"Caustic has been employed, and blisters to the inside of the thighs, but such violent remedies are seldom either necessary or serviceable. I have known the parts to be deeply scarified with the lancet, and even burnt with a _red hot iron_, without at all alleviating the pruritus. "In young persons it seems to be often produced by constipation, worms, and gravel; but it most probably depends, essentially, on some impurity, or irritating quality, in the blood, or in the natural secretions of the parts, which should therefore never be allowed to remain long unwashed. "Sitting in cold water, and the application of ice to the parts, has given relief. I have also effected many cures, almost instantaneously, by means of a small _Galvanic plate_, so constructed as to be worn just within the vulva. "All remedies must of course be applied with caution during pregnancy; and it must be recollected that sometimes the disease _will_ continue, more or less, till after delivery, though the distress from it may be much alleviated." CHAPTER XXVII. IDIOPATHIC, OR PRIMARY DISEASES INCIDENT TO PREGNANCY. FLOODING, OR HEMORRHAGE. Flooding is one of the most dangerous accidents that occur during pregnancy, its consequences being often of the most serious character. The causes that lead to flooding are very numerous, some of them predisposing to it, and others immediately exciting it. Among these may be mentioned a too full habit, violent exertion, falls, coughing, vomiting, straining from costiveness or violent purgatives, forcing medicines, criminal attempts at abortion, overwalking, blows on the abdomen, too much dancing, or running up stairs, strong mental emotions, fright, or anger, and _certain excesses_. The immediate cause is the separation of the membrane in which the fœtus is inclosed from the walls of the womb. Flooding may however result from the placenta growing over the mouth of the womb, and being torn as that opens--usually about the sixth or seventh month.--(See the article _Flooding_ during Labor.)