Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 3, 1802).djvu/223

203&#93; MIL fio'.vever, such deficiency be aho- lute, and the breasts be totally de- void of this salutary fluid, the ou!y roelhod of preserving the infant's life wiil be, to procuie a careful, healthy wet-nurHe. 2. Excess, or evident abundance of milk, occurs as frequently as the .contrary; aijd requires ihe greate^lt attention ; for, otherwise, inflam- mation and abscesses in the breast may be the consequence. Hence ihe patient should live sparingly, and suckle two infants, with a view fo diminish the too rapid liow of milk. 3. The MUh-fevcr, one of the most alarming diseases of females, is sometimes occasioned by terror^ taking cold, &c, though it is more frequently induced from a false principle of delicacy, by neglei;;ting to put the infmt to the breast. It occurs, in general, a few days after delivery, and requires to be trent- ed with the utmost precaution. To check its progress, it will be neces- sary to resort to camphorated clys- ters, gentle evacuations, and em- brocations of linseed and similar emollient oils. The infant ought, likewise, to be put frequently to the breast ; and, if no relief be thus obtained, they should be drawn, either by means of the small air- pump, or some expert person. The patient's diet ought to be light and cooling; but, if the fever prove violent, and be accompanied v, ith putrid symptoms, it wiil be advise- able to administer Peruvian bark liberally, and to obviate coslive- ness, by gentle laxatives. — One of the most effectual preventives of this fever is, to place the infant to the breast as early as possible ; a pradice which cannot be too ju-pngly recDmnieuded.^ as Uielifej MIL [203: or at least the health, of many va- luable mothers migl-t be spared, if, sucii method were more gc;uerally followed. The apartment ought to be carefully aired; and, if the breasts abound with milk, at th« commencement of the fever, the/ should be occasionally drawn: thu.s, that fluid might elfei?tualiy be pre- vented from acquii" ng aij uanaiuj'al acrimonv, or fiom being absorbed, while in a corrupted stare. Violent passions aad alfeftions of t e mind must be studiously avoided by those who suckle ciiil- dren; for, such irregularities not only lay Ihe foundation of the most l)ainfui disor iers in mothers or nurses, but also injure the innocent babes, by induciiig painful, and often fatal diarrhoeas. In every instance, after sudden fright, or a fit of passion, it will be advisable to squeeze, or gently rgitate tha- breasts, in order to discliarge the redundant milk, before the infant be permitted to suck. — Lastly, if the breasts become turgid, and theie be an apprehension of the milk co- aguiatiiig in tliem, shortly after parturition, it will be requisite to present them to the infant; pro- vided it be sufficiently strong : ii the contrary case, another child or adult should draw them, and thu^ diminish the superfluous and hurl-. ful part. MILK-HOUSE, a building de- signed for the reception and pre-, servation of milk, previously to its undergoing tLie various p^'ocesses of the dairy. As we have already, under the head of Dairv-house, treated of the utensils, &c. proper for the ma- nagement of milk, we shall now la)' before our readers a cut, repre- seupng a Milk-house^ upon an im- provc4