VARICOSE VEINS.
The veins of the legs become distended, knotted, and painful. Women who have borne a number of children suffer most from this affection. It seldom attacks those passing through their first pregnancies. It ordinarily first shows itself during the second pregnancy, and becomes rapidly worse during the third or fourth.
Although it is difficult to cure this disease during the continuance of the pregnancy, much can be done to prevent its occurrence, and to relieve it when present. Tight garters worn below the knee, and closely laced corsets, tend to cause and increase this swollen condition of the veins. Neither should be used during pregnancy.
Relief is best afforded to the suffering parts by means of a well-made and adjusted elastic stocking, which may be readily procured from a druggist or surgical instrument maker. In severe cases it may be necessary for the patient to keep herself as much as possible in the recumbent position on the bed or sofa. In all cases the feet should be supported when seated, so as to keep the blood from further distending the already swollen veins.
PILES.
That painful condition of the veins of the lower bowel known as hæmorrhoids, or piles, is a not unfrequent annoyance to pregnant women. Sometimes it is caused by prolonged constipation. During the period of pregnancy, therefore, constipation should be guarded against.
Ordinarily the piles are small, and of little consequence beyond the slight uneasiness they occasion. The trifling loss of blood from them is of no account, and often beneficial. The case is different, however, when the piles are large and painful, and give rise to much pain and copious bleeding. They then require prompt treatment.
In the treatment of piles the first point to be aimed at is to keep the bowels moderately open. It must not be forgotten, however, that during pregnancy only the mildest of purgatives are ever to be given. Castor oil, although a disagreeable, is a most excellent prescription in these cases. A small dose, repeated when necessary, will be found to act most kindly. If this remedy be too repugnant to the patient, small quantities of citrate of magnesia, or of cream of tartar, or of some of the natural mineral waters, may be employed. Small injections of lukewarm water are also of great service, and may be tried instead of laxatives.
After every movement the parts should be well sponged with cold water, and an ointment of galls and opium, procured from the druggist, applied.
If the parts become very much inflamed, warm poultices or hot chamomile solutions should be used, and the patient kept in bed until the inflammation subsides.