REPRODUCTION. 667 



distinct lobes, made up of smaller divisions; from each main 

 lobe a separate galactophorous duct, made by the union of 

 smaller branches from the lobules, runs towards the nipple, 

 all converging beneath the areola. There each dilates 

 and forms a small elongated reservoir in which the milk 

 may temporarily collect. Beyond this the ducts narrow 

 again, and each continues to a separate opening on the nip- 

 ple. Imbedding and enveloping the lobes of the gland is a 

 quantity of firm adipose tissue which gives the whole breast 

 its rounded form. 



During maidenhood the glandular tissue remains imper- 

 fectly developed and dormant. Early in pregnancy it begins 

 to increase in bulk, and the gland lobes can be felt as hard 

 masses through the superjacent skin and fat. Even at par- 

 turition, however, their functional activity is not fully estab- 

 lished. The oil-globules of the milk are formed by a sort of 

 fatty degeneration of the gland-cells, which finally fall to 

 pieces; the cream is thus set free in the watery and albu- 

 minous secretion formed simultaneously, while newly de- 

 veloped gland-cells take the place of those destroyed. In the 

 milk first secreted after accouchment (the colostrum) the cell 

 destruction is incomplete, and many cells still float in the 

 liquid, which has a yellowish color; this first milk acts as a 

 purgative on the infant, and probably thus serves a useful 

 purpose, as a certain amount of substances (biliary and 

 other), excreted by its organs during development, are found 

 in the intestines at birth. 



Human milk is undoubtedly the best food for an infant in 

 the early months of life ; and to suckle her child is useful to 

 the mother if she be a healthy woman. There is reason to 

 believe that the processes of involution by which the large 

 mass of muscular and other tissues developed in the uterine 

 walls during pregnancy are broken down and absorbed, take 

 place more safely to health if the natural milk secretion is 

 encouraged. Many women refuse to suckle their children 

 from a belief that so doing will injure their personal appear- 

 ance, but skilled medical opinion is to the contrary effect; the 

 natural course of events is the best for this purpose, unless 

 lactation be too prolonged. Of course in many cases there are 

 justifiable grounds for a mother's not undertaking this part of 

 her duties ; a physician is the proper person to decide. 



In a healthy woman, not suckling her child, ovulation and 



