114 PLAIN FACTS FOR OLD AND YOUNG 



men, as well as in young girls, though it is usually inac- 

 tive even in women until near the close of gestation. 

 It is a curious fact that the breasts of a new-born child 

 occasionally contain milk. 



The first product of the mammae is not the proper 

 milk secretion, but is a yellowish fluid, called colostrum. 

 The true milk secretion begins two or three days after 

 delivery. 



The lacteal secretion is influenced in a very remark- 

 able manner by the mental conditions of the mother. 

 By sudden emotions of grief or anger, it has been 

 known to undergo such changes as to produce in the 

 child a fit of indigestion, vomiting, diarrhea, and even 

 convulsions and death. Any medicine taken by the 

 mother finds its way into the milk, and often affects 

 the delicate system of the infant more than herself. 

 This fact should be a warning to those nursing moth- 

 ers who use stimulants. Cases are not uncommon in 

 which delicate infants are kept in a state of intoxica- 

 tion for weeks by the use of alcoholic drinks by the 

 mother. The popular notion that lager-beer, ale, wine, 

 or alcohol in any other form, is in any degree neces- 

 sary or beneficial to a nursing woman, is a great error, 

 which cannot be too often noticed and condemned. Not 

 only is the mother injured instead of being benefited 

 by such a practice, but great injury, sometimes life- 

 long in its consequence, is inflicted upon the babe at 

 the breast, who takes the intoxicating poison second 

 hand, and is influenced in a fourfold degree because of 

 its feebleness and great susceptibility. 



