TOOTHACHE.
Breeding with a toothache is an old proverb. Toothache is certainly more apt to occur during pregnancy than at other times, and not unfrequently it is a very early symptom of this state. And what may appear singular, the teeth ache without being diseased. Especially those who drink strong tea and coffee are more subject to this nervous toothache, as we may term it; toothache where there is no decay. Ceasing with the cause, then, is the surest means of relief.
Treatment.—It is dangerous to extract teeth in the early months of pregnancy. The operation has been often known to cause immediate abortion. There is the greater danger of this in the early months.
Bleeding has often been practiced for this affection in pregnancy; but that is a worse than useless resort, and moreover, generally fails of the object. After a few days of full diet, the affection is quite certain to return, and appears to be even the more obstinate for the bleeding. Fasting, with water-drinking, is a much better mode. Very seldom will toothache withstand twenty-four hours’ entire abstinence from all food. If the face has become much swelled, of course so great relief could not be experienced in so short a time. But even then the fasting is of incalculable good. General bathing, and going into the open air, are also excellent means. The rubbing wet-sheet is particularly applicable. And Dr. Burns, in his work on midwifery, years ago said, “Sometimes a little cold water held in the mouth abates the pain.” This will be the case whenever the toothache is one of inflammation; but if it be of the more nervous kind, warm water will give more relief. If the nerve is much exposed, it is perhaps always best to hold warm, or at least lukewarm water in the mouth, and at the same time to practice very brisk and continued rubbing of the face, temples, neck, etc., with the hand wet often in cold water. Wet bandages upon the face are also good. If the aching be of the nervous kind, that is, without inflammation, warm bandages, often repeated, afford the most relief.
I must repeat, that I hope none of you will ever consent to have your teeth extracted, or in any way operated on, while pregnancy exists.
JAUNDICE.
This, as a disease of pregnancy, is one that most frequently makes its appearance in the latter months of the period.
This state of the system should not be confounded with that in which the woman acquires a dark, almost yellow color, which, however, is not jaundice, and readily passes off after the delivery has taken place.
Causes.—In pregnancy, as at other times, this affection is often preceded by a disordered state of the stomach and alimentary canal generally. There is also, generally, a sense of weight and tightness in the abdomen, especially at the pit of the stomach, and in the right side. But in some cases none of these symptoms are observed.
Sometimes abortion has happened in connection with this state of the system; such, however, is not often the case.