386

CHILDBIKTH.

at least for the first month. This would prevent many of thediseases which prove fatal to women in childbed.

When an inflammation happens in the breast, attendedwith redness, hardness, and other symptoms of suppuration,the safest application is a poultice of bread and milk, softenedwith oil or fresh butter. This may be renewed twice a day,till the tumor be either discussed or brought to suppuration.The use of repellents, in this case, is very dangerous ; theyoften occasion fevers, and sometimes cancers ; whereas a sup-puration is seldom attended with any danger, and has oftenthe most salutary effects.

When the nipples are fretted or chapped, they may beanointed with a mixture of oil and beeswax, or a little gumArabic may be sprinkled on them. I have seen Hungarywater applied to the nipples have a very good effect. Shouldthe complaint prove obstinate, a cooling purge may be given,which generally removes it.

The miliary fever is a disease very incident to women inchildbed ; but as it has been treated of already, we shall takeno further notice of it here. The celebrated Hoffman observesthat this fever of childbed women might generally be pre-vented, if they, during their pregnancy, were regular in theirdiet, used moderate exercise, took now and then a gentle lax-ative of manna, rhubarb, or cream of tartar ; not forgetting tobleed in the first months, and avoid all sharp air. When thelabor is coming on, it is not to be hastened with forcing medi-cines, which inflame the blood and humors or put them intounnatural commotions. Care should be taken, after the birth,that the natural excretions proceed regularly ; and if the pulsebe quick, a little nitrous powder should be given, &c.

We shall conclude our observations on childbed women byrecommending it to them, above all things, to beware of cold.Poor women, whose circumstances oblige them to quit theirbed too soon, often contract diseases from cold, of which theynever recover. It is pity the poor are not better taken careof in this situation.

But the better sort of women run the greatest hazard fromtoo much heat. They are generally kept in a sort of bagniofor the first eight or ten days, and then dressed out to seecompany. The danger of this conduct must be obvious toevery one.

The superstitious custom of obliging women to keep thehouse till they go to church is likewise a very common cause