastic stocking over it, as the gauze stocking can then, from time to time, be washed, as can likewise the foot and leg. Moreover, the gaute stocking will, besides behig clean, be more comfortable next the skin than the elastic stocking. 460. If the varicose veins should be very painful, she had better apply to a medical man, as it may be neces- sary, in such a case, to have them enveloped in mild plasters, and then rolled. 461. If the feet and legs be cold as well as swollen, a domett« bandage, two inches and a half wide and eight yards long, nicely applied to each leg, from the toes to the knee, will be found a great comfort. One great iidvanta(;e that domette has over calico is, that it will keep iu iU place for days, while calico will be loose in va hour or two. 462. Stretching of the akin of the belly is frequently, tq^ially in * first pregnancy, distressing, from \,\uk f1 ii! PREONAIfOT — PENDULOUS BBLLT. 155 lyereness it causes. The best remedy is to rub the bowels, avery night and morning, with warm camphor- ated oil, and to apply a broad flannel belt, which should be put on moderately but comfortably tight. The belt ought to be secured in its situation by means of properly adjusted tapes. 463. If the skin of the belly, from the violent stretch- ing, be cracked, the patient had better dress the part afifected, every night and morning, with equal parts of simple cerate and of lard — lard without salt — well mixetl t^'^f^ether, sj)read on lint ; which ought to be kept in its pi.^e by means of a broad bandage, similar to the one used in confinements, and which is described in a subsequent paragi-aph (Bandage after Confinements). 464. Pendulous Belly. — A lady sometimes from being at these times unusually large, sufifera severely ; so much so, that she cannot, without experiencing great incon- venience, move about. This, where a patient is stout, and where she has had a large family of children, is more likely to occur, and especially if she have neglected proper bandaging after her previous confinements. 465. She ought in such a case to procure, from a sur- gical instrument maker, an elastic abdominal belt, made purposely for pendulous bellies, which will, without un- duly pressing on the beUy, be a support It is a good plan to have the belt made either to lace behind or with strapfe and buckles, in order to accommodate the belly to its gradually increasing size. 466. — If she )e delicate, and if she have a languid circulation, she ought, instead of the elastic belt, to apply a broad flannel belly-band, which should go twice round the bowels, and must be put on moderatelj* and comfortably tight. 467. The patient, before the approach of labour^ ought to take a particular care to have the bowels gently opened, as during that time a costive state of them greatly increases her sufferings, and lengthens the period of her labour. I say a gfutle action is dU that is necessary : A molent one would do mure harm than good. I 15« ADVIOH TO A WlPt5. ii Fi ! "f-'l ''i m ■y.^ 1^; m 1 468. Tootha 'he is a frequent complaint of pregnancy j I wish to caufion my gentle readier not to have, during tlie time ahe is enceinte, a tooth extracted ; miscarriage or premature labour hag frequently followed the extrao tion of a tooth. It is uecetsuiy that this advice should bo borne in mind, as the pain is sometimes so excruciat- ing as to cause the sufferer to .seek, at all hiijards, speedy relief I / extraction. Toothache is both worry- ing and wear^'ing, and is, to all isulferers, most trying to the patience. 46U. if the tooth be decayed, the hollow ought to be filled with cotton wool, Hoaked either in oil of cloves, or in equal ])arts of oil of cloves and of chlor(jform, or of laudanum and of chloroform, and which should be fre- quently renewed; or with what I have found an excellent remedy, a little alum dissolved in chloroform.* A bib of cotton wool, placed in the ear of the ailected aide, will oftentimes relieve the toothache arising from a decayed tooth. This simple remedy ought always to be tried before resorting to more active treatment. If the above remedies do not relieve, soak a small hall of cotton wool in chloroform, and insert it inside the ear, and let it remain there until the pain be relieved ; let it be from time to time renewed. I have frequently found the ■thove plan in toothache most efficacious, and to afford relief when other means have failed. 470. Creasote (spirits of tar) is sometimes applied, but of all remedies it is the worst for the purpose. I have known it, when thus used, severely injure and decay the whole of the remaining teeth : one case in particular I remember, of a gv^ntleman who, by the fre- quent use of creasote, for the relief of toothache, lost die whole of his teeth I Not ordy so, but creasote applied to a tooth, has been known to cause death ; — *• L'lniparzia/e relates that a man, aged 3G, has lately died in the San ^laria Nuova Hospital at Florence, from the results of the application of creasote to a carious Teu graiaH -4 powdered alum to half au ounce uf chloroform. PBBGNANOT — TOOTHAOHBL 157 tooth." The creasote produced inflammation of the gums, which was followed by mortification, and whicl in sixteen ilays terminated in death. 471. If the teeth be not decayed, especially if the Btomach be disordered, let an aperient be taken. The state of the bowels ought always to be attended to, ae toothache is frequently relieved, and where the tooth is not d'^cayed, cured by a dose of opeping medicine. Let the sides of the face be weU fomented with hot camomile and poppy-head tea, and let a piece of crumb of bread (but not crumbed bread), bo soaked for five minutes in boiling milk, and be frequently placed inside the mouth, between the cheek and gum ; and let a large hot bread poultice be applied at bed-time to the outside of the face. 472. If the above does not have the desired eflect, a piece of brown paper, the size of the palm of the hand, soaked in brandy, and then well peppered with black pepper, should be applied outside the cheek, over the part affected, and kept on for several hours. It ought from time to time to be renewed. This simple and old-fashioned remedy will sometimes afford great relief. It is in these cases preferable to a mustard poultice, as it is less painful, and neither blisters nor iujtnes the skin. 473. If the pepper plaster does not atford relief, a ginger plaster should be tried : — Take of-P}>J^^l«red Giuger. | ^, ^^ ^^^ uble-spoonful ; Water, a suflBoiont n-uantity : To b« well mixed together, adding the water drop by dx*op (stirring it the while) until it be of the consistence of paste. Let it be applied uutsidU the cheek, and let it reniam on ontil the pain be relieved. 474. If the tooth be not decayed, and if the pain of the face be more of a neuralgic (tic-doulnnreux) char- acter, the following pills will frequently afford greai Belief: — ms3SBm 168 ADTIOB TO ▲ Wink t s '■ .t.;:v : ; i ■i' ii;:! Take of — Snlpbate Quinine, twenty-four grains ; Powdered Extract of Liquorice, six grains | Treacle, a sufficient quantity : To make twelve pills. One to be taken three times a day t 475. The teeth, in pregnancy, are very apt to decay t I have known several patients, each of whom has lost a tooth with every child ! 476. Morning sickness. — It is said to he " morning," as in these cases, unless the stomacli he disordered, it seldom occurs during any other part of the day. Morn- ing sickness may he distinguished from the sickness of a disordered stomach hy the former occurring only early in the morning, on the first sitting up in hed, the patient during the remainder of the day feeling quite free from sickness, and generally he:ng able to eat and relish her food, as though nothing ailed her. 477. Morning sickness begins early in the morning, with a sensation of nausea, and as soon as she rises from hed she feels sick and retches ; and sometimes, hut not always, vomits a little sour, watery, glairy fluid ; and occasionally, if she have eaten the night previously, heartily at supper, the contents of the stomach are ejected She then feels all right again, and is usually ready for her breakfast, which she eats with her usual relish. Many ladies have better appetites during pregnancy than at any other period of their lives. 478. The sickness of a disordered stomach anao- companied with pregnancy may be distinguished from morning sickness by the former continuing during the whole day, by the appetite remaining bad after the morning has passed, hy a disagreeable taste in the mouth, and by the tongue being generally furred. Moreover, in such a case there is usually much flatu- lence. The patient rot only feels but looks bilious. 479. If the stomach be disordered during pregnancy, there will, of course, be a complication of the symptoms, and the morning sickuosi^ may become both day and night sickness. Proper means ought then to be em- ployed to rectify the disordered stomach, and th« raaoivANcnr — morninq HiosNssSi 109 patient will soon have only the morning Bicknesfl to contend against ; which latter, after she has quickened, will generally leave of its own accord. 480. Morning sickness is frequently a distressing, although not a dangerous complaint. It is only dis- tressing while it lasts; for after the f tomach is unloaded, the appetite generally returns, and the patient usually feels, until the next morning, quite weU again, when she has to go through the same process as hefore. It occurs both in the eai'ly and in the latter months of pregnancy ; more especially during the former, up to the period of quickening, at which time it usually ceases. Morning sickness is frequently the Jirst harbinger of pregnancy, and is looked upon by many ladies who have had chil- dren as a sure and certain sign. Morning sickness does not always occur in pregnancy ; some women, at such times, are neither sick nor sorry. 481. A good way to relieve it is by taking, before rising in the morning, a cup of strong coflFee. II this should not have the desired effect, she ought to try an effervescing draught : — Take of — Bicarbonate of Potash, oue drachm and a half ; Wnter, eight ounces : Two table-spooufuis of this mixture to be taken with one of lemon-juice every hour, whilst etferrescing, until relief be obtained. 482. A glass of champagne, taken the over-night, I have sometimes found to be the best remedy, and, if it have thn desired effect, it certainly is the most agreeable. I have known, too, cider, where other things have failed, to succeed in abating morning sickness. 483. Sometimes, until the whole contents of the stomach be brought up, she does not obtain relief from her sickness. She had better, when such be the case, drink plentifully of tcarm water, in order to encourage free vomiting. Such a plan, of course, is only advi.s* able when the morning sickness is ohntinate, and when the treatment recommended above ha.s £edled to afford felie£ .■^•jMWHirt«*;.«it_^ .^ .*•.. ' .■( ^■} 160 ADVIOB TO A Wira. 484. The morning sickness, during the early month% is caused by 8ym[)athy between the stomacb and the womb ; and during the latter months by pressure of the apj)er part of the womb against the stomach. As we cannot remove the sympathy and the pressure, we cannot always relieve the sickness; the patient, therefore, is sometimes obliged to bear with the annoyance. 485. The bowels ought to be kept gently opened, either by a dose of electuary of figs, raisins, and senna, or by a »Seidlitz powder taken early in the morning, or by one or two compound-rhubarb pills at bed-time, or by the following mixture : — Take of — Carbonate of Magnesia, two u.achma; Sulphate of Magnesia, one ounce ; Peppermint water, seven ounces : A wine-glassful of tliis mixture to be taken early in th« mora* ing, occasionally, first shaking the bottle. 486. Great attention ought in such a case to be paid to the diet ; it should be moderate in quantity, and simple in quality. Rich dishes, highly seasoned soupe^ and melted butter, must be avoided. Hearty meat suppers ought not on any account to be allowed. There is nothing better, if anything be taken at night, than either a tea-cupful of nicely made and well-boiled oat- meal gruel, or of arrowroot, or of Arabica Revalenta. Any of the above may be made either with water, or with new milk, or with cream and water. 487. It is an old saying, and, I believe, as a rule, a tide one, " that sick pregnancies are safe," more espe- cially if the sickness leaves, which it generally does, after she has quickened. The above remarks, of course, do not include obstinate, inveterate vomiting, occa sionally occurring in the latter period of pregnancy, and which not only takes place in the morning, but during the whole of the day ami of tLe night, and for weeks together, sometimes, bringing a patient to the brink of the grave. Such a case, fortunately is extremely rare. Another old and generally true saying is, " that females who have sick pregnancies seldom miscarry." There if puoNAiroT — Tjn imiiAn*. m Another consolation for thoBe who suffer from mom!ng sickness, from heartburn, and the numnrous other comforts of pregnancy, namely, they frequently have kinder labours, more lively children, and more comfort- able '• gettings about " than those who, at such times, io not at all sutfer. Compensation here, as in aloxtst everything else in this world, is found to prevail ! 488. Means to harden the nipples. — A mother, espe- cially with her first child, sometimes suffers severely from sore nipples. Such suffering may frequently be prevented, if, for six weeks or two months before her confinement, she were to bathe her ni[)ples every night and morning, for five minutes each time, either with eau de Cologne^ or with brandy and water, equal parts of each. The better plan will be to have the brandy and water in a small bottle ready for use, and putting a little each time into a tea-cup, using it firesh and fresh. A soft pii^ce of fine old linen rag should be used for the purpose of bathing. All pressure ought to be taken from the nipples ; if the stays, therefo/e, unduly press them, either let them be enlarged, or let them be entirely removed. The nipples Ihemselves ought to be covered with soft linen rag, as he friction of a flannel vest would be apt to irritate them. Let me recommend every pregnant lady, .,tor6 eapecially in a first pregnancy^ to adopt either the one or the other of the above plans to harden the nipples ; it might avert much misery, as sore nipples are painful and distressing ; and prevention at all times is bettor than cure. 489. 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 dreadfid tumooi or a gathering of the bosom. There need, in sach 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 resuli The fact b, great changes are taking place in the breasts ; thej are developing themselves, and are preparing for the ia^ Iff ■■;• ,1 •^ 1! J, Is IM Afemoa T<^ A WML portant fanotloni they will, the moment the labonr it completed, have to perform. 490. Treatvient. — She cannot do better than, every night and morning, to well rub them with equal parta of eau de Cologne and of olive oil, and to wear a piece of new flannel over them ; taking care to cover the 9i])ploa with soft linen, as the friction of the flannel may irritate them. The liniment encouragea a little milky flui \ to ooze out of the nipple, which will afford lelief. 491. If stays be worn, the patient should wear them slack, in order to allow the bosoms plenty of room to develop thomsolves. The bones of the stays ought all to be removed, ox serious consequences might ensue. 492. Bowd comitlaints, during pregnancy, are not anfrequent. A dose either of rhubarb and magnesia, or of castor oil, are the best remedies, and are generally, in the way of medicin»^, aV hat is necessary. 493. The diet 9*' suci> ames ought to be simple, small in quantity and Lourishing. Farinaceous food, such as rice, tapioc.i, sago, Brown and Poison's Com Flour, and •rrowroot, are particularly beneficial Green vegetal lea and fruits, especially ston^-fruits and uncooked fruits, ought to be avoided. 494. The suriace of the body — ^the bowels and feet particularly — ought to be kept warm. II a lady suffer habitually from relaxation of the bowels, let her, by all means, wear a flannel vest next the skin. 496. The- bladder. -1!^^ patient during pregnancy is liable to various affections of the bladder. There ia sometimes a slugguthness of that organ, and she has little or no inclination to make water. There is, at another time, '. great irritability of the bladder, and she is con* stantly wanting to pass urine ; while, in a third case^ more especially towards the latter period of the time, she can scarcely /told her water at all, — the slightest be iily exertion, such as walking, stooping, coughingf mMeanQ, &c., causing it to come away involuntarily; 4Bd 'iJtD. in some cases, where she is perfectly still, ii PBBeNANOT — or FAINTIMO. l«t M 4>\w awav without her haying any power to preveol tt« doiug 80. 496. A ahujtjhh date of the bladder is beet remedied r' geiitlo exorcise, and by the patient atfem]>ting, 'Aether h i want or not, to make water at leaat every '^ur houra 497. IrHtuhility of the bladiler.— The patient ought, 4uring th« day, to drink freely of the following bev«^ %g6:— Take of — Best 0am Arabic, one oanoe ; IViirl Barley, one ounce ; Water, one pint and a half : Boil for a qnarter of an hour, then strain, and sweeten either with BUgar-cAndy or with lump sugar. 498. The bowels ought to be gently opened with fmall dosea of castor oil The patient must abstain from ' 3er, wino, and spirita, and should live on a mild, bland, nourishing diet. 499. Where the patient cannot hold her water, there 10 not a great deal to b(5 done, as the pregnant womb by pressing on the bladder prevents much present relief. The comfort is, as soon as the labour ia over, it will cure itself. She ought frequently in the day to lie down either on a horse-hiiir mattress or on a coucli. She should drink but a moderate quantity of liquid, and if she have a cough (for a cough greatly increasea this inability to hold the water;, she ought to take the following mixture : — Take of— Compound Tincture of Camnhor, half an ounce ; Compound Sjurits of Lavonrler, half a drachm; Oxymel of S(iuill3, six dranhms ; Wtiter, six ounces and a half: Two table-spoonfuls of this mixture to be taken three times a day. 600. Fainting. — A delicate woman, when she is en- xeinte, is apt either to feel faint or to actually faint \way. When it is conaideiod the enormous changea that, during pregnancy, take place, and the great pre» 164 ADTICI TO ▲ Wm ill I sore there Ib upon the uerveo and tho blood-vcnels, it la not at all surprising that she should du so. Tliere ia one couflolution, that although fainting at such times ia disagreeable, it is not at uU dangerous, unless the patient be really labouring under a »li-.eusc of the heart 501. Treatment. — If tho putient fool faint, she ought immediately to lie down flat upon hei back, without a pillow under her head ; that is to t-i^y, her head should bo on a level with her body. Tho stay and any tight articles of dres* — if she have be m foolish enougli to wear either tiglit stays or tight clothes — ought to be looHened; the windows should be thrown wide open ; water ought to be sprinkled on her face ; and sal- volatile — a tea- spoonful in a wino-glassful of water, or a glass of wine, should be administered. Smelling-salts must be applied to the nostrils. The attendants— there should only be one or two present — should not crowd around her, aa she ought to have plenty of room to breathe. 502. She must, in the intervals, live on a good, light, gHueroua diet. She should keep early hours, and ought to sleep in a well-ventilated apartment. The following strengthening medicine will be found serviceable :-— Take of— Sulphate of Quiniue, twelve grains ; Dihited Sulphuric Acid, halt' a drachm ; Syrup of Orange-peel, half an ounce ; Wttier, seven ounces and a half : Two table-spoonfuls ol the mixture to be taken three timea • day. If she be delicate, a change either to the country, or, if tlio railway journey be not very long, to the coast, will be desirable. 503. A nervous patient during this period is subject to palpitation of the heart. This palpitation, provided it occur only during pregnancy, is not dangerous ; it need not therefore cause alarm. It is occasioned by tho pressure of the pregnant womb upon the large blood- vessels, wLich induces a temporary derangement of the heart's action. Tl.is palpitation ia generally worse at night, whou the patieut is lying down. There is, at 'n PBKONANCT — CRAMPS. 165 the«e timefl, fwm th« position, j^roatcr pressure on the blood-vessola. Moroovor, when she iu lyinj^ down, the mitlriir, in conHfuiuenco of the increased si/oof tho bolly, is prossod upwards, and henco the heart has not its accustomed loom to w )rk in, and palpiUitlon is in con- sequence tho roHult. 504. Tho best remedies will be either half ateaspoon- fuJ of compound spirits of lavender, or a teaapoonful of aal-volatilo in a wino-j^lassful of camphor mixture, or a combination of lavender and of sal-volatile : — Take of — Compound Spirits of Ijavonder, one drachm ; Sal-Volatile, eleven drachmii : Mix — A toa.Hpoonful of the drops to be taken occasionally in a wine-glassful of water. 505. These medicines ought to lie on a table by the bedside of the patient, in order that they may, if neces- sary, be administered at once. J'.randy is in those cases sometimes given, but it is a daii<,'erou8 remedy to ad- minister every time there is a palpitation ; while the lavender and the sal-volatile are perfectly safe medicini's, aud can never do the slightest hann. 506. Mental emotion, fatigue, late hours, and close rooms ought to be guarded against. Gentle out-door exercise, and cheerful but not boisterous company, are desirable. 507. Cramps of the legs and of the thighs during tlie latter period, and especially at night, are ajit to attend pregnancy, and are caused by the womb pressing upon the nerves which extend to the lower extremities. Treatment — Tightly tie a handkerchief folded like a neckerchief round the limb a little above the part affected, and lot it romain on for a tew minutes. Friction by moans of the hand either with opodeldoc or with lau- danum {taking care not fo drin/t it hy mistake) will also give relief. Cramp sometimes attacks either the bowels or the back of a pregnant woman ; when such be the oaee, let a bag of hot salt, or a vulcanised india-rubber hot-water bag, or a tin stomach- warmer, filled with hot f:f s If ;< 166 ▲D\:ni TO A W1>B. ■ :> md ■•♦ .< ■it 1 i Pi ••(■I 1 tir water, and covered mth flannel, or a ane botMb ooii> tainlng hot water, wrapped in flannel oe applied over the part afiected; and let either a b< ne bottle of hot water or a hot brick, which should be mcasod in flannel, be placed to the soles of the feet ] i the cramp of the bowels, of the back, or of the thighs be very severe, the following mixture will be serviceable : — Take of — Compoand Tincture of C&mphor, one onnoe; Dill Water, five onnces : A wine-fflassfu] of thiB mixture to be taken at bed-time ooca- donally, and to be repeated, if neceMary, in four hour*. 508. ** The whites" during pregnancy, especially dur- ing the latter months, and particularly if the kd/ have had many children, are frequently troublei>jme, ^nd are, in a measure, owing to the pressure of tho wtyotb on th« parts below causing irritation. The best way, therefore, to obviate sucli pressure, is for the patient to lie dowK a great part of each day either on a bed ur on a sofa. She ought to retire early to rest ; she should sleep on a horse hair mattress and in a well-ventilaied apartment, and she mxmt not overload her bed witti clothes. A thick hearty quilt at these times, and indeed at all times, is particularly objectionable ; the perspiration cannot pass readily through it as through blankets, and thun she is weakened. She oaghi to live on plain, whole some nourishing food ; but she m'ui^t abstain from beoi and win'? and spiritc. The bowela ought to be gentlj opened by means rf a Seidlitz powder, which should occasionally be taken early in the morning. 509. The best application will be, to bathe the partd with Ml arm fuller's earth and water, in the proportion of a nandful of poiodered fullers earth to half a wash- hand-basinfiil of warm water ; and the internal parts ouTht, nigtit and morning, to be bathed with it. If the fhller'ir earth should not have the desired efiiect, an alum iigection'*' ought, every night and morning, by * DiMolve half a teaspoonful of powdered alitm in a quarter if a piai ni tepid water, to make the is^ectioii. .^1- ^ I PRMlfA1l* dther with small pimples or with a whitish exudation of the nature of aptha (thrush), somewhat sin* !ar to the thrush on the mouth of an infant ; then, the addition of glycerine to the lotion in a great improve- niBONAKOT — MIHOAARIAOI. 169 fl ment, and usually gives immense relief. Eithw of the following is a good lotion for the purpose : — Take oi — Biborate of Soda, eight dnohnia ; Glycerine, five ounces; Distilled Wuter, ten onuces : To make a lotion.— The part alFected to be bathed ei«ry four hours with the lotion, first shaking the bottle. Or, Take of— Solution of Diacetate of) Lead, > of eaeh, one drachm ; Rectified Spirite of Wine, ) Glycerine, five ounces j Rose Water, ten ouncee acd a half . To make a lotion. — To be used in the same mt:nner as the praceding one. MISCARRIAGE. l%e mMnulf fruit of looman.— Tin Psalms. A mUeartying vomb a»d dry brtMti—EoaXA, 617. If a premature expvlnon of tht child occut before the end of the seventh month, it is called eithei a minearriage or sui ahorlioii ; if between the seventh month and before the full period of nine months, a premature labour. 618. A premature labour, in the graphic language of the Bible, is called ** an untimely birth," and " untimely" in every sense of the word it truly is ! " Untimely " for mother ; " untimely " ior doctor ; " untimely " for monthly nurce ; " untimely'' for all preconcerted arrange- ments ; " untimely " for child, causing him " untimely* death. A more expressive word for the purpose it is impossible to find. 519. There is a proneness for a young wife to mis- carry, and woe betide her if she once establish the habit t for it, unfortunately, often becomes a habit. A mis- carriage is a seiious calatuity, and should be considered in that light ; not only to the wife herself, whose ooe ■is 170 ▲DYICS TO ▲ WIFl. e [■'it I i stitution frequent iiiiHcarriages might serionsly injtifo, and eventually ruin ; but it might rob the wife ol oue of her greatest earthly privileges, the inestimable pleasure and delight of being a motlier, 620. Now, as a miscarriage may generally be pro> vented, it behoves a wife to look weU into the matter, and to study the subject thoroughly for hensolf, in order to guard against her jirst miscarriage ; for the Jirtt mis- carriage is the one which frequently leads to a series. How necessary it is that the above important fact should be borne in mind I How much misery might be averted ; as, then, means would, by avoiding the usual causes, be taken to ward off such an awful calamity. I am quite convinced that in the migority of cases miscarriages may be prevented. 521. Hence the importance of a popular work of thia kind, — to point out dangers, to give judicious advice, that a wife may read, ponder over, and "inwardly digest," and that she may see the folly of the present practices that wives — young wives especially — ^usually indulge in, and thus that she may avoid the rocks they split on, which make a shipwreck of the|r most cherished hopes and treasures ! Hoav, ojiless tt wife be tauglit, can she gain such information 1 That she can know it intuitively is utterly impossible I She can only know it from her doctor, and from him she does not often like to ask such questions. She must, therefoie, by a popular work of this kind be enlightened, or loss of life tc her unborn babe, and broken health to bersell", will, in all probability, be the penalties of her iguurauco. It is utter folly to say that all such matters should be left entirely to the doctor, — the mischief is usually done befoi-o he is consulted : besides, she herself is the right person to understand it, as she herself is the one to pre- vent it, and the one, if it be not prevented, to suffer. How many a broken constitution and an untimely end have resulted from fclie want of such knowledge as is contained in this book ! It is perfectly ridiculou') to assert that a doctor can, in a few minutes' coiisultati 'ii« ■ : PMONANCfT — MIfliDABRIAOI. 171 [nd is to thoronghly inform a pregnant feuialc of all that it* necessary for her to know for tiie prerention of a mifi- carriage. 