ious, heat developing by
reaction. Fluid magnesia is often helpful."--DR. RIDGE.

CHAPTER IX.

ALCOHOL AND NURSING MOTHERS.

It frequently happens that the nursing mother is unable by reason of
defective digestive apparatus, or imperfect assimilative powers, to
supply sufficient nourishment for her babe. In such case she is often
advised to drink ale or beer. It is true that these liquors will excite
the secretions of the mammary gland, but it is increase in quantity, not
in quality, for the milk is impoverished by the added water and alcohol,
taken in the beer. Milkmen sometimes salt cows heavily so that they will
drink largely of water, and thus give more milk, but one quart of good,
rich milk is worth three quarts of the poor, thin stuff resulting from
such method. It is proper feeding, and care, that ensure good milk.

When women complain that they are unable to nurse their babies the cause
is often an error in diet. Too great reliance is put upon meat as
strength-giving. While meat, used in moderation, may be valuable to many
persons, the nursing mother should not depend upon it to any great
extent. She will find farinaceous foods, with plenty of warm milk, what
she most requires. At bedtime she should have a bowl of well-cooked
oatmeal gruel, diluted with rich milk, and sweetened, if she prefer it
so. The milk should be added to the gruel while it is boiling, as it
digests more readily if scalded. People who cannot, or think they
cannot, take milk of itself, often find it easy to digest it, after it
is scalded in the gruel. Anything that a mother can do in the way of
nourishing her babe will be done upon such a diet, that is, farinaceous
foods and milk. Sweet fruits are of course valuable also, as tending to
keep the system in good order.

It is well to bear in mind that it is not the quantity of food eaten,
but that which is digested, and assimilated, that goes to build up the
tissues of the body. So the habit of eating between meals is pernicious,
as it disturbs the digestive processes, and robs the stomach of
much-needed rest. This habit is the cause, in many cases, of the falling
off in the milk after the first month or two.

As nourishment for both mother and babe can come from food only, good
appetite, and good digestion are essential to health and strength. The
very best help towards gaining a good appetite is exercise in the open
air. All mothers recognize the need of keeping their little