11.  HEARTBURN.—­Heartburn is a common and often a distressing symptom of pregnancy.  The acid producing the heartburn is frequently much increased by an overloaded stomach.  An abstemious diet ought to be strictly observed.  Great attention should be paid to the quality of the food.  Greens, pastry, hot buttered toast, melted butter, and everything that is rich and gross, ought to be carefully avoided.  Either a teaspoonful of heavy calcined magnesia, or half a teaspoonful of carbonate of soda—­the former to be preferred if there be constipation—­should occasionally be taken in a wine-glassful of warm water.  If these do not relieve—­the above directions as to diet having been strictly attended to—­the following mixture ought to be tried.  Take of: 

  Carbonate of Ammonia, half a drachm;
  Bicarbonate of Soda, a drachm and a half;
  Water, eight ounces;

To make a mixture:  Two tablespoonfuls to be taken twice or three times a day, until relief be obtained.

12.  WIND IN THE STOMACH AND BOWELS.—­This is a frequent reason why a pregnant lady cannot sleep at night.  The two most frequent causes of flatulence are, first, the want of walking exercise during the day, and second, the eating of a hearty meal just before going to bed at night.  The remedies are, of course, in each instance, self-evident.

13.  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 varicose veins.  If a lady marry late in life, or if she be very heavy in pregnancy carrying the child low down she is more likely to have distention of the veins.  The best plan will be for her to wear during the day an elastic stocking, which ought to be made on purpose for her, in order that it may properly fit the leg and foot.

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

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