Sometimes, however, the child is _disagreeably_ active, so violent as not merely to alarm the mother, but occasion much sickness and uneasiness;—sleepless nights; feverish symptoms, &c., and all this to such an extent, as to require medical interference. If this is not thought necessary, relief will be obtained from losing blood, when not otherwise objectionable, to the amount of a few ounces; gentle aperients, and a night draught containing from twenty-five to thirty drops of Batley’s sedative solution of opium. These remedies will afford the greatest relief, and if the symptoms are not altogether removed by them, the female must then endure patiently, recollecting they are a proof that the child is alive and vigorous.[25] _Soreness and Cracking of the Skin of the Abdomen._ It will sometimes happen during the latter months of pregnancy, that the skin covering the abdomen will not yield readily. This produces much uneasiness; the skin becomes tender and fretted, and if there is very great distension, cracks. It forms a source of great discomfort, and renders the female miserable whenever she moves. It is to be relieved by fomenting the parts with a decoction of poppy-heads;[26] and the frequent use of warm almond oil, applying in the intervals spermaceti ointment, spread very thinly on a piece of soft linen. _Inconvenience from Size._ Many women in the latter months of gestation experience considerable annoyance, and sometimes severe suffering from the great size of the abdomen, and from want of support, when even not so very large. This is a rare occurrence in a first pregnancy, owing to the firmness of the abdominal muscles, but very frequent in subsequent ones. Little women especially suffer from this unpleasant cause, and, in fact, it is so universally the case with all, who have borne children _rapidly_, that it is highly important for a female to be provided with the means of relieving it. There is but one remedy with which I am acquainted, but have usually found it answer every purpose. It is wearing during the day-time _a well-applied belt_, next the skin. It must be sufficiently broad for its upper edge to surround the abdomen above the point of its greatest diameter, and its lower edge to come down to, and be supported by, the hips. It must be drawn tight by a lace-string behind, as circumstances may require, and it must likewise be supported by broad straps passing over the shoulders. This will give the required support to the womb, and when the patient is in an upright position, as much as possible of the weight, of what she externally carries, will be thrown upon, or hang from, her shoulders. Those who suffer much from this cause, ought also to lie down upon a couch or bed, for two or three hours every day; this will give great relief to the muscles. _Being Unwell during Pregnancy._