These arise from the womb pressing on the nerves of the sacrum, and are therefore not under the control of medicine. All that can be done is to change the position of the body as much as possible, from lying down to standing up, and by turning from one side to another. Brisk rubbing with the hand will also assist in giving relief. The cramps however usually disappear after delivery, and must therefore be borne as patiently as possible till that takes place. PRURITUS, OR ITCHING OF THE EXTERNAL PARTS. Having treated this affection fully in my _Diseases of Woman_, I cannot do better than extract the article from that work on the subject. "This disease, though not so immediately dangerous as some others, is perhaps the most distressing that can be met with. "It consists in an intolerable and incessant itching of the parts, which nothing seems to allay. Sometimes it is so bad that the female is almost tormented to death; she cannot see company, or walk out, and often shuts herself up alone in her agony. Many have fainted from it, and some have even become delirious. I have seen patients whose hands it was necessary to tie, to prevent them tearing themselves to pieces. "The causes of pruritus appear to be most of those that produce simple inflammation, which it very frequently accompanies or precedes. Pregnant females are very liable to it, and in some it will continue, in spite of all that can be done, till after delivery, when it usually disappears. I have known it produce abortion. Some females always have it at the menstrual period, and others during nursing. Occasionally there is a little eruption attending it, but not always, though the parts are generally swollen and red. Parasites are sometimes the exciting cause, and should always be destroyed immediately. "The treatment consists in first attending strictly to the diet, which must be light and unirritating, and to the regular action of the bowels and womb; and in using the cooling washes and lotions before mentioned. If the itching still continues, use either of the following washes to the parts:--Sub. carbonate of potash three drachms, water four ounces; put a tea-spoonful of this into a quart of warm water, and use it three times a day.--A tea-spoonful of Eau de Cologne to a pint of warm water.--Sulphate of Zinc, half a tea-spoonful to a quart of warm water. Both these may be used many times in the day.--Borax half an ounce, Sulphate of Morphia six grains; pure water half a pint. This last seldom fails of giving relief. It should be applied three or four times a day, with a piece of soft linen, the parts being first washed with warm soap and water. A tea-spoonful of laudanum will sometimes answer as well as the six grains of Sulphate of Morphia.