In describing the diseases which are incident to the whole period of pregnancy, my design is to take a general popular survey of the subject. I wish simply to communicate that kind of information, which every married and well-educated woman should certainly possess, and can usefully employ. To advance further than this, to those points upon which the assistance of the medical adviser ought to be sought, would be on every account improper, and productive rather of evil than of good. There is no organ in the body, with the exception of the stomach, that exercises a more extensive control over the female system than the womb. Hence, when in the condition of pregnancy, it affects, directly or indirectly, various parts of that system. The effects of pregnancy, however, vary much according to the constitution of the female. Sometimes a very salutary change is produced, so that the individual enjoys better health during gestation than before. The delicate and frequent-ailing girl, for instance,—the propriety of whose marrying was a matter of doubt among her friends—becoming pregnant, instead of realizing the apprehensions and fears of those most dear to her, will sometimes acquire new life and vigor from the altered circumstances of her condition. On the other hand, speaking generally, it is sometimes the case that harassing and painful symptoms will arise. These are designated the “diseases of pregnancy.” _Morning Sickness._ Nausea or vomiting, is one of the most common and distressing affections of pregnancy. It is chiefly troublesome in the earlier months of gestation, continuing until the period of quickening, when it decreases or ceases spontaneously;—or it does not occur until the latter months of pregnancy, when it subsides only upon delivery. I shall consider these states separately; and— _First_, of sickness during the _earlier_ months. This arises solely from sympathy with the newly commenced action, and irritable condition of the womb. This is evident from the fact, that, as the novelty of the pregnant state ceases, and the stomach becomes accustomed to it, the sickness subsides gradually, and is rarely troublesome afterwards. It occasionally commences immediately after conception; and it is a remarkable fact, that a pregnant woman scarcely ever feels sick, until she first gets upon her feet in the morning. Hence it is called the “morning sickness.” She awakes refreshed and well, arises from her bed, and while dressing begins to feel qualmish. At the breakfast table she has no appetite, or if she takes anything, is shortly obliged to leave for her dressing-room, where she returns what she has taken; or, if she has been unable to take anything, ejects a fluid, limpid, thin and watery; and if the vomiting increases in severity, bile is thrown up at the same time. After the lapse of three or four hours, she feels quite well again, and by dinner time sits down with an appetite to her meal.