It is well for the nurse to know that owing to the distensible state of the abdominal parietes, the patient will lay twelve or fourteen hours, perhaps, after the child is born, without manifesting a desire to void the urine, though her bladder may be very full, and you should remind her of the necessity of passing the water, lest it produce cystitis. In some instances the urethra and neck of the bladder are extremely irritable, causing strangury, and there may be some difficulty in passing the catheter, but the urine must be evacuated, and afterwards it may be necessary to use ergot, laxatives, opiates and fomentations. (F. 125, 126, 162.) CHAPTER III. CONVALESCENCE. VARIATIONS FROM ORDINARY CONVALESCENCE will, under ordinary circumstances, receive necessary attention from the physician, but the skilled nurse should know as much about them as possible, and I here make a brief reference to some of them. The NERVOUS SHOCK, caused by the last pains of labor, in some cases is very severe. This is indicated not only by the exhaustion, but by the countenance which is expressive of suffering, anxiety and oppression. The pulse may be very slow or unusually rapid, the breathing may be panting. Opium is the best remedy, and this may be given in small doses repeated, or a teaspoonful of paragoric may be given, also aromatic ammonia, and 3 or 4 drops of spirits of camphor. The STATE OF THE PULSE after a natural labor soon comes down to near the ordinary standard; if it remains above a hundred it is because there is some special cause. It will be quick if there are very hard afterpains, a tendency to flooding, diarrhœa or disturbance of the stomach, and it is quickened also when lactation commences. The LOCHIAL DISCHARGE ordinarily continues about three weeks, at first of pure blood mixed with coagula, and if good uterine contraction has not been secured, coagula may be expelled for several days after the delivery. Sometimes there is a SUDDEN DECREASE OF THE LOCHIA, perhaps on the fifth and sixth day, and at the same time an increased bulk of the womb, and increased frequency of the pulse. Apply hot fomentations to the abdomen, and probably some clots will be expelled, but at the same time give purgative enemata; and if there is abdominal tenderness give an aromatic purgative and laudanum. (F. 108, 122). There are remarkable differences in the QUANTITY, QUALITY AND ODOR OF THE LOCHIA without any morbid affection of the uterus or vagina. But when the lochia are acrid, the vagina, labia and external parts become excoriated, and smarting or itching is caused. Try extreme cleanliness, frequent bathing, lead lotions, black wash, vaginal injections of warm water, and F. 153, 154.