appliance called a back-rest may be used, but an extra pillow under
the head and shoulders is usually sufficient.

LEUCORRHEA.--The meaning of the white discharge from the vagina known
as leucorrhea is variable: at times it indicates the existence of an
ailment requiring treatment, and at other times it does not. To be on
the safe side, therefore, anyone who is troubled by leucorrhea should
obtain her physician's opinion as to its significance.

Normally, as we learned in Chapter V, there is an increase in the
vaginal secretion during pregnancy; but this fact is rarely
noticeable until the latter months. Usually it is pronounced only
during the last few weeks. At that time, owing to its antiseptic
qualities, this pale white fluid should not be disturbed by the use
of douches. In the early months of pregnancy, however, leucorrhea may
cause such inconvenience as to demand medical treatment.

While itching is the most disagreeable effect of such a vaginal
discharge, it should be known that itching is not always due to
leucorrhea. Thus it may be caused by a highly concentrated urine, and
in that event will be relieved by drinking a larger amount of water;
or it may be due to the presence of unusual constituents in the
urine. Skin diseases also cause itching; and light haired people,
since they have more delicate skins that brunettes, are especially
susceptible to these ailments. To such skin affections soap and water
may be very irritating; so that when they exist it is often advisable
to cleanse the parts with olive oil. In other cases, ointments are
required and will be prescribed by the physician.

Itching of the skin over the extremities or over the whole body, it