Epistaxis, or bleeding from the nose, is much more frequent than either of the preceding, but is seldom of much consequence. In many cases in fact it is highly beneficial, as it relieves the head from pressure, and thus obviates many inconveniences. If it continue too long, or becomes excessive, it may generally be arrested by putting cold wet cloths between the eyes, and on the cheeks, while the head is kept elevated. The feet and hands should be kept warm, and the air breathed should be as cold as possible. In extreme cases, the nostrils may be plugged with bits of sponge, or cotton, or some powdered alum may be snuffed up them. The best plan is to raise the hands above the head and put something very cold, as a lump of ice for instance, or a piece of cold iron, between the shoulders; this seldom fails. VARICOSE VEINS. Very often in pregnant women the veins in different parts, but particularly of the thighs and legs will swell out in knots, either singly or in bunches, sometimes like strings of beads, or like the links of a chain. These are called _Varices_, and occasionally they attain a large size, and extend to various other portions of the body, as the external lips, vagina, and mouth of the womb. Some women in fact have them over nearly the whole body. They are caused by the pressure of the womb on the large abdominal veins, preventing the return of the blood and disturbing the balance of circulation between the veins and arteries. In the majority of cases, unless very large, they cause but little inconvenience, and may be let alone, but sometimes they cause pain, or become so full that there is danger of their bursting, and then it is necessary to interfere. The first thing to be done is to relieve the abdominal veins from the pressure of the womb, and this may be done by the patient keeping more or less the horizontal position, and carefully avoiding all violent exertion. The swelling is always worse during the latter part of the day, particularly if the woman has been much on her feet, she should therefore apply a cloth roller round the limbs before she rises in the morning. If this be carefully put on, just tight enough not to interfere with the motion of the limbs, nor totally obstruct the circulation, it will prevent the varices to a great extent, if not altogether. Brisk friction with the hand will disperse the swelling in many persons, or warm fomentations, but sometimes _cold_ bathing answers better. It is advisable always to disperse them as soon as possible, for if they remain too long that part of the vein becomes permanently weakened by being overstretched, and will be always liable to swell again from any slight cause. It is particularly advisable in these cases to avoid constipation, and also to keep the skin in good action by bathing and frictions.