Horseback riding during pregnancy is injurious. We occasionally hear
of women who have ridden horseback without immediate harmful
consequences, but they have nevertheless exposed themselves to danger
unnecessarily. It is better to give up skating and dancing also than
to run the risk of accident, especially since these diversions are
attended with some danger of falling. In a general way, whenever the
question of entering into any kind of recreation must be decided, it
is wise to err on the conservative side rather than risk overstepping
the limit of endurance and having to pay a penalty more or less
severe.

Carriage riding cannot take the place of walking and can scarcely be
classed as exercise; it is wholesome, nevertheless, because it takes
the participant out of doors and provides a change of scene. Certain
details, however, should be carefully observed; thus, a safe horse, a
carriage that rides easily, and smooth roads should be selected.
Similar advice pertains to motoring; with smooth roads, a cautious
driver, and a comfortable machine, short rides in an automobile are
not harmful. Carriage riding and motoring are particularly
serviceable as a means of getting outdoor diversion during the last
few weeks of pregnancy.

MASSAGE AND GYMNASTICS.--If a prospective mother is obliged to stay
in bed several weeks, massage may be useful; otherwise there is no
necessity for this treatment. Whenever required, massage should if
possible be given by an experienced masseuse. If this is out of the
question and the patient must rely upon one of her friends, it should
be understood that "general massage" is needed; in other words, one
part of the body after another should be gone over systematically.
With an inexperienced masseuse, however, it will be safer not to