REPRODUCTION. 663 



organ still lies within the pelvis, where there is but little room 

 for it ; it accordingly presses on the bladder and rectum (see 

 Fig, 188) and the nerves in the neighborhood, frequently 

 causing considerable discomfort or pain; and. reflexly, often 

 exciting nausea or vomiting (the morning sickness of preg- 

 nancy). Later on, the pregnant womb escapes higher into the 

 abdominal cavity, and although then larger, the soft abdominal 

 walls more readily make room for it, and less discomfort is 

 usually felt, though there may be shortness of breath and 

 palpitation of the heart from interference with the diaphrag- 

 matic movements. All tight garments should at this time be 

 especially avoided; the woman's breathing is already suffi- 

 ciently impeded, and the pressure may also injure the develop- 

 ing child. Meanwhile, changes occur elsewhere in the Body. 

 The breasts enlarge and hard masses of developing glandular 

 tissue can be felt in them ; and there may be mental symptoms : 

 depression, anxiety, and an emotional nervous state. 



During the whole period of gestation the woman is not 

 merely supplying from her blood nutriment for the foetus, but 

 also, through her lungs and kidneys, getting rid of its wastes; 

 the result is a strain on her whole system which, it is true, 

 she is constructed to bear and will carry well if in good health, 

 but which is severely felt if she be feeble or suffering from dis- 

 ease. The healthy married woman who endeavors to evade 

 motherhood because she thinks she will thus preserve her per- 

 sonal appearance, or because she dislikes the trouble of a 

 family, deserves but little sympathy ; she is trying to escape ? 

 duty voluntarily undertaken, and owed to her husband, he' 

 country, and her race ; but she whose strength is undermine 

 and whose life is made one long discomfort for the sexu 

 gratification of her husband deserves every consideration, ai , 

 the family physician ought perhaps to warn the husband mo 

 frequently than he does of the risk to a delicate wife's healt ^ 

 or even life, of frequent pregnancies: and the husband shoui 

 control himself accordingly. The professor of gynaecology ii 

 a leading medical school, gives it as his deliberate opinion 

 that the majority of American women must at some periods of 

 their lives choose between freedom from pregnancy or early 

 death. 



Apart from pregnancy, moreover, a woman's health is oft * 

 injured by frequent sexual intercourse. A physician who 1 

 unusual opportunities of knowing states that he has reason ^* 



