=Vaginal discharge.= The normal vaginal discharge is greatly increased during the latter months of pregnancy, as was pointed out in Chapter V, so that ordinarily the moderately profuse yellowish or white discharge at this time has no particular significance. Its existence should be noted, however, and brought to the doctor’s attention, for a very profuse discharge is likely to be regarded as a possible evidence of gonorrhea. For this reason a smear is usually made, when the discharge is excessive, to establish or eliminate this diagnosis; if it is positive, it indicates the necessity for treatment to safeguard both mother and baby. As the normal vaginal discharge has antiseptic properties, it should not be removed by douches, which many patients are eager to take; but if it is irritating and causes itching or burning the patient may be made entirely comfortable by avoiding the use of soap and by bathing the vulva with a solution of sodium bicarbonate or with olive oil. =Itching of the skin= is a fairly common discomfort, and is possibly a result of irritating material being excreted by the skin glands and deposited upon the surface of the body. The local irritation usually may be allayed, if not very severe, by bathing the uncomfortable areas with a solution of sodium bicarbonate, or a lotion consisting of a pint of lime-water, half an ounce of glycerine and thirty drops of carbolic acid. It is a good plan, also, for the patient to increase the amount of fluids which she is taking, in order to promote the activity of the skin, kidneys and bowels, and thus dilute the material that may be responsible for the itching and increase its elimination through all channels. In other words the itching may be due to a mild toxemia. Some women complain of discomfort caused by the stretching of the skin over the enlarged abdomen, which becomes so tense it feels as though it might tear apart. There is a very old and widely current belief that this sensation may be relieved by rubbing the abdomen with some kind of an oil or ointment. And, moreover, that such oiling will not only increase the elasticity of the superficial layers of the skin, but the deeper layers as well, and that by this means striæ may be prevented. There seems to be little foundation for the fear that the skin will tear, or belief in the efficacy of the oiling, but if a woman fancies that she is safer and more comfortable after oiling her abdomen, there is certainly no reason why she should not do so. EARLY SIGNS OF COMPLICATIONS OF PREGNANCY