Difficulty of swallowing, which is meant by this term, is a more troublesome and alarming affection, frequently attendant on pregnancy. There is however nothing dangerous in it, except that it frightens the patient. Some will gasp and be unable to swallow, or even speak, for a considerable time, and will think they have something in the throat. It is however entirely a nervous symptom, arising from uterine irritation, and seldom lasts beyond the third or fourth month. A little cordial, wine, or brandy, will frequently relieve it, or some spirits of camphor rubbed on the neck. M. Colombat d'l'Isere recommends the following ointment, to be rubbed on the neck. Extract of Belladonna forty-seven grains,—Extract of Strammonium fifteen grains,—white wax one ounce,—oil of lemons twelve drops.—These must be warmed and well rubbed together. A dash of cold water on the throat and chest will often succeed better than anything else.
GASTRALGIA.
This is commonly termed cramp at the stomach, or nervous colic. It consists of a severe kind of cramp, with dragging and cutting sensations in the stomach, as if it were being tied in knots and cut to pieces. Sometimes the attack will only last for a few minutes, and then totally pass away, at other times it will remain for half an hour or more, and cause the most intense suffering. The patient will be drawn together, or doubled up, with her hands placed on her stomach, and will groan and exhibit in her features the greatest agony; sometimes even, she will faint away with it.
This affection may, like the others, be merely nervous, and then it is attended by nothing but the pain. It may also arise from real inflammation of the stomach, and then it is attended by fever, excessive soreness and tenderness of the stomach when touched, and by a hot, dry mouth. In the nervous spasm the pain is frequently relieved by pressure, but when inflammation exists the pressure increases it.
Some females always have these attacks whenever the stomach is empty, and they pass away immediately anything is taken to eat or drink. With others they are often brought on by overloading the stomach, or by eating some improper articles.
To relieve the spasm, one of the best things is a tea-spoonful of Compound Spirits of Lavender, taken without water. This nearly always gives relief in ten minutes at most; but if necessary a second spoonful may be taken in a quarter of an hour. A little brandy, or peppermint, or curacoa cordial will also succeed in many instances, or simply drinking freely of any hot tea, or swallowing half a tea-spoonful of common pepper. A mustard plaster put on hot over the stomach will scarcely ever fail, even without anything being taken internally. M. Colombat gives the following recipe as one which he has found efficacious, and it is certainly a pleasant one. Orange and Linden Flower waters each two ounces; Syrup of Ether and of Valerian each one ounce; Syrup of Poppy heads half an ounce. Of this mixture a tea-spoonful may be given every quarter of an hour till the pain abates.
To prevent the return of the attack, the patient must carefully avoid everything that disagrees with the stomach, or creates wind; she must keep the bowels free, and accustom herself to regular bathing or rubbing the body. If the stomach appear weak, which is often the case, some Boneset tea, or Port wine and bark, or a few of the Carbonate of Iron Pills may be advantageous. If there be acid on the stomach, use the means recommended for heartburn.
CONSTIPATION.
This is a very common trouble with pregnant females, and one that may lead to many others. Very frequently it arises merely from the pressure of the expanded uterus upon the large intestine, but it may also arise from a simple want of power, the uterine action having apparently weakened the force of all the neighboring organs. It is advisable to correct it as soon as possible, let it arise how it may, as it is very apt to cause various derangements of the stomach and intestines, and even inflammation of the womb itself. As a general rule, not more than three days should elapse without the bowels being moved, though some will remain a week or more without any apparent inconvenience; but there is always danger in such delay.