check it, but allow it to
have its course, and take a little rhubarb or magnesia. The diet should be
simple, plain, and nourishing, and should consist of beef tea, chicken
broth, arrowroot, and of well-made and well-boiled oatmeal gruel. Butcher's
meat, for a few days, should not be eaten; and stimulants of all kinds must
be avoided.

9. FIDGETS.--A pregnant lady sometimes suffers severely from "fidgets"; it
generally affects her feet and legs, especially at night, so as to entirely
destroy her sleep; she cannot lie still; she every few minutes moves,
tosses and tumbles about--first on one side, then on the other. The causes
of "fidgets" are a heated state of the blood; an irritable condition of the
nervous system, prevailing at that particular time; and want of occupation.
The treatment of "fidgets" consists of: sleeping in a well-ventilated
apartment, with either window or door open; a thorough ablution of the
whole body every morning, and a good washing with tepid water of the face,
neck, chest, arms and hands every night; shunning hot and close rooms;
taking plenty of out-door exercise; living on a bland, nourishing, but not
rich diet; avoiding meat at night, and substituting in lieu thereof, either
a cupful of arrow-root made with milk, or of well-boiled oatmeal gruel.

10. EXERCISE.--If a lady, during the night, have the "fidgets," she should
get out of bed; take a short walk up and down the room, being well
protected by a dressing-gown; empty her bladder; turn her pillow, so as to
have {276} the cold side next the head; and then lie down again; and the
chances are that she will now fall asleep. If during the day she have the
"fidgets," a ride in an open carriage; or a stroll in the garden, or in the
fields; or a little housewifery, will do her good, and there is nothing
like fresh air, exercise, and occupation to drive away "the fidgets."

11. HEARTBURN.--Heartburn is a common and often a distressing symptom of
pregnancy. The acid producing the heartburn is frequently much increased by
an overloaded stomach. An abstemious diet ought to be strictly observed.
Great attention should be paid to the quality of the food. Greens, pastry,
hot buttered toast, melted butter, and everything that is rich and gross,
ought to be carefully avoided. Either a teaspoonful of heavy calcined
magnesia, or half a teaspoonful of carbonate of soda--the former to be
preferred if there be constipation--should occasionally be taken in a