HUMAN COLOSTRUM. 665 



The colostrum has a higher specific gravity, 1.040-1.060, a greater 

 quantity of coagulable proteins, and a deeper yellow color than ordinary 

 woman's milk. Even a few days after delivery the color becomes less 

 yellow, the quantity of albumin less, and the number of colostrum-cor- 

 puscles diminishes. 



We have the older analyses of CLEMM 1 and the recent investigations 

 of PFEIFFER, V. and J. ADRIANCE, CAMERER and SOLDNER on the changes 

 in the composition of milk after delivery. It follows, as a unanimous 

 result from these investigations, that the quantity of protein, which 

 amounts to more the first two days, sometimes to more than 30 p. m. 

 at first, rather quickly and then more generally diminishes as long as the 

 lactation continues, so that in the third week it equals about 10-18 p. m. 

 Like the protein substances, the mineral bodies also gradually decrease. 

 The quantity of fat shows no regular or constant variation during lacta- 

 tion, while the lactose, especially according to the observations of V. 

 and J. ADRIANCE (120 analyses), increases rather quickly the first days 

 and then only slowly until the end of lactation. The analyses of PFEIFFER, 

 CAMERER and SOLDNER also show an increase in the quantity of milk-sugar. 



The two mammary glands of the same woman may yield somewhat different 

 milk, as shown by SOURDAT and later by BBUNNER. 2 Likewise the different 

 portions of milk from the same milking may have varying composition. The 

 first portions are always poorer in fat. 



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

 contains less casein than that of brunettes, a difference which TOLMATSCHEFF 3 

 could not substantiate. Women of delicate 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 proteins and 

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

 quantity of proteins and the greatest quantity of sugar are found at 20 or from 

 25 to 30 years of age. VERNOIS and BECQUEREL, consider that the milk with the 

 first-born is richer in water with a proportionate diminution of casein, sugar, 

 and fat than after several deliveries. 



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

 to increase considerably the fat and casein (VERNOIS and BECQUEREL). 



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. CENSER/ have made analyses of this milk and 

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

 p. m. sugar. 



1 See Hoppe-Seyler, Physiol. Chem., 734. 



2 Sourdat, Compt. Rend., 71; Brunner, Pfliiger's Arch., 7. 



3 1'Heritier, cited from Hoppe-Seyler, Physiol. Chem., 738; Vernois and Becquerel, 

 Du lait chez la femme dans 1'etat de sante, etc., (Paris, 1853) ; Tolmatscheff, Hoppe- 

 Seyler, Med.-chem. Untersuch., 272. 



4 Schlossberger and Hauff, Annal. d. Chem., u. Pharm., 96; Gubler and Quevenne, 

 cited from Hoppe-Seyler 's Physiol. Chem., 723; v. Censer, ibid. 



