i8 



MILK AND ITS HYGIENIC RELATIONS 



not stated, nor the amount of milk obtained naturally by the 

 children. 



The ash of human colostrum was estimated by Birk, and com- 

 pared with the ash of normal milk obtained by Camerer and 

 Soldner, Bunge, and others. 



The total ash is much higher in colostrum than in later milk, 

 and the most striking differences lie in the sodium and phosphorus 

 content. 



The main chemical differences between colostrum and later 

 milk appear to consist in the increased content of nitrogen and 

 certain constituents of the ash. Fat and sugar are little, if at all, 

 higher than in later milk, and may be lower. 1 



The value of colostrum as a food for the new-born child is a 

 question of great interest. The loss of weight which occurs in 

 infants after birth has been investigated by numerous observers, 

 with more or less satisfactory results. The cause of the loss does 

 not appear at all certain, and the investigation of the food value of 

 colostrum was a necessary step towards attainment of knowledge 

 upon this point. 



The problem essentially resolves itself into the two con- 

 siderations : 



1. Does the loss of weight denote an insufficient amount of 

 nourishment in the food ? 



2. Is it due to loss of fluid or of waste material ? Must it in 

 any case be regarded as detrimental, or not ? 



In order to obtain an answer to the first part of the problem 

 investigations have been made as to the food requirements of 

 a new-born child. Many difficulties are encountered in this work. 



1 Cp. Pfeiffer's figures on p. n for first and second days after parturition. 



