After a day of labor and care, which had quite exhausted me, I have just taken one of the Turkish baths, and come out feeling as completely rested as when I arose from my bed in the morning--in short, as good as new.--_L. H. Thomas, M. D._ The only sure cure for a cold is the Turkish bath. It opens the pores and starts the system afresh into working order. I cheerfully commend it, even to persons in good health, as the best means to keep the secretions healthy.--_Dr. D. F. Clinton._ Rely upon it, it is the _ne plus ultra_ of baths.--_Dr. J. E. Westervelt._ CHAPTER IX. HYGIENE IN PREGNANCY--DIET. PROPER FOOD in pregnancy is not more necessary for health and strength of the mother, than for giving normal development to the child. If the food does not afford suitable nourishment, or is not properly assimilated, pathological conditions inevitably result. Besides, few have learned that the _kind_ of nutriment taken has much to do with the ease or severity of labor. The food of the pregnant woman should consist of articles that are nutritious, but not stimulating or heating to the blood. It should be eaten at regular intervals and under favorable conditions. An important matter is to avoid fluids while eating. Liquid, taken into the stomach, must be removed by absorbents before the gastric fluid can be secreted to dissolve the food and convert it into chyle. A strong, healthy stomach may perform both processes easily. One weakened by dyspepsia or the reflex action in pregnancy may not be able to accomplish this double duty; consequently very much is gained by taking the food dry. Drink, if there is thirst, half an hour before a meal, and not within three hours after. Eat less salt and there will be less thirst. Avoid all condiments, and for the most part _fats_ and _sweets_. The two latter are pure carbon, therefore cause and increase febrile conditions. Sufficient carbon can be obtained in the farinaceous food. Lean meats, the very best beef, mutton boiled, roasted or smothered, cooked quickly and rare, and wild game may be eaten by some without injury. But owing to their stimulating elements, and their effects upon the formation of character, parents desiring to give the world the best reproduction of themselves will avoid the use of animal food. A woman has for her diet a choice from all the grains, all the vegetables and all the fruits. When a working animal thrives and retains its strength upon two articles only, viz., corn and straw or oats and hay, can not the human make a bill of fare of sufficient variety to please the most fastidious out of all the grains, fruits and vegetables? If foods were ordinarily chosen to supply the _needs_ of wasted tissues rather than to pander to perverted and capricious appetites, there would be less necessity of a special diet for pregnancy.