This will operate most favourably as a preventive host of the morbid conditions and feelings which are apt to attend this state. Care must, however, he taken to avoid such a degree of exercise as may induce positive fatigue; such as too long walks, going out in slippery weather, dancing, lifting heavy weights, and all kids of violent motion, which are liable to cause haemorrhage, Miscarriage, and bearing-down of the womb. The passive exercise of riding in a carriage falls short of the object in view; and, on the other hand, riding on horseback exceeds it, besides the danger of fright and accident, to which the incipient mother is then liable. In very wet or windy weather, or when it is impracticable to walk out, she should select a large and well-ventilated room, so that the air she breathes may be pure.
As an illustration of the advantage of taking exercise during pregnancy in out-of-door air, and in the broad light of day, we may mention the fact that the number of cretins in the Valais has considerably diminished since the women have adopted the practice of removing from the humid and sunless air of the valleys, and residing during pregnancy on the more exposed and cheerful heights.
It will be plain from the tenor of these general remarks, that lassitude and languor should be striven against and overcome. On this account the pernicious habit of sleeping after dinner should not be contracted. Too light sleep is perhaps even a less evil than too much. And hence ladies who pass the intervals, or a good part of it, between dinner and tea, on the couch or the bed, generally suffer from a debility which ends in proneness to disease.
4. ADDITIONAL HINTS – Theatres, balls, brilliantly lighted, or other exciting public meetings should not be attended; early habits should be formed; all excessive mental emotions, a grief, despondency, anger, and the like, are to be guarded; the cold or tepid bath should be used daily, following it with vigorous friction; the mind should be kept tranquil, remembering that parturition is not necessarily attended by great suffering, or imminent danger, these being, in most instances, the penalty inflicted on those who disregard the hints laid.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.
Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."