622. Let it then be thoroughly understood, — first, that a miscarriage is very weakening — more weakening than a labour ; and, secondly, that if a lady have once miscarried, she is more likely t^ miscarry again and again, until, at length, her constitution be broken, and the chances of her having a child become small indeed ! Woe betide such an one if she become the victim of such a habit I 523. Cauteg. — A slight cause will freqnently occasion the separation of the child from the racther, and the consequent death and expulsion of the foetus ; hence the readiness with which a lady sometime;:; miscarries. The following are the most common causes of a young wife miscarrying : — Taking long walks ; riding on horseback, or over rough roads in a carriage; a long railway journey; over-«zerting her&elf, and sitting up late at night ; too frequent sexual interconise. Her mind, just after msr- riage, is oftentimes too much excited by large parties, by balls, and concerts. The following are moreover, frequent causes of a miscarriage : — Falls ; all violent emotions of the mind, passion, fright, &c. ; fatigue ; over-reaching ; sudden shocks ; taking a wrong step either in ascending or in descending stairs ; falling down stairs; lifting heavy weights; violent drastic purgatives; calomel; obstinate constipation ; debility of constitution ; con- sumptive habit of body ; faishionable amusements ; dancing ; late hours ; tight lacing ; indeed, anything and everything that injuriously affects either the mind or the body. 524. I haTe enumerated above, that taking a long railway journey is one cause of a miscarriage. It cer- tainly is a cause, and a frequent cause of a miscarriage. It is dangerous, until she have quickened, for a pregnant woman to take a long railway journey, as it might bring on a miscarriage. It is also attended with great risk for a lady who is enceiitte, two or three months before sb* - Wi 172 4DVI0B TO A Win. y ^r \h . '.') 4 : K ■ ; expects her confinftinent, to undortake a long joiimej by rail, as it miglit iniliice a premature labour, which often cones on at iihout the seventh month. This advice, of courso, holds good with tonfold force if a lady bo prone to miscarry, or to briii^^ forth a child prematurely; indeed, a lady predisposed either to miscarry, or to bring forth pTomatnrely, ought not, during any period of her preg- nancy, to take a lorig railway journey, as it might be attended with disa trous consequoncea 525. The old maxim, that " prevention is l)ettor than cure," is well oxemplificd in the case of a miscarriage. Let me, then, appeal strongly to my fair reader to do all that she can, by avoiding the usual causes of a mis- carriage which r have above enumerated, to prevent such a cataatrophB, A miscarriage is no trifling matter; it is one of the most grio'ous accidents that can occur to a wife, and is truly a catastrophe. 626. Threat ening or warning »gmptoms of a miscar- riage. — A lady about to .inscarry usually, for one or two days, experiences a feeling of lassitude, of debility, of malaise, and depre^on of spirits ; she feels as though she were going to be ttiken " poorly ;" she complains of weakness and of uneasiness about the loins, the hips, the thighs, and the lower part of the belly. This is an important stage of the case, and one in which a judicious medical man may, almost to a certainty, be able to stave iff a miscarriage. 527. More serimt*, but stiU only threatening symp- toms of a miscarriage, — If the above symptoms be allowed to proceed, unchecked and untended, she will, after a day or two, t; 'e a flight show of blood ; this show may soon increvjjo to a flooding, which will shortly become clotted. Then, perhaps, she begins for the first time to dread a miscarriage ! There may at this time be but little t)ain, and the miscan'iage might, with judi- cious treatment, be even now warded offi At all events, if the miscarriage cannot be prevented, the ill effects to her constitution may, with care, be palliated, and meaiM may be used to prevent a future misoarriage. nneirAiioT — muoabuacw. 178 358. Decided aymptnmn of a mhearriage. — If the miscarriage be atill proceeding, a new train of symp- tonj8 develop themselves : pains begin to come on, at first slight, irregular, and of a "grinding" nature, but wliich soon become more severe, regular, and " bearing down." Indeed, the case is now a labour in miniature ; it becomes le commencement de la fin ; the patient is sure to miscarry, as the child is now dead, and separated from its connection with the muther. 629. There are two stages of miscarriage — (1), the reparation of the ovum from the womb j and (2), the expuhion of the dvum It jm the wumb : the fonner, from the rupture of vessels, is nccessailly attended with more or less of flooding ; the latter, in addiii^n L' t!.e flooding, from the contraction of the womb, with Lxre or less of pain. Now, if there be seperati'jn, llicro must follow expulsion, as Nature is doing all the ran to get rid of the separated ovum, wliich haa now Leeome a foreign body ; and if there be expulsion, there must, of necessity, be pain, as contraction of the womb invariably causei pain ; hence, there is, in every miecarriage, more or less of flooding and carriage without both the one and the other. 530. A sudden freedom, in a miscairiage, from flood* ing and from pain often tells of the escape of the ovmn from the womb ; although the ovum may still be lodging in the vagina — the passage from the womb ; but from thence it will readily and speedily, of its own accord, come away, and therefore there need, on that head, be no apprehension. 531. The most usual time for a lady to miscarry ia from the eighth to the twelfth week. It is not, of course, confined to this period, as during the whole time of pregnancy there is a chance of a premature expulnion of the contents of the womb. A miscarriage before the fourth month is at the time attended with little danger ; al thought if neglected, it may for Mwr injure the con- stitution. 632. There is, then, In every miscarriage, more or leas I i 1T4 ADTIOa fO A WlWt. - .1 t.! *! Ili2 2 of flooding, which is the most important Bymptom. Aftef the fourth month it is accompanied with more risk, a« the further a lady is advanced in her pregnancy, the greater is her dinger of increased flooding; notwith- standing, under judicious treatment, there is every " chance of her doing welL A medical man ought in such a case always to he sent for. There is as much care required in a miscarriage as, or more than, in a labour. 533. If hearintj down, expulsive pains — similar to labotir pains — should accompany the flooding ; if the flooding increase, and if large cl Orapew at the»e tinvea are cooling and refreshing. 637. The tomponitur\\ of the bedioora ah- ild be k«'pi cool ; and, if it W aunimor, ihe window ought to i^ thrown open ; aperient medicines muat be avoided ; and if the flooding be violent, cold water ahould br applied externally to the parta. 538, Let me strongly urge upon the patient the vast Importance of preaerviug any and every substance that might come away, in order that it may be carefully examuied by the medieval man. It ia utterly impossible for a doctor to declare i)08itively that a lady baa really miscarried, and that all has properly come away, if he have not had an opportunity of examining the substiinces lor himself. How often has a lady declared to net medical man that she has miscarried, when she haa only parted with clots of blood ! Clots sometimes put on strange appearances, and require a pi'actiaed and professional eye to decide at all times upon what they really are. 639. The same care is rwjuirsd after a miscarriage as after a labour; indeed, a patient reciuiros to 'oe treated much in the same manner — that is to say, Aiq ought for a few days to keep her bed, and should live upon the diet I have recommended after a conhnemeut, avoiding for the first few days stimulants of all kinds. Many women date their ill state of heulLli to a neylcdcd miscarriage ; it therefore behoves a lady to guard againsl Buch a misfortune. 640. A patient prone to mutcarry ought, befort she J II ■h ! t ( I' i '• ♦ • 176 ▲OYMBTO A Wim hmoome pregnant again^ to tuie every meana to brace and Hlioii^lhuii hur gystem. The bewt plan that she can adopt will be to lkavi ubh uuhoand rou sivbral MONTHS, and go to nome hoalthy spot ; neither t'i a fauliionable waturiiig-place, nor to a friend's hooae where much company is kept, but to Home quiet country place, if to a healthy farm-houBe no much the better. 541. Early houra are quite indiflpenaable. She ought to lie on a horse-hair mattroas, and should have but scant clothing on the bed. She must sleep in a well- vuutiluted apartment Her diet should be light and nourishing. Oentle exercise ought to be taken, which should alternate with frequent rest. 542. Cold ablutions ought every morning to be used, and the body should be afterwards dried with coarse towels. If it be winter let the water be made tepid, and let its temperature be graduidly lowered until it be used quite cold. A shower-bath is in these cases service- able ; it braces and invigorates the system, and ia one of the beut tonics she can use. 543 If shs be alrear.y pre(jnant it would not be ad- missible, as the shock of the shuwer-bath would be too groat and may bring on a miscarriage ; but still she ought to amtinue the cold ablutions. 544. A lady who is prfmo to miscarry ought, as soon as she is lyregnant^ to lie down a great part of every day; she must keep her mind calm and unruiHed ; she must live on a plain diet ; she ou,sj;ht to avoid wine and spirits and beer ; she should retire early to rest, and she must have a separate aleepiruj apartment. She ought as much as posHible to aksUiin from taking opening medicine ; and if she be actually obliged to take an aperient — for the bowels must not be allowed to be constipated — she should select the mildest (such as either castor oil, or lenitive electuary, or syrup of senna), and even of these she ought not to take a larger dose than is absolutely necesHary, as a free action of the bowels is a fretjuent eaose of a miscarriage. M5. Gentle walking exeroise daily is desirable : long • \ imMMAMOT — FALSI rAlVt. 1T7 fralk* and hone exercine must be Heduloua.'y avoided. A trip to the coast, provided the railway journey be not very long, would be likely to prevent u miflcarriap<> althoii^^h I would not, ou any occounl, recommend hia .. a patiuut eithei to bathe in or to sail on the water, as the ■hock of the former would be too great, and the motion of the yesMl and the sea-sick nesa would be likely to brin^ on what we are anxious to avoid. 64 '. As the tuual period for miscarrying Approaclii^ (for it frequently comes on at one particular time), let the patient be more than usually careful ; let her lie down the greatest part of the day ; let her mind be ke{>t calm and unrufHed ; let all fashionable society aod every exciting amusement be «»chewed ; let both the sitting and tho sleeping apartments be kept cool and well- ventilated ; lot the bowels (if they be costive) be opened by an en-'na of warm water (if the external apphcation fjf castor oil, as a liniment, be not sufficient) ; let the diet be simple and yet be nourishing ; let all stimulants, such as beer, wine, and spirits, be at this time avoided ; and if there be the slightest symptoms of an approaching miscarriage, such as pains in the loins, in the hips, or in the lower belly, or if there be the slightest show of blood, let a medical man be instantly sent for, as he may, at an early period, be able to wsitd off the threat- ened mishap. FALSE LABOtm PAINa 647. A lady, especially in her first pregnancy, is sometimes troubled with spuriinis labour pahui ; these pains usually come on at niglit, ami are frequently owing to a disordered stomach, TJ»ey affect the belly, liic back, and the loins ; and occasionally they extend down the hips and the thigha Taey attack first one place and then another; they come on at irregular intervaU, ui> one time Lhuy are violent. a1 another thoy are feehlei. The pains, instead of being gtiudiny or hcariny ■/< •' ? are more of a colicky nature. 648, N^w, a» these false painiB more frequently ooour IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /. '■O ^ //.,. W^ § 1.0 I.I 1.25 f. IIIIIM I: 1^ IIM 2.0 lllltt i-4 IIIIII.6 % 'a A #. a -^j. o / -<;« Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 \ &^ k I ! 178 ▲Dvioi TO A wmt I' iil ■jS:*!!' in a jCrrf pregnancy, and as they are often more violent two or three weeks before the completion of the full time, and as they usually come on either at night or in the night, it behoves both the patient and the monthly nurse to be cognisant of the fact, in order that tliey may not make a false alarm, and summon the doctor before he be really wanted, and when he cannot be of the slightest benefit to the patient. 649. It is sometimes stated that a woman has been in labour two or three weeks before the child was born I Such is not the fact. The case in question is one pro- bably of falie pains ending in true pains. 550. How, then, is the patient to know thai the paiiis are false and not true labour pains ? False labour pains come on three or four weeks before the full time ; true labour pains at the completion of the full time : false pains are unattended with " show; " true pains generally commence the labour with " dhow : " false pains are generally migratory — changing from place to place — first attacking the loins, then the hips, then the lower portions, and even othbr portions of the belly — first one part, then another ; true pains generally begin in the back : false pains commence as tpasmodic pains ; true pains as " grinding " pains : false pains come on at un- certain periods, at one time a quarter of an hour elap- sing, at others, an hour or two hours between each pain — at one time the pain is sharp, at another trifling ; true pains come on with tolerable regularity, and gra- dually increase in severity. 551. But remember — the most valuable distinguish- ing symptom is the absence of " show " in false labom pains, and the presence of" show " in true labour pains. It might be said that " show " does not always usher in the commencement of labour. Granted ; but such cases art- exceedingly rare, and may be considered aa the exception and not the rule. 552. Treatment. — A dose of castor oil u generally all that is necessary ; but if the pains still eontinae, the patient ought to be abstemious, abstaining for a day or "J! - FBBONANOl— HB OOUNT. 179 :; J two from hoer and from wine, 'ind rubbing the boweUi every uight at bed-time eitlier with camphorated oil, previously warmed, or with laudanum (taking care not to drink it by mistake). Either hot aalt, in a flannel bag, or a vulcanised india-rubber hot-water bag applied every niglit at bed-time to the bt-Uy, frequently affords great relief. If the pains be not readily relieved she o.^ht to send for a medical man, as a little appropriate medicine will soon have the desired effect. 553. These false labour pains might go on either for d ys, or even for weeks, and at length may at the ftiU ti ne terminate in real labour pains — thus causing a patient sometimes to suppose and to assert that she hau been in labour for weeks, while she had, in reality, only been in real labour the usual length of tima PERIOD OF GESTATION— "THE COUNT." 654. The period of gestation Is usually • two hundred and eighty days — forty weeks — ten lunar or nine calender months. 565. It will be well for a lady, in making her "count," to commence her ** reckoning " about three days after the last day of her being " unwelL" The reason we fix • I Bay turuaJly, for the duration of gestation is very uncei- tain. Dr Reid gives (in The Lancet of July 80th, 1850^ an interesting table of the duration of pregnancy. The table com- prises 500 cases ; out of which numbers, nearly the half tar- minated in labour in the fortieth and forty-fir^t weeks. Th« following is the order in which they occurred ; — 23 cases in the . . . . 87th week. 48 81 181 112 68 28 8 6 It tt i» tt 88th 89th 40th 41st 42d 48d 4i)th Th» i^'K)T« is DMiMiy • rammary of Dr B«id'i Taloalilt taliU. 1 I'i I 1 ;|| 1 1 1 180 ADVICE TO A WIFB. on a woman conceiving a few days after she has " oeaaed to be unwell," is, that she is more apt to conceive suon after menstruation than at any other time.* 556. A good plan to make the "reckoning" is as follows : — Let forty weeks and a few days, from the time specified above, be marked on an almanac, and a lady will seldom be far from her calculation. Suppose, for instance, the last day of her " ceasing to be unwell " waa on January the 15tli, she may expect to be contined on or about October the 25th. 657. A Pregnancy Table. — The following Table, show- ing the probable commencement, duration, and com- pletion of pregnancy, and indicating the date on or about which day the labour might occur, will, I trust, be found very useful This Table allows three days over the 280 days — making 283 days ; that is to say, " the count " of 280 days commences three days after tlie last day of a lady being " unwell" The reason I have ehosen three days after the last day of menstruation, is, a lady is more likely to conceive a few lays — say three days — after the last day of her " periods " than at any other time. The reckoning, then, in this Table, is made to begin from the last day of " her periods " — three days being allowed over for conception — thus n^aking 283 days from the last day of " the periods " until the com- pletion of the pregnancy, on or about which day — the 283d day — the labour is likely to occur. * We are informed by Jonrdan and other French writers, that Femal act^ on the knowledge of this fact when conHulte tt It It It It it tt tt tt tt 2 3 4 6 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 18 14 16 16 17 18 19 20 21 29 Latt Day of " the Perwdi.' 18 14 16 16 17 18 10 80 21 92 88 34 25 26 27 28 1 2 8 4 6 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 18 14 16 16 17 18 10 20 21 22 28 24 26 26 97 Feb. »» tt tt tt tt tt tt It tt tt tt tt ti tt II Mar. t) 11 ti tt tt ti tt ti II It ti ti ti II tt II It It It ti tt tt tt II 11 It ... ... ... ••• ... ••• *•• ••• ... *•. ... ••• ••• Labour On or A bout ... Nov. 28 24 26 26 27 28 29 80 1 2 8 4 6 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 l;i 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 20 80 81 1 9 4 II It tt tt tt tt tt Dec. tt tt It tt It It It It It It tt It ti ti ti tt It ti It It It II It tt tt tt tt It II i J I II II ••• tss ADV10S TO ▲ wira. 11 LanDmuaf " the Penods. ■ Ofi Labour or About LaH Day€f "thePenorU. « On Labom I ior Abotti m Mar. 28 • •• • • • Jan. 6 May 14 • •• • •• Feb. 21 »i 29 • •« • •• >• 6 ft 16 •«• ••• ft 22 >t 80 ••• ••• ft 7 tt 18 •M •mm •t 28 t« 81 • •• • •• ft 8 tt 17 • •• ••• tt 24 April 1 ••• ••• M 9 tt 18 • •• ••• ft 26 •• S •«« ••« tt 10 tt 19 • •• ••• ft 26 t* 1 • •• • •• t> 11 n 20 ••• M>« tt 27 It 4 • •• ••• tf 12 t* 21 • •• »♦« >i 28 (> 6 ••• ••• tt 18 ft 22 •M ••* Mar. 1 •» 6 ••• »»• tt 14 tt 28 • •« »*« ti 2 ) t* 7 ••• —m tt 16 tt 24 • •• • •• tt 8 ' u 8 ••• ■ rft ft 16 tt 26 • mm • •• tt 4 *t 9 ••• ••• tt 17 tt 26 •«« ••• tt 6 ff 10 •«• • •• tt 18 tt 27 ••• t«* tt 6 If 11 ••• < •• «t 19 tt 28 • •« • •• ft 7 f> 12 • •* ^ »t 20 tt 29 «•• • •• ft 8 » 18 *mm • •• tt 21 tt 80 • •• • • ' tt 9 •1 14 •*• ••• tt 22 t* 81 «•• • «• tt 10 f» 16 ••• ••• tt 28 Jnne 1 • •• mm* tt 11 »» 18 • • ' •*• t> 24 ti 2 • •• mm* tt 12 t* 17 •*• ••• tt 25 tt 8 • •• ••• tt 18 »• 18 •^ • •• tt 26 tt 4 •«» •mm tt 14 »• 19 • •• • •• ft 27 tt 6 mmm ••• If 16 •f 20 »•« • •• ft 28 tt 8 ••• ••• ft 16 *> 21 «•* ••• tt 29 tt 7 »*• »•• tt 17 »t 22 • •• »«• tt 80 m 8 MMi ••• ft 18 j »> 28 • •• ••• li 81 tt 9 • •t ••• tt 19 ft 24 • •• • •• Feb. 1 tt 10 *•• »•• ft 20 f> 26 • •• ••• t> 2 tt 11 ••• • mmm ft 21 ff 26 • •• »*« tt 8 tt 12 • •• ••• tt 22 ft 27 • •• tt 4 tt 18 • •• m^m fi 23 »» 28 • •• • •■ tt 6 tt 14 • •• • •• ft 24 • > 29 • •• • •• tt 6 ft 16 • •■ ••• ft 26 »> 80 • •• • •• t> 7 tt 16 • mm ••• tt 28 May 1 • •• •»« tt 8 tt 17 .«« ••• ft 27 >t 2 • a •• t> 9 tt 18 • •• ••• }t 28 ft 8 • •« ••• 10 ft 19 • •■ ••« ft 29 ft 4 • •• ••• tf 11 It 20 • •• ••• tt 80 ' ft 6 • •• ••• t r i2 It 21 *•« ••• tt 81 * If 6 • •• '••w • > 18 ft 22 •«■ mmm April 1 ft 7 • •• »•• •f -.4 t«< 23 • • ••• t> 2 ft 8 • mm - •« ft 16 tt 24 *•« •mm ft 8 ft mmm »•• t« 16 tt 26 ••• ••m ft 4 ft !'» • •• »»• tt 17 tt 28 • •• •«* •t 6 tf 11 12 ••• •• tt 18 tt 27 ••• *•• tt 8 M •♦• *— tt 19 ft 28 «•• ••• ft 7 M U • •• •*m M SO M 19 •«• mmm •• l« rSBONAKOT — rKBaNANOT TABUL Lait Day of 'the Periods." June 30 July 1 »» 2 tt 8 If 4 »> 5 •t 6 •> 7 If 8 •f 9 II \0 It 11 >i 12 II 13 II 14 11 15 11 16 >> 17 » 18 t> Id >• 20 •• 21 >» 22 *> 23 i» 24 *» 25 II 26 II 27 *• 28 >> 29 »* 30 >t 81 Aug. 1 II 2 f» 3 fi 4 It fi II 6 11 #1 tl II II II «l 8 9 10 11 12 18 14 16 L..bour On or A bout ... April 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 1 2 3 4 6 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 20 II II II i> II )i II II II II II It •I II II II II II II II II May 1 1 II II II •I II II II II It II II II II II ii »» • I II II II Sept. Last Day of '•the Peri4)ds." Aur;. 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 0«t 1 June IM Labour On or A bout May -JO 27 28 29 .30 31 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 July 1 10 11 164 ▲OTIOB TO A WIWM. Latt Dttyaf 'th«P0riMi$.' f Labour On or About Last Daytif ' thePtrwda.' • On Labom I or Abovk Oot 2 ■ • • ... July 12 Noy. 17 ••■ • •• Aug. 27 n 8 • »« • *4 f , IS »t 18 ••• ••• • 1 28 M 4 • •• • •• 1 . H •• 19 ' •• • •■ II 29 It 6 • •• *"** 9 » 16 II 20 •*« •»• II 80 »f 6 • •• •«• p . 16 „ 21 ••« ••• • 1 81 M 7 • •• ••• 1 , 17 f» 22 ••• ••• Bept 1 It 8 • •-• ••• f I 18 •• 28 ••• • •• II 2 n • • •• *** t > 10 •I 24 ••« »♦• •I 8 >t 10 • •• **• ■ . 20 II 25 ••• *•• II 4 »f 11 ••• ••• - 21 II 26 ••• • •• II 6 »i 12 • •• • •• 22 II 27 *•• • •• II 6 »> IS • •• ••* . 28 II 28 ••• »»« •1 7 f» 14 • •• MN. 1 ; 24 II 29 ••• II 8 M 16 ••« *•« f . 26 II 80 ••• • •• II 9 *» 16 • •• ••• f , 26 Dec. 1 ••• ■ •« 11 10 f» 17 .•• ••• 1 ► 27 II 2 • •• ••• II 11 M 18 • •• • •t J , 28 II 8 ••• • ■• II 15 II 19 • •• •*• 1 . 29 II 4 •»• • •• II 11 II 20 • •• •«« f , 80 II 5 • •• • •• II U N 21 ••• • •• 9 , 81 II 6 ••• • •• II 16 II 22 • •• • •• AX «■ 1 II 7 •«• ••« II 16 II 28 •M **• 1 , 2 II 8 ••« •«« II 17 II 24 • •« • •• f » 8 II 9 ••• • •• II 18 II 25 • •• ••• 1 , 4 II 10 *•• ••• II 19 II 26 !•• ••• 1 > 6 II 11 •»• ••• II 20 N 27 • •• •— p I 6 II 12 ••• ••• II 21 ft 28 • »• • ■• y , 7 II 18 ••• «•• II 22 II 29 - •• •*• 9 > 8 II 14 ••• •• » II 23 II 80 • •• »M • , 9 II 15 ••• II 24 llor. 81 • *« • •• y . 10 II 16 ••• ••• II 26 1 • •« • 1 . 11 II 17 •*« ••• II 26 II 2 • •• ••• f I 12 It 18 ••• ••• II 27 II 8 • •• »*« 1 I 18 II 19 ••• — II 28 11 4 • •• •«■ 9 I 14 »» 20 ••• — •1 29 •1 6 *•• ••• y , 16 n 21 ••• • •• II 80 n 6 »*• ••• f 1 16 n 22 *•• • •• Oot 1 It 7 • •• ••• 1 , 17 n 28 •♦• • •• II 2 ti 8 • — ••• 9 1 18 »i 24 ■ •• ••• II 8 N • • •• ••• $ 1 Id n 25 !•• •«• II 4 tt 10 • •• —m 9 , 20 II 26 • •• • •• It 5 tt 11 »•• ••• 9 » 21 ft 27 ••• II 6 >t 12 • •• ••• 9 » 22 i» 28 • •« • •• fi 7 ti 18 .•• ••• 9 > 28 II 29 —* • •• •1 8 tt 14 ••• *** 9 » 24 fi 80 ••4 ••• n 9 M M 15 16 ••• ••• *** 9 1 25 t M It n M* - •0 16 raMNANCT — SUMMARY Of OASm. 160 058. I may, iii pansing, jiuit point out the great importance of a wife making, every time, a note of th« hut day of hev " periods ;" by doing ao it might save her a great deal of inconvenience, uncertainty, and anxiety. 669. It may be well to bear in mind, that if the labour take place much earlier than The Pregnancy Table indicates, the chances are tha^ the child will be a girl ; but if much J^itevy a boy. 660. This Pregnancy Table may, ae a rule, be safely relied on : many of my patients have, for years, from these calculations, been often confined on the very day specified. I say o/ten, as it is utterly impossible to fix upon the exact day — the approximate day can only be specified — some few ladies being at their full time as early as the 37th week; while others, although but /ery rarely, are not at their full time untU the 46th wwk — hence the uncertainty in some cases of such cal- culations.* 561. Although the majority of women go 280 days, many reach only 276 ; our Lord Jesus Christ, as re- corded in the New Testament, was carried in t\e womb of His mother for a space of 275 days only — * counting from the Festival of the Annunciation, in the month of March, to the day of the blessed Nativity, which we celebrate in December, making a period of :^76." — Harvey. 662. Although it be possible for a woman to carry her babe forty-five weeks (see Dr Reid's Summary of Cases on a preceding page) ; that is to say, five weeks past the allotted time of forty weeks ; it is also possible for a lady to carry her child only twenty eight weeks, and yet to have a living infant, and an inffnt to live ; I myself have had such a ca«e.f I had another case, * See, on a preceding page (pAge 177, note), Dr Reid's intereet- ing Su/m^nary of such casea. t A i«y days ago (May 28, 1872) the little girl in qnesticm, wh« is eight ye. 'T8 old, was brought to my rooms. She is now, for her age, of u;e r.vtsrage size, and is a well'grown, handsome, healthy £ild. l/'l^ I Ida iOTtOI TO k ynrtL, dmilar to the one recorded by Shukapeare, where the child was bom alive " full fourteen weeks before the courski of time," where the child was carried in the mother's womb only twenty-six weeks. The child in ques- tion lived for six weeks, and then died. It might be asked why quote Shakspeare on such a subject! I reply, — Shakspeare was a true philosopher, and a shrewd observer of nature and of nature's laws. Shakspeare's statement runs thus : — ** He came into the world Fall foorteen weeks before the course of time.** BEING OUT IN THE RECKONING. 563. A lady, sometimes, by becoming pregnant whilat she is suckling, is put out of her reckoning ; not being unwell at such a time, she consequently does not know how to " count." She ought, in a case of this kind, to reckon from the time that she quickens. That is to say, she must then consider herself nearly half gone in her pregnancy, and to be within a fortnight of half her time ; or, to speak more accurately, as soon as she has quickened, we have reason to l^elieve that she has gone about one hundred and twenty-four days : she has thej«fore about one hundred and hfty-six more days to complete the period of her pregnancy. Suppose, for instance, that she first quickened on May the 17th, she may expect to be confined somewhere near October the 23d. She must bear in mind, however, that she can never make so correct a " count " from quickening (quickening taking place at such various periods) as from the last day of her " periods." 564. A lady is occasionally thrown out of her reckon- ing by the appearance, the first month after she is enceinte, of a little " show." This discharge doee not come from the womb, as that organ is hermetically iealed ; but from the upper part of the vagina — the passage to the womb — and from the mouth of the womb, Mid may be known from the regular menstrual fluid bj PRBONANCTT — ** W IT A BOY OR ▲ OIRLt* 18T ItB being much Binaller in quantity, by its clotting, and by its lasting generally but a few hours. This disthiirge, therefore, ought not to be reckonoyitee with a midwife ? " 577. She ought to be either a married woman or a • The Rev, J. G. WoocT s Duties of iht Hospital Ok:tplaUtf te Hm (IhwrchmMCs Family MagaziM. FREONANOT QUALITIES OF NUR8B. 193 widow. A single woman cannot so woll ontor Into the feelings of a lying-in patient, and havS not hafl the neces- sary experience. Moreover, a single woman, a? a rule, is not so handy with an infant (more especially in putting him for the first time to the breast) as is a married woman. 678. She must be sober, temperate, and healhy, and free fi'om deafness and from any defect of vision. She should have a gentle manner, but yet be neither melan- choly nor hippish. IShe ought to hare " the softest step and gentlest tone;" a heavy tread and harsh loud voice are, especially in a lying-in room, most discordant and quite out of place. Some nurses have a voice like a railway whistle, shrill and piercing ; others have voices like a cart-wheel requiring greasing, and almost set one's teeth on edge I She ought to be fond of children, and must neither mind her trouble nor at being disturbed at night. She should be a light sleeper. A heavy si -eper —a nurse that snores in her sleep — is very objectiouable; she often keeps the patient — more especially if she be easily disturbed — awake : and sleep is to a lying-in woman priceless — " The nnrse sleeps sweetly, hired to watch the dck, "Whom snoring she disturba." — Cr.wpcr. 579. " Scrupulous attention to cleanliness, freshness and neatness " in her own person, and towards the lady and the infant, are most important requisites, 580. A fat dumpling of a nurse — and some nurses are as fat as butter (their occupation tends to make them bo) — ought not to be chosen, as she can make no proper lap for her little charge. Besides, very fat people are usually heavy sleepers, ami snore in th<^ir sleeip, and are difficult, when duty calls them to action, to rouse from their slumbers. Moreover, a snoring nurse, as far as the lying-in woman is concerned, " Do«M rmmier sleep." — Shakspeare. 