If spasm affect the sides, or lower part of the stomach, the speediest relief will be obtained from twenty, to five-and-twenty, or thirty drops of laudanum, with a little ether, in distilled peppermint water, or, even at the moment, a little brandy and water; but I generally order, for patients who are at all subject to this affection, the following mixture:—Batley’s sedative solution of opium, one drachm; compound tincture of lavender, half an ounce; distilled peppermint water, six ounces. Two tablespoonfuls to be taken before retiring to rest, if there is the slightest intimation of an approaching attack, and also direct that the feet be put into a mustard foot-bath. During the attack, great benefit will be derived from the external application of hot flannels, moistened with the compound camphor liniment.
Violent movements of the Child.
Before the third month of pregnancy, the child is not sufficiently developed to enable it to move. When a little further advanced in growth, it moves, but so feebly and imperfectly, that the mother is not yet sensible of it. A period, however, soon arrives, when its movements, although at first like the mere fluttering of a bird, acquire a power and force, that enable it to give decided proof of life. It is instantly recognised, the female knows she has quickened, and perhaps the sensation experienced is so sudden, that she faints. After this time the motions of the child increase both in frequency and degree, and are readily perceived by the mother, but after a time the womb accustomed to this action within itself, is less sensible of its effects, and except as a satisfactory evidence of the life of the child, is little regarded.
Sometimes, however, the child is disagreeably active, so violent as not merely to alarm the mother, but occasion much sickness and uneasiness;—sleepless nights; feverish symptoms, &c., and all this to such an extent, as to require medical interference. If this is not thought necessary, relief will be obtained from losing blood, when not otherwise objectionable, to the amount of a few ounces; gentle aperients, and a night draught containing from twenty-five to thirty drops of Batley’s sedative solution of opium. These remedies will afford the greatest relief, and if the symptoms are not altogether removed by them, the female must then endure patiently, recollecting they are a proof that the child is alive and vigorous.[[25]]
Soreness and Cracking of the Skin of the Abdomen.
It will sometimes happen during the latter months of pregnancy, that the skin covering the abdomen will not yield readily. This produces much uneasiness; the skin becomes tender and fretted, and if there is very great distension, cracks. It forms a source of great discomfort, and renders the female miserable whenever she moves.
It is to be relieved by fomenting the parts with a decoction of poppy-heads;[[26]] and the frequent use of warm almond oil, applying in the intervals spermaceti ointment, spread very thinly on a piece of soft linen.
Inconvenience from Size.
Many women in the latter months of gestation experience considerable annoyance, and sometimes severe suffering from the great size of the abdomen, and from want of support, when even not so very large. This is a rare occurrence in a first pregnancy, owing to the firmness of the abdominal muscles, but very frequent in subsequent ones. Little women especially suffer from this unpleasant cause, and, in fact, it is so universally the case with all, who have borne children rapidly, that it is highly important for a female to be provided with the means of relieving it.
There is but one remedy with which I am acquainted, but have usually found it answer every purpose. It is wearing during the day-time a well-applied belt, next the skin. It must be sufficiently broad for its upper edge to surround the abdomen above the point of its greatest diameter, and its lower edge to come down to, and be supported by, the hips. It must be drawn tight by a lace-string behind, as circumstances may require, and it must likewise be supported by broad straps passing over the shoulders. This will give the required support to the womb, and when the patient is in an upright position, as much as possible of the weight, of what she externally carries, will be thrown upon, or hang from, her shoulders.