In all forms of sickness arising from pregnancy as its cause, the diet must be light, mild, and nutritious, taken in moderate quantities of three or four meals a day. It should consist of mild animal food, boiled or roasted. Chicken, white game boiled, mutton or beef roasted, are the viands most nutritious and easily digested. Stale pure bread untoasted, or pilot bread, mealy potatoes, or well-boiled rice, in moderate quantities, may be taken with animal food for dinner. A glass of port wine with warm water at the conclusion of the meal, is the best kind of beverage. Advantage has often been derived from always taking brown bread, and Jamaica sugar in the morning’s coffee. The healthy operation of the bowels has thus been promoted; although a system of regular exercise by walking, apportioned to the strength, and not continued so long as to fatigue, will generally effect this purpose, while at the same time it gives tone to the general health. Fatigue of body is sedulously to be avoided. Slow and moderate walks, exercise in an open carriage (if the patient has sufficient strength), should be taken daily between breakfast and dinner; always avoiding to sit down to the latter meal tired, and, therefore, probably, with a blunted appetite.[21] _Heartburn._ This is a very distressing symptom, and occurs early after conception; sometimes, however, not till after the fourth month; and occasionally is absent altogether. It is produced by an acid forming on the stomach, which rises into the throat, and, from the sensation it occasions, is called _heartburn_. It is a very common complaint of pregnancy, and every female knows that she finds relief by taking a little magnesia or chalk, or lime-water and milk, with the occasional use of magnesia; but, although these means generally mitigate this symptom, occasionally it is very severe and almost intractable, and they fail. Under such circumstances, a draught composed of 15 grains of magnesia, 10 drops of the solution of the subcarbonate of ammonia, and 1½ ounce of mint or peppermint water, taken three times a day, and continued for three or four days, will remove the complaint. If the bowels are confined, as is frequently the case, mild doses of Epsom or Cheltenham salts will be the best aperients. The use of these must be regulated by circumstances,—taken every second, third, or fourth day; that is, resorted to with sufficient frequency and perseverance to guard against costiveness.[22] The _diet_ must also, in every case, be strictly attended to, and regulated upon the plan already stated. _Costiveness._