irritability in some instances that any sudden alarm may induce convulsions or mania; hence all noise, mental excitement, stimulating, or other improper diet, must be carefully guarded against.

SUCKLING.

THE secretion of milk is essential to the well-doing of both parent and offspring; it preserves the mother from attacks of fever and inflammation, and affords the nourishment intended by nature for her infant; hence it is an imperious duty imposed on every woman whose health and constitution are good, to suckle her infant; those only should consider themselves entitled to an exemption who are of a delicate frame, afflicted with any chronic disorder, or have an insufficient quantity of milk. Where the nipple is too short, various contrivances for elongating it will be found described under the article, Breast. A fullgrown child will however be in most cases the best application; in olden times a young doe was employed for this purpose, great care is to be observed in order to prevent the breasts from becoming over distended, by which means a tendency to inflammation will be averted: artificial nipples are prepared of a

variety of substances, those formed of wood covered with a prepared teat appear to be the best; they should never be continued a moment after the nipple becomes sufficiently long to be grasped by the child's mouth : a nutritious diet is absolutely requisite for suckling women, yet there are articles which must be rigidly abstained from, as acid wines, spirits, unripe fruit, vinegar, pickles, oranges and lemons: the mind must be carefully regulated, all violent passions being as much as within the bounds of possibility guarded against; the individual also should be cautious in exposing herself to the danger of a fresh pregnancy, and it is to be borne in mind that every sexual intimacy within four or five months after delivery will more or less diminish the supply of milk.

The infant is to be applied to the breast during the first few weeks twice or thrice in the hour, or oftener if necessary; after that period an interval of three or four hours may be suffered to elapse, and it should be placed successively to each breast, never being suckled immediately after a full meal or medicine being taken. It is to be recollected, that diet and medicine affect the condition of the milk very materially, that its quality may be better in one breast than the other, overflow

ing in some females, scanty or almost absent in others: besides which it must be manifest that unless the health of the woman be good from conception to the period of weaning, the growth and health of the in

Weaning can be

fant will be more or less affected. accomplished, when the child is vigorous, after the appearance of the milk-teeth, varying from the sixth to the twelfth month; in some instances to the end of the second year. As a general rule, the tenth month may be considered a sufficient period for suckling, at the same time weaning is never to be attempted when the infant is delicate, teething, or labouring under any disease, the breast being decidedly the most effectual and best sedative: even though the milk may not be of a first-rate quality, still it will invariably afford more nourishment than any species of artificial food, however carefully prepared. At the commencement of weaning, the child is to be applied to the breast as seldom as possible by day, sufficient food being substituted; it will however require the breast once or twice during the night, according to its watchfulness or uneasiness. It is far preferable, where such is easy of accomplishment, to remove the child entirely, entrusting it to the care of some nurse who has been herself

a mother the system of covering the nipple with alum, aloes, or other disagreeable preparations, in order to disgust the infant, cannot be too strongly reprehended; it is invariably the recommendation of nurses or other ignorant persons. The period of weaning is one of critical interest, and is always to be selected when the babe enjoys a good state of health, never (unless under very urgent circumstances) suddenly, or while cutting the teeth. During the time of weaning, the mother should pay careful attention to the state of her bowels, and cold sedative applications are to be used for the breast, as brandy, vinegar, and water, equal parts; or the following lotion, which will be found one of the best for that purpose, expediting the suppression of the milk very speedily:

R. Laurel Water, 2 ounces.

Spirit of Sulphuric Æther, 1 ounce.

Extract of Belladona, 1 scruple.

Mix. The breasts are to be gently rubbed with a little of this lotion twice or thrice a day. They are

neither to be drawn nor fomented when it can possibly be dispensed with.

DISEASES PECULIAR TO THE CHILD-BED

STATE.

MILK FEVER.

MILK is frequently secreted previous to delivery, but more commonly in a day or two after; it is usually preceded by shivering and slight fever, never dangerous, often disappearing in twenty-four hours.

TREATMENT.

MILD aperients, combined with medicines calculated to produce gentle perspiration, and fomentations of poppy-heads applied to the breasts, if painful; not otherwise.

MILIARY FEVER

Is produced by keeping the woman too warm, either by an excess of covering or an over-heated apartment. The eruption has the appearance of millet seeds (hence its name), and is accompanied by profuse perspiration of a very peculiar acid odour. The malady being slight, is generally easily remedied.