=Distress.= There is another form of discomfort, often vague and ill-defined, commonly called “distress” and occurring after eating. It may be neither heartburn nor pain, but resemble both and make the patient very miserable. It is usually seen in women who eat rapidly, do not chew their food thoroughly or eat more at one time than the stomach can hold comfortably. The prevention, naturally, lies in taking small amounts of food slowly and masticating thoroughly. =Flatulence= may or may not be associated with heartburn, but it is fairly common and rather uncomfortable. It is usually due to bacterial action in the intestines, which results in the formation of gas. As has been previously explained, the pressure of the enlarged uterus upon the intestines and absence of pressure by the abdominal muscles, retards normal peristalsis, with the result that gas sometimes accumulates to a very uncomfortable extent. It is clear, therefore, that a daily bowel movement is of prime importance in preventing and relieving flatulence, and also that foods which form gas should be carefully excluded from the diet. The chief offenders are parsnips, beans, corn, fried foods, sweets of all kinds, pastry and very sweet desserts. Various intestinal disinfectants are employed, as in non-pregnant states, and also yeast cakes, cultures of Bulgarian bacilli and artificially fermented milk containing bacteria that are antagonistic to the gas-producing forms. In the opinion of some doctors, flatulence is sometimes an early symptom of toxemia. =Diarrhea.= Although diarrhea is not one of the commonest disturbances of pregnancy, neither is it infrequent, and must be borne in mind in connection with digestive troubles. Of course, a pregnant woman may have an attack of diarrhea from the same causes that produce it in any one else, and its relief would be obtained by the usual methods, chiefly the correction of dietetic errors. But on the other hand, it may be due entirely to the uterine pressure on irritable intestines. Like flatulence, it is regarded by some doctors as a possible symptom of toxemia. PRESSURE SYMPTOMS. Under the general heading of pressure symptoms are several forms of discomfort resulting from pressure of the enlarged uterus on the veins returning from the lower part of the body, thus interfering with the flow of blood back to the heart. As both the cause and relief of these symptoms are associated with the force of gravity, the nurse will usually know what to do in mild cases without further explanation. In general the heavy abdomen should be supported by a binder or properly fitting corset, the patient should keep off her feet as much as possible and elevate the swollen part. The commonest pressure symptoms are swollen feet, varicose veins, hemorrhoids, cramps in the legs and shortness of breath, and though they may appear at any time during the last half, of pregnancy, they grow progressively worse as pregnancy advances.