22.  BILIOUSNESS[Footnote:  Some of these valuable suggestions are taken from “Parturition Without Pain,” by Dr. M.L.  Holbrook.] is defined by some one as piggishness.  Generally it may be regarded as overfed.  The elements of the bile are in the blood in excess of the power of the liver to eliminate them.  This may be caused either from the superabundance of the materials from which the bile is made or by inaction of the organ itself.  Being thus retained the system is clogged.  It is the result of either too much food in quantity or too rich in quality.  Especially is it caused by the excessive use of fats and sweets.  The simplest remedy is the best.  A plain, light diet with plenty of acid fruits, avoiding fats and sweets, will ameliorate or remove it.  Don’t force the appetite.  Let hunger demand food.  In the morning the sensitiveness of the stomach may be relieved by taking before rising a cup of hot water, hot milk, hot lemonade, rice or barley water, selecting according to preference.  For this purpose many find coffee made from browned wheat or corn the best drink.  Depend for a time upon liquid food that can be taken up by absorbents.  The juice of lemons and other acid fruits is usually grateful, and assists in assimilating any excess in nutriment.  These may be diluted according to taste.  With many, an egg lemonade proves relishing and acceptable.

23.  DERANGED APPETITE.—­Where the appetite fails, let the patient go without eating for a little while, say for two or three meals.  If, however, the strength begins to go, try the offering of some unexpected delicacy; or give small quantities of nourishing food, as directed in case of morning sickness.

24.  PILES.—­For cases of significance consult a physician.  As with constipation, so with piles, its frequent result, fruit diet, exercise, and sitz-bath regimen will do much to prevent the trouble.  Frequent local applications of a cold compress, and even of ice, and tepid water injections, are of great service.  Walking or standing aggravate this complaint.  Lying down alleviates it.  Dr. Shaw says, “There is nothing in the world that will produce so great relief in piles as fasting.  If the fit is severe, live a whole day, or even two, if necessary, upon pure soft cold water alone.  Give then very lightly of vegetable food.”

25.  TOOTHACHE.—­There is a sort of proverb that a woman loses one tooth every time she has a child.  Neuralgic toothache during pregnancy is, at any rate, extremely common, and often has to be endured.  It is generally thought not best to have teeth extracted during pregnancy, as the shock to the nervous system has sometimes caused miscarriage.  To wash out the mouth morning and night with cold or lukewarm water and salt is often of use.  If the teeth are decayed, consult a good dentist in the early stages of pregnancy, and have the offending teeth properly dressed.  Good dentists, in the present state of the science, extract very few teeth, but save them.