Means of Prevention.—In speaking of the evils of abortion, the means of preventing such an occurrence have necessarily been hinted at. There are yet other things, however, which should be referred to on this subject.
It will naturally suggest itself to every reflecting mind, that the great object to be attained in regard to the prevention of abortion, is a thorough, habitual, and permanent cultivation of the physical powers. Invigorate the general system to its fullest extent; accomplish this, not only for a single time, but, as it were, perpetually, by daily and never-ceasing effort. Is not health the greatest of all earthly blessings? How, then, in order to secure it, can we do or sacrifice too much?
In reference to the prevention of abortion, let the following particulars be observed:
1. The use of cold water. In all cases of abortion there is too great laxity of the system; there is a want of tonicity, so to say; the fibers are, as it were, unstrung. Cold bathing, for its tonic, constringing, and invigorating effect, has for centuries been recommended as a most valuable means of preventing this evil. In pregnancy, the same general principles should be observed in fortifying and invigorating the general health as at other times. No violence should be done to the system. A general bath in the morning, cool or cold, according to the individual’s strength; a hip or sitz-bath of five or ten minutes’ duration, two or three times during the day, and an ablution with water, not too cold, on going to rest, will ordinarily be sufficient for the daily routine of treatment in those cases where there is tendency to abortion; such a course is, in fact, good at all times. The wet girdle, elsewhere explained, will often be of advantage; but to make it a tonic or strengthening application, as it should always be under these circumstances, great care must be taken that it does not become too warm. This is very apt to be the case in hot weather. It must then be changed often and rewet. If it becomes too hot, it weakens the system instead of strengthening it, thus tending to cause the very difficulty it is intended to prevent. “Injecting cold water into the vagina twice or thrice a day,” says Dr. Burns, in his work on midwifery, “has often a good effect, at the same time that we continue the shower-bath.” And this writer also observes, “that when there is much aching pain in the back, it is of service to apply cloths to it, dipped in cold water, or gently to dash cold water on it, or employ a partial shower-bath, by means of a small watering can.” Water, let it be remembered, is the greatest of all tonics to the living system.
2. Feather beds and overheated rooms. These have much to do in causing abortions. People ought never to sleep on a feather bed, unless, possibly, very old and feeble persons, who have long been accustomed to them. In such cases it might not always be safe to make a change in cold weather suddenly. But for a pregnant woman to sleep on a feather bed is one of the worst of practices. And here also I must mention that feather pillows, as well as feather beds, do a great amount of harm. Even those who have emancipated themselves from the evils of feather beds usually retain the feather pillow. It is a wise old maxim, “to keep the head cool.” The head has blood enough, more than any other part of the system, to keep it warm. No person, not even the youngest infant, should ever sleep on a bed or pillow made of feathers. The animal effluvia coming from them is bad, and the too great amount of heat retained about the surface debilitates the system in every respect.
3. Undue mental excitements. Let those who are pregnant avoid theaters, balls, and parties late at night, all highly excitable public meetings, whether literary, political, or religious, and all undue mental and moral excitements of whatever kind. In no situation is it more necessary for a human being to maintain a pleasant, consistent, and equable frame of mind, and good and permanent health of body, than in pregnancy.
4. Sexual indulgences. The more strictly chaste and free from sexual indulgences, the better for the woman during pregnancy.
5. Recurrence of abortion. Every succeeding miscarriage is more apt to be followed by a recurrence of the evil; the body, as it were, like the mind, is capable of getting into bad habits. Those who have abortion oftenest are most liable to their recurrence; and every attack is more apt to be worse than the preceding one.
6. General health. Abortion always indicates a bad state of the system generally. A person of really good health could scarcely have abortion. Possibly fright, unpleasant occurrences, or accidents, might cause such a result. Abortion always injures the general health. Labor at full term is natural, and is therefore attended with less danger. Abortions are unnatural.
7. Vegetable diet. This was observed by the celebrated Dr. Cheyne, of England, to have a great influence in preventing abortion; milk, however, which is in some sense a form of animal food, was generally used. A total milk and seed diet, as Dr. Cheyne terms it, was a most excellent means of preventing unfertility and abortion.