e supply of milk can easily be increased in
quantity and correspondingly improved in quality if the mother will
drink freely of cow's milk, and use other substantial foods at the same
time. If the milk is constipating, or rests heavy on the stomach, then a
little lime water may be added to it in the proportion of one or two
tablespoonfuls to a glass of milk. Regular exercise in the open air is
also necessary in order that the general health may be kept in the best
possible condition.

=Anger May Poison Milk.=--It is a fact that if the child nurses after the
mother has had a severe fright, or has become violently angry, the milk
will sometimes act as an intense poison. In such cases the mother had
better empty the breasts with a breast-pump, and not nurse the child for
ten or twelve hours afterward, substituting some artificially prepared
food.

=Extra Supply of Milk.=--Sometimes the secretion of milk is so great that
even a strong child cannot take it all. This produces a distention of
the breasts, causing what is known as "caked breasts," or "milk cake."
This should be promptly attended to, as there is great danger of an
abscess forming.

=To Prevent Caked Breasts.=--The way to relieve this condition is to
gently but firmly rub the breasts with warm sweet-oil, continuing this
for fifteen or twenty minutes at a time. An occasional use of the
breast-pump is necessary also.

=How to Diminish Supply.=--When weaning-time comes, the question arises
how the secretion of milk may be diminished. This is best done by having
the mother take as little liquid as possible, whether of water, tea,
milk, soup, or anything of this kind. She should also take a gentle
laxative each day, as a little Hunyadi Water, