_Varicose Veins_.--The distention of the surface veins of the
legs, the condition known as varicose veins, is not a peculiarity of
pregnancy. Anyone who must be on his feet a great deal is liable to
suffer from this ailment. It is true, nevertheless, that pregnancy
increases the likelihood of the development of varicose veins. The
walls of the vessel are generally able to withstand whatever strain
is placed upon them during the first pregnancy, and usually the
varicosed condition does not develop until after there have been
several pregnancies.

As a rule, both legs are similarly affected, but if only one, it is
more likely to be the right. This is explained by the fact that the
position of the child within the womb is ordinarily such as to cause
greater pressure on the vessels of the right side. For the same
reason when the legs are unequally affected, generally the veins of
the right side are the larger. In any case, however, the birth of the
child removes the source of the interference, and during the lying-in
period, provided that the patient remains quiet for a sufficient
length of time, the vessels regain their normal caliber. Once they
have been distended, however, the veins remain more susceptible to
engorgement. Consequently, in order not to increase the strain these
vessels naturally bear during the latter months of pregnancy, the
precautions just mentioned for the avoidance of all the pressure
symptoms should be strictly observed. Upon the first intimation that
the veins are becoming dilated, a patient should be unusually careful
to keep off her feet all that she can. Only in extreme cases will it
be compulsory to go to bed. But, if the veins are large and painful,
she should stay in bed until material improvement has taken place.
Subsequently she should wear a flannel bandage, snugly applied, about