581. In ohoosing a monthly nurse, select one who 13 r. ^j^: •i t 194 AMifm TO A irriTA ha« a bright itmBhiny countenance j have nothing to do wilh a crab-viuegar-faced individual — more e8|>ocially if sliu have a red apot on a wrong place of her face, namely, on the tip of her noHO, inatoad of on her choeka : such an Olio is, in all probability, not only of a cross-grained tem- per, but she is one that, most likely, drinks aometliing Btrcmgor and more spirituous than water, and more ix>teut and hijatiy than. 'The ^■\l^a That cheer b»t not mebriattv'- C'oirpw. 882. A fine lady-nurse that requires to be constantly waited upon by a servant is not the one that I woidd recommend. A nurse should be willing to wait upon herself, upon her mistress, and upon the baby with arlacrity, with cheerfulness, and without assistance, or she is not suitable for hei situation 583. As the nurse, if she does her duty, devotes her tinio, her talent, and her best energies to the lady and to the infant, a mistress ought to be most liberal in the payment of a monthly nurse. A good one is cheap at almost any price ; while a bad one, though she come for nothing, is dear indeed. A cheap nurse is frequently the luin of the patient's and of the baby's health, and of the peace of a household. 584. The monthly nurse ought to be engaged earlp in the pregnancy, as a good nurse ia caught up soon, and is full of engagementa This is most important advice. A lady frequently has to put up with an in- diiierent nurse from neglecting to engage her betimes. Tlio medical man at the eleventh hour is frequently besought to perform an Lmjxtssibiiity — to select a good nurse, and which he could readily have done if time had been given him to make the selection. Some of my best nui-sos are engaged by my patients as early as two or three months after the latter have conceived, In order to make sure of having their favouiite nurses. My patients are quite right ; a good nurse is quite of •a much importance to her well-doing as is a good doctor ; i ^^^^m-am^ PREONANOT— MONTHLY NUUSBJ. 195 f i IndoeJ, a bad nurse oftentimoB makes a good doctor'i efforts perfectly nugatory. 585. It is always desirable, whenever it be j)ossibIe, that the doctor in attendance should himself select tho niontlily nurse, as she will then be used to his ways, and he will know her antecedents— whether she be sober, temperate, and kind, and that she understand her business, and whether she be in the habit of attending and of following out his directions, for fre(|uently a nurse is self opinionated, and fancies that she knows far better than tho ma-iical rnan. Such a nurse is to be scrupulously avoided There cannot be two masters in a lying-in room ; if their be, the unfortunate j)atient will inevitably be the sufl'erer. A doctor's directions miist be caiTied out to the very letter. It rests with the patient to select a judicious medical man, who, although he will be obeyed, will be kind and considerate to the nurse, 586. A monthly nurse ought to be in a house for a week or ten days before the commencement of the labour, in order that there may be neither bustle nor excitement, and no hurrying to and fro at the last moment to find her ; and that she may have everything prepared, and the linen well aired for the coming event. 587. She must never be allowed, unless ordered by the medical man, to give either tlio patient or the babe a particle of medicine. A quacking monthly nurse is an abomination. An infant who is evv.rlastingly being drugged by a nurse is sure to be puny and ailing. 588. A monthly nurt^e ought to understand the man- ner of putting on and of tightening the bandage after a confinement This, every night and morning, she must do. The doctor generally does jb the first time himself, viz., immediately after th', Ip.bour. It recpiires a little knack, and if the nurse bo ai all awkward in tlui matter, the medical man will be only to li.ippy to show her the way, for he is quite aAvare tlie support, the comfort, and the advantage it will be to his jialitait, and he will be glad to know that the nurse herself will be able to con- :-i h 196 ai)vi<;k to a wiPB. r- : tinue putting it on properly for some weeks — for at least three weeks — after the lying-in, 639. If nurses bettor understood the right method of ban.laging patients after tlieir labours, there would not be so many ladies with pendulous bellies and with un- gainly figures. It is a common remark that a lady's figure is spoiled in consequence of her having had so many children. This, provided efficient bandaging after every confinement had be^n resorted to, ought not to b'3. But then, if a monthly nurse is to do thuse things properly, she ouglit to be efficiently trained, and many of them have little or no training; Ssuce the importance of olioosing ono who thoroughly knows and will con- scientiously do her duty. 590. A monthly nurse who understands her business will always have the lying-in room tidy, cheerful, and well- ventilated. She will not allow dirty linen to accumulate in the drawers, in corners, and under the bed ; nor will she allow any chamber-utensil to remain for one moment in the room after it has been used. If it bo winter, she will take care that the fire u» the grate niivor goes out, and that it is not very large, and that the room is koj^t as nearly as possible at one temperature — namely, at 60'' Fahrenheit. She will use her authority as a nurse, and keep the other children from frequently running into the room, and from exciting and disturbing her mistress, and slie will make a point of taking charge of the bab«, and of keeping him quiet while the mother, during the day, is having her needful sleep. 591. A good monthly nurse fully comprehends and thoroughly appreciates the importance of bathing the external parts concerned in parturition every night and morning, and sometimes even often er, for at least two or three weelcs after childbirth. And, if the medical man deem it necessary, she ought to understand the proper manner of using a vaginal syringe. If the nurse be self-opinionated, and tries to persuade her mistress not to have ])roper 'iblution — that suoh ablution will give cold — she is both ignorant and prejudiced, and PREGNANCY — MONTHl.T NUB8B. la; quite nnfit for a monthly nurse ; and my advice is, that a lady ought on no account to engage such a person a spxuiid time. 5i)2. I need not now, as in another part of this work 1 havo entered so fully on the vital importance of ablution after childbirth, say more than again to urge my fair reader to see that the monthly nurse properly carries it out, and that if there b« any objections made to it by the nurse, the medical man be api)ealed to in the matter, and let his judgment be final. Assured I am, that every doctor who understands his profession will agree with me, that the regular ablutions of the parts after a labour is absolutely indispensable. The nurse, of course, will take care to guard the bed from being wet, and will not expose the patient unnecessarily during the process ; she will be quick over it, and she will have in readiness soft, warm, dry towels to speedily dry the parts that have been bathed. The above is most important advice, and I hopo that my fair inquirer will engage a monthly nurse that will do her duty in the matter. 593. Before concluding a list of some of the duties of a monthly nurse, there are six more pieces of advice I wish to give both to a wife and to a monthly nurse herself, whicli are these : — (1.) Never to allow a nurse, until sho be oi lered by the doctor, to give either brandy, or wine or porter, or ale to the patient. (2.) I shculd recommend every respectable monthly nurse to carry about with her an india-rubber vaginal syringe. One of the best for the purpose is Higginson's syringe,* • There are other inJia- rubber apparatuses besides Higginson's which wiU answer a ainiilar purpose. They are sometimes made with two separate and distinct pipes, the one of which is to be used itt the administration of an enema, and the other for giving an injectiiin u{> the vag.'na, or fur washing out the vagina with wurm water. The best q lality of apparatus ought always to be chosen. C. Mackintosh k Co.'s Patent Vaginal Syringe (Mo. 2 size) la a capital vaginal syringe ; but it will only act as a vaginal ; whilst Jligi^-nsou's and some others will act a double purpose — either as an enema or as a vaginal syringe. (ff' 198 ADVICE TO A WIFHL ta ir M t "1 ^yiiich ifl one constructed to act either na an enenii a])piirutus, or, by placing the vaginal pipe over the enema pipe, or a vaginal syringe. Hlie will thus be aimed at aU points, and will be ready for any emergency. It i.s an admiral invention and cannot be too woi\ known. (3.) 1 shoidd advise a nurse never to quack eitlier the mother or the babe. A ([uacking nurse is a dangerous individual The oidy person that should pri;s';ribe for either mother or babe is the medical man himself. A nurse has no business to course upon a doctor's preserves. She should remember that he is the one to give orders, as ho, in the lying-in worn, is the commander-inciiief, and tna-d be obeyed. (4.) A monthly nui-se ought to make a point of never revealing the private concerns of her former mistresses. It would be a gi'eat breach of contideni,A tor her to do so. (5.) I shoidd advise a montldy nurse, if her lying-in patient'a head should ache and she cannot sleep, and it should be in the winter time, to feed the bedroom fire with her hands covered with gloves, and not with the tongs, as the clatter of fire-irons is often an ehectual method of banish- ing sleep altogether, and of increasing a headache. This advice may appear trivial, but it is really important. I have known patients disturbed out of a beautiful sleep by the feeding of the fire, and it is therefore well to guard against such a contingency — sleep after labour being mjjst soothing, refreshing, and strengthening to the patient SL'cp, although easdy scared and put to flight, is some- times ditlicult to woo and to win, (6.) I should recom mend every monthly nurse, while waiting upon her mistress, to wear either list slippers or the rubber slippei-s, as creaking shoes are very irritating to a patient " Nurses at these times should wear slippers and not shoes. The best slippers in sick rooms are those manu- factured by the North British Rubber Company, Ediis* burgh ; they enable nurses to walk in them about tlie room without causing the slightest noise ; indeed, they may be called 'th? noiseless slipper' — a gi-eat desidera- hnn in such cases more esueciallv in all head ailectiou* KHB0NANC1?-" MONTHLY NURflB. 190 of children. If the above slippers cannot readily ))e obtained, then list slippei-s — soles and all being made of liflt — will answer the purpose equ illy as welL" — {Admce to a Mother). WliQe speaking on the dutiefl of a monthly nurse, there is one repreheusil)lf^ practice of some few of them I wish to denounce, wliich is this : — A nurse declaring at each pain, when it will probably be two or throe hourp before the labour is over, that two or three pains \ 11 be all that are needed? Now, this is folly, it is most disheartening, and makes the patient impatient^ and to believe in bitterness of spirit that "all men," and women, too, "are liars." A nurse should take her cue from the doctor, and if he should happen to be a sensible man, he will tell Lis patient the tinith, and express an opinion how long it will be before she is likely to be delivered. Truth in this, as in every- thing else, is the safest and the best 1 694. A lady may perhaps, say, " You want a nurse to be perfection \ " Well, I do : a nurse ought to be as near perfection as poor human nature will allow. None but good women and true should enter the ranks of nurses ; for their responsibility is great, and their power of doing either good or evil \b enonnous. Hence good nurses are prizeable, and should be paid most liberally. 695. Th& selection of a nurse is, for the wellbeing both of mother and of babe, quite as important as is the choice of a doctor ; indeed, I do not know wliether she is not of moi-e importance. Mother and babe are thoroughly dependent upon her for the airing of clothes, for dr.d but careful ablution, and for other most im- portant services. 696. I hope, then, I have said enough — I am quite •lire that I have not said one word too much — on the care required in the selection of a monthly nurae. it u impossible, when such importani ir^terssts arc at stake to be too particulaZi or to overstate its importauceb *: i 1 aoo ADVIOB TO A WI"^ ii- \ > I I ■1 CONCLUDING REMARKS ON PREGNANCY. 597. The premonitory symptomfl of labour having now commenced ; everything being in readiness for the coming event ; clothes, sheets, flannels, diapers, all well aired , everything in order, so that each and all may, even in the dark, at a moment's notice, be found ; the bedroom well ventilated ; the nurse being in the house ; the doctor notified that he might bo wanted j all the patient has now to do is to keep up her spiiits, and to look forward with confidence and ho[)e to that aucpicious nu)ment which has been long expected, and which is now about arriving, when she will be made a mother I and which event — the birth of her child, ushered as he is into the world with a cry (Oh, joyful sound !) — she will realise as the happiest period of her existence ; she will then be amply repaid for all her cares, all her anxiety, and all her anguish : " A woman when she is in travail hath sorrow because her hour is come ; but as soon as she is delivered of the child, she remembereth no more the anguish, for joy that a man is bom into the world."— /S'/ John. 598. A wife is now about to assume an additional and higher title than that of Wifehood, namely, that of Motherhood ; but before doing so, she will have a pain- ful ordeal to go through ; which is truly called " labour ;" and which I purpose dwelling on at large in the next Part— Part IXL PAT^T TFT. LABOUB. An w«mm Mow-inff cif cAilA— Tbi ImuKK IVm« of htr 7.— Grnuu. Th* i-hild tea* pritoner to the tcon^ ; and U By law andprucest of great naturt, thtnct frotd tMd tt\franchiied. — Su^KtPBAKB, ON A FIRST LABOUR. 599. Ad the first labour Ls, of all subseqnent labotm, generally the most tedioui* and the most severe, it bo- hover a newly-married woman to "hearken unto counflel," and thus to prepare for the coming event. 600. Strict observance of the advice contained in these pages will often make a first labour as easy and as ex- peditious as an after labour. 601. But observance of the counsel herein contained must be adopted, not only during pregnancy, but like- wise during the whole period — from the very com- mencement—of wifehood. iJL' 'Ij THE PRECURSORY SYMPTOMS OF LABOUR. 602. A day or two before the labour commences the patient usually feels better than she has done for a long time ] she is light and comfortable ; she is smallei, and the child is lower down ; sho is more cheerful, breaihei 203 ADVIOH TO ▲ WIf» I inoro freely, and is more inclined to take exercise, and to attend to her houBuhold duties ; she han often an inc]i nation to tidy her drawers, and to look up tind have in roadijioKS her own linen, and the baby'w clothes, and the other requisites for the long-exj)ected event ; 8he seems to have a presentiment that labour is approaching, and she has the fec)':,,^ Vhai licw is be right time to get everytliing in roadi;»ofi.s, as, jn a short time, she will be powerless to exert herself. 603. Although the majority of patients, a day or two before the labour comes on, are more bright and cheerful, some few are more anxious, fanciful, fidgety, and restletiS. 604. A few days, sometimes a few hours, before labour commences, the child " falls," as it is called, that is to say, thtit Ib a suhsidcitc^ — a dropping — of the womh lower doAvn the belly. Those are the reasons why she feels lighter and more comfortable, and more inclined to take exercise, and why she con breathe more freely. 605. The only inconvenience of the dropping of t1i9 womh is, that the womb presses more on the bladder, and sometimes causes an irritability of that organ, in ducing a frequent desire to make water. 606. T\\Qi suliddencs — the dropping — of the womh may then be considered one of the earliest of the precursory symptomB of childbirth, and as t?ie herald of the coming event. 607. She has, at this tim he. intcrferod with ; fit this «tag»^, tluiifforo, it ifl iisnlrHH to Hoiirl for a do for ; yot fho mfnithly nui"KH nhirnhJ he in the housn, to iiiakf prcjtara- tions for tho coming event Although at this early poriod, it is not necessary to sf^nt for tlie medi'-al man ; nevertheless, it in \V(>11 to lot him know that hif. PorvieeH might shortly he required, in order that ho nn'>,'ht he in the way, or that ho might leave word \vhei<) he miglit quickly he found. 609. Tlioso " grinding pains " gradually assume more regularity iii their character, return at shorter intervals, and liecome more seven;. GIO. About this time, shivering, in the majority of ca.ses, is apt to occur, su as to make the teeth '•'.lutter agaiiu Shivering 7/^r/^?,7 lnhour is not an unfavourable 8yinj)tnm j it proves, indeed, that the patient is in real earnest, and that .she is making progress. 61 1. Although the jKitient sliivers and tremhh'S, until, in t^ouio instances, the bed sliakes ujider her, it is unaccom- panied with real coldness of the skin ; she .shivers and feels ing in th(5 way of her doing so. The man who invented these new-fangled bedsteads was an ignoramus in such matters. 625. Labour —and truly it may be cdled " labour" * — is a natural process, and therefore ought not unneces- sarily to be intoirfored with, or woe betide the unfortunate patient. I firmly beliove that a woman would stand a much better cli.ince of getting well over her confinement without assistance than if she had been hurried with sissistance. 626. In a natural labour very little assistance is needed, and the doctor is only required in the room occasionally, to ascertain that things are going on rightly. Those ladies do best, both at the time and afterwards, who are the least interfered with Bear this in mind, and let it be legibly written on your memory. This advice, of course, only holds good in natural o u- finements. 627. Meddlesome midwifery cannot be too strongly reprobated. The duty of a doctor is to watch the pro- gresHi of a childbirth, in order that, if there be anything WTUi..;, he may rectify it; but if the labour be going on well, he has no business to interfere, and he need not be much in the Ijing-in room, although he should be in an adjoining apartment 628. These remarks are made to set a lady right with regard to the proper otfices of an accoucheur ; as sometimes she has an idea that a medical man is able, by constantly " taking a pain," to greatly expedite a natural labour. Now, this is a mistaken and mis- chievous, although a popular notion, The frequent " The fiat hath gone forth that in " sorrow thou shalt bring forth children. " Young, in his Niijht Thoughts, beautifully ex« preaaes the connnoii lot of women to suffer : — " lis the common lot ; In thi.s shape, or in that, has fate entailed The mothrrs thi.ms on all of woman born, Not more tlie chiKliea tlMUl wire heus of natn." I LABOUR — 8TMFroM3 OF LAJJOUR, 201 ** taking of u pain " is very injiirioua iuid most unnatural It iratates and inflames the passages, and ficciiujutly retards the dt-livery. The occasimial, but only the occasional, " taking of a pain " is absolutely necessary to enable the medical man to note the stjito of the pai-ts, and the progress of the labour ; but the frcqnmt '* taking of a pain " \a very objectionable and most reprehuusibla 629. As a rule, then, it is neither necessary nor desir- able for a medical man to be much in a lying-in room. Really, in a natural labour, it is 8urj)rlsing hvAv veiy little his presence ici required. After he has oiice ascertained the nature of the case, which it is ahsohitilij necessary that he should do, and has found all going on ** right and straight," it is better, much better, that he retire in the day-time to the diuwing-room, in the ni^ht season to a bedroom, and thus to allow natui'e time and full scope to take her own course without hurry and withjut interference, without let and without hindranca Nature hates hurry, and roscuts interferenca The above advice, for many reasons, is particularly usefuL In the first place, nature is not imnecessarily interfered with. Secondly, it allows a patient, from time to time, to empty her bladder and bowels, — which, by giving more room to the adjacent parts, greatly assists and expedites the progress of the labour. Thirdly, if the doctor is not present, he is not called upon to be frequently " taking a pain," which she may request him to do, as she fanci<5s it does her good, and relieves her suirerings ; but which frequent taking of a pain in reality does her harm, and retards the progress of the labour. No ; a doctor ought not to be much in the lying-in room. Although it m^y be necessary that he be near at hand, within call, to render assistance towards the last, 1 emphatically declare that in an ordinary confinement — that is to say, in what is called a natui'al labour — the only time, as a rule, that the pre- sence of the doctor can be useful, is just before the child is born ; although he ought to be in reatliness, and should therefore be in the house «!ome little time before the event takes placa Let the above advice be strouifly :a. li '1r 208 A.DT10* it » iuary lab(jur, of non- interference and the blessednesa 0/ patience, what benefit would accrue from such knowledge — ^ " What cannot p^tj«nce do ? A great design is seldom Hnatcn'd at once ; Tifl patience heaves it on."— Thornton. 630. Women are far more patient than uen: it is well they are ; for men would never be able patiently to endure, as women do, the bitter pangs of childbirth. Chaucer beautifidly describes patience m a wife' 9 gift, as " This floui of wifely patience." 631. Bear in mind, then, that in every well-formed woman, and in every ordinary confinement, nature is perfectly competent to bring, xnithout the assistance of man* a child into the world, and that it is only an ignorant person who would, in a natural case of labouij interfere to assist nature. Assist nature ' Can any- thing be more absurd ? As though God in His wisdom, in performing one of His greatest wonders and pro- cesses, required the assistance of man. It might with as much truth be said that in every case of the process of healthy digestion it is necesspry for a doctor to assist the stomach in the process of digesting the food ! Xo, it is high time that such fallacies were exploded, and that commor sense should take the place of such folly. A natural labour, then, ought never to be either hurried or interfered with, or frightful consequences might, and in all probability will, ensue. Let every lying-in woman bear in mind that the more patieut she is, the more kind and the more speedy will be her labour and her "getting about." Let her, moreover, remember then, that labour is a natural process — that all the " grindingi' * •' Through thee have I been holden up ever since I waa bom ; thou art he tnat took me out of my mother's wnmb ; my praise ^all be always of theu." — The Psalvis of Davids Ixxi. 6. ) T-ABOUK -8TMPTOMS OF LAaOUR. 209 pafns she haa are doing her good service, are dilating* softening, and relaxing the parts, and preparing for the final or " bearing down" pains : let her further bear in mind that these pains must not^ on any account what- ever, he interfered toith either by the doctor, by tlie nurse, or by herself. These pains are sent for a wise purpose, and tliey ought to be borne with patience and resignation, and she will in due time he, rewarded for all her sufferings and anxieties by having a living chiM. Oh, how often have I heard an ignorant nurse desire her mistress to bear down to a "grindiig" pain, as though it could do the slightest good ! No, it only robs her of her Btrength and interferes with the process and pro- gress of the labour. Away with such folly, and let Nature assert her rights and her glorious prerogative I " There is much reason to suspect that the danger and the diseases often connected with child-bearing are pro- duced by our preposterous management, and our absurd contrivances and interference, in order to assist Nature in one of her most important operations ; whfch, like all the rest of them, is contrived with perfect knowledge and wisdom." — Dr James Greyory. 632. It might be thought that I am tedious and prolix in insisting on non-interference in a natural labour, but the subject is of paramount importance, and cannot be too strongly dwelt upon, and cannot be too often brought, and that energetically, before the notice of a lyii^g-in woman. 633. Fortunately for ladies, there is great talent in the midwifery department, which would prevent — how ever anxious a patient may bo to get out of her trouble — any improper interference.* I say improyer inter- ference, A case sometimes, although rarely, occurs in • Dr D Davis — my old obstetrical teacher — used, in hia valu- able lectures, strongly to reprobate meddlesome midwifery ; he justly observed that " accouclicurs were ouly life-guardsmen to women." A life-guardsuian, while on duty at the palace, doea not interfere with every passer-by, but ouly removes those \vb« obstruct the way. 14 \ 210 A.OVIOE TO A VnHfli, II imm ii which it might be neceosary for the medfral man to properly inteifure and to help the deliveiy, then the patient must leave herself entirely in the hands of her doctor — to act as he thinks best, and who may find it necessary to use promptness and decision, and thus to gave her an amount of unnecessary lingering pain, risk, and anxiety. But those cases, fortunately, are excep- tions — rare ejcceptiom — and not the rule. It is, then, absolutely necessary, in some few cases, that a medical man should act promptly and decisively : delay in such emergencies woul;! be dangerous — '• If it were done, when 'tis done, then 'twere well It were done quickly." — Shak.speare. 634. There are times, and times without number, when a medical man is called upon to do but little or nothing ; and there are others — few and far between — when it is imperatively necessary that he shoidd do a great deal lie ought, at all times, to be as gentle as a lamb, but should, in certain contingencies, be as fearless as a lion I 636. An accoucheur's hand should be firm, and yet gentle ; his heart should bo tender, and yet brava Having made up his mind to the right course, he sliould pursue it without let or hindrance, without interference, with- out wavering, and without loss of tim& Moments in such cases are most precious ; they often determine whether the mother shall do well, and whether the babe shall live or die 1 How many a child has died in the birth, in a nard and tedious labour, from the use of instruments having been to long delayed 1 Instru- ments, in a proper case and judiciously applied, are most safe ; they are nothing more than thin hands — to bring away the head — when the head is low enough in the bulh — the do(>tor'8 hands being to ihirk for the purposei Many hours of intense sulfering, and many years of unavailing regrets from the nccilless loss of the child might have been savei if instruments had been used the moment mechanical aid was indicated — that is to 4; 5 SI I 1 l^iiOnR STMI'TnMS '^R F.A Bay, In a casR, for instauop, where the child rpniaiutil fur some hours stationary in tho birtli, aMiough the pains contin 'od inkmsolv : t ^ and very forcing. Hence the importance, in midwiiery, of employing a man of talent, of experience, of judgment, and of deci- sion- No branch of the profession requires more skill than that of an accoucheur. 636. Shovld the hush ind. he pre.^mt during the lahovr'i Certainly not ; hut as soon as the labour is over, and all the soiled clothes have been put out of the way, let him instantly see his wife for a few minutes, to whisper in her ear words of affection, of gratitude, and consolation. 637. The Jirst confinement is generally twice the length of time of an after one, and usually the more children a lady has had, the quicker is her labour ; but this is by no means always the case, aa some of the after labours may be the tedious, while the early ones may be the (J (lick, ones. 638. It ought to be borne in mind, too, that tediovs labours are oftentimes natural, and that they only require time and patience from all concerned to bring them to a successful issue. 639. It may be said that & first labour, as a rule, laste six hours, while an after confinement probably lasts but tliree. This space of time, of course, does not usually include the commencement oi labour pains; but the time that a lady may be actually said to be in real cravaiL If we are to reckon from the commencement of the labour, we ought to double tho above numbers — that ia to say, we should make the average duration of a first lajour, twelve ; of an after one, six hours. 