In addition to posture, a spiral elastic bandage will give relief and help to prevent the veins from growing larger, if applied freshly after each time that the leg is elevated. The most satisfactory bandages, from the standpoint of expense, comfort and cleanliness, are of stockinette or of flannel cut on the bias, measuring three or four inches wide and eight or nine yards long. If made of flannel, the selvedges should be whipped together smoothly so that there is neither ridge nor pucker at the seam. The bandage should be applied spirally with firm, even pressure, starting with a few turns over the foot to secure it, and leaving the heel uncovered, carried up the leg to a point above the highest swollen vessels. As a rule, it may be left off at night. There are satisfactory elastic stockings on the market, but they are expensive, often cannot be washed and seem to offer no advantage over the bandages. Engorged veins in the vulva may be relieved by lying flat and elevating the hips, or by adopting the elevated Sims’ position for a few moments, several times a day. (Fig. 41). [Illustration: FIG. 41.—Elevated Sims’ position to relieve varicose veins of the vulva. (By courtesy of The Maternity Centre Association.) ] =Hemorrhoids= are virtually varicose veins which protrude from the rectum, but, unlike those in the legs, are extremely painful. As it is the straining incident to constipation that causes these engorged veins to prolapse, this condition constitutes one more reason for preventing constipation. A pregnant woman whose bowels move freely every day rarely has hemorrhoids. Should hemorrhoids appear, the first step is to have them gently pushed back into the rectum. The patient can usually do this for herself, quite satisfactorily, after lubricating her fingers with vaseline or cold cream. Lying down, with the hips elevated on a pillow; the application of an ice bag, cold cloths or witch-hazel compresses to the anus will almost always give relief. When the condition is severe, the physician may prescribe medicated ointments, lotions or suppositories, but operation is seldom resorted to during pregnancy, for fear of bringing on labor prematurely. Sometimes the hemorrhoids are worse during the first few days after labor, but as a rule they disappear with the removal of the cause, which in this case is pressure made by the enlarged uterus. =Cramps in the legs=, numbness or tingling may be caused by the pressure of the large, heavy uterus upon nerve trunks supplying the lower extremities. The recumbent position; applying heat and rubbing the painful areas will often give comfort. =Shortness of breath= is sometimes very troublesome toward the end of pregnancy, and, as may be easily seen, is due to the upward, and not downward pressure of the uterus. For this reason it is aggravated by the patient’s lying down and relieved by her sitting up or being well propped up on pillows, or a back rest.