If PRURITIS PUDENDI—irritation and itching of the external parts—are troublesome, use F. 195, 217, 220, and take frequently a tepid salt and water sitz bath, remaining but a short time in the bath. If the parts are hot and inflamed, and covered with an eruption, use either of the following lotions: F. 217, 195. CHAPTER IV. INSTRUCTIONS TO A WOMAN DURING THE LAST MONTH OF PREGNANCY. 1. DO NOT TAKE TOO MUCH EXERCISE.—You may get relief from some of your ailments by lying down considerably during the day. If there is leucorrhœa (whites), strangury (a frequent inclination to void the urine), incontinence (an inability to hold the water), pain in the hips with numbness of the inferior (lower) extremities—if the veins of the leg become varicose—if there are anasarcous swellings of the inferior extremities—if there is a pendulous belly, the woman ought not to so exercise as to produce fatigue. She may get some relief by sitting or reclining in the way that is most agreeable. 2. USE MEANS TO HARDEN THE NIPPLES.—Those women who have never had children ought to observe, before labor, whether there is a depressed condition of the nipples; whether they contract as the breasts increase in size. If they do, the condition can be corrected by wearing nipple shields on them. And to harden the nipples: For at least a month before labor, two or three times a day, rub them between the thumb and finger, and bathe them in tincture of myrrh or cologne water, in which a little alum has been dissolved. This will render the skin less sensitive, and avert the distress occasioned by the tenderness of the nipples. If there is especial reason to apprehend excoriated nipples, as there is when they are rough and nodulated like a strawberry or raspberry, make a solution of sulphate of zinc, one grain to the ounce of rosewater, in a wide-mouth bottle, and tilt the bottle upon the nipple, and allow it to remain there for a few minutes, several times every day (F. 198, 217.) It is necessary also to protect the part from the pressure of stays and the friction of the flannel vest. The stays may be removed entirely, or the nipple may be protected by laying a soft linen rag, wet with water and cologne, around it so that the pressure will not be directly on the nipple. If the breasts are swollen or painful, the soreness will subside of itself before the commencement of labor. It may be well, however, to foment them with flannel wrung out of hot water, and support them as in a sling by a broad handkerchief, passing over the opposite shoulder.