1028 OP GENERATION. 



1030. Of the quantity of Milk ordinarily secreted by a good Nurse, it is 

 difficult to form a correct estimate j 1 since the amount which can be artificially 

 drawn affords no criterion of that which is secreted at the time of the "draught" 

 ( 948). The quantity which can be squeezed from either breast at any one 

 time, and which, therefore, must have been contained in its tubes and reservoirs, 

 is about two ounces. The amount secreted is greatly influenced by the mental 

 and physical condition of the female, and also by the quantity and character of 

 the ingesta. In regard to the influence of the mental state upon this secretion, 

 ample details have already been given (CHAP. xvin.). With respect to the 

 physical state most favorable to the production of an ample supply of this im- 

 portant fluid, it may be stated generally that sound health, a vigorous but 

 not plethoric constitution, regular habits, moderate but not fatiguing exercise, 

 and an adequate but not excessive amount of nutritious food, furnish the 

 conditions most required. It is seldom that stimulating liquors, which are 

 so commonly indulged in, are anything but prejudicial ; but the unmeasured 

 condemnation of them in which some writers have indulged is certainly inju- 

 dicious; as experience amply demonstrates the improvement in the condi- 

 tion both of mother and infant, which occasionally results from the moderate 

 employment of them. Their modus operandi, when they are really beneficial, 

 seems to lie in promoting the digestive process, and in thus aiding in the ap- 

 propriation of those nutritive materials which constitute the real source of the 

 solid constituents of the milk. The influence of various Medicines upon the 

 Milk is another important question which has not yet been sufficiently investi- 

 gated. As a general rule, it appears that the most soluble saline compounds 

 pass into the milk as into other secretions ; but there are many exceptions. 

 Common salt, the sesquicarbonate of soda, sulphate of soda, iodide of potassium, 

 oxide of zinc, trisnitrate of bismuth, and sesquioxide of iron, have been readily 

 detected in the milk, when these substances were experimentally administered 

 to an Ass; and ordinary experience shows that the Human infant is affected 

 by many of these, when they are administered to the mother. The influence of 

 mercurial medicines taken by the mother in removing from the infant a syphi- 

 litic taint possessed by both, is also well known. The vegetable purgatives, 

 especially castor-oil, senna, and colocynth, have little effect upon the milk ; 

 hence they are to be preferred to the saline aperients, when it is not desired to 

 act upon the bowels of the child. 



three ounces or more in tlie twenty- four hours. The breasts gradually diminished in size: 

 and by the time that the expectoration ceased, they had regained their natural dimensions. 

 The same complete obstacle to the flow of milk from the nipples recurred after the births 

 of four children successively with the same sequelae. After the sixth, she had the same 

 symptoms of fever, but this time they were not followed by bronchitis or the expectoration 

 of milk ; she had in their stead copious sweatings, which, with other severe symptoms, 

 reduced her to a cachectic state, and terminated fatally in a fortnight." (" Bulletino delle 

 Scienze Mediche," Apr. 1839; and "Brit, and For. Med. Review," Jan. 1840.) 



1 For an estimate by M. Guillot, founded on the comparative weight of the Infant 

 before and after lactation, see " L' Union Medicale," 1852, No. 16. The total amount con- 

 sidered by Mons. G. to be usually drawn in the twenty-four hours, varies from 32 oz. to 

 64 oz. ( Apoth. ) ; but his estimates are vitiated by the extraordinary frequency of the 

 lactations observed, the infant being put to the breast from 25 to 30 times in the twenty- 

 four hours. 



