and weariness, thirst and constipation soon disappeared and the patients were able to walk many miles up to the eve of confinement. The ease and rapidity of the deliveries, the small amount of liquor amnii, often not more than a teacupful, and sometimes almost inappreciable, were striking and all, without exception, succeeded in nursing their infants. The children were healthy, but small,mostly weighing six pounds, and the circumference of the head was under 36 C M.-averaging 33 to 34 C M. The restriction of albuminous foods had no injurious effect on the quantity or quality of the milk. Prophylactic treatment of difficult, painful and tedious labor has been, under the guidance of homeopathic obstetricians, especially efficacious and the period of uterogestation has been freer from discomforts. The annoying ailments of pregnancy, such as indigestion, heartburn, constipation, sleeplessness, disorders of locomotion and all the manifestations of a highly unstable nervous system are relieved by homœopathic medication and a wise hygienic treatment. The absorption of poisonous material from the intestine occurring in cases of obstinate constipation in pregnancy bears such a close relation to pelvic inflammation and the genesis of disease that a more careful study of this pathological condition is required at our hands. Constipation and pelvic disease in women bear to each other a somewhat reciprocal relation. The uterus and the rectum are in close relation with each other, and anything which disturbs the position, or surroundings of one will disturb the other also. The intestinal canal was not intended as a reservoir for the storage of excrementitious matter, but it is safe to say that more than fifty per cent of all women make such use of it. In animals of a lower order, the first inclination to evacuate the bowels is immediately gratified and fecal retention is rarely found. Ignorance, indolence and inconvenience are large factors in the production of constipation in human beings. Habits, occupations, climate and diet render it almost omnipresent. Phenomena of every degree of intensity and variety may be attributed to it. Any cause which impairs the activity of defecation will thereby favor the production of constipation. The mechanism which controls the movements of the bowels is very delicately adjusted and it is no wonder that they get out of order so often. In a healthy woman the rectum is usually found empty. In the majority of pregnant women it is nearly always filled with fecal matter. Dietetic and hygienic influences go far in the preparation of the pregnant woman for her accouchement, and whenever possible every case should be treated in advance by some skillful homeopathic obstetrician. All cases are made easier and safer by previous treatment. I believe that not only the physical status of pregnancy can be improved by homœopathic medication, but the unborn child can receive protection from phthisis pulmonalis, rachitis, scrofula and other ills by the timely administration of remedies to improve the physical status of pregnancy. It is all important that the medical attendant shall exercise the greatest care to prescribe according to the totality of the symptoms, and when he is unable to decide what the homeopathic remedy is, he would better give pulsatilla. This remedy is surely the sine qua non in the majority of all cases before they reach the second stage of labor. For twenty-three years I have used it in pregnancy and labor, and have studied the meadow anemone thoroughly, patiently and perseveringly. It has disappointed me less in the treatment of pregnant women than all other remedies together. Changeableness is the great charactistic of pregnancy, as well as of the wind flower, and in almost every case you will find many symptoms of this remedy. Next to pulsatilla, actea racemosa or cimicifuga stands as a great remedy to promote a healthy state in pregnancy, and finally a normal labor. For distressing pains not intermittent, a high degree of nervousness and neuralgia from uterine irritation, actea racemosa takes first place. For false labor pains caulophyllum is of equal value with pulsatilla. It will control intermittent, neuralgic and reflex pains from uterine disorder. The pains are spasmodic and fly about from place to place. I have had splendid results from the use of viburnum opulus in the beginning of miscarriage and threatened abortion with intense cramp in the uterus and bearing down; or pain around from the back, ending in excruciating cramps in the lower abdomen. When cramps appear in the abdomen and legs of pregnant women, there is no better remedy. Cuprum arsenicum is a remedy of great value in cases of uræmic convulsions. It should be used in the third potency. It is also a good remedy in the vomiting of pregnancy when there is spasmodic uterine pains with general debility. I have found gelsemium to be wonderfully efficacious in the treatment of puerperal spasms preceded by great lassitude, dull feeling in the forehead and vertex, fullness in region of medulla; head feels big; eyes heavy, with half stupid look; face deep red; speech thick; pulse slow and full; from protracted labor, rigid os uteri and