980 OF GENERATION LACTATION. 



Woman. Cow. Goal. Sheep. Ass. Mare. 



(Simon.) (Simon.) (Cbevallier.) (Chevallier.) (Simon.) (Luiscius.) 



Water 890 860 868 856 907 888 



Solids, . . .110 140 132 144 95 112 



Butter, . 25 38 33 42 12 8 



Case-in, . . . 35 68 40 45 16 IB 



Sugar and Extractive, 48 30 53 50 \ 6& gg 



Fixed Salts, . 6 6 7 J 



It appears from this, that, whilst the milks of the Cow, Goat, and Sheep 

 have a general correspondence with each other, those of the Ass and Mare 

 are fluids of very dissimilar character, containing a comparatively small 

 proportion of casein, and still less butter, but abounding in sugar. Hence 

 it is that they are much more disposed to ferment than other milk ; indeed 

 the sugar of Mare's milk is so abundant, that the Tartars prepare from it a 

 spirituous liquor, to which they give the name of koumiss. Although no milk 

 more nearly approaches that of the Human female, in the proportion of its 

 ingredients, than that of the Goat, its casein forms a peculiarly dense curd, 

 which does not suit the stomach of the infant; besides which, the milk is 

 tainted with the peculiar odor of the animal, which is more intense if the 

 individual be dark-colored. The milk of the Ass, though differing in the 

 proportion of its ingredients, seems to bear a closer approximation in prop- 

 erties ( 813). The milk of the Cow will usually answer very well for the 

 food of the infant, if care be taken to dilute it properly, according to the 

 age of the child, and to add a little sugar. Where there is an apprehension 

 of an early failure in the supply of Milk, the Author has found it advan- 

 tageous to commence feeding the Infant once a day with this mixture, soon 

 after the first month; the number of its meals may be progressively in- 

 creased, until it becomes entirely independent of its parent, without any 

 abrupt transition ; and at the same time the proportion of water and of 

 sugar may be diminished, in accordance with the natural change which 

 takes place in the milk of the mother during the progress of lactation 



( 812). 



818. From what has been stated of the close correspondence between the 

 elements of the Blood and those of the Milk, it is evident that we can 

 scarcely expect to trace the existence of the latter, as such, in the circulating 

 fluid. To what degree the change in which their elaboration consists, is 

 accomplished in the Mammary gland, or during the course of the circula- 

 tion, there is no certain means^of ascertaining. It is evident that the secre- 

 tion cannot serve as the channel for the deportation of any element, the 

 accumulation of which would be injurious to the system; since it does not 

 occur in the Male at all, and is present in the Female at particular times 

 only. Yet there is reason to believe that if, whilst the process is going on, it 

 be suddenly checked, the retention of the material in the blood, or the re- 

 absorption of the secreted fluid, is attended with injurious consequences. 

 Thus if, when the milk is first secreted, the child be not put to the breast, 

 an accumulation takes place, which, if not relieved, occasions great general 

 disturbance of the system. The narrowness of the orifices of the milk-tubes 

 obstructs the spontaneous exit of the fluid, especially in prim .iparce ; the res- 

 ervoirs and ducts become loaded ; further secretion is prevented ; and a state 

 of congestion of the vessels of the gland, tending to inflammation, is induced. 

 The accompanying fever is partly due, no doubt, to the local disturbance; 

 but in part also, there seems reason to believe, to the reabsorption of the 

 milk into the blood ; this cannot but be injurious, since, although but little 

 altered, the constitution of milk is essentially different, especially in regard 



