316 PHYSIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. 



The total quantity of albumins seems to decrease with the dura- 

 tion of lactation. PFEIFFER found the average figures for the 

 total proteids for the two first days, the first week, the second 

 week, the second month, and the seventh month to be 86.04, 

 34.42, 22.88, 18.43, and 15.21 p. m., respectively. SIMON claims 

 that the amount of casein is smaller in the first stages of lactation 

 and then increases considerably; but according to PFEIFFER, just 

 the reverse takes place. The amount of fat shows no regular and 

 constant variation during lactation. According to VERKOIS and 

 BECQUEREL, the quantity of milk-sugar decreases in the first 

 months, but increases in the eighth to the tenth month. According 

 to PFEIFFER, the quantity of sugar increases from the delivery to 

 the third to fourth month, and then it is somewhat variable. 



The two mammary glands of the same woman may yield somewhat 

 different milk, as shown by SOURDAT and later by BRUNNER. Also the 

 different portions of milk from the same milking may have different composi- 

 tions. The first portions are always poorer in fat (PARMENTIER, PELIGOT, 

 and others). 



According to L'HERITIER, VERNOIS, and BECQUEREL, the milk of blonds 

 contains less casein than that of brunettes, a difference which TOLMATSCHEFF 

 could not substantiate. Women of weak constitutions yield a milk richer in 

 solids, especially in casein, than women with strong constitutions (V. and B.). 



According to VERNOIS and BECQUEREL, the age of the woman has an effect 

 on the composition of the milk, so that we find a greater quantity of proteids 

 and fat in women 15-20 years old and a smaller quantity of sugar. The 

 smallest quantity of proteids and the greatest quantity of sugar are found at 

 20 or from 25-30 years of age. According to V. and B., the milk with the 

 first-born is richer in water with a proportionate diminution of the quantity 

 of casein, sugar, and fat than after several deliveries. 



The influence of menstruation seems to slightly diminish the milk-sugar 

 and to considerably increase the fat and casein (V. and B.). 



Witch's Milk is the secretion of the mammary glands of new-born children 

 of both sexes immediately after birth. This secretion has from a^qualitative 

 standpoint the same constitution as milk, but may show important differences 

 and variations from a quantitative point of view. SCHLOSSBERGER and HAUFF, 

 GUBLER and QUEVENNE, and v. GESNER have made analyses of this milk and 

 give the following results : 10.5-28 p. m. proteids, 8.2-14.6 p. m. fat, and 9-60 

 p. m. sugar. 



As milk is the only form of nourishment during a certain period 

 of the life of man and mammalia, it must contain all the nutritious 

 bodies necessary for life. This fact is shown by the milk-contain- 

 ing representives of the three chief groups of organic-nutritive 

 substances, proteids, carbohydrates, and fat; and all milk seems 

 to contain also some lecithin. The mineral bodies in milk must 



