OF THE MILK. 3JJJ 



620. The reason why this bland nourishment of the 

 foetus becomes more thick and rich by continued suck- 

 ling, is probably the abundance of lymphatics in the 

 breasts. Those vessels continually absorb more of the 

 serous part of the milk, in proportion as its secretion is 

 more copious and of longer standing, and, by again 

 pouring this part into the mass of blood, promote the 

 secretion (477) : after weaning they take up the remain- 

 ing milk and mix it with the blood. 



621. The milk is secreted in greatest quantity imme- 

 diately after delivery ; and, if the infant sucks, amounts 

 to one or two pounds every twenty-four hours, until 

 the menses, which usually cease during suckling, (556) 

 return. 



Occasionally virgins, and new-born infants of either 

 sex, nay even men,* as well as the adult males of other 

 mammalia,t have been known to furnish milk. 



622. The abundance of milk excites its excretion, and 

 even causes it to flow spontaneously : but pressure, or 

 the suction of the child, completes its discharge. (B) 



and rushing upwards, and a more copious secretion of milk instantly ensues 

 upon the passage of the lymph. 



The momentary thirst (330) experienced on applying the child to the breast, 

 from the absorption of fluid in the fauces, may be also mentioned. 



* This is asserted to be very common in Russia. Comment. Acad. se. 

 Petropolit. Vol. iii. p. 278 sq. 



f I have spoken of this at large in the Hannovrriich. Magazin. 1787- 

 p. 753 sq. 