albuminuria. Convulsions from reflex irritation. Hysterical convulsions. In the treatment of cases of pregnancy I have followed closely the therapeutic indications given in Gurnsey's obstetrics, and have been helped more by the remedial suggestions of that work than by all other books in my library. If Dr. H. N. Guernsey was somewhat antiquated in the etiology of the diseases of pregnancy, his knowledge of the therapeutics of pregnancy and labor, excelled by far anything that I have ever seen. In his last illness he said: "I wish nothing but the similimum to my case. If I must die I wish it recorded that I died true to my principles." Every case of pregnancy should be under the watchful care of a skillful physician from start to finish. The bowels should be kept in a healthy condition, and the urine should be frequently examined for albumin. All the disorders incidental to each case of pregnancy, should be held in abeyance by a wise medical supervision, and when nature gives the signal for the termination of the period of gestation, the attending accoucheur should be the master of the situation. If the pregnant woman, who has reached the end of her period, has been storing up in her blood for months, excrementitious matter which should have been eliminated day by day, the careless obstetrician may wake up to the fact that he has a case of blood poisoning to treat, and very likely a serious fight on hand. In his desperation he may send for his brother practitioner to help him out of a tight place, but at the same time if his medical hindsight is good enough, he will see that his negligence or his ignorance has permitted the case to take its own course, and that he is largely responsible for the perilous condition in which he finds his patient. Every first class obstetrician knows that the facts are not misrepresented and that the greatest hindrance to progress in the obstetric art is the ordinary doctor and midwife. Nine-tenths of the common people believe that the most there is for the medical attendant, or midwife, to do in a case of pregnancy aud confinement is to cut the cord and assist in the removal of the after birth. The so-called medical profession in the United States is largely responsible for this low estimate of the duties of the accoucheur. When a doctor agrees to attend cases of pregnancy and confinement for $5.00, or $10.00 or $15.00 each, he notifies the world that his services are not worth much and that such cases are not dangerous. You cannot expect a stream of water to rise higher than its source, and it will be a long time I fear before the statues of the different states will demand a higher standard of proficiency in the management of pregnant women. The tendency in the management of pregnant mares, cows, ewes, nanny goats and sows, is all the time on the up grade, and the general and the state governments are spending vast amounts of money to protect them from diseases of all kinds; but national, and state, and city boards of health, get very little money to spend for the improvement of human beings. In the crowded cities and in the great undeveloped country, pregnant women for the most part, are expected to take care of themselves, and frequently support their families too, at the same time. The small amount of medical attention that they get, is not worth mentioning. There is nothing that arouses my sympathy and admiration so much as pregnancy and motherhood. The most divine being on the earth is the prospective mother, and society should confer upon her the greatest honor. The English speaking people boast of their civilization and their advancement in the arts and the science, but so far they have utterly failed to surround marriage with the proper safe guards, and make the breeding of healthy children the highest calling in life. Abortions, miscarriages and divorces seem to be on the increase, and fashionable society is about to brand pregnancy as vulgar and retire all pregnant women to the most secluded life. Instead of making the nine months of gestation as pleasant and free from care as possible, the rules of society and the obligations of the family make the pathway of the expectant mother doubly difficult for her. The physicial status of pregnancy will be greatly improved when all pregnant women are made to feel that they occupy the most enviable position in the world, and that the greatest service a woman can render to humanity, is to give birth to a healthy child. As progressive men and women, we will do well to give greater attention to the breeding of children and to the elevation of pregnancy and motherhood to the highest place in society. Instead of so many gynecologists, surgeons and ophthalmologists, let us have more skillful obstetricians, educated sanitarians and able physicians. Prevention is better than cure, and therefore, we should go "behind the returns", and look after the welfare of the unborn by the most respectful and careful medical treatment of every pregnant woman. GLEANINGS FROM THE FIELD OF EXPERIENCE. L. A. WOLCOTT, M. D. February 6th, 1889, G. E. C., an exceptionally strong, healthy, young man, complained of weakness, loss of appetite, constipation, and biliousness. Another symptom, |