640. When a lady marries late in life — for instance, after she has passed the age of thirty — her first labour is usually much more lingering, painful, and tedious, demanding a great stock of patience, from the patient, from the doctor, and from the friends ; notwithstanding which, if she be not hurried and be not much inter' red with, both she and her babe generally do remaritably well Supposing a lady marries late in life, it is only I i ■ n I ■ s«. vt i; ivi ADVIOW TO A WTT'e '; thefirtft confinement that, ia usually hard and linqonng j the after labours are aa easy as though she bad married when young. 641. Slow labours are not neceasarily dangerous ; on the contrary, a paiiiiut frequently has a better aii'l more rapid recovery, provided il^re has been no interference, after a tedious tlian after a quick confinement — proving beyond doubt that nature hates hurry and interference. It is an old saying, and I believe a true one, that a lying-in voman mud have pain either brfore or (iffcr her labour ; and it certainly is far preferable that slio should have the pain and suffering before than after the deliv<;ry is over. 642. It is well for a patient to know that, as a rule, after a first confinement, she never has after-pains. This is some consolation, and is a kind of compensation for her usually suffering more with her first child. The after-pains generally increase in intensity with every additional child. This only bears out in some measure, what I before advanced, namely, that the pain is less sovei-e and of shorter duration befyre each succeeding labour, and that the pain is greater and of longer duration aftfr each succeeding one. The after-pains are intended by nature to contract — to reduce — the womb somewhat to its non-pregnant size, and to assist clots in coming away, and therefore ought not to be needlessly interfered with. A judicious medical man will, however, if the pains be very severe, prescribe medicine to mode- rate — not to stop — them. A doctor fortunately possesses valuable remedies to alleviate the after-pains. 643. Nature — beneficent nature — ofttimos works in secret, and is doing good service by preparing for the coming event, unknown to all around. Pain, in the very earliest stages of labour, is not a necessary attendant. Although pain and suffering are the usual concomitants •f childbirth, there are, nevertheless, well authenticated eases on record oi painless parturition.* * Dr George Smith, of Madras, communicated an i&teresting of tlie luud to the Edinbtu-ah Medical JowmaL lADOUn- BTMPTUM8 OK LADOUB. 213 641 A natural labour may be divided iiito thro« etagos. Tliefirat, tlie premonitory '^aj^^o, comprising the " iwWuv^" OT stjlf-iiknr.e of tilt' wcmh, and tho**8how." The Bcccuil, tho dilating stage, which \a known by the pains being of a "grinding" natiiro, and in which tho mouth of tho womb gradually opens or dilut* .> until it is Bufficiently large to admit the exit of the lioad of the child, wh>^n it becomea the third, tho coniploting stage, which is now indicated by tho pains being of a " bearing down" (ixpulsivo cl.aruoter. 645. Now, in the first or prmmonitory stage, which is much tho longest of the threo stages, it is neither necessary nor desirable that the patient should be con- fined to her room ; on the contrary, it is bettcir for her to be moving about the house, and to be attending to her household duties. 04G. Tu the second and dilating ?tage, it will be neces- sary that she shouhi b^* coulineii ti her room, but not to her Vied. If the drawing room be near at hand, she Dught occasionally to Wiill\ to it, and if a pain hould come on the while, lie on the tJofa. In this staye it is net at all desirable that she should !<■ She is bettoi uj)ai. •p her bed, oi even : 'ii, md walking lie mucli on it. about the room. 647. In the first and the second stagosi she must not, on any account, strain or bear down to the pains, )rfU3S or to iron. The rea.sons are obvious : in the first place, the patient can, in the hibt stage of labour, press her feet against the bod-post, which is often a great comfort, relief, and assistance to her; and, secondly, while walking about the room, and *a pain" suddenly coming on, she can, by holding the bed-post, support herself the while. 657. If the bedstead be one of the new-fangled ones —that is to aay, one with a fixed footboard — a hassock should be placed against it, in orfler that the patient, during the latter part of the labour— during the boarinK* 1 m 1 1 i 1 5»; i' 1 216 ADVUJK TO A W'.KB. down pains — may ho able to plant hor feet fii inly n^ainst ii (the hassock), ami thus be enabled the better to help the bearinf?-(luvvu of her pains. 668. It might be well to Htate, that the patient shouM, at riuch times, wear a j»air of boots, in order that the feet might not be hurt by pressing agninat the hassock. Tlieae directions may appear trivial; but anything and everything that will conduce, in however small degree, to a patient's com'/rt, or advantage, or well-doing, is not out of place in these pagt^*; indeed, it is attention to little things, at such seafions, that often determine whether "the getting about" shall be satisfactory, or otherwise. 659. If there be, besides the bed, a straw mattress and a horse hair mattress, let the straw mattress be re- moved, as a high bed is inconvenient, not only to the patient, bnt to the doctor and to the nurse. 660. The lady in the straw. — Women, in ancient times, were delivered on straw : hence the origin of the term, "The 1m -'y In the straw " PREPARATIONS FOR LABOUR. 661. Position of woman in labour. — The position varies according to the country. Delivery, in some countries, such as in France, is usually elfected wliile the patient is lying on her back ; in other countrie.s, while she is standing ; in others, while she is on her knees ; in others, while she is in a kind of arm-chair, made f : the purpose, with a false bottom to it, and called rs " groaning-chair ; " while, in other instances, such as in England, the patient is delivered while she is on her left side, and which is, both for the doctor and for the patient, by far the most delicate, convenient, and safe method. 662. I should strongly urge a patient not to put eyerything off to the last. She must take care to have in readiness a good pair of scissors and a skein of whitey-brown thread. And <TTR PRB:P\RAT1<)V« P(m T.ATIOTTR. 21" hon«e a small pot of provar^d lard,* and a flask of wilad oil, that thoy may be at hand in caao thoy hi^ wiint«d. Sonit^ doctors, at nuch tiini's, pnifer the prepartid lard ; M'hilo others prof'-r the nidud nil. Let everything' ncrefr- «ary, both for herself and the babe, be well aired and ready for imryiedlate uho, and be placed in Huch order, that all things may, without hurry or buHtlo, at a moment's notice bo found, 663. Another prej»aration tor childbirth, ajid a most inijiortant one, is attendiiif^ to the ptat<> of the bowels. //' ffiMij he at all eo.ftivi', the moment there is tho Bli^:jhteHt premonitory fiyinpiom.s of labour, she ought to take either a teaspoonful or a dessert, spoonful (accord- ing to the nature of her bowels, whether she be easily moved or otherwise) of castor oil If she object to taking the oiJ^ then let her have an enema of warm water — a pint — administered. She will, by adojiliiig either of the above plans, derive the greatest comf )rt »nd advantage ; it will prevent her delicacy from boing ihocked by having her bowels opened, without her being able to prevent them, during the last stage of the labour ; and it will, by giving the adjacent parts more room, much expedite the delivery, and lessen her Bufferings. 004. The next thing to be attended to ia the way in wlxich alio ought to be dressed for the occ(mon. T would recommend her to put on her clean night-gown : which, in order to keep it unsoiled, should be smootldy and carefully rolled up about her waist ; then she ought to wear over it a short bed-gown reaching to her hips, and have on a flannel petticoat to meet it, and then she should over all put on a dressing-gown. If it be winter, the dressing-gown had better either be composed of flannel or be lined with that material. 665. The stays mtist not he worn, as, by preventing the muBclea of the chest and of the belly from helping • A two-ounce pot of prepared Inrd should, preriouBly to th* labour, be procured from a chamiat. % ■ y 21« ADVioa TO A mm the expul.-ion of the child, they would interfere with the progress of the labour. QQQ. Putting tight stays on a woman in travail is about as sensible as putting a man in a sack to run a race ! Tight stays are, in labour, ahnost as injurious as a straight waistcoat would be, and would act much in the same way. Straight waistcoats are going out of fashion, and it is to be hoped that tiglit stays will follow suit ; they are botli instruments of torture, and worthj of the dark ages in which they sprung up and flourished ! Those poi-sons who advocate tight lacing as beneficial to health are the proper people — they being lunatics — to wear straight waistcoats j they should be reserved for their exclusive benefit. 667. The valances of the bed, ai.d the carpet, and the curtains at the foot of the bed, had better all be removed ; they ai"e only in the way, and may get soiled and spoiled. 668. " The guarding of the bed." — This is done in the following way : — Cover the right side of the bad (iis the patient will have to lie on her left side) with a large piece, a yard and a lialf square, of waterproof cloth, or bed-sheeting as it is sometimes call'il, which is sold for the purpose ; over this folded sheets ought to be placed- If a waterproof cLth cannot be procured, an oilcloth tablecover will answer the purposa Either of the above plans will effectually protect the bed from injury. 669. The lying-in room should be kept, not hot, but comfortably warm ; if the temperature of the room be high, the patiojit will become irritable, feverish, and restless, and the labour will be prolonged. 670. In order to change the air, let the door of the room every now and then be left ajar ; and if, in the early periods of the labour, she should retire for a while to the drawing-room, let the lying-in room window b© thrown wide open, so as to thorouglily ventilate the apartment, and to make it fresh and sweet on her tetui'U. If the weuthei h» verjr warm, the lower sash LABOUR — PREPARATIONS FOR LABOUR 219 01 the window may for a few inches be oiioiiecL ll is wonderful how lefresldng to the spirits, and huW streugthoiiing to the frame, a well-ventilatcd room is to a woman in travail. 671. Many attendants are not only unnecessary hut injurious. Tliey excite and Ihirry the patient, they cause noise and confusion, and rob the air of its purity. One lady friend, besides the doctor and tlie monthly nurse, is all that is needed In making the selection of a friend, care should be taken that she be the mother of a family, tliat she be kind-hearted and self-possessed, and of a cheerful turn of mind. All " chatterers," " croakers," and " potterers " ought, at these times, to be carefully excluded from the lying-in room. No conversation of a depressing character should for one moment be allowed. Nurses and friends who are in the habit of telling of bad cases that have occurred in their experience, must be avoided as the plague. If nurses have had bad cases, many of them have [)robably been of their own mrdcing; Buch nurses, therefore^ ought on every ace )unt to be ehunned. 672. Boisterous conversation during the progress of childbirth ought never to be permitted ; it only irritates and excites the patient, Although noisy merriment is bad, yet at such times gentle, cheerfid, and agreeable chat is beneficial; towards the conclusion of the labour, however, perfect quietude must be enjoined j as during the latter atage, talking, be it ever so lit lie, is usually most distasteful and annoying to the patient,. The only words that should then be spoken are a few words of comfort from the doctor, aimouncing, from time to time, that her labour is progressing favoural dy, and that her pain and son'ow will soon be converted into ease and joy. 673. The attendants and all arounil a lying-in patient nmst be patient, let the patient hersidf be ever so im- patient — she has frequently cause for her impatience ; the bitter j)angs of labour are oftentimes severe enough to make even an angel impatient ! Not a note, then, of Impatience must grate kx^vh hot eai* ; but words ol 1 1 1 1 i \ \ ^H Hi u 4 ,:. 220 AXmCm TO A WIFH. ■^i": gentleness, of encouragement, and of hope, must be tho remedies used by those about her and around her to soothe her impatience. 674. A mother on these occasions is often present ; but of all persons sbe is the most unsuitable, as, from her maternal anxiety, she tend^ rather to depress than to cheer her daughter. Though the mother ought not to be in the room, it is, if practicable, desirable that she should be in the Jwiise. The patient, in the generality of cases, derives comfort from the knowledge of her mother being so near at hand. 675. Another preparation for labour is — to soothe her mind by telling her of the usual safety of confinements, and by assuring her that, in the generality of instances, it is a natural process, and no disease ^/h stover; and that all she has to do is to keep up her spirits, to adhere strictly to the rules of her doctor, to have a little patience, and that she will do remarkably well. Remind her, too, of passages from the sweet Singer of Israel, which are full of hope and of comfort : — " Heavinesi may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." ** Thou b"8t turned my heaviness into joy," and "girded me with gladness." "They that sow in tears shall reap in joy." Again: "I was in misery, and he helped me." 676. Tell her, too, that "sweet is pleasure after pain;" and of the exquisite happiness and joy she will feel as soon as her labour i^ over, as perhaps the greatest thrill of delight a woman ever experiences in this W( Hd is when her babe is first born. She, as if by magic, f<-T^; 'k all the sorrow and suffering she has endured. Kt' ie, in the Christian Fear, well observes : — " Mysterioufl to all thonpht, A mother's pnmp of bliss, When to her eager lips ia brought Her infant's thrilling kiu." How beautifully, too, he sings of the gratitude of a woman to God for her sufe delivery from the perils and paiij^s of childbirth;-' LABOUR — PRHTARATIONS FOB LABOUR. 221 **OnlT let heaven her fire impart, No richer incense breathes on earth: •A spouse with all a daughter's heart,' Fresh from the perilous birth, To the great Father lifts her pale gla<.l eye, Like a reviving llower when stonns are hushed on high." 677. The doctor, too, will be able to administer comfort to her when he has " tried a pain," or has " taken a pain " as it is called, and whon he can assure her that it '* is all right and straight ;" — that is to say, that the child is presenting in the most favourable position, and that everything is progressing satisfactorily. He will, moreover, be able to inform her oithe 2yrubable "(luration of her labour." There is nothing more comforting and consoling to a lying-in patient than for the medical man to be able to tell her of the probable time the labour will last, which, after he has '* tried a pain," he is usually able to do ; nothing to her is more insupportable than uncertainty — " Uncertainty I Fell demon of our fears I the human soul. That can support despair, supports not thee.* -Mallet. 678. All needless cause of fear must be kept out of sight ; a foolish, ridiculous, twaddling nurse must not be allowed to tell of any horrible case which she miglit have had, or which she miglit have pretemled to have had; she is a prattling silly fool for her pains, and was mocit likely herself the cause of such bad cases, if tbey otherwise except in her imagination really exist I A childbed woman is timid, and full of fears ; she might say with Constance — " For 1 am sick, and capable of fean." 679. Fear and sorrow usually fall upon a woman in labour, or, as the Psalmist beautifully expresses it, — " Fear came there upon them, and sorrow, as upon a woman in her travail." Such being the case, the attendants should endeavour to couiiter.vct the same by conlidoace and cheerfulness — not a janiiig not« of da* ill y S22 ADVIOU TU A WIFB. IHlTl: Bpondoiicy should be heard — aud why should there bef Liibour is, as a rule, perfectly safe and uatuial; aud confidence and cheerfulness are two of the grand remedies to bring it to a happy conclusion. 680. Let me in this place urge upon the patient the importance of her allowing the doctor to inquire fully into her stata She may depend upon it that this inquiry will be conducted in the most delicate manner If there be anything wi'oiig in the labour, it is in tl e earlij stage, and before the " waters have broken," that the most good can be dona If a proper examination be not allowed to the medical man whenever he deems it right aud proper (and a juilicious doctor will do it as seldom as witli safety he can), her life, and perhaps that of her chDil, might pay the penalty of such false delicacy. 681. Brandy ought always to be in the house \ but let me impress upon th minds of the attendants the inportanco of witliholding it, unless it be ordered by tlie doctor, from a lying-in woman. Numbers l:ave fallen victims to its being indiscriminately giveiL I am of opinion that the great ^laution wliich is now adopted in giving spirits to women in labour is one reason, among others, of the gi'eat safety of the confineuients of the present day, comparcl with those of former times. 682. Brandy, in the lying-in room, is, in case of flood ing, of exhaustion, of fainting, or any other emergency, indispensable. But brandy should be considered as a medicine — as a valuable but as a powerful medicina — and, like all powerful medicines, should be prescribed by a doctor, and by a doctor oidy ; who will indicate the fit time and proper dose on the administration thereof. If this advice be not strictly followed, deplor- able consequences may, and probably will, ensua Brandy, according to the way it is used, is ei^Jier a faithful friend or a l)itter enemy ! 683. The best beverage for a patient during labour is either a cup of warm tea, or of gruel, or oi aiTOwroot. It is foUy in the extreme, during the progie.ss of labour, to force her to eat: her stomach recoHs from it, as at LATIOUR — PRBt^AKATlOMS 90R LiiK)OB. 323 these times there is generally a loathing of food, and if we will, as we always ought, to take the appetite as our guide, we shall never go far wrong. 684. A patient during labour ought frequently to make water ; she will by doing so add materially to her ease and comfort, atid it will give the adjacent paiis more room, and will thus expedite the delivery. I wi^h to call attention to this point, as many ladies, especially with their first children, have, from false delicacy, BulTered severely from not attending to it ; one of the ill effects of which is inability after the labour ia over to make water without the assistance of the doctor, who might in an extreme case doom it ne jessary to intro- duce a catheter into the bladder, and thus to draw the water oft 685. I recommended, in a previous paragraph, that the doctor ought to have either the drawing-room or a bedroom to retire to, in order that the patient may, during the progress of the la^ our, be left very much to hfirself, and that thus she may have f'-ill opportunities, whenever she f(!el the sHghtest inclination to do so, of thoroughly emptying either her bladder or bowels. Now, thU ailvief is of very great importance^ and if it were more followed than it is, a great diminution of misery, of aimoyance, and suffering would be saved. I have given the subject great attention, as I have had large experience in midwifery practice ; 1 therefore speak " like one having authority," and if my " counsel " in this particular be attended to, this book will not have been written in vaia 686. If the patient, twelve hours after her delivery, and having tried two or tliree times during that time, be nnohle to make water, the medical man ought to be maile acquainted with it, or ser'^iiB coutiequeucea might ensua 4ih 324 ABTIOK TO A WIFE. I '■*■ CHLOROFORM IN HARD AND IN LINGERINO LABOUR. 687. Mothers and doctors are indebted to Sir Jamei Simpson for the introduction of chloroform, one of the greatest and most valuable diflcoverieB ever conferred on 8ulfuring humanity.* 688. Sulphuric ether was formerly used to cause in- sensibility to pain ; but it is far inferior, in midwifery, to chloroform, and is now, in this country, very seldom employed ; while the inhalation of chloroform, especially in cases of hard and lingering labour, is every day becom- ing more general, and will do still more extensively when its value is better understood, and when, in well-selected cases, its comparative freedom from danger is sufficiently appreciated. 689. Chloroform, then, is a great boon in midwifery practice ; indeed, we may say with Dr Kidd, that in labour cases "it has proved to be almost a greater boon than in the experimental and gigantic operations of the surgeon." It may by a medical man be administered in labour with perfect safety. I myself have given it in numerous instances, and have always been satisfied with the result, 690. The inhalation of chloroform, according to the will of the operator, causes either partial or complete unconsciousness, and, either for a longer or for a shorter time, freedom from pain. In other words, the effects might with perfect safety be continued either for a few * " Dr Simpson, on first propounding the theory of the appli- cation of chloroform to patients requiring surgical aid, was fitoutly opiMJsed by certain Calvlnistic objectors, who held that to check the sensation of pain in connection with ' visitations of God * wa« to contravene the decrees of an Ail-wise Creator. *' "What was his answer I That the Creator, during the process of extracting the rib from Adam, must necessarily have adopted a somewhat correspontiing artifice — ' For did not God throw Adam into a deep sleep ? The Pietists were satisfied, and the discoverei triuniplied over ignoble and ignorant prejudice."-- J. S. Launeii A LetUfr to The Times, May 11, 1870. LABOUR OHT/)ROVOR1I. 995 nofnnteft, or from time to time for eoveral hour* ; indeed, if given in pruper cases, and by a judicious doctor, with immense bent fit, and with perfect safety. 691. Chloroform ia more applicable and UBeful in a labour — more esjiecially in a first confinement, — when i* is lingering', when tlie throes are very severe, and when, notwithstanding tlie pain, the labour is making but little progress : — then chloroform is a priceless boon. < 'hloro- forin, too, is, when the patient is of a nervous tempera- ment, and when she looks forward with dread and appro) lension to every pain, very beneficial. 6ii2. It might be asked — Would you give chloroform in every case of labour, be it ever so easy and quick 1 Cer';ainly not : it is neither advisable nor expedient in an ordinary, easy, quick confinement to administer it. The ca-ses in which it is desirable to give chloroform are all lingering, hard, and sevei-e ordinary labours ; in such I would gladly use it. But before administering it, 1 would, as a rule, wait for at least six hours from the commencement of the true pains. 693. Oh, the delightful and magical effects of it in the cases above described j the lying-in room, from being in a state of gloom, des'^jondency, and misery, is instantly transformed, by its means, into one of cheerfulness, hope, and happiness ! 694. When once a lying-in woman has experienced the good effects of chloroform in assuaging her agony, she importunately, at every recurrence of " the piiin," urges her medical man to give her more 1 In all her 8ubseqUv.nt confinements, having once tasted the good effects of chloroform, she does not dread them. I have frequently heard a lady declare that now (if her labour be either hard or lingering) she can have chloroform, she looks forward to the period of childbirth with con- fidence and hope. 695. It might be asked — Does the inhalation of chloroform retard the patient's "getting about"! I emphatically declare that it d/ieft not do so. Those who have had chloroform have always, in mv practice, had 15 ill 196 A!>TTOB TO A WIFtL M good and as itpeedy recoveries as those who hare not Inhaled it 966. One important consideration in the givinf^ of chloroform in labour ia, that a patient has seldom, if ever, while under the effects of it, been hiotim to die; which ifl more thau can be said when it has been ad- ministered in Burgical operations, in the extraction of teeth, &c. " I know there is not one well-attested death from chloroform in midwifery in all our journals." * 697. One reason why it may be so safe to give chloroform in labour is, that in the practice of mid- wifery a medical man docs not deem it needful to put his patient under the extreme iiitluence of it. He ad- ministers just enough to ease her pain, but not sulficient to rob her of total consciousness ; while in a surgical operation the surgeon may con-^idor it necessary to put his patient under tho fn/t influence of chloroform : henc« the safety in the one, and the danger in the other case. " It is quite possible to afford immense relief, to ' render the pains quite bearable,* as a patient of mine observed, by a dose which does not procure sleep or impair the mental condition of the patient, and which all our experience would show is absolutely free from danger." + 698. There is another advantage in chloroform, — the child, when he is born, is usually both lively and strong, and is not at aU affected by the mother having had chloroform administered to her. This is a most important consideration. 699. — The doctor, too, as I before remarked, is deeply indebted to Sir J. Simpson for this great boon : formerly he dreaded a tedious and hard labour; now he does not do so, as he is fully aware that chloroform wDl kob such a lying-in of much of its terror and most of its pain and suffering, and will in all probability materially shorten the duration of the confinement. • Dr Kidd in Dublin Qmtrterly. t Ohar«hill'fl Theory and Practice of Midwif«r§» LABOUR — HINTS TO ATTENDANTS. 227 700. So highly do I think of chloroform, that I never gu to a labour without a bottle of it in my pocket. T find tliis plan very convenient, as I am then, in proper cases, always prepared to give chloroform, and there is no precious time waated in sending for it, 701. Chloroform ought never to be administered, either to a pationt in labour or to any one else, except by a medicEil man. This advice admits of no exception. And chloroform should never be given unless it be either in a lingering or in a hard labour. As I have before advised, in a natural, easy, every-day labour nature ought not to be interfered with, but should be allowed to run its own course. Patience, gentleness, and non-interference are the best and the chief requisites required in the majarUy of labour cases. HINTS TO ATTENDANTS IN CASE THE DOCTOR IS UNAVOIDABLY ABSENT. 702. It frequently happens that after the y?/>'^ con- finement the labour is so rapid that the child is born before the doctor has time to reach the patient It is consequeLtly highly desirable — nay, imperatively neces- sary — for the interest and for the well- doing both of tiie mother ond of the babe, that either the nurse or the lady iriend should, in sucli an em(;rgency, know wluit to do and what not to do. I thcrt;fore, in the few following paragraphs, purpose, in the simplest and clearest ]ing'ir\go I can command, to enlighten them on the subject. 703. In the first place, let the attendants be both calm and self-possessed, and let there bo no noise, no scuining, no excitement, no whisjMjring, and no talking, and let the patient be made to thoroughly uTidoistand that there is not the slightest danger : as the principal danger will bo in causing unnecessary fears both as to herself and her child : — *' A woman, naturally bom to fears, is, at these times, especially timid," Tens of thousands are annually delivered in Enirland, and eveuy •; ^ ■ In i I. t I 328 ADVIOB TO A WIFB. where else, without the slightest assistance from a doctor* — ho not being at hand or not being in time ; and yet both mother and babe almost iiivuriubly do well. Let her be informed of this fact — for it is a fact — and it will be a comfort to her, and will assuage her fears. The medical man, as soon as he arrives, will soon make all right and straight. 