The Four Epochs of Woman's Life; A Study in HygieneGalbraith, Anna M. (Anna Mary)
Science
The Four Epochs of Woman's Life; A Study in Hygiene
Galbraith, Anna M. (Anna Mary)
Women -- Health and hygiene
Hemorrhoids or piles are very often troublesome toward the close of
the pregnancy. To overcome this, the patient should lie down
immediately after the bowel movement, and remain in the recumbent
position for ten or fifteen minutes. In addition, care should be taken
to secure a loose movement of the bowels. Should the piles come down,
applications of cloths wrung out of hot water, and held well pressed
against the bowel, should be made; the piles should then be pressed
back until the finger feels that the mass has been pushed above the
second constriction of the bowel, which is felt to exist at about two
inches above the sphincter ani muscle. Should these means not suffice,
the physician must be consulted at once.
Swelling and pain of the external genitals and of the lower limbs are
best relieved by the recumbent position. Should the veins of the legs
be much enlarged or the feet swollen, the patient should have
compression made by the wearing of elastic stockings. Or in some cases
a bandage is sufficient; in this case the bandage may be made of
muslin; it should be three inches wide, and, beginning at the toes,
should extend up as high as the enlargement of the veins continues.
This bandage should be freshly applied every morning before rising.
Pain caused by the stretching of the skin may be relieved by the
inunction of the skin with cottonseed or cocoanut oil. For severe pain
in the small of the back, rubbing with soap liniment or alcohol will
be found useful.
Mental Occupation.-- Important as this always is, it is doubly so now.
The mind should be constantly and pleasantly occupied, but no severe
study should be indulged in. The emotional susceptibility is generally
somewhat increased. The pregnant woman, quite excitable and irritable,
readily responds to influences by which in the non-gravid condition
she could not be affected. Sometimes she feels unusually well, is
intellectually brightened and more active, and says she is positively
happier. At other times she is despondent and morose.
Physiologists admit and observation proves that maternal emotions do
affect the development and the exterior of the fetus; likewise the
mental organization of the fetus may be affected. All unpleasant news,
frights, and physical shocks, also scenes of suffering and distress,
must be avoided, as the mind is particularly impressionable at this
time. Around the patient should be thrown a gentle and protective
care, and she should be treated with the considerate kindness which
her condition demands. Theatres and all places where there will be a
large assemblage of people should be avoided, as the close air and
general bad ventilation are apt to produce vertigo and sometimes
attacks of fainting.
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