348 DIET FOR DIFFERENT STAGES OF LIFE. 



lar cow, but it is essential for the health of the infant that the milk 

 be supplied from cows fed on wholesome food ; it is also essential that 

 the cow has not very recently calved. And the fresher the milk the 

 better; for as the mother's milk deteriorates by remaining in the 

 breast after the draught comes on, so the cow's milk is deteriorated 

 by standing. New milk warm from the cow is the best for children 

 at any age. 



When given to the child cow's milk should be assimilated a 

 nearly as possible to that of the mother. It should be diluted in 

 the proportion of two-thirds of milk to one-third of soft, pure, tepid 

 water, to each pint of which should have been previously added a 

 drachm of sugar-of-milk (which being extracted from milk is far 

 preferable to cane-sugar), and two grains of finely powdered phos- 

 phate of lime. If the milk has been skimmed, a large tablespoon- 

 mi of cream should be added to each pint of milk; if not skimrned, 

 the addition of two teaspoonfuls will suffice. After a time the 

 proportion of water may be lessened. It is of importance that after 

 the child has been fed the bottle be washed in a weak solution of 

 soda, and that the teat be put in cold water, there to remain till 

 wanted. 



Condensed milk is now used to a large extent as a substitute 

 for fresh milk. Its recommendations are that it is cheap and 

 always ready to hand for the preparation of a meal. But it is doubtful 

 whether in such preparations sufficient water is usually added, 

 whether the milk is not too much sweetened and whether infants 

 fed on it do not acquire a plumpness due to the increase of fat 

 rather than of flesh. It is hard to say that it ought not to be used, 

 especially when there is difficulty in obtaining a. supply of fresh and 

 pure cow's milk. In using it, it should be remembered that it is to 

 be diluted not merely to the consistence of ordinary cow's milk, but 

 to the substitute for woman's milk. 



When dribbling commences and the teeth begin to appear, the 

 infant may be fed on bread-sop, sweetened with sugar of milk, 

 bread-crusts which he can suck and gnaw, plain biscuits, biscuit- 

 powder, parched flour and rusks, or Nestle's farinaceous food; but 

 fancy -biscuits are objectionable. It is not till the glands secrete 

 saliva that the child is able to digest starchy food. Oat-meal boiled 

 in milk and then strained, the resulting liquid being properly 

 diluted, is an excellent food. 



And it may be observed that not only is the maternal milk the 

 very best diet that a mother can give to her child, but the best part 

 of it is when " the draught comes in." The reason for this is that 

 it has just been secreted, and is therefore in the most refined and 

 perfect condition. Every minute that it remains in the gland after 

 secretion it deteriorates, for particles are separated which never 

 reunite; and thus the assimilation by the child is less easy. 



A little mutton-broth, weak beef-tea or chicken-soup may be 

 occasionally added. But these additions to milk-diet should be only 