704. In the meantime let the following directions be followed : — Supposing a cJiild to he horn hefore the medical man arrives^ the nurse ought then to ascertain whother a coil of navel-string be around the neck of the mfant; if it be, it must be instantly liberated, or he might be strangled. Care should be taken that he has sutficient room to breathe; that there be not a "mem- brane " over liis mouth ;+ and that his face be not buried in the clothes. Any mucus about the mouth of the babe ought, with a soft napkin, to be wiped away, or it might impede the breathing. 705. Every infant, the moment he comes into the world, ought to cry ; if he does not naturally, he should be made to do so by smacking his buttocks until he does cry. He will then be safe : — "Dr Vose said, that once, when in the remote valleys of Westmoreland and Cumberland, he used to ask the people how they got on without medical aid, particularly in regard to mid- wifery cases ; people wondered that he should ask. He found that they had no niidwives even ; when a woman begins her troubles, they told him, thoy give her warm beer ; it she in worse, more warm beer ; but if that fails, then 'she maun dee.' So thoy give stimulants from the first. One word in the paper read seemed to contain the gist of the matter ; we must treat the patients according to ' common sense.' " — British Med. Joiir. t As a rule, the " waters break " just before the head la born, than there is no fear of a membrane covering the mouth, as the head passes through the ruptured membrane. " In other in- stances, the membrane does not burst before the expulsion of the head of the foetus [child] externally, which it covers, and in such cases the infant is said bv nurses to be born with a caul, and thia is advertised in the London newspapers in our day, and sold at a high price l)y niidwives, as it is superstitiously supposed to pre- vent shipwreck." — Myan'a Manual of Midm/ery, IJJBOUR — HINTS TO ATTENDANTS, 229 it A 16 IS '* We caiiit' iiryiiiK 'lither, Thou know'st the first time we smell the all We waul and fiy." —Shokspeare. 70G, If the doclDP luive not arrived, cliperfulnesa, quwtuesB, luul prosoncH of mind, niu.st, liy all aiound, be observed ; otlua-vviso tlie patient may become excited and alarmed, and daiij^'erous Cfnisennences niiglit ensue. 7ii7. It' the babe ahoiild be horn apparently dead, dk few smart blows must be given on the buttocks and on the back : a siiielling-Vntttle ought to be applied to the nostrila ; or rag should be singed under the nose, taking tare that the burning tinder does not touch the skin and cold water must bt; t'retdy sprinkled on the lace. But alter all, a good smacking of the l)0ttom, in an appjv- rently still-born babe, is, in restoring animation, often the most handy, quick, and ready renieily. Thousands of apparently still-ljorn children liave, by this simple remedy alone, been saved from threatened death. If you can once make an apparently still-born babe cry — and cry lie mud — he is, as a rule, sate. The navel-string, as long as there is pulsation in it, ought not to be tied. 708. The limbs, tlie back, and the chest of the child ought with the warm hand to be well rubbed. The face should not l)e smothered up in the clothes. If pulsation have ceased in the iiavel-string (the above rules having been strictly followed, and having failed), Ist the navel-string be tied and divided, and then let the child be plunged into warm water — 0S° Fahr. If the sudden plunge docs not rouse res]>ivruion into action, let him be taken out of the warm bath, as the keeping him for any length of time in the water will be of no avail. 709. If these simple nic ins should not (jakkhj succeed, altliough they generally will, Dr Marshall Hall's Ready Mt'thod ought in the follcnving manner to be tried : — " Place the infant on his face ; turn the body gently but completely on (he side and a little hey 'id, and tlien on the face alternately ; reperiling these measures de- liberately, elhciently, and {n-iJL;everingly, tilVen tinins io Uui lainuto onlv." 'I 4 . 11 n , I U 1 1 ",'i 1 ■ i ' 1, A J ^ *' ill ■' } ; 4'ii ■ ' i" H'. K ; ■•■ ■■' m S < ,3: ni h!|; ■ |l ill ■ii jl, '■ 230 ADVICE TO A WIPl, 710. Another plan of restoring uuspended animation IB by artidcial rospimtion, which should bo employed in the following manner : — Let the nurse (in the absence of the doctor) squeeze with her loft hand, the child's nose, to prevent any passage of air tlirough the nostrils ; then let her apply her mouth to the child's mouth, and breathe into it, in order to inllato the lungs ; as soon as they are inflated, the air ought, with the right hand, to be pressed out again, so as to imitate natural breathing. Again and again for several minutes, and for about fifteen times a minute, should the above process be repeated ; and the operator will frequently be rewarded by hearing a convulsive sob, which will be the har- binger of renewed life. 711. Until animation be restored, the navel-string, provided there be pulsation in it, ought not to be tied. If it be tied before the child have brejithod, and before he have cried, he will have but a ef ' chance of rd* covery. While the navel-string is It tire, provided there be still pulsation in it, he has the advantage oi the mother's circulation and support. 712. If a good smacking of the bottom, and if Dt Marshall Hall's Reudy Met/iod, and if artificial respira- tion should not succeed, he must be immersed up to his neck in a warm bath of 98 degrees Fahrenheit A plentiful supply of warm water ought always to be in readiness, more especially if the labour be hard and lingering. 713. A still-born in/ant is one who is either at, or within a couple of months of, his full time, and is — "A child that was dead before he was bom." — Tennyson. 714. It may be well for one moment to pause and inquire who are the wives — the rich or the poor — that are most prone to bring forth still-born children 1 It is not the poor man's wife, who toils for her daily food, who *' rises up early, and so late takes rest, and eats the bread of carefulness," that most frequently has still-born iniauta — certainly not : but it is the rich man's wif«, who LABOtm — niNTS TO ATTnNDAVTS, 231 lolln in eauy chairs an(l In Inxurioiifi carnnRes, who farei Buniptuouflly every day, and who neatles in bcdsot down, thttt in most, likely to have them, as tlio liirthj* in the fashionablo newspapera abundantly and yet laconically testify ! 716. But it mifiht be said, " Tt k crael to tell a rich lady these things I" I do not think so ; a medical man must, occasionally, be cruel to be kind ; he must often probe a wound before he can heal it ; he must, somd- jtimes, give bitter medicine for sweet health — " For 'tis a physic That's bittor to gweet end:" he mast expose the evil efft'cts of a luxurious life, and show its folly, its hollownesa, and its danger, before he can prove an opposite courso of treatment to be the riuht ; that is to say, that simplicity of living is a source of health, of iruitfulness, of robust children, and of happiness ; while, on the other hand, luxurious living is a cause of disease, of barrenness, of still-bom children, ^and of misery unspeakable I 716. Should the child have been bom for some time bffore the doctor have arrived, it may be necessary to tie and to divide the navel-string. The manner of per- forming it is as follows : — A ligature, composed of four or five whitey-brown threads, nearly a foot in length, and with a knot at each end, ought by a double knot, to be tightly tied, at about two inches from the body of the child, around the navel-string. A second Hgature must, in a similar manner, be applied about three inches from the first, and the navel-string should be carefully divided midway between the two ligatures. Of course, if the medical man be shortly expected, any interference would not be advisable, as such matters ought always to bo left entirely to him. 717. The afterbirth must never be brought away by the nurse. If the doctor have not yet arrived, it should be allowed to come away (which, if left alone, in the generality of oaaee it usually wUl) of its own accord. I u 232 4DVlCa TO A WIFE. ii:, Tlie only treatment that the nurse onp^ht in ench a casft to adopt is, that, she apply, by means of her right, hand, fifrn pressure over tht3 region of the womb : this will have the effect of encouraging the contraction of the womb, of throwing off the afterbirth, and of preventing violent flooding. 718. If the after-birth does not soon come away, say in an hour, or if there be flooding^ another medical man ought to be sent for ; but on no account should the nurse be allowed to interfere with it further than by applying firm pressure over the region of the womb, and not tonchiwj the iiavcl-dring at all, as I have known dangerous, and in some cases even fatal, consoi uences to ensue from such meddling. Officious nurses have frequently been known, in their anxiety to get the labour entirely over by themselves, without the doctor's assist- lince, to actually tear away by violence the navel-string from the after-birth — the after-birth being the while in the wfiuib — the blood in consequence flowing away from the lacerated after-birth in torrents ; so that the moment the doctor arrives — if he fortunately arrive in time — he has been obliged, in order to save ids patient's life, to int'.oduce his hand at once into the womb, and to bring the after-birth bodily away. Meddlesome nurses are then most dangerous, and should be carefully shunned. 719. Whcit should be done with the after-birth f Let the monthly nurse, after all the servants are gone to bed, make a good fire in the kitchen-grate, and bum it. REST AFTER DELIVERY. 720. A lady, for at least an hour after the delivery, ought not to be disturbed ; if she be, violent flooding might bo produced. The doctor of course will, by removing the soiled napkins, and by applying clean ones in their place, make her comfortable. 721. Her head ought to be made easy ; she must still lift on her side : indeed, for the first hour, let her remain m '. "i ' , i ; 'i i . :i- ' II to: LABOUR — OLOTUING AmcB LAPOUB 233 nearly in the Burne poHitiou as that in which she was couliueil, with this only dilloreuce, that if Iwr feufc have been pressing against the bed -post, thoy ahutdd be re- moved I'rum that position. CLOTIIINO AFTER LABOUR. 722. She ought, after thn lapse of an hour or two, to be moved from one side of the Led to the othtr. It .should be done in the most tender and cautious manner. She must not, on any account whatever, f/e a//oice!J I. •il«i! LAJIOUB TiiK BOWWA 239 wotild often be prevented, beuring in mind. Now thii ftdvice is worth ^ THE BOWELS. 744. ITie bowelrt, after a confinement, are nsnally costive. Tins conhned state of the '.jdwcIs after labour is doubtless a wise provision of nature, in order to give repose to the surrounding parts — eHpecially to the womb; it is well, therefore, not to interfere with them, but to lot them have for three days perfect rest. Sometimes before the expiration of the third day the itowels are relieved, either wiihout niedicine or merely by the taking of a cupfu! of warm cotl'ee. If such be the case, all well and good ; as it is much better that the bowels should be relieved mOinut medicine than n-ith medicine ; but if, having taken the colTee, at the end of the third day they are not opened, then early on the following — the fourth — morning, a dose of castor oil shoulil ho given in the manner previously recommended. Either a toaspoonful or a dessertrspoonful, according to the constitution of the patient will be the proper dose. If, in the course of twelve hours it should not have the desired effect, it must be rep)() driven out 1 A better state of things L* happily now beginning to tiawn; but there is great darkness of Ignorance — and ignorance i», mdoed, dark--etill to be dispelled. 751. When the patient's bowels, for the first fevr days after bur coutinemont, require to be opened, she ought to use either the French bed-pan or the bed-pan of the Liverpool Northern Hospital Either the one or the other of those pans is a great improvement on the old-fashioned bed-pan, as they will readily slip undor the patient, and svill enable her, while lying down, and while she bo perfectly passive in bed, to have her bowels relieved, which at these times is very desirable. The French bed -pan, or the bed-pan of the Liverpool Northern Hospital, are admirably adapted for a lying-in room ; indeed, no lying-in room ought to be without either the one or the other of these useful inventions. " A tlannel cap for the toe part, held on by strings round th(j heel, will afford considerable comfort to the patient."* " CLEANSINGS "—ABLUTIONS. 762. TVtfl " Clearmngg,** — This watery discharge occnn directly after a lying-in, and lasts either a week or a fortnight, and sometimos even longer. It is, at first, of a reddish colour ; this gradually changes to a brownish hue, and afterwards to a vitfcnish shade : hence the name of "green waters," It has in some cases a dis- agrart*i require it, is absolutely indispensable to health, to cleanliness, and comfort. Ablutions, indeed, at this time are far more necessary than at any other period of a woman's exist- ence. Neglect of bathing the parts, at these times, la shameful neglect, anil leads to miserable con80([uen(."ua. 754. There is nothing belxer for the purpose of thifse bathings than a soft i patient pre ferH the beef-tea t/nV/wni^ the pt^pper-coms ; when such ne the chhc, let the pepper-conis l)e onutted. If you wish your beef-U-a to be paiticularly strong aud nourisli- in<<, aud if you have any beef-bones in the house, let them b« broken up and slowly boiled iu a digester for a couple of hours, «r even longer, with the tinely niincfd-u])beef. The Ocnuaus boil rice in their beef-tea — which in a great improTennent— rice making beef-tea much more nouriahinfj, wholesome, and digf«tibl. The vh1u< of rice, a« an article ndon or of Dublin porter, where it agrees, should be taken at dinner ; but if ale or porter be given, wine ought not to be allowed. It would be well to keep either to ale or to porter, as may best agree, and not to mix them, nor to take porter at one meal and ale at another. 777. Barrelled, in this case, is superior to bottled porter, as it contains less fixed air. On the wholo, how- ever, I should prefer home-hrewt' I ale to porter. Either old, or very new, or very strong ale, ought not at this time to bo given. 778. Great care is required in the summer, as the warm weather is apt to turn the beer acid. Such beer would not only disagree with the mother, but would disorder her milk, and thus the infant. A nursing mother sometimes eiuloavours to correct sour porter or l:.:3r by putt ing soda in it. This plan is objectionable, as the constant taking of soda is not only weakening to the stomach, but impoverishing to the blood. Moreover, it is impossible, by any artificial exppMiont, to make either iart beer or porter sound and whole .«orae,, and fit for a nursing mother. If beer or porter be som', it i" not fit to drink, and ought either to be thrown away or should be given to the pigs. 779. Sometimes neither %vine nor malt liquor agree ; then, either equal parts of new milk and water, or equal parts of fresh milk and bnrley-watc^r, will generally be found the best beverage. If milk should also disagree, cither barley-water, or toast and water, ought to be sub- •tituted, 780. Milk will often be made to agre« with % naraing fit LABOUR — OHANOB OF BOOM. 361 mother If she will always take it mixed with an equal quantity of water. The water added to the milk — in the proportioftH indicated — prevents the "milk from binding up the bowels, which it otherwise would do ; not only 80, but milk without the addition of an equal quantity of water is usually too heavy for the stomach easily to digest. 781. I have for nearly forty years paid great atten- tion tO the subject, and have come to the conclusion, that water is a most valuable aperient ; while milk by itself binds up the bowels, producing obstinate costive- ness ; now, the mixing of an equal quantity of water with the milk antirely deprives milk of its binding qualities, and keeps the bowels in a regular state. These facts are most important to bear in mind ; and I know them to be facts, having had great exj)erience in the matter, and having made the subject my Cvspecial study, and having had the honour of first promulgating tlie doctrine that water, in proper quantities, is a valuable aperient, and that water, in duo proportions, mixed with milk, prevents the milk from confining the boweLs, which it otherwite would do. CHANGE OF ROOM. 782. The period at which a lying-in woman should leave her room will, of course, depend upon the season, and upon the state of her health. She muy, after the fii-st fourteen days, usually change the chamber for the drawing-room, provided it be cose at hand ; if it be not, she ought, during the day, to remove — be either wheek-u or carried in a ciiair — from one bedroom to another, as change of apartment will then be desirable. The win- dows, during her absence from the room, ought to bo thrown wide open ; and the bed-clothes, in order that they may be well ventilated, should be thrown back. She may, at the end of three weeks, take her meals with the family ; but even then -he ought occiLsiunally, during ihe day, to lie on the sofa, to re^t her baok. Some H t 252 ▲DVIOB TO A WIFB. ladies fancy that if thoy rest their legs on a sofa, that iH sufficient ; but it is their backs, and not their legs, tlmt require support; and to procure rest for their backa, they must lie on their backs. M EXERCISE IN THE OPEN AIR. 783. The period at which a lady ought, after her con- finement, to take exercise in the ope7i air, will of course depend upon the season, and upon the state of the wind and weather. In the winter, not until the expiration of a month, and not even then, unless the weatht r be fine for the season. Carriage exercise will at first be the most suitable. In the summer she may, at tlie end of three weeks, take an airing in a carriage, provided the weather be fine, and the wind be neither in an easterly nor in a north-easterly direction. At the expiration of the month, she may, provided the season and weather will allow, go out of doors regularly, and gradually resume her household duties and employments. 11 HOUSEHOLD EMPLOYMENT. 784. Some persons have an idea, that a wife, for some months after childbirth, should be treated as an invalid — should lead an idle life. This is an error ; for of all people in the world, a nursing mother should remember that "employment is Nature's physician, and is essential to human happiness." — (Oalen.) The best nurses and the healthiest mothers, as a rule, are working-men's wives, who are employed from morning until night — who have no spare time unemployed to feel nervous, or to make complaints of aches and of pains — to make a fuss about ; indeed, so well does " Nature's physician" — employment — usually make them feel, that they havo really no aches or pains at all — either real or imaginary — to complain of, but are hearty and strong, ha}>py and (rontenteil ; indeed, the days are too short for tln'm. Working-me.n's wives hav« usually Hplomlid bna.sts of LABOUR — HOUSEHOLD EMPLOTMBNT. 368 milk — enough and to spare for their infants ; while ladies of fortune, who have nothing but pleasure to do, have not half enough, and even in many cases nothing at all, for their babies ! Oh, what a blessed thing is occu- pation I But I am '^nticipet'jiif ^ will speak more at large on this subject i*\ the iiuwi tag Part — Part IV., Suckling — and for which I crave my fair reader's er ^^ecial atteiitiou — it being one of great importance, not. only to her'iflf, but to the well-doing and well-being of her fllukL ' m I "AKT IV. SUOKLIMO. f%« Atftir OA M, tfui fnvntenl with'd nndfemr'4t tfu cMid it bom, by many a pang emlear^d I And HOW the mother' t ear hat caugU hit cry — Oh I grant the cherub to her asking eye I lit co'iiet - tha elatpt him; to her botom pretifd. Be drtfUt the balm of life, and Uropt to rut. — Bo«Bafc 'Tit tteeet to vieu tfui linlett baby rett. To drink its life spring from her nurting breattf And mark t •e tmiling mother' t mantling eyet, While huth'd beneath the helplett infant litt; Uo*t fondly pure that unobtruding pray'r, MrmiVt'd gently o'er the littlett tlteper therel—H. MoireOMnXi nt ttarling bfverage tneeit the thirttf lip; 'tit Joy to yitld it, and 'tit Joy to tip.— Hoboom, THE DUTIES OP A NtJRSINQ MOTHER. 785. A mother ought not, unleaa nhe intend to devote herself to her baby, to undertake to suckle him. She must make up her mind to forego the so-called plea>»nre8 of a fashionable life. There ought in a case of this kind to bo no half-and-half measures ; she should either give up hor helpless babe to the tender mercies of a wet- nurse, or she must devote her whole time and energy to his welfiire — ic the greatest treasure that God hath gi/eu her I 786. If a mother be blessed with health and strength, and if ahe have a good breast of milk, it is most uo- uatural and very cruel for her not to suckle her child — ■nCKIJIfO THK DOTIBS OF A WUlUltNO MOTHKB. Si65 "* Connubitl f»lr ! whom no fond trannport w«niu To lull voar infant iu matenuU armi ; Who, blessed in vain with tnmid hoRomi, bMB Hill tender wailin^s with unt'otiIini< ear ; The soothing kisH and milky rill deny To the Hweet pouting lip and glistening ers t Ah I what avails the ctimUq's damaiik rooi. The eider boltitor, and embroidered woof I Oft hears the gilded couch unpitied plain*, And many a tear the tansell'd cushion stalna 1 No voice 80 sweet attunes his cares to rest, Bo soft no pillow as his mother'i* breast I — Thus channed to sweet repose, when twilight hovn Bhed their aoft influence on celestial bowers, The cherub Innocence, with smile divine, Shnta his white wings, and aleept on bMuty'i shrine.** IJartoin. 787. A. mother who i« able to suckle her child, hut #ho, iw»verthele«9, will not do so, can have but little love for him ; and as indifference beuets indiflference. there will not be much love lost betwet^n them : such a mother is not likely to look after her children, but to leave them to the care of serrants. Of such % family it may truly be said — *• There children dwell who kaow no parent's care ; Parents who krow no children's lore dwell there.'* CroMe. 788. If a mother did but know the happiness that suckling her babo imparts, she would never for one moment contemplate having a wet-nur»a to rob her of that happiness. Lamentable, indeed, must it be, if any unavoidable obstacles should prevent her from nursing her own child. 789. Moreover, if a mother does not suckle her child herself, she ia very likely soon to be in the family-way again : this is an important consideration, as frequent child-bearing is much more weakening to the constitu- tion than is the suckling of children ; indeed, nursing, as ft rule, instead of weakening, strengthens the mother's frame exceedingly, and assists her muscular develop- aient. "Those mothers who nurse and cherish theii ill 9(f« 4DTI0I TO A Win, 4 own offuprinj? are not only more truly mofhere, but they have a doulilo reward in that, wliile their children thrive and thus fjlalden thoir hearts, they themselves are also very materially benetited. No woman is so healthy as she who boars healthy children healthily." — Dr Alfred Wiltshire. 790. If the young of animals were not suckled by their own mothers, what tin iiiirnense number of them would die 1 what an unnatural state of things it would be considered I And yet it is not at all more unnatural than for a healthy woman, with a good breast of milk, not to nurse, or only partially to nurse, her own babe : — "Were tho sncklinpj animal to deny her milk to her offspring, or to food th(*m with any other sort of food ; were the feathered tribes to fail in gathering the natural food of their young, or to fail in taking it into their own stomachs, to ada{)t it to their digestive powers; and were the insect tribes to deposit their eg^'S in situations where iheir p' geny could not find their natural food, or to f>^U in »yini,' up with their eggs a store of Nature's food, fo be in readiness when they are hatched and brought forth ; — were the instincts of Nature to fail in these things, disease and death to the wliole of these different classes of animals would most infallibly ensue : each individual race would become extinct." — Dr Herdman. 791. A mother should remember that, if she be strong enough to become pregnant, to carry her burden for nine months, and at the end of that time to bear a child, she, as a rule, is strung enough to nurse a child. Suckling is a healthy process, and not a disease, and is ^therefore usually most beneficial to health : — " What, then, must happen if a mother does not nurse her infant? Disease must happen. For by so doi'-.g she violates the laws and institutions of Nature, which cannot be done with impunity; cannot be done without throwing the constitu- tion into disorder and disease; into disease both general and local ; swellings, inflammations, and suppurations in the breasts ; milk-fevers and milk-sores. Besides, if * mother does not nurse her infant, her constitution ia •UOKTJNO—THie BMAIff. 357 either BO much injured that she becornea harron, or If this should not happen, eli** bocomcH pre^'nant again, and the injurious oll'octs of frequent child-bearuig with- out nurj^ing are not to be told. The constitution may stand it out a while; but at last derange'ueut of con- stitution and disease will c>iue ; premature old age, and premature death." — Dr Ihrdman. It i.s very cruel and most unnatural for a mother, if she bo able, not to nurse hor own child ; evon the brute boasts, vile and vicious though they be, suckle their oirapring: — " Even the sea monsters draw out the brea ' ; they give suck to their young ones ; the (laughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wihieruosa" — Lamrn- tations. Some old nurses recommend a mother to partly nurse and to partly feed a new-born babe. Now, this is a mistake ; there is nothing like, for the first few montlu — for the first four or hve — bringing up the child on the mother's milk, and on the mother's milk alone. After the first four or five months, if the mother should not have enough milk, then a little artificial food might be given ; but of this I have advised very fully in two of my other works — Advice tu a Mother and Counsel to a Mother, ami to which works for such information E beg to refer my lair reader. 792. Ponder well, therefore, before it be too late, on what I have said — health of mother and health of babe, human life and human happiness are at stake, and de- pend upon a true decision. THE BREAST. 793. A» soon as the patient has recovered from the fatigue of her labour — that is to say, in about four or six hours — attention ought, more especially in a first con- finement, to be paid to the bosoms. 794. In A first coulinemeut there is, until the third day, but very little milk ; altlH»u„'h there is usually on that day, and for two or thr -e days afterwards, a great deal ai swellings of hardnew, of distention, and uneasi- IT i • 1 !*;^'' m^ Id 4DVI01 TO A wrnL ne88 of the hreaata ; in consequence of which, In a Jlr§t confinement, both care and attention are needed. 795. Not only bo, but there is frequently, at this time, a degree of feveriBhness ; which, in some cases, is rather severe, amounting even to what is called milk-fever. Now, milk-fever, if circumspection and pains be not taken to prevent it, may usher in a bad gathered breast. 796. If there be milk in the breasts, which may be readily ascertained by squeezing the nipple between the finger and the thumb, the infant should at first be applied, not frequently, as some do, but at considerable iutervalfl, say until the milk be properly secreted, every four hours ; when the milk flows, the child ought to be applied more frequently, but ntill at stated times. 797. The child ought never to be allowed to be put to the nipple until it bo first satisfactorily ascertained that there be really milk in the bosom ; neglect of this advice has caused many a gathered breast, and has fre- quently necessitated the weaning of the child. 798. To wash away any viscid mucus from the nipple, or any stale perspiration from the bosom, let the breasts and the nipples, before applying the babe, be first sponged with a little warm water, and then be dried with a warm, dry, soft napkin ; for some infants are so particular, that unless the breasts be perfectly free from stale perspiration, and the nipples from dried-up milk, they will not suck. If after the above cleansing process there be any difiiculty in making him take the bosom, smear a little cream on the nipple, and then immediately apply him to it 799. If the breasts be full, hard, knotty, and painfol, which they generally are two or three days after a firtA confinement, let them be well but tenderly rubbed every four hours, either with the best olive oil (a little of which should, before using it, be previously warmed, by patting a little of the oil, in a tea-cup, on the hob by the fire ; or with equal parts of olive oil and of eau de Cologne, which should be well shaken up in a bottle every time belore it is used ; or with what ia an old-faahioaed bat STTCKF.INO — THB L'HBABT. 