me
solution and thoroughly dried.

CRACKED NIPPLES.--Cracked nipples often result from lack of care and
cleanliness. If they are not cared for as described above they are very apt
during the first few days to crack. They should never be left moist. They
should be washed and dried after every feeding. If the breasts are full
enough to leak they should be covered with a pad of sterile absorbent
gauze.

Nursing mothers should guard against cracked nipples, as they are
exceedingly painful; frequently necessitating a discontinuance of nursing;
and may produce abscess of the breast.

TREATMENT OF CRACKED NIPPLES.--In addition to washing the nipples, drying
them thoroughly, and placing a pad of dry gauze over them after each
feeding, they should be painted with an 8 per cent. solution of nitrate of
silver twice daily. Before the next feeding, after the silver has been
used, they should be washed with cooled boiled water. If the cracks are
very bad it may be necessary to use a nipple-shield over them while nursing
for a few days.

TENDER NIPPLES.--Many women complain of the pain caused by the baby when it
is first put to the breast. These nipples are not cracked, they are simple
hypersensitive. They should be thoroughly cleansed and dried as above and
painted with the compound tincture of benzoin. They should be washed off
with the boracic acid solution before each feeding. After a few days under
this treatment the tenderness will leave them.

MASTITIS IN NURSING MOTHERS.--When inflammation of the breast takes [123]
place in a nursing mother it is the result of exposure to cold, or it may
result from injury. If infection occurs and an abscess develops, it results
from the entrance, through the nipples, or cracks, or fissures in the
nipple, of bacteria into the breast. There is fever, with chills and
prostration, and very soon it is impossible to nurse the child because of
the pain. Nursing should be immediately discontinued, the breast supported
by a bandage and the milk drawn, with a breast pump, at the regular nursing
intervals. An ice-bag should be constantly applied to the painful area and
the bowels kept freely open with a saline laxative. When the fever and the
pain subside nursing may be resumed.

If the gland suppurates in spite of treatment it must be freely opened and
freely drained.

WEANING

WHEN TO WEAN THE BABY.--Medically there is no exact time at which the baby
should be weaned. Certain conditions in