MILK. 167 



The Milk of Women in the Case of the premature Return of 

 their Natural Epochs. 



The milk of women in whom the natural periods have re- 

 turned during the course of lactation, has likewise been 

 carefully examined. Except in a single instance, however, it 

 has not been found to present any thing remarkable in its 

 characters. In the case referred to, it had degenerated to the 

 condition of colostrum, and contained the granular colostrum 

 corpuscles. 



THE MILK OF UNMARRIED WOMEN. 



The breasts of many women who have not been married 

 are frequently found to contain an abundance of milk, and 

 from those of most, more or less of a milky fluid can be 

 obtained. 



This milk exhibits all the characters of colostrum, con- 

 taining even the peculiar corpuscles which distinguish that 

 condition of the milk ; it is therefore, like the first milk, to be 

 regarded as an imperfectly elaborated substance. 



THE MILK OF WOMEN PREVIOUS TO CONFINEMENT. 



The breasts of most women during the last few weeks of 

 gestation contain more or less milk, which also presents all 

 the characters of colostrum. 



The quantity of milk contained varies greatly; in some 

 cases a few drops of a milk-like fluid only can be obtained ; 

 in others it is more abundant ; and again, in other instances, 

 it is still more plentiful, and rich in quality. 



The question may be asked, does there exist any relation 

 between the quantity and condition of the milk before con- 

 finement, and its state when it has arrived at perfection after 

 this event has occurred ? In other terms, can one pronounce, 

 by the milk in the breasts, beforehand, whether a woman 

 will have a sufficient quantity of milk to nourish her infant ? 