209 it an excollent embrocation fur tliu pur[)08u, namely, with goose oil, or with camphorated oiL 800. On the tliinl day, more especially after a flrd confinement, the breaats are apt to become very much (■wolleu, painful, and distended. If such be the cat^e, it might be necessary, fur a few days, to have them drawn once or twice daily by a woman who makes it her business, and whu is usually called either a breast- drawer, or in vul^'ar parlance, a suck-pap 1 A clean, sober, healthy, respectable woman ought to be selected. There is, in nearly every large town, one generally to be found, who is at the head of hor profession 1 Such a one should be chosen. 801. Some mothers object to suck-paps ; they dislike having a strange woman sucking their nii)ples, and well they might. If my fair reader be one of the objectors, she may, by using a nice little invention, dispense with a suck-pap altogether, and with ease draw her own bosoms. The name of the invention is " Maw's Im- proved Breast Glass with Elastic Tube for Self Use." It is a valuable contrivance, and deserves to be exten- sively known. 802. If the bosoms be more than usually large and painful, in addition to assiduously using the one or the other of the above liniments, apply to the breasts, in the intervals, young cabbage-leaves, which shoidd be renewed after each rubbing. Before applying them, the " veins " of the leaves should with a sharp knife be cut smooth — level with the leaf. It will require several, as the whole of the breast ought to be covered. The cabbage-leaves will be found both cooling and comfort- ing. Each bosom should then, with a soft folded silk handkerchief, be nicely supported, going under each breast and suspending it j each handkerchief should then be tied at the back of the neck — thus acting as a kind of sling to each bosom. 803. The patient ought not, while the breasts are full and ;ui(;omi'iirtal)le, to drink vmcJi iluid, as it would onl^ •ucourage a larger secretion of milk. 260 ADVIOB TO ▲ WIFE. :l 804. When the milk is itt " its hci-^ht/'aa It is called, eho ought every motiMng, for a coui)le of niorniiigs, to take a little coolinj^' modicine — a yoidlitz powder — and every four hours the following ellorvescing mixture : — Take of — Bicarbonate of Potash, one druchm and a half ; Distilled Water, eiglit ounces : To makb a nnxture. — Two tible spoonfuls to l)e taken, with two tabic 8{)oonful8 of the Acid Miiture, every four hours, whilst eflervftscing. Take of — Citric Acid, three drachms ; Distilled Water, eight ouncee t Mix.— The Acid Mixture. The beat way of taking the above effervescing medicine la to put two lable-fipoonlula of the first mixture into a tumbler, and two table-spoonfuls of the acid mixtuie into a wine-glass, then to add the latter to the former, and it will bubble up like soda water; she should iiuitantly drink it oiF whilst effervescini». 805. The size of the bosoms under tiie above manatro- nient will in two or three days decrease, all pain will cease, and the infant will, with ease and comfort, take the breast. 806. tSecond and succeeding Confintiments. — If the breasts are tolerably comfortable (which in the second a';d in succeeding conhnements they prooably will be), lot nothing bo done to them, except as soon as the milk conies, at regular intervals, applying the child alter- nately to each of them. ^lany a bosom has been made uncomfortable, irritable, swollen, and even has somotiinoa gathered, by the nurse's interference and meJdling. Meddlesome midwifery is bad, and I am quite sure that meddlesome breiist-tending is equally so. A. nurse, in her wisdom, fancies that by rubbing, by pressing, by aqueezing, by fingering, by liniment, and by drawing, that she does great good, while in reality, in the ma- jority of cases, by such interference she does great harm. 807. The child will, in second and in succeMing con- finements, as a rule, be the best and the only doctoi the %bm fiUOKLINQ — MILK-FEVER OR WEED. S6i bosopifl /"jr^riro. I am quite convinced that, in agoneral way, nuis'es interfere too much, and that the bosoms in 'jonsL'tjuenoe suiTor. It is, of course, the doctor's and not the nurse's province, in sucli matters, to direct the treatment ; wliile it is the nurse's duty to fully carry but the doctor's instructions. 808. There is nothing, in my opinion, that so truly tells whether a nurse be a good one or otherwise, than by ilie way she manages the breasts. A (jood nurse is judicious, and obeys the medical man's orders to the very letter, while, on the other hand, a had nurse acts on ner own judgment, and is always quacking, interfering, and fussing with the breast, and doing on the sly wliat »ihe dare not do openly. Such conceit(!d, meddleeome aursos are to bo studiously avoided ; they often cause, from tlioir medillesome ways, the breasts to gather. 809. Let the above advice be home in mind, and much trouble, misery, and annoyance might be avert<'Mi I Nature, in the majority of cases, manages these things much better tlran any nurse possibly can do, and does not, as a rule, require helping. The breiwta are sadly k)o much interfered and messed with by nurses, and by nurses who are in other respects tolerably good ones. No ; Nature is usually best loft alone : she works in secret, deftly and well, and resents interference — more espe- cially in the cases I have just described. Nature, then, is generally best left alone. Nature is God's vicegerent here upon earth ; or as Chaucer beautifully expresses it — •* Nature, the vicar of the Almightie Lord," I .iA MILK-FEVER OR WEED. 810. The lying-in patient is liable a few days — gene- ally on the third day aft or her confiin'ment — while the milk is about being secreted — to a feverish attack, called Milk- Fever or Weeil or Ephemeral Fever, and ephemeral it truly is, as it lasts only twenty-four hours, or at most, unless some untoward mischief should intervene, forty- eight hours. It comes on like an ague fit, having iUi 1 it .'^mrm ^1. '• 263 ADVICE TO A WIFHL three stages — its cold stage, its hot stage, and ita sweat ing stage. There is usually accompanying it headache, and pains flying about the one or both the breasts, the ba«;k, and the lower part of the beUy. 811. The Weed, on the due secretion of the milk, usually passes off, leaving no damage in its track ; yet, notwithstanding, it sometimes does leave injury behind, either in the womb or in the breast — causing, in some instances, a bad gathered bosom. 812. The W ed, therefore, requires great care and attention, both from the doctor ana from the nurse — to ward off such a serimis disease as a gathered bosom — aa a gaihoring of the deep-seated structure of the breast undoubtedly is. I ( ■ STATED TIMES FOR SUCKLING 813. After the new-bom babe is washed, he generally falls asleep, and sleeps on, if not disturbed, for sever^ hours. It is not necessary to rouse him from his slum- ber to give him sustenance — certainly not ; the mother's milk is not always ready for him ; but as soon as it is ho instinctively awakes, and becomes importunate, and cries until he ii able to obtain it. Nature — beneficent Nature — if we will but listen to her voice, will usually tell us what to do and what not to do. The teazing of a mother's breasts by putting the babe to them Ijefore there be milk, and the stuffing of a new-born infant with artificial food, are evils of great magnitude, and cannot be t-oo strongly condemned. 814. A motlier ought to suckle her babe at stated times. It is a bad habit to give him the bosom every time he cries, regardless of the cause ; for be it what it may— overfeeding, griping, "wind," or acidity — she ia apt to consider the breast a panacea for aU his suffer- ings. " A mother generally suckles her infant too often — having him almost constantly at the bosom. This practice is injurious both to parent and to child. For the first month he should be suckled about every houi 8U0KLINQ — OLOTHINO. 363 3d lit lia jn lor and a half ; for the second month every two hours ; gradually increasing as he becomes older, the difltance of time between, until at length he has the breast about every four hours. If he were suckled at stated perioda he would only look for it at those times, and be satis- fied.'* — Advice to a Mother. 81ft. A mother frequently allows her babe to be at the bosom a great part of every night. Now, this plan is hurtful both to her and to him ; it weakens her, and thus enfeebles him ; it robs thom both of their sleep j and geuv^rates bad habits, which it will be diflScult to break through ; it often gives the mother a sore nipple and the child a sore mouth ; it sometimes causes the mother to have a gathered breast, and fills the child with « wind." 816. It is surprising how soon an infant, at a very early age, may, by judicious management, be brought into good habits ; it only requires, at first, a little deter- mination and perseverance J a nursing mother therefor© ought at once to commence by giving her child the bruast at stated periods, and should rigidly adhere to th« times above recommended. 817. A mother should .^ directly after taking a long walk, and while her skin is in a state of violent perspiration, give her babe the bosom ; the milk, being at that time in a heated state, will disorder her child's bowels, or it may originate in him some skin disease, and o^e which it might be difficult to cure. She ought, thereiore, before she give him the breast, to wait until the surface of her body be moderatdy oool, but not cold. Let her be careful the while not to sit in draughts. CLOTHING. 818. A nursing mother ought to have her dress, mow especially her stays, made loose and comfortable. 819. A gathered breast sometimes arises from the bones of the stays pressing into the bosom ; I should, therefore, recommend her to have tlie bones removed. 820. II a lady be not in the hubit of wearing a tianJiel 264 ADVIOR TO A WIFB. i * waistcoat, she ought at least to have her hosomB cover«a with flannel, taking care that there be a piece of soft linen over the nipples. 821. I should advise a nursing mother to i))Ovide herself with a waterproof nursing apron, which may be procured either at any baby-linen establishment or at an india-rubber warehouse. DIETARY. 822. A nursing mother ought to live plainly ; her diet should be both light and nourishing. It is a mis- taken notion that at these times she requires extra good living. She ought never to bo forced to eat more tlian her appetite demands; if she bo, either indigestion, or heartburn, or sickness, or costiveness, or a bowel-com- plaint, will ensue. It is a folly at any time to force the appetite. If she be not hungry, com{)elling her to eat will do her more harm than good. A medic^U man ii inch a case ought to be consulted. 823. The best meats are mutton and beef, veal and pork may, for a change, be eaten. Salted noats are hard of digestion ; if boiled beef, therefore, be eaten, it ought to be only slightly salted. It is bett4>r, in winter, to have the boiled beef unsalied ; it is then, especially if it be the rump, deliciously tender. Salt, of course, must be eaten with the unsalied meat. H vgh-seasoned dishes are injurious; they inflame the blo(d, and thus they disorder the milk. 824. Some persons consider that there ie no care re- quired in the selection of the food, and tha^ a nursing mother may eut anything, be it ever so gross and unwholesome; but if we appeal to reason md to facts, we ahall be borne out in saying that grea' care is re- quired. It is well known that cow's milk very much partakes of the properties of the food or which the animal lives. Thus, if a cow feed on swed^, the milk and the butter will have a turnipy flavour This, be- yond a doubt, decides that the milk doep partake of the qualities of the food on wliich she feeds. The same BUOKLINO DIKIAHT. 260 i«isi)i»lng; liolclfl good iti the human species, and provee the iiDsuidity of a nursing motlier being allowed to eat ;mytniiig. be it over ho gro.ss, indigestiblu, or unwliole. some. Ajain, eillicr a dose of purgative nictlicine given to her, or greens laken by her at dinner, will sometimea purge the babe as violently, or even more bo, than it will the mother her8elf. 826. Even the milk of a healthy wet nnrse acts ditlorently, and lesa beneficially uj)on the child than the mother's own milk. The ages of the mother and of the wet nurse, the ages of her own and of the latter's infant, the constitutions of the one and of the other, the adaptability of a n other's milk for her own particular child — all tend to m\ke a foster-mother not so desirable a nurse as the niothei herself. Again, a niother cannot at all times get to the antecedents of a wet nurse ; and, if she can, they will not- always bear investigation. 826. With regard to the ages of the mother and of the wet nurse — for instance, as a wet nurse's milk is generally a few weeks older than the mother's own milk, the wet purse's milk may, and frequently does, prod jce costiveness of the bowels of her foster-child j whilst, on the other hand, the mother's own milk, being in age just adapted to her babe's, may and generally does, keep her own infant's bowels regular. The milk, according to the age of the child, alters in properties and qualities to suit the age, constitution, and acquire- ments of her baby — adapting itself, so to speak, to hia progressive development : hence the importance of a motlier, if possible, suckling her own child. 827. A babe who is nursed by a mother who lives grossly is more prone to disease, particularly to skin and to inflammatory complaints, and to disease which is more difficult to subdue. On the other hand, a nursing- mother, who, although she lives on nourishing diet, yet simply and plainly, has usually the purest, as well aa the most abundant, supply of milk. 828. Do not let me be misunderstood: I am not advocating thai a mother should be fussily particular-^ 266 i0f$Qa TO A wira. by no means. Let her take a variety of food, both animal and vegetable ; let her from day to day vary her diet ; let hor ring the changes on boiled and stewed, on grilled and roast meats ; on mutton and lamb and beef ; on chicken and game and fish ; on vegetables, potatoes and turnips ; on broccoli and cauliflower ; on asparagus and peas (provided they be young and well-boiled), and French beans : " The maxim of the greatest importance in reference to the materials of human food is, mixture and variety — a maxim founded, as has been stated, upon man's omnivorous nature. Animal and vegetable sub- stances, Roups and solid meat, tish, flesh, and fowl, in combination or succession, ought, if due advantage is to be taken of the health-sustaining element in food, to form the dietary of every household." — Good Words, 829, But what I object to a nursing mother taking are : gross meats, such as goose and duck ; highly salted beef ; shell-fish, such aa lobster and crab ; rich dishos ; higklyseasuned soup ; pastry, unless it be plain ; and cabbages and greens and pickles, if found to di-agree with the babe, and with any other article of food which ifl either rich, or gross, or indigestible, and which, from experience, she has found to disagree either with hersell or with her child. It will therefore be seen, from the above catalogue, that my restrictions as to diet are limited, and are, I hope, founded both on reason and on common sense — which ought to be the guides and councillors of every nursing mother, and of every one else besides. 830. A moderate quantity — say a tumblerful — either of fresh mild ale or of porter will generally be found the best beverage both for dinner and for supper. There is much more nourishment in either ale — home-brewed — or in porter than in wine ; therefore, for a nursing mother, either ale or porter is far preferable to wine. Wine, if taken at all, ought to be used very sparingly, and then not at the same meal with the porter or ale. In the higher ranks of life, where a lady is in the habit ol drinking winej it \m necessary to continue it, although ■UOKUNO DIKTART 267 the quantity should not be increased, and oucht never to exceed a couple of glasses — good sherry being the best for the purpose. 83 1 . A nursing mother is subject io thirst : when such be the case, she ought not to fly either to beer or to wine to quench it ; this will only add fuol to the fire. The best l)ever!ige8 will be either toast and water, milk and water, barley-water, barley-water and new milk (in equal proportions), or black tea, either hot or cold: cold black tea is a good quencher of thirst. 832. A lady who is nursing is at times liable to fits of depression. Lot me strongly urge the importtmco of her abstaining from wine and from all other stimulants as a remedy ; they would only raise for a time her spirits, and then would depress them in an increased ratio. Either a drive in the country, or a short walk, or a cup of tea, or a chat with a friend, would be the best medicine. The diet should be good and nourish- ing ; plenty of bread and plenty of meat should be her staple food, in addition to which Brown & Poison's Corn Flour, made either with fresh milk or with cream and water, is in these cases most useful and sustaining. The best time for taking it is either for luncheon or for supper. A lady subject to depression should bear in mind that she requires nourishment, not stimulants, — that much wine and spirits might cheer her for the moment, but will assuredly depress her afterwards. Depression always follows over-stimulation j wine and Sf)irits, therefore, in such a case, if taken largely, are false and hollow friends. It is necessary to bear the above facta in mind, as there are many advocates who strongly recommend, in a case of this ^nd, a large con- sumption both of wine and of brandy. Such men are, at the present moment, doing an immense deal of mis- chief in the world ; they are, in point of fact, inducing and abetting drunkenness; they are the authors of blighted hopes, of blasted prospects, of broken health, and of desolated homes ! How many a wife owes her love of brandy, and her comscquent degradation ar^d j ^ til ;1 a \i • t 1J ■. SJ 268 ADVIOR TO A WIFB. ,4 destruction, to brandy having, for eomo triflinc: ailmont, been at first prescribed for licr. I will maintain that it is highly dangerous to prescribe brandy to any patient, unless her case urgently demand it — unless it be, in point of fact, a case of life or death. It is emphatically playing with a deadly poison, temjiting to evil, and courting disefise, destruction, and death. 833, Spirits — brandy, rum, gin, and whisky — are, during suckling, most injurious ; I may even say thiit they are to the parent, and indirectly to the child, in- sidious poisons. 834. When an infant is labouring under an inflnm- matory complaint, a nursing mother ought not to take stimulants, such as either ale or wine. In a case of this kind, toast and water will, for her dinner, be the hest beverage, gruel for her supper, and bla^k tea — not coffee, as it would be too stimulating — both for her breakfast and tea. FRESH AIR AND EXERCISE. «. 835. Out-door exercise during suckling cannot be too strongly insisted upon ; it is the finest medicine hotli for babe and mother. Whenever the weather will admit, it must be taken. It is utterly impossible for a nursing mother to make good milk unless she do take an abundance of exercise, and breathe plenty of fresh air. 836. Whatever improves the health of the mother, of course at the same time benefits the child : there is nothing more conducive to health than an abundanc(! of out-door exercise. It often happens that a mother who is nursing seldom leaves her liotise ; she is a regular fix- ture, or like a cabbiige that vegetates in one spot ; the consequence is both she and her babe are usually delicate and prone to sickness — it would, indeed, be strange if they were not. 837. A mother ouglit not immrjiiafelij after taking exercise to nurse her infant, but should wait for half- ■UCKMNO THK TKMPKB. S69 an-hour. Nor should ahe tak»^ violent exercise, as it would be likely to disorder the milk. 838. Carriu^'e exorcise, if the weather be hot aal sultry, is pn^forable to walkinj^ ; if that be not practi- cable, she on j^'ht to have the wiudovvs thrown wide open, and should walk about the hill, the laudin^H, and the ^^omrt, a'4 she would by such means avoid the intense heat of the sun. Althoufirh carriage exercise during intonwly hot weather iw preferabl - to walking exercise; }et, notwith»tandiiig, walking imi.-t, during Home por- tion of the d»\y, 1h» pm» tised. Ther« is no subHtituto, as far ns health is concerned, for walking. Many ailments that lidies now laboni under could bo walked away; ;uid roallv it wotdd be a plea^Ant pliysic — far more agreeable and ell'e(;tual than oitiier pill or potion I THK POSITION OF A MOTHER DURING SUCKLING. 839. (iood hal)it8 are as easily formed as bad ones. A mother, when in bed, ought always to suckle hei child while lying down. The sitting up in *tl, during such times, is a fruitful source of inllanimation and of gathering of the breasts. Of course, during the day, the sitting-up position is the best. Let me caution her not to nurse her babe in a half-sitting and in a half- l>ing posture, as many mothers do; it will spoil her figure, disturb her repose, and weaken her back. THE TEMPER. 840. Passion is injurious to the mother's milk, and consequently to the child. Sudden joy and grief fre- quently disorder the infant's bowels, producing griping, looseness, &c. ; hence, a mother who has a mild, placid even temp'^r generally makes an excellent nurse, on which account it is a fortunate circumstance that she is frequently better-tempered during suckling than at any other period of her life ; indeed, slio usually, at such times, experiences great joy and gladness. 841. The happiest period of a woman's existence is Pi h ;^ S70 ▲DVIOR TO A Wim •8 a mle, when nhe tirot bocomea a mother : " The pleastire of the young mother in her bnbe i» wiid to ))e more exquisite than any other earthly blias." — Good WortU 842. It id an old, and T believe, a true saying, that the child inherits the temper of his mother or of his wet nurse. This may be owing to the following roaflons : — If the mother or the wet nurse bo good- tempered, the milk will be more likely to be wholesome, which will of course make him mon^ healthy, and con- sequently better tempered. Wliile, on the other hand, if the mother or the nurse bo of an irritable, cross temper, the milk will sutler, and will thus cause disarrangement to his system ; and hence, ill-heiilth and ill-temper will be likely to ensue. We all know the influence that good or bad health has on the temper. An imjiortant reason, then, why a nursing mother is often better tompere«l than she is at other times is, she is in better health, hei stomach is in a healthier state — ** A good digestion turuetk all to health." — fVordattxnih. Ther** is an old and a true saying, that it is the 8tom>"^h that makec the man," and if the man, the woman — *' Your stomach mnkea your fabric roll. Just AS the bias rulos the bowl." — Prior, 843. Depend upon it, that after all that can be said on the subject it is a good stomach that makes both man and woman strong, and conduces so much to longevity ; if the stomach be strong, there is a keen appetite and capital digestion, and in consequence of such a happy combination, good health and long life — 4« Now, good digestion wait on appetite, And health on both I " — Shdksptart. 844. Inquire of your friends who are octogenarians, •nd you will almost invariably find that they have wonderfully strong stumaclM^ And, consequently, good ■UrKUNO — THH TEMPBIL n ap{)otite6 and splendid digt^tioiiBl And, if porchance, thoy havo suvort; iUiieHses, how HurpriHiiigly they pull throu^di iheni I A f^ood stunuich, ihcM, iu luu^'h Vi be cuveted, and demands both seli-dciiial and cunsideraciun to insure one. 846. CheerfulncHH, too, is mainly owing to a good stomach : a molancholio person is URually u dyHpoptin ; while a cheerful person is generally hlcst with a good digestion: it is the stomach, then, that has the principal making of a cheerful dinposition ! It is a moral ini- po.ssibility for a dy8pe{>tic to be either thoroughly happy, or contented, or cheerful ; while a go(;d stomach woidd fill the pOHsessor's heart with joy, cause the face togleaui with gladness, and thus ** Make lunshiue in a shady place." 846. Hoar what Shakspeare says of the functions of the stomach. The stomach is supposed to speak (and does it not frequently speak, and in very unmistakabld language, if we wUl but only listen to its voice 1) — ** True ia it, my incorporate friends, qaoth he, That I receive the general food at firnt Which you do live apon : and fit it is ; Because I am the Bt«>rehouse and the shop Of the whole body : But if you do remember, 1 send it through the rivers of your blooti, Even to the court, the heart, — to the seat o' the brain; And through the cranks and offices of man, The strongest nerves, and small inferior veins. From me receive that natural comnetency Whereby they hve : And though that all at once, You, my good friends, though all at once caiioot See what I do deliver out to each; Yet I can make my audit up, that aU From me do buck receive the flower ci all* And leavM me but the brao." ^> ^s^n. -vV r IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) LO I.I '-IM I: la M III 2.2 1.8 1.25 1.4 1.6 ^ 6" — ► m- ^ /}. A <^ c? / Photographic Sdences Corporation ^^^ V s v \ \ ^i , i. T g j»*, i"B m 274 ADVIOB TO A WIPB. m ft bad quality , her babe is puny, pallid, and unhealthy, and frequently drops into an untimely grave. Occupa- tion, with fresh air and exercise, ie indispensable to a mother who is suckling. How true it is that "To be employed is to be happy." — Gray. While the converse is equally correct, — To be idle Is to be miserable. 855. No wife — more especially no nursing mother — can, then, by any possibility, be strong and well unless she have occupation: occupation is emphatically a necessity : "Nature has made occupation a necessity; society makea it a duty ; habit may make it a pleasure." —Capelle. "THE PERIODS " DURING SUCKLING. 866. If a woman have " her periods " during suck- ling, she ought to have a separate bed; otherwise she wiU, in all probability, conceive, as she is more likely to conceive after " her periods " than when she has them not. This is important advice, for if it be not attended to, she may, in consequence of becoming pregnant, have to wean her child before he be old enough to be weaned. Besides, her own constitution might, in consequence of her having children too fast, be injured. 857. T^ere is a notion abroad, that a mother who has " her periods " during suckling has sweeter, and purer, and more nourishing milk for her child ; this is a mis- taken idea, for really and truly such a mother's milk is less sweet, and pure, and nourishing ; and well it might be, for the two processes of menstruation and of suck- ling cannot, without weakening the system, go on to- gether. If a wet-nurse, so constituted, should apply for a situation, this circomBtance should be a bar to Hv obtainisgii i^ BUOELINfl — AILMENTS, BTa 375 AILMENTS, Era 858. The Nipple. — A good nipple ia important bot> to the comfort of the mother and to the well-doing oi the child. 859. One, among many, of the ill eflFects of staj's and of corsets is the pushing in of the nipples; sore nipples, and consequent suflFering, are the result. Moreover, a mother thus circumstanced may be quite unable to suckle her infant ; and then she will be severely pun- ished for her ignorance and folly ; she will be compelled to forego the pleasure of nursing her own children, and she wUl be obliged to delegate to hirelings her greatest privilege ! Ladies who never wear stays have much better nipples, and more fully developed bosoms ; hence such mothers are more likely to make better nurses to their babes. There is no doubt that the pressure of the stays on the bosom tends both to waste away the gland of the breast (where the milk is secreted), and to cause the nipple either to dwindle or to be pushed in, and thns to sadly interfere with its functions. I should strongly advise every mothei who has daughters old enough to profit by it, to bear this fact in mind, and thus to pre- vent mischief when mischief might be prevented, by not allowing them, when young, to wear stays. 860. Treatment of very small and dravm-in NippUt, — The baby ought to suck through the intervention oi S. Maw &. Son's Glass Nipple Shield with Elastie Tube. I have known many mothers able to suckle their children with this invention, who otherwise would have been obliged either to have weaned them, or to have procured the assistance of a wet-nurse. The above aid, in the generality of instances, will enable the infant to suck with ease. Aft^r this has for a time been used, the nipples will be so improved as to render the con- tinuance of it unnecessary. Of course, I do not advise the use of this nipple shield until a fair tripl has been given by applying the babe at once to the nipple ; bnl '■ ; I J r i il. ■• 1 1 111 J7« ASVIOS TO A WTTTt. if he cannot draw out the nipple, then rather than wean hira, or than employ a wet-nurse, it ought, by all means, to be tried. 