evacuation of the bowels serves to prevent the ailment, and also to
cure it, once it has developed. But walking and even standing
aggravate hemorrhoids. The recumbent posture, as might be expected,
is of itself frequently enough to give relief. It is much more likely
to do so, however, if the hips are elevated by placing a pillow under
them.

In severe cases it is helpful to restrict the diet for a few days
until the congestion and acute suffering have subsided. If the
hemorrhoids protrude, they should be replaced (which the patient may
generally do for herself), and an ice bag should be applied to the
seat of pain. Various ointments and suppositories of different
composition are valuable in the treatment of this ailment, but, as
not all cases are relieved by the same medicine, a physician should
be consulted to learn what is most suitable in any given instance.

Hemorrhoids often grow progressively worse as pregnancy advances, and
are frequently aggravated immediately after the birth of the child;
but they generally disappear within a few weeks. Whenever a natural
cure is not thus effected, it may become necessary to resort to
surgical treatment. Operative procedures, however, should not be
undertaken during pregnancy, since the condition is likely to
reappear before the child is born.

_Cramps in the Legs_.--There are nerves as well as blood vessels
that the pregnant uterus may press upon, and pressure of this kind
may cause pain. At times the pain is definitely localized at the
point where the nerve is pressed upon; under these circumstances the
discomfort is felt in the lower part of the back. On the other hand,
the pain may be referred to the point where the nerve ends. In this