369. The best remedies will be either half a teaspoonful of compound spirits of lavender or a teaspoonful of sal-volatile in a wineglassful of camphor julep,[[68]] or a combination of lavender and of sal-volatile:
Take of—Compound Spirits of Lavender, one drachm;
Sal-Volatile, eleven drachms:
Mix.—A teaspoonful of the drops to be taken occasionally in a wineglassful of water.
370. These medicines ought to lie on a table by the bedside of the patient, in order that they may, if necessary, be administered at once. Brandy is in these cases sometimes given, but it is a dangerous remedy to administer every time there is palpitation; while the lavender and the sal-volatile are perfectly safe medicines, and can never do the slightest harm.
371. Mental emotion, fatigue, late hours, and close rooms ought to be guarded against. Gentle out-door exercise, and cheerful but not boisterous company are desirable.
372. Cramps of the legs and of the thighs during the latter period, and especially at night, are apt to attend pregnancy, and are caused by the womb pressing upon the nerves which extend to the lower extremities. Treatment.—Tightly tie a handkerchief folded like a neckerchief round the limb a little above the part affected, and let it remain on for a few minutes. Friction by means of the hand either with opodeldoc or with laudanum (taking care not to drink it by mistake) will also give relief. Cramp sometimes attacks either the bowels or the back of a pregnant woman; when such is the case, let a bag of hot salt, or a hot-water bag,[[69]] or a tin stomach warmer filled with hot water and covered with flannel, or a stone bottle containing hot water, wrapped in flannel, be applied over the part affected; and let either a stone bottle of hot water or a hot brick, which should be incased in flannel, be placed to the soles of the feet. If the cramp of the bowels, of the back, or of the thighs be very severe, the following mixture will be serviceable:
Take of—Compound Tincture of Camphor, one ounce;
Dill Water, five ounces:
A wineglassful of this mixture to be taken at bedtime occasionally, and to be repeated, if necessary, in four hours.