861. Kemomber, as soon as the nipple be suffici'^ntly drawn out, which, in all probability, it will in a few days, Maw's Nipple Shield sliould be dispensed witli. When the infant is not at the breast Dr Wansbrough's Metallic Shield should be worn. Small and bad and sore nipples have, by the wearing of these shield?;, fre- quently been drawn out and made good ones; the dross will suffice to keep them in their places. These metallic shields are very cooling and healing, and keep off all pressure from the clothes ; they will frequently cure sore nipples when other remedies have failed. 862. Sore Nipples. — If a lady, during the latter few months of her pregnancy, were to adopt " means to bar* den the nipples," sore nipples during the period of suck- linf; would not be so prevalent as they now ara. 863. A sore nipple is frequently produced by the injudicious custom of allowing the child to have the nipple almost constantly in his mouth. " Stated periods for suckling," as recommended in a previous paragraph, ought to be strictly adopted. Another frequent cause of a sore nipple is from the babe having the thrush. It is a folly to attempt to cure the nipple, without, at the same time, curing the mouth of the infant. 864. Treatment. — One of the best remedies for a sore nipple is the following powder: — Take of — Borax, one drachm ; Powdered Starch, seven drachms: Mix. — A pinch of the powder to be frequently applied to the nipple. 865. Dr A. Todd Thomson's — my old preceptor's — remedy for sore nipple is a very good one ; it is as fol- lows: — Take of — i'inely-powdered Gum-Arabic, half an onnoe ; Powdered Alum, five grains: Mix well togetlier to make a powder. — A pinch of it to be freq^uently applied to the sore nipple. ill' m • i ' . !■ ^1 »»., "3 • --7. ",■".,"".,;,. ^•.- H.^. 4 - • .-i ■ ■ ... , ■ \ . . BUrKLlNQ — AI MKNT.S. KTO 277 r As there la notliinj,' in '-ither of the above powdeis injurious to the infant, the powder, before applying liiiB to the breast, need not be wiped oil'; indeed, either the one or tlie other of the pow(h^ra (tlie former one espo daily, as it contains borax) is likely to be of service both in jireventing and in curing the sore mouth of the child. 866. If the above powders should not have the desired effect (efficacious though they usually be), *' a liniment composed of equal parts of glycerine and of brandy "(say a vial containing two drachms of each) ought to be tried, which must be shaken up just before using. It should, by means of a camel's-hair brush, every time directly after the babe has been suckled, be painted on the nipple. A piece of either old soft cam- bric or lawn, about the size of the palm of the hand, snipped around to make it fit, ought then to be moistened in the glycerine and the brandy, and should, \-henever the child is not at the breast, be applied to each of the sore nipples, and worn until they are cured. These applications will be found of much service and of great comfort, and will act as nipple shields — protecting and healing the nipples. A soft sponge of warm water should be gently applied to the nipplea just before putting the child to the bosom, 867. Sometimes the pure glycerine, without the brandy, painted on the sore nipple, does the most good; if, therefore, the glycerine and brandy does not succeed, the pure glycerine should be tried. There is nothing in the pure glycerine injurious to the child, it therefore need not, before applying the child to the breast, be wiped off. 868. Cracked and fissured Nipplea. — Sometimes the nipple is sore from having either cracks or fissures upon it. These cracks or fissures may attack any part of the nipple, but are very apt to form where the nipple joins the breast ; and, when very severe, an ignorant nurse, who is always fond of dealing in the inarvellous, declares that the child has nearly bitten the nipple off ! Treatment. -— 24bw, the beat remedy for a cracked andJUmred nipple ;i: i m Hi u 278 ADVICE TO A WIFR. is, for the iiifant, until the cracks and fissuros are cnred, to snck through the intervention of Maw's Kipple Shiohi with Elastic Tube ; and every time, directly after the babe has been put to the nipple, to apply to the parts affected either neat brandy, or, as I have before recom- mended, the glycerine and brandy liniment, or the pure glycerine. When the child is not at the breast, Dr Wausbrough's Metallic Shields should be worn : the dress will keep them in their places. 869. Another cause of a sore nipple is from the mother, after the babe has been sucking, putting up the nipple wet She, therefore, ought always to dry the nipple — not by rubbing it but by dab})irig it with either a soft cambric or lawn handkerchief, or with a piece of soft linen rag (one or other cf which ought always to be at hand), every time directly after the infant has done sucking, and just before applying either of the above powders or liniment to the nipple. 870. When the nipple is very sore, a mother, when- ever the child is put to the bosom, suffers intense pain. This being the case, she had better, as before recom- mended, suckle him through the intervention of Maw's Shield. But she ought never to use it unless it be absolute] ynecessary — that is to say, if the nipple be only slightly sore, she should not apply it ; but there are cases where the rJpple is so very sore that a mother would have to give up nursing if the nipple shields were not used ; these, and very small and drawn-in nipples, are the only cases in which such aid is admissible. 871. S. Maw & Son's Glass Nipple Shield with Elastic Tube is, for sore and for cracked and for fissured nipples, one of the most useful little contrivances ever invented, and cannot be too strongly recommended. Maw's fijiields have frequently enabled a mother to guckle her child, who, without such aid would have been compelled to have weaned him. I think it due to S. Maw & Son to state, that since I have used their •hields, I have had but little difficulty in curing son BippleB ; indeed, their most useful little invention has, •'*■: H SOtTKLrNO — AILMENTS, BTa 379 In the m<\jority of cases, beeu uluue sut&ciont to effect a car& 872. Darbo's Nipple Shield — a French invention — is an admirable c:>e for very sore and badly cracked nipples. Th« nipple of the shield is made of very fine cork, and as in touch it much resembles the nipple, it being soft and yielding, the babe usually sucks it with avidity. It certainly is a useful little invention. Of course, unless tho nipple be very sore, or much cracked, it ought not to be used, as there is nothing better, in a general way, than putting the cliild to the nipple itself. 873. A nursing mother is ;jometimes annoyed by the milk jlowing comtantly away, making her wet and un- comfortable. All she can do under such circumstancea is to wear nipple-glasses, and to apply a piece of flannel to the bosom, which will prevent the niilk from chill- ing her, and will thus do away with the danger of her catching cold, &c. 874. The Breast. — A mother ought, before applying the infant to the bosom, to carefully ascertain if there be milk. This may readily be done by squeezi og the nipple between the finger and the thumb. 11 there be no milk, she must wait until the milk be secreted, or serious consequences both to her and to him niight ensue; to the former, inflammation and gathering oi the bosom, and sore nipples ; to the latter thrush, diarrlioea, and eruptions on the skin.* 875. If there be a supply of milk in the breasts, and if still the child will not suck, the medical man's atten- tion ought to be drawn to the fact, in order that he may ascertain whether the babe be tongue-ti'jd j if ho be, the mystery is explained, and a trifling, painless operation will soon make all right. 876. If the bosoms he full and unecuy^ they ought, three or four times a day, to be well, although tenderly, For macn valuable information on this sabjeot tee ^ iVM omd Rational Explanation of the Diseaact pecuiiar to JmfomU i Uotiur9. By Thomas BaUard, M.D. \ ■ H i H !l; ■ ' \\ I 280 AHVICR TO K WIPF, rubbed witb olivo oil and eau de Cohujue {va\\va\ parta of each mixttl in a vial). Some nurs(!a rub with tlicir fingers only. Now such rubbing dooa harru, Tlie proper way to apjily fiii;tion is to pour aHnuill (quantity of tlie oil and cdii dn CuUkjua — first shaking the bottle — into the palm of tlm hand, the hand being warm, and tlieu to well rub the breasts, taking care to use the whole of the inside of the hand. After the bosoms have been well rubbed, each ought to be nicely supported with a large, soft, folded silk handkerchief; each hand- kerchief must pass under each breast and (yver the shoulders, and should be tied at the back of the neck, thus acting as a sling. 877. If the bosoms bo very uncomfortable, young cabbage-leaves (with " the veins" of each leaf cut level to the leaf) ought, after each aj)plicatiou of the oil and eau de Coloijiie^ to be aj)plied ; or a large, wann, white bread and milk and olive oil poultice ought to bo used, wliich must be renewed three or four times a day. Tho way to make the poultice is as follows : — A thick round of bread should be cut from a white loaf ; the crust shoidd be removed, the cnimb ought to be cut into pieces about an inch square, upon which boiling-hot new milk should be pouied ; it ouglit to be covered over for ten minutes; then the milk should be drained off; and the olive oil — previously warmed by jdacing a little in a tea- cup on tho hob— shoidd be beaten up by means of a fork with ths moistened bread until it be of the con- sistence of a soft poultica It ought to bo applied to tho bosom as hot as it can comfortably be borne. 878. Gathered Breast. — A healthy woman with a well-developed breast and a good nipple scarcely, if ever, has a gathered bosom ; it is the delicate, the ill-developed breasted and worse-developed nij)pled lady that usually BulTera from this painful complaint. And why 1 The evil can generally be traced to girlhoods If she be allowed to be brought up luxuriously, her health and her breasts are sure to be weakened, and thus to sufler •- more especially yiliau 1^ bosoms and the nipples' ■UOKLINQ — AILM1-VT8, VTC 281 dovelopmont ar« ancsttd .uid intorfend witli by tight stays uiul corsets. Why, tho nipplb is liy tlKiu Jrawii in, and retained on a levol with the Ureaat — coiinUirsunk a-s it wore, as tlu)ngh it were of no conscniuunco to her future well-being, as though it were a thing of nouglit. Tight lacera will have to pay i)onahie8 they little dream ofl Oh, the monstrous folly of Huch procfcnliiigs ! When will mothers awake from their lethargy 1 It is high time that they did so ! Many a home, from the mother having "no nipple" — the effects of tight lacuig — htia been made childless — from tlie babe not being able to procure its proper nourishment, and dying in consequence 1 It ia a frightful state of things ! But fashion unfortunately blinds the eyes and deafens the ears of its votaries I 879. A gathered bosom, or "bad breast," as it is some- times called, is more likely to occur after & first conhne* ment and during the Jiri^t month. Great care, therefore, ought to be taken to avoid such a misfortune. A gathered breast is frequently owing to the carelessness of a mother in not covering her bosoms during the time she is suck- ling. Too much attention cannot bo paid to keeping the breasts comfortably warm. This, during the act of nursing, should be done by throwing either a si i awl or !i square of flannel over the neck, shouldei's, and bosoms. ffiO. Another cause of gathered breasts arises from a mother sitting up in bed to suckle her babe. He ought to be accustomed to take the bosom while she is lying down ; if this habit be not at first instituted, it will be difficult to adopt it afterwards. Good habits may, from earliest babyhood, be taught a child. 881. A sore nipple is another fruitful cause of a gathered breast. A mother, in consequence of the suffering it produces, dreads putting the babe to it; she therefore keeps him almost entirely to the other bosom. The result is, the breast with the sore nipple becomes distended with milk, which, being imrelieved, ends in inflammation, and subsequently in gathering. 882. Another cause, as I have before indicated, of a gathered breast is u mother not having a properly deve i I r, 282 Anvrnn TO A mr^ r- !J loped nipple — the nipple being so Hraall that the chlW is not able to take hold of it ; indeed, tlie nipple iH uom»- Umes level with the other part of the bo8oni, and in some instances sunk even below the level of the breads — the patient having what is popularly called " no nipple" — that ''s to say, she having no properly deve- loped nipple— a nipple not of the least use for any practical purpose whatever ; but rather a source of pain and annoyance. The nipple, in some cajes, never hafl developed — it is, from infancy to wifehood, at a perfect standstill. With such a patient, when she becomes a mother, it is quite impossible that she can suckle her child. The child, in such a case, vainly attempts to suck, and the milk, in consequence, becomes " wedged," as the old nurses call it, and inflammation ending in gathering is the result, and to crown all, the child is obliged to be weaned — which is a sad misfortune ! But really, in a case of this kind, the child ought never to have been piat to the breast at alL 883. A groat number, then, of gathered breasts arises from a faulty nipple. If a lady have a good nipple she usually makes a good nurse, and seldom knows the meaning of a gathered breast. But what is the usual cause of this arrest of development of the nipple — of •■* no nipple ? " The abominable custom of allowing girls to wear tight stays and corsets ; and as long fts this senseless practice is permitted by mothers " no nipples * will be of frequent — of every-day — occurrence, and unspeakable misery will, as a matter of course, in due time, be the result. Tight stays may truly be called instruments of torture, invented by that tyrant of tyrants — fashion. 884. Pressure on a part always induces the part to waste away, or, in other words, arrest of development : hence tight lacing is really and truly the principal cause of " no nipple." 885. It is worthy of remark, that the " no nipple" is generally to be found among the higher ranks, where tight stays and tight (soisets are worn ; poor women M BUOKLINO— AILMENTS, ETtt 28S have usually well-formed uipplen, which is oue import> ant reason why poor women geuorally maku good nursea, and why the poor women are those seleetod by the rich as wet-nurses to rescue their children from death. 886. I do not moan to eay that pressure is the only cause why many of the rich have " liO nipple" — certainly not* simple living, occupation, and exercise have much to do in developing and in perfecting the poor woman's nipple ; while luxurious living, indoleuc*;, in addition to the pressure, have much to do in deteriorating and in dwindling away the fashionable lady's nipple. I will maintain, then, that freedom froiu pressure and simple living, conjoined with occupation and exercise, are the main causes of determining the matter. 887. The eflfects of tight lacing, in so frequently both arresting the development of the bosom and in causing "no nipple" in girls, are often so terrible in their ultimate consequences as to proclaim tiglit lacing to be oue of the crying evils of the day, and should open the eyes of a mothei to its enormity. 888. Verily the rich have to pay heavy pains and penalties for their fashion, their luxury, their indolence, and their folly. 889. The fruitleaa attempt ol an infant to procure milk when there is very little or none secreted, ia another and a frequent cause of a gathered bosom. Dr Ballard, in his valuable little work before quoted, con- siders this to be the principal cause of a gathered breast * and, as the subject is of immense importance, I cannot do better than give it in his own words, more especially as he has the merit of originating and of bringing the subject prominently before his professional brethren. He says : — " This (mammary abscess or gathered breast) is another form of disease entirely referable to the cause under consideration [fruitless sucking]. In the case • For farther observations on ** no nipple," see one of my othei works — Cou/nsel to a Mother on the Vare and the Hearing qf htr Children. U I i I m i i 284 ADVIOB TO A WIFS. last related, the formation of mammary abscess [gathered breast] was only j ust prevented by aiTesting any farther irritation of the breast by sucklmg ; and since I have kept careful notes of my cases, I have observed that in all instances of abscess there has been abundant evi- dence of a demand being made upon the gland for a supply of milk jeyond that which it had the power of secreting. If the child only has been kept to the breast, then it has suffered with disordered bowels ; but in the majority of cases an additional irritation has been applied ; the commonly-received doctrine, that a turgid breast is necessarily overloaded with milk, h.-ads mothers and nurses to the use of breast-purups, exhausted bottles, or even the application of the powerful sucking powers of the nurse herself, to relieve the breasts of their sup^ posed excess ; and it is this extraordinary irritation, which in the majority of cases determines the formation of an abscess [gathering]. Sometimes these measures are adopted to remove the milk when a woman is not going to suckle, and then an abscess not unfrequently is established, I have previously alluded to the mistake into which m&theis and nurses are led by the appearance of a swollen breast: it is not evidence that the gland can secrete freely, and it is in this turgid state that the excessive irritation tells most severely. This hyperffimio [plethoric] condition seems to be a step towards inflam- mation, and the irritation supplies that which is wanting to complete the process. If a woman will only remove the child from the breast directly the act of sucking produces pain, she may be pretty sure to avoid abscess. So long as the milk can be obtained there is no pain." The above most valuable advice dc-serves great attention, and ought to be strictly followed 890. Hoio ?'.•>• a patient to kmjw that she is about to have a gathered bosom? — There are two forms of gathered breast; one being of vast, and the other of trilling importance. The first, the serious one, consists of gathering of the structure of the gland of the breast itself; the latter, merely i^ the superjicial part of the BUCKLING — AILMENTS, BTtt 285 bosom, and ought to be treated in the same manner aa any other external gatliering, with wann poultices. 891. In the mild or superficial kind of gathered bosom, the mother may still pereevere in suckling L r child, as the secreting portion of the brciust is not at all implicated in the gathering; but in tlie <er, will often supersede the necessity of giving opening medicine. 909. A tumblerful of cold spring water — cold from the pump — taken early every morning, sometimes effec- tually relieves the bowels ; indeed, few people know the value of cold water as an aperient — it is one of the best we possess, and, unlike drug aperients, can never by any possiViility do harm. I have for m«uiy years (see Admae to a Mother and Counsel to a Mother) been a staunch advocate for the plentiful drinking of water — of pure water — more especially for children. 1 iiave long dis- covered that one of the most valuable properties of water is — its aperient qualities ; indeed, as far as children are concerned, water is, as a rule, the only aperient ♦.hoy require. I beg to call a mother's especial attention to the fact of water being an admirable aperient for children; for if my views in the matter be, to the very letter, carried out, much drugging of children may be saved — to their enduring and inestimable benefit. But the raivsfortuue of it is, some mothers are so very fond of quacking their children — tliat they are never happy but when tliey are physicking them. The children of Bucli mothers are deeply to be pitied. 910. Coffee ought to be substituted for tea for break- fast, as colfi?3 freijuently acts as an aperient, more especially if the coflfee be sweetened with brown sugar. A glass of sherry should bj taken every day during dinner, as, if the bowels be sluggish, it sometimes stimulates them to action, 1 should strongly recom- mend a pati-nt, in such a case, to eat a great variety of food, and to let the vegetable element predominate. Much meat encourages coiuitipation. Fruit — Muscatel Id i 111 .y X 390 ADVICE TO A WIFK. H:< raisina enpecially — farinaceoup food, coffee, and a variety of vegetables, each and all incite the bowels to do theii duty. 911. Although a nursing mother ought, more espe- cially if she be costive, to take a variety of well-cooked vegetables, such as potatoes, asparagus, broccoM, cauli- flower, French beans, spinach, stewed celery and turnips ; she should avoid eating greens, cabbages, and pickles, as they would be likely to affect ths babe, and might cause him to suffer from gripings, from pain, and " loose- ness " of the bowels. 912. The " wet compress '" is another excellent method of opening the bowels. The way A applying it is as follows : — Fold a large napkin a few thicknesses until it is about half a foot square ; then dip it in cold water and place it over the bowels, over which apply either oil-skin or gutta-percha skin, which should be, in order to exclude the air, considerably larger than the folded napkin. It should be kept in its place by means of either a bolster-case or a broad bandage ; and must be applied at bed-time, and ought to remain on for three or four hours, or untU the bowels be opened. 913. Let me again — for it cannot be too urgently insisted upon — strongly advise a nursing mother to use every means in the way of diet, &c., to supersede the necessity of taking opening medicine, as the repetition of aperients injures, and that severely, both herself and child. Moreover, the more opening medicine she swal- lows, the more she requires ; so that if she once get into the habit of regularly taking aperients, the bowels will not act without them. What a miserable existence to be always swallowing physic ! 914. If a lady, then, during the period of suckling were to take systematic exercise in the open air; to bustle about the house and to attend to her household duties ; if she were to drink, the moment she awakes in the morning, -^ tumblerful of cold water, and every day during dinner a glass of sherry; if she were to substitute hrQwn bread for white bread, and cojfee for tea at I', '.I BUOKLlMa — WBANINa 2di breakfast, and hrowii for white sugar , if she were to vary hor food, both animnl and vej,'etable, and to partake plentifully of sound ripu fruit ; if she were to use an abundance of i-ahi water to her skin ; if she were occa- sionally, at bed-time, to apply a '* wet compress " to her bowels, a7ul to vIkU tlie water-dotiet daily at one hour ; if slie were — even if the bowels .vere not opened for four or live days — not to take an aperient of any kind whatever, and avoid quacking hereelf with physic; in abort, if she wouLl adopt the above safe and simple remedies — many of them being nature's remedies — and which aie in the reach of all, she would not sulier aa she now does so laQch from costiveness, which is fre- quently the bane, the misery, and the curse of her existence ! But then, to get the buwcL^ into a proper and healthy state, it would take both time and trouble ; and how readily can a couple of pills be swallowed, and how quickly they act; but how soon they have to be repeated ! until at length the bowels \vill not act at all unless goaded into action. The constant swallowing of opening pills, then, makes the bo\v(>ls stubborn and sluggish, and wounds them unmercifully. The bowels, at length, will not, without the pills, move at all, and so the pills become a dire and sometimes even a daily necessity I Oh, the folly and the mischief of such a system 1 WEANING. 915. There is an old saying, "That a woman should carry her child nine months, and sliould suckle him nine months." It is well known tliat the first part of the old adage is correct, and experience has proved the latter to be equally so. If a babe be weaned be/ore he be nine months, he loses that muscular strength which the breast-milk alone tan give; if he be suckled after he be nine months, ho becomes pallid, tiabby, weak, and delicate. " It is generally recognised that the healthiest children are those weaned at nine months complete. Prolonged nursing hurts both child and mother ; in the S92 ▲DVIOA TO A WIFS. 'r> i child, cansing a tendency to brain disease, probably through disordered digestion and nutrition j in the mother, causing a strong tendency to deafnoss and blind- ness. It is a very singular fact, to which it ia desirable that attention were paid, that in thosu districts of Scot- and — viz., the Highlands and insular — where the mothers suckle their infants from fourteen to eighteen months, deaf-dumbness and blindncHs prevail to a very much larger extent among the peojde than in districts where nine or ten monlhs is the usual limit of the nursing period." — Dr. W. Farr on the Mortality of Children. 916. The time, then, when an in/ant should be weaned. — " This, of course, must depend upon the strength of the child, and upon the health of the mother : nine months on an average being the proper time. If she be delicate, it may bo found necessary to wean him at six months ; or if hu bo weak, or labouring under any disease, it may be well t ■ cuntinue suckling him for twelve mouths ; but after that t:me the breast will da him more harm than good, and will, moreover, injure the mother's health." — Advice to a Mother. 917. If he be suckled after he be twelve months old, he is generally pale, flabby, unhealthy, and rickety ; and the mother is usually nervous, emaciated, and hystericaL A child who is suckled beyond the proper time, more especially if there be any predisposition, sometimes dies either of water on the brain, or of consumption of the lungs, or of mesenteric disease. 918. A child nursed beyond twelve months is very apt, if he should live, to be knock-kneed, and bow-legged, and weak-ankled — to be narrow-chested and chicken- breasted — to be, in point of fact, a miserable little object. All the symptoms, just enumerated, are those of rickets, and rickets are damaging and defacing to " the human form divine." Rickets is a very common complaint among children — nearly all arising from bad management ■- from hygienic rules not being either understood or followed. There are many degreesof rickets, ranging f lom •UOKLING — WBANINO. S93 bov7-lega nirl knock-kiuies to acwoked H|)ine — to a hump back ! Jiut as I liavo entered so fully into the ciiuse* and the treatment of rickets in two of my oth^r works — Advice to (I Mdlht'i' and Cuunsid to a Miil}i>r —I bc}^ to refer my fair readers, for further informition on the Bahjeet, to those two vohinica — more e.sjiecijiUy as those two works are es[)e(;ially devotrd to the mJui.iL,'eniont, to the care, and the rearing,' of her chihhen; whihj this hook is intended si del for a wife's own especial benefit — ti/ be her guide and counsellor. 919. I'he manner in which a mother tthonhl aei when she weans her child. — " She must, as the word «iguifiea, do it gradually — that is to say, she nhould by degrees give him less and less of the breast, and more and more of artificial food; she ought at hugth only to suckio him at night; and lastly, it would be well for khe mother eitljer to send him nway or to leave him at home, iind for a few days to go awa\ herself." 920. " A good plan is for the nurse to have in the bed a half-pint bottle of new milk, which, to i)revent it from turning sour, had been previously boiled, so as to give a little to the child in lieu of the breast. The warmth of the body will k^cp the milk of a proper temperature, and will sup'-rsede the use of lamps, of candle-frames and other troublesome contrivances."— Advice to a Mother. 921. If the mother be not able to leave home hersoli or to send her child from home, she ought then to lei him sleep in another room, with some reapomihle person, — I say r^sponaible person, for a babe must not be left to the tender mercies of a giggling, thoughtless, young girl 922. If the mother, during the day time, canu» - resist having her child in the room with her, then 1 ehould advise her to make a [laste of aloes — that is to say, let her mix a little [juwdt-red aloee; with a few drops of water, until it be of the consistence of pasie- and let her smear a little of it (»n the nipple every time just before putting him to the breast ; this will be quiti A 294 ADVICE TO ▲ WIFk. "I i B. I: enough for him ; and one or two aloo-applicationa to the nipple will make him take a disgtiat to the bosom ; and thus the weaning will be accompliuhed. A mother need not be afraid that the uIoe.s \\i\\ injure her babe; the minute quantity he will swallow will do no harm ; for the moment he tastes it, the aloes being extremely bitter, he will splutter it out of his mouth. 923. Another application for the nipple to effect weaning is wormwood. There are two ways of apply- ing it, either (1) by sprinkling a very small pinch of powdered wormwood on the nipple; or (2) by bathing the nipple with a small quantity of wormwood tea just before applying the babe to it— either the one or the other of these plans will make him take a dislike to the breast, and thus the weaning will be accomplished. "Wormwood is excessively bitter and disagreeable, and a slight quantity of it on the nipple will cause an infant to turn away from it with loathing and disgust — the wormwood, the minrte quantity he will taste, will not at all injure him. Wormwood was in olden time used for the purpose of weaning : — ** And she was wean'd, — I never shall forget it — Of all the days of tlie year upon that day : For I had then laid wormwood to my duj? [nipple], Sitting in the sun under the dove-house wall, My lord and you wers then at Mantua :— Nay, I do be^r a brain : but, as I said, When it did taste the wormwood on the nipple Of my dug, and felt it bitter, pretty foci ! To see it tetchy, and fall out with the dug. " Shakspeare, 924. The best way of ''drying up the milk'' is to apply to each breast soap-plaster (emplastrum saponis), spread on soft pieces of wash leather, the shape and size of the top of a hat, with a round hole the size of a shilling in the middle of each to admit the nipple, and with a slit from the centre to the circumference of each plaster to make a better fit. These plasters ought to be spread by a chemiati '• iMm fUOTITilNO — WUANINO. 295 925. Whon the child is once weaned, the breosta ou^ht not to be drawn, as the drawin<^ of thorn would e&wBQ them to secrete larger quantities of milk : if, there- fore, the bosoms be ever so full or uncomfortable, a mother ought to leave them alone ; she should wait patiently, and the milk will gradually diminish, and will at lengtlh disappear. 926. The drawing of the bosoms, during weaning, either by means of a breast-purap, or by the mouth, or by other like contrivances, has f recjuently caused gathered bieasta If not drawn, they scarcely, if ever, gather. 927. The above plan of " drying up the milk " will generally iu five or six days assuage the milk away ; but if, at the end of three days, the bosoms still con- tinue full and uncomfortable, the plasters should be removed, and the breast ought, every four hours, to be wi'll but tenderly rubbed with equal parts of oli'ye oU aivl of mu de Cologne ; the nurse supporting the bosom, during such friction, with her other hand. 928. Let me impress the above important advice on a nursing mother's mind, it might save a great deal of after suffering and misery. 929. It might be well to state, that after the child has been weaned, the milk does not always entirely leave the breasts, not even for weeks, and, in some cases, not even for months ; it is not of the slightest consequence, and requires no treatment to get rid of it 930. A mother ought, during the period of weaning, to live abstemiously, and should drink a-* little as pos- sible. In many cases, it is necessary to work off the milk — to give, every morning, for two or three mominga, mild aperient medicine, such as either a Seidlitz powder, or a tea-spoonful of Henry's magnesia and a tea-spoonful of Ep.sora salts in half a tumbler of warm water. 931. Symptonu^ denoting the necessity of weaning.'-^ A mother sometimes cannot suckle her child ; the attempt bringing on a train of symptoms somewhat •imilar to the following : — singing in the ears \ dimne.s8 of sight; aching of the eye-balls j thiobbiug in the head; ■*'! 296 IPV K T<> A WTFF. ;l1 i("rvonRnf»BR; hypfprifiH; trpiiihliiit'H; fftintnpps ; lnfl« of appetite and of flcsli: fluit«>ri!i^' aiu! palpitation mI' the ln'art; f^^fliu^n of prcat ('xh!iu>»ti(iii; in of the above long catalogue of wymptoras I HmI if Hho have three or four of the more 8(Tiou8 of them, she oiight not to disobey the warnings, but should diflcontinue nursing; although it mif^ht be necessary, if the babe himself be not old or strong enough to wean, to obtain a healthy wet-nurse to take her place. 033. Hemember, then, that if the above warning lymptoras be diH regarded, dangerous conpequences, both to parent and cliild, might and probably will be the rj'sult. It might either throw the mother into a con- sumption, or it might bring on heart disease \ and, in confcpience of his not being able to obtain sufficient or proper uourishuieiit, it might cause the infant to dwindle and pine away, and, eventually, to die either of water on the brain, or of atrophy. 934. II there be, during any period of suckling, a sudden and ^reat diminution of milk in the bi( asts, the chances are that the mother is again enriente. the child should, if she bo pregnant, be either weaned, or, if he be not old enough to wean, be supplied with a healthy wet-nurse. It is most injtirious both to parent and to child for a moth'^r, when she be pregnant, to continue sutkling 935. Soon after nine months' nursing "the monthly periods" generally return. This is another warning that the babe ought immediately to be weaned, as the milk will lessen both in quantity and in nourishment, and the child in consequence will become delicate and puny, and ever}' day he is suckled will lose, instead of RJtlKLIKtuI WBAXIiriL 197 gain, ground. I have known many chlMi^n become, from protracted suckling, sni.ilh^r at tw<>lvn months than thoy wore at iiiii« months; and well \]wy inij^ht be, aa, after niiir mrnthH, tlio mothrr'^ milk usnully doos thmn harm instead of doing them good, uikI thus cames them to dwindle away. 93G. At another time, although the aho^e train of symptoma does not occur, and notwithstanding she may he in ptrfcct health, a mother may not he able to snckle her babe. Sucli an one usually has very small breasts, and but little milk in them, and if nhe endeavour to nurse her child, it produces a violent arhituj of the bosom. Should she disregard these warnin^; , and still perstivere, it might and moist likely will produce intlaiu- mation of the breast, which wUl probably end in a gathering. 937. An ohgtinafe gore nipple is errnipfimes a tymptiyrn denoting the necessity of weaning. — When the nipples are, and, notwithstanding judicious treatment, persist- ently for some time continue very sore, it is often an indication that a mother ought to wean her babe. Long-continued, obstinate sore ni{)Tiles frecjuently occur in a delicate woman, and speak in language not to be misunderstood, that the child, as far us the mother her- self is concerned', must be weaned. Of course, if the Infant be not old enough to wean, a wet-nurse, when practicable, ought to take the mother's place. If the above advice were more frequently followed than it is, gathered breasts, much suffering, and broken health, would not so frequently prevail as they now do. 938. If a mother be ])redi8po8ed to consumption ; if she have had spitting of blood; if she be subject to violent palpitation of the heart ; if she be labouring under great debility and extreme delicacy of constitution ; if she have any of the above complaints or symptoms, sh« ought not on any account to suckle her child, but ■hould by all means procure a healthy wet-nurse. 939. Great care apd circumspection are retirdr«Hl in the selection of a wet-nurse ; her antecedents should be i lii 898 ADVICE TO A WIFl. strictly Inquired Into ; her own health, and that of her babe must be thoroughly investigated ; the ages of her own child and that of the foster babe should be com- pared, aa they ought as nearly as possible to be of the same age j but if a wet-nurse be required, I have in two of my other works — Advice to a Mother and Counsel to a Mother — entered so fully into the subject, on the best kind of wet-nurse, and on the right method of selecting one, that I cannot do better than refer my reader, under the head of " wet-nurse," to those books ; a repetition of which would, in these pages, be a work of supererogation. 940. If a nursing mother should, unfortunately, catch either scarlatina or small-pox, or anj other infectioua disease, the child must, immediately, be either weaned, or transferred to a wet-nurse, or the babe himself will, in all probability, catch the disease, and will very likely die. Moreover, the mother's milk, in such a case, is poisoned, and, therefore, highly dangerous for a child to suck. I scarcely need say, that the babe must instantly be removed altogethei* away from the infected house — small-pox and scarlet-fever both being intensely infec- tioua : and the younger the child — if he do take the infection — ^the greater will be his peril. A wet-nurse — if the infant himself be too young to wean — should, as fax OS she is ablfj, supply the mother's place. 941. A mother sometimes suckles her child when she is pregnant This is highly improper, as it not only liijures her own health, and may bring on a miscarriage, but it is also prejudicial to her babe, and may produce a delicacy of constitution from which he might never recover ; indeed it may truly be said, that an infant so circumstanced is always delicate and unhealthy, and ready, like blighted fruit, to dwindle and die away. 942. A mother when she is weaning her child should live very abstemiously ; she should avoid highly- spiced and rich dishes, and stimulanta of all kinds ; i4ie should drink very little fluid ; she should, aa much M possible, be out of sight and of hearing 9f 1 y%. 'Mi ■ ooiroLnsiov. 299 her babe ; she should rub her breasts, three imes a day, with warm camphorated cil Once having weaned her child, she should not again put him to the bosom If she should be so imprudent, she may not only disorder her child and bring on bowel complaint, but she may CTiUse her own breasts to inflame and her nipples to be sore. The less the breasts are meddled with the better ; except it be the rubbing of them with the warm cam- phorated oil, or, as »• commended in one of my other books — Advice to a Mother — the application of soap- plaster spread on wash-leather to each bosom. In conclusioni I fervently hope that this little book will, through God's blessing, be to my fair reader, dur- ing the whole period of her wifehood, a friend in hex need, a guide in her difficulties, and a silent but safe counsellor in all things pertaining to her health. I sincerely trust that it will give her as much pleasure in the reading of these pages as it has given me in the writing of them. I have, in order to make the book as useful as possible, taken great pains with it, and have on the subject " read well myself " — thus following the •dvice of Chaucer — "Bede well thy selfe, that other foil's canst rede Ifid trouth Uiee ihall deliver ; it is ao drtde ** I m INDEX, kwumom after labour, IM, 343. among thn poor, 34 manner of young wife per- fonnin);, 24, morning, 24. In pregnancy, 13ft. thorough, 24, 29. Abortion, 170. the procuring of, 11». Accoucheur, the duties of, 209. Advice to a monthly nurse, 197. Aft^-birth sliouM nuver be brought a«t »^ by nurgo, 231. After-pains, 213. Age ut which menstruation eom- mences, 92. Affa h'"<^, CO marry, 89. Ages of mother ami wet-nurse, 266 AUments of pieguancy, 141, 169. during suckling. 276. Air, ould, the vulue of, 20. pure in bedroom, IS, 19 Air and exercise in pregnancy. 137. during Bncklliig, 268. and occupation, 127. Aleohol, a deadly poison, S7, 88, 89. in brandy and in wine, 87, 89. Ale and porter, lonr, 260. more nourishing than wine, 2G6. i^Ofl-paate, In weaning, 298. American tube-well, 134. AmuaementB of a young wife, M. Aperient pilla after confinement, 389 on talclii^, 291. Aperient! In pregrianiy. 141 the abuse ot. 241. before laboui, 166. tmmediattif after, improper, 389. 4nring suckling, 387 on frequent, 83. Appetite, bad, 30. and leanness, 84. Applications for hair, 27, 38. Armstrong on ablution, 80. Articles wante>l at labour, 318. Artificial reapiration, 3;}0. Assisting nature on. Bad Bheast, 380. cooks, 72-74. Bandage after confinement, 384. Barley-Witer and new milk, 284 Barren wItos, 3. diet of, 21. number of, 2. Barrenness and fashion, 20. in higher ranks, 4L Bathing feet, 27. ■houlders and back, M, whole body, 27. Bay-salt, 26. Bearing-down pains, 204. of womb, 346. Beauty in utility, 76. Beauty-sleep, 6'i. Bed, " the guarding of," 218. Bed-pan, the best kind of, 237, 2i2. Bedroom for pregnant female, i;!« ventilation of, 63. Bedstead, a four-post, in labour, 'JM Beef-tea, how to make (note), 248 •'Being out in reckoning," 186. " Belly labour," 314. Bererage after labour, 348. the best for young wife, 86. during " getting about," 348. in hot weather, 249. for mother whose child if Ul, 368. Bidet ihonld be regularly used, 126. Birth, four at a (note), 92, 93. Bladder, irritability of, 162. importance of attending to 338. in pregnancy, 162. sluggishnesa of, 162. state of, after confinement, 237. Blessedness of patienco, 318. " Blue-stocking," as a wife, 7«. Bnsom after labour, 367. Bowels to be opened before laboni 317. \^ i 302 JXTDML. BowolB.lf reirvlar^o apeHentnqnlred, 241, aco. Bowel complaints of pref^ianej, 163. Bowels itate of, after labour, S89. Boy or girl T 187. Brandy to b« in the Ijrlnt^-ln romn, nS. drinking, dally, 87 OD the use ot daring labour, IVS, 82'i, 3M. Bran-bread, as an aperient, 8S, 'J3S. Breakfast for yoniiR wife, 10-83. a meHgre, 80-83. Breast-drawer, 369. daring suckling, Sft7. full aod uneasy, 3A8, 178. IB second ouJ in succeeding eonflnements, 360. painful during pregnaney,l61. gathered, 380. causes of, MO, 381. bupoitance of early treatment, 386. thlTcring fit, in, 38ft. symptomB of, 386. two forms of, 386. Breast-pump, ill effects of, '286. Bringing-np of girls, 73, 7& Bags and fleas, 80. Business of a wlfo, 70. CALomL, dangerous In pregnancy, 141. Carbonic add gaa in crowded rooms, 17, 67. Carpet for bath-room, 88. Carriage ezerdae, on the abuse o( 18, 16. Castor oO, the doM and manner of administering, 143. CauiUe should be baaisbed lying-in room, 384. " Caul," a child's (m(«X 33& Cause, one, of small famUlea, 4L " Ceasing to be unwell," 107. to menstruate, 91, 109. Champagne-cup, 48. Change of air for delicate wife, 80. "Change of lift," 107. Change of life, great importance of no! neglecting, 109, 118. bleeding of nose, 111. eruptions on skin. 111. sndobestty.lOS, 110,113. end pains in breast, 111. end peculiar pains. 111. and piles, 111 ef room after labour. 361. Oheerfia wife, 70. Gkeerfalaesa. cultiTation of, 69, 81. and good stomach, 370, 371. during labour, 319. CheerfBlnesB and eccnpatlOB, TO. Child-bed woman timid. 331. Child bom before arriral of medical man, 338. should be gradubUy weaned 398. Childless house, 8. Chimney, on stopping, 18. Chlorodyne, 68. Chloroform in hard and lingflrtng labour, 334-337. Chlorosis and hysteria, 101-106^ Circulation, languid, 16, 86. Cleanliness of body, 34. " Cleansing," 348. Clergymen, doctor, and wife, 49. Clercr wife a fortune, 73. Clothing in pregnancy, 13 after labour, 288 during suckling, 368, Clystara, 337, 889. Coffee as an aperient, 143, 389. Complexion, a fine, 13. Compress, wet, 390. Concluding remarks on pregnane* 300. Conclnslon of labour, 319. Constant employment, 66. Contagion and bad Tentilation, ISft. Contentment, 69, 70, the best physician, 69. Cookery, good and careful, 74. CostlTC bowels after confinement, MSi in young wife, 82. Costireness during pregnancy, 141. a cause of hard labont 144 "Count," 179. the method of making, ITU a plan to make, 180. Table, 18L Country, on Uring in, 191. Coverlets, knitted, 189. Crabbe on wine, 47. Cramp of the bowels, 166. Cramp of the lege and thighe in preg nancy, 166k Cream, butter, and ragar, 84. Creasote in toothache, 164. "Croakers," during labour, 190^ UL Croquet, best of games, 67. Crying out when in pain, tlC Cnratet' wlTOi, 31. DAKOura, danger of young wif^ <1 dnring prignancjr, 87» Dangers of wine drinli.ing, 86. of early marriages, Uk Daylight, importance of, 61. into dirty placea, 63. Depression of spirits daring auckllng 367. S'' L Dm, S03 - Dert>7ahlr« oatmeal wmei, 144. Dews of morning; anil evening, IS, SL Dial;;gae between bnaband and wife, 79. on home, 68. Diairhoea In pregnancy, 146. Dletuy of a young wife, 80. pregnant female, 180. after labour, 246. Diet dnrlng suckling, 264. of lying-in women, 2*A. of young wife, 32. pigeBtlon, a good, 270. Dirt in wrong place, 18S. DifBcnity of lying down In pregnancy, 18ft. of making water, 33S. Dinners and tempers, 74. Disinfectants, 1»0. Dissipation and barrenness, C Domette bandagea, IM. Dozing, iU effects of, 4$, Drainage, 188. Dress for labour, 317. for young wife, 68-M. " Drying up the milk," 294. Duration of menstruation, 9t. Duties of a ntirslng mother, S7S. of a wife, 70. Cablt M atubitt, 94. riser needs refreshment, 80. rUing and early to bed, 49, 63. a cosmetic, 63. a duty, 63. good effects of, 60 rejuvenlses, 60. Economy, domestic, 70. Emaciation In pregnancy, 131. Emerson on pleasure, 66. Employment " nature's doctor," 373. EneeinU, the origin of the word {note), 101. Enema appa^atu^ 89, 198. for costiveness, 83. for lying-in patient, 3&9. Enemata of tepid water, 146. Ewers and basins, Lilliputian, M. Exerdse for a young wife, 9-17. • necessity, 9. before breakfast, 38. best aperient, 188. for ihe delicate, 11. Immense importance of, t. In dose carriages, IS. In pregnancy, 127. during suckling, 368. fresh air and occupation during pregnancy, 127. In open air after labour, 263. promotes sleep, 66. iBMtlot flTM eihllaratloa, lOl FAnrmio In prrgnanrr, 168. Fai:tiieN8 during suckling, 886. •' FalliiiR of the womb," 246. Falling off of the hair, 28. False labour pains, 177. Fashion and barrenness, 20. Fashionable system of spendine mar> rled life, 6. Fat and pregnancy, how to distin- guish between, 121. Feet, cold, exercise the remedy for 16. and legs, bathing, 37. Females who have sick pregnanclet. 160. "Female slipper," 237, 342. " Fidgets," treatment of, 147. Fire-guard In Ijring-lB room grate^ 286. Fire, ill effects of Bitting near, 13. Flannel, 317. next skin, 64. Flatulence and " ctuickcning/" Fleas and bugs, 80. Foetal circulation (note), 138. Folly of shutting out light, 6L Food, variety of, necessary, 26flL French bed-pan, 243. cookery, 78. plums, stewed, 288. Friend, the choice oi^ during labow 319. Fruit useful in pregnancy, 186. Fruitful women, 43. Fruit-tree, a simile, t. Fruitless onckllng, SSH Fumigations, 180. OADDOia from home, 68. Garters, Ul effeeta of, in pregnaacR 136. Gathered breaata, 381, 386. eau: es of, 281. importance of eaily treatment, 386. German breakfasts, 288. Gestation, period of, 179. Ginger-plaster, 167. Girl or boy ? 187. Golden sorrow, 60. Good humour, 70. Greens, cabbages, and pickle% ! " Guarding of the bed,'^ 318b Haib, on washing, 37. falling oir, 38. Health, a beautifler, f. inipoitance of, 88. of wives, 9. worth trying for, i. Heart, palpitation ol, daring nancyilGl 804 ossx. m u ■-n: H( utbnm in pretrnancy, 148 and costiveness, 14t. Blnta to attendants, 'i27. to mother when Infant la ill, 268. Home, 67. Honey, on the wholetomeneaa of, 888. Hot-water baK, 147. Honse, a healthy, 19. Household duties, 70-7S. good, 253. Husband in lyln^-ln room, Sll« Hysteria, 101, 108. Idlb ladlea, 59. people, 10. Idleness brings misery, 138. effects of, 6. Indla-rabber ceat aud shield for drawn- in nipple, 276, for sore nipple, 278. Indoleneo, the Ul etfocta of, in preg- nancy, 127. Infancy, weak as, S. Infant bom apparently dead, 229. the period of suckling an, 291. the cry of an, 229. Intemperance in France, 43. Introductory chapter, 1. Inrentory of best physic, 84 Irish women, poor, 21. Irritation and Itching, 188, 169. Jam «• an aperient, 288, Jeremy Taylor's description of a wife, t Joy Cometh in the morning, 920. Laboiib,201. the easy and the hard, 76. rapid, directions concerning, 327, 22& qrmptoras of; 201, 216. treatiu^^nt o', 301, 358. Lavements in pisgnancy, 125. Leather cheapor than pliysic, 9. Legs, the swollen, of pregnancy, 1S4. Length of time of first labour, 211. an after Ub(mr,311. Life is to be well, 6. Light a beantifler, 6L effects of, 61. to Ufe, 61. to sweet, 62, 68. little ablution — much elothlag, 88. pleasures and little dnties, 79. lirely women and easy laboan,.18T> Lot, the, of women, 306. Luxariou idle wife, 87. Loznrf, an age of, 18. aad diaeiM, arS Luxury, HI effects of, 90. liVlng-in room, 388. temperature of, 91iL MMt>-flBBTAVTa and the "ologies," Ti. .Mai nalade as an aperient, 389. .Mitrshinailow and camomile fomenta- tion {Mte}, 343. Martin Luther on work, 71. Mastication, thorough, 85. Materials of food should be mixed and ▼aried, 366. Maw's Nipple Shield, 378, 37a Means to strengthen, 4. Meddlesome breast-tending, 360. miilwlfery reprobated- 208 Medical man, 309. Medicines in pregnancy, 141. opening, danger of, 83. Menstroal fluid, 95. Menstruation, 87. accompanied with "the whites," 99. before marriage, 98. during thirty years, 93 painful, 97. dangers of, 96. profuse, 99. ■paring, 99. fcx) pale or too daik, 99. when not properly per- formed, 99. Metallic ahields, 375. Milk at "its height," 360. the best way of "drying up" the, 394. flowing away constantly, 379. ▼ery fattening, 34. Milk-fever or Weed, 361. Miscarriage, 1G9. care required after, 174. causes of, 171. consequences of a ne- glected, 175. flooding in, 171 prevention of, 170. ■ymptoms of a threat- ensd, 173, 173. treatment of, 174. vaual time of taking place, 173. Misconception and prejudice, -336. Mistiion, the glorious, 85, Monthly nurse, 189, 199. education of, 189. ■houlii be cheerful 194 periods and exercise. * Morning aicknesa, 116, 158. an early sign, 114 Motben Able to rackle. 3M ?■'!'■ OfDII. SO0 Ifolkan fNdlipoMd lo Mumnptlon, 397. who cannot raoklt, W7. ann«tnral, 3M. Iloontftln air, 60. If ufllun and sore throata, W. lluttou chopa, folly of llTing antlrely on, 88. If ystertca of nnnlng, 7ft. Natcsi In earlj morning, f 1. works in Mcret, 361. NaTel, pontlng of, aa a sign ot preg- nancy, ISL Narel-atring, the manner of tying, 381. not to be tied nntU the child breathes, 380. ITeiToaa patients and stimnlanta, M. New-bom babe, and milk, 363. Hippie cracked and flssared, 377. during suckling, 37fi. means to liarden, ICL great importance of hardan- ing, 161. retraction of, t7i. ■hielda, S7S, 378. •or«,S7«. u obstinate, 397. washing of, and breast, SS8. wet, 378. •hielda, Wansbrongb'a, 176. No breakfast— no man, 81. •• No nlppl^" 383. Nose, a sentinel, 180. MiUKB, monthly, 189-199. importance of choosing a good, 199. on quacking patients, 198. •D wearing slippers instead of shoes, 198. Nnnety-basin, 8A. Norsing, prolonged danger of, IM. apron, 364. Oaikbal, Derbyshire, 144. gruel as a fomentation, 348. Oocapatloa, 70, 71, 78. a necessity, 373. fresh air and ezerelae, 368. Offspring of very young and rerjr old. Olive oil aa an aperient, 14S. Opening medicine, 83. Orer-loadlng bowels, 141.. Paix , a sentinel, 131. Pains, " bearing dwon." 304. te/'ors and dirii 9 menstruation. Pains, "grinding,** 909. at night In pregnancy, 149: PainleHS parturition, 313. Palpitation of the heart in pregnancy 164. Parkea Dr, on I'cohol, 41. Passion, the Ul effects of, during suek- ling, 369. Pendolous belly of pregnancy, IW Pepper-plaster, 187. Periud of gestation, 179. Periods, dnriiig suckling, 374, 396. Pessaries, 348. Physic a substitute for exeiclse, 16. best, is exercise, 9. Piks In pivgnancy, 180-184. Pleasure and health, 66. Plethoric pregnant females, 187. Poisoned by one's own breath, 19. Poor women and " falling of womb,* 346. Porter and ale for a nursing mother, 366. Position aftor deilirery, 383. of a mother during suckling 869. of patient after laboui', 386. *• Pottering^' nurse, 190. Poultice, a bread and milk and sweet oU, 380. Precursory symptoma of labour, 30L Pregnancy, 116. duration of, 179. a natural process, 131b period of, 179. signs of, 11& Table, 18L Prellmtnary obserratlona, L Preparation for health, 39. for labour, 316. Profession of a wife, 73. Prolific mothers (note), 99. Proper time for a patient to stt U) after '...uonr, 344 to send lor medicul u.ai. 303, 304. to send for the nurse, 30/ Protrusion of the bowels, 16L Proverb, German, 8(L Pmnea, stewed, 388. Puberty, period of (noti), 99. Pump-wator, contamination, ISt. OB boiling, 184. on purity of. 111. ! I I '*QinoKBmio,'*il8. causes of, 118. flatulence ml for, 180. Quiet after eonflnement, 933, 34< Xuu Rah and wind. exorcise in, 10. 20 806 OTDBX. Si ■'"■ i; ^ i Rata Ift dralna and aawara, I SI, " Reckoning," to make the. 17». Refreshment Hfter labour, 334. Bemedlea to prerent costlTeneaa, M. Respiration, artificial, 280. Beit, 71. after dellvenr, 3S1 In prepnancy, IM. and quietude after labour, 944. Sectleuness at i.lRht, 119. remediea for, 1S9. Rich ladiea, n. Riches and appetite, 60. and children, 38. Rising of the sun, on Heelng the, U, Bulea for a female prone to mlaisMTy, 171. for barren wife, f . of bealth, 84. Sba-Batbivo, in pregnancy, IM. Sea-water good for health, 39. Servants taught the " ologlaa," li. Shokspeare on sleep, A7. Shapen in wickedneHS, 8. Shlrering during laboor, 908. " Show," A sure sign of labour, SOI. Shnwer-bath in pregnancy, 196, Sick pregnancies, 160. Sickness during labour, 308. Slgna of the foetal eircQlatton (note), 133. of pregnancy, 118 . Singing duiing p'.egnaney, 87. Sitting over fire, 13. with b»ck to fire, IS. Slti-bath, the value of, 38, 138, 168. Skin of the ab<\omen cracked, IM. Skylight, the b ^st ventilator, 199. Sleep in pregnancy, 188. ' the choicest gift, 66. the value of, immediately after labour, 286. for young wife, 66. Sleepiness of preguant f emalea, 140. Slnepleisneas of pregnant females, 189 Slipper bed-pan, 337, 343 Sluggard's dwelling, 63. "Smoking Dunghill," a, 189. Sore nipples, 276. Soon well— long ill, 244. Spirits during suckling, 370. Spurious labour pains, 177. SUges of labour, 318. Stays should not be worn during labour, 317. Still-born infant, 380. Stimulants, an age of, 461 Stocking, elastic, 164. ilomac£, fimctions of, 371. makes the man, 370. SubsideBM af Mm womkbefoM 1 303. "8nck-pap,"86fc. objectors to, 988, Suckling, 964. and chUd-bearing, I ■tatwl tlmea for, 989. temper, 269. when femala la pragnaii^ 99a Supper for flatulent patient, 88. .Snppera, hearty meat, 88. Support to bowel* after nonlnmiii. 384. Swedish ladles, 78. Sweet temper, 70. Swollen legs in pregitaney, 164. Symptoms of labour, 201. denoting neoessltyof wtMI> ins, 396. Tabu of taration of preguuMf 18L Taking, the frequent, of physic, 18. Teat, Indla-mbber, and shield, 971^ 378. Teeth frequently decay in pregaaafly, 168. and gums, 86. Temperature of a Ivlng-ln room, MS, " The periods" during snckllng, 974. " The top of the morning," 68. Things which will be wanted at • labour, 316. Tie donloureur, 167. Tlght-ladng Injurlona to a yoaag wife, 68. Ul effects oi iB preffi nancy, 136. and mlacurriage, 88. Time when a child ahoold be weuia^ 393. Toil and health, 373. Toothache in pngannof, 166. remedies for, 166. Tooth extraction, the danger d^ tl pregnancy, 166. " Trap to catch sunbeam," III Tine labour-pains, '^04. "Trying of a pain," 207, 991. " Turn of yeara," 109. UMonBTAnrTT insnpportabla. Unladylike, on being, 78. Unventllated air, 986l Urine, retention of; 987. Yaoimal syringe, 197. Veal and milk broth, 348. Veins, enlargi'd. of the leg, 164. Ventilation, linpoitance of, 17, It 1981188 CTDII. SOT VflitlkllM, mMiMr of fmlmubtg, % < l]rlng-la room, tU. thoronKh. 18, M. IM. Tkitoit l> • iTlnK-iii roon, SM. Wals before bretkfut, tS. In ttoatj weather, II. Wtlking Elorlou exercUe, f. Warm ablations after laboir, SM. baths for infanta apparently ittU-bom, tM. Water-braah, 14». Water poisoned by dralna, IM. Waters, "the breaking of 1 1«," SO*. Ways of her honsehold, 7f . Weaning, t91 an Infant, the •mtthed of, S98. Weed or mllk-feTer, Nl. WclllnRtoTi, the Doke of, 4t. Westmoreland and Comberland poor women, 338 tV^et compress, 290. ^vvt-nnrse, selection of, 197. v>^t;t -nurse's and mother's milk, 174 VMuing and repining, 77. »* WMtea " ««rliig vnflUUMT, IM. cause mlsearrUga, Nk Wlfa, a domeatlc, 87. educated to b« osefil, 1% Instmcting sarranta, 7i>. themlarioaof a,t,4»,ll^ the prof essloa of •, 71. yonng, 1. Win*, abuse of, 48. bibbing eanaas b«kT«uiM% m 41. •rinking«f.S5,l«,4T. ic Franae, 41. 4artng pregnancy, 88. m children taking, 88. much, injures complexion, 41 should be genuine, 88. durlnir suckllnK, 9M. sometimes no wine. Ml Woe to the Idle, 6. Womb, bearing down of. Mi. Wordsworth's description of womw 86. Work, a cure for mnny ailments, 78. Wormwood on nipples In weanintr, 204 Tc mowT mother in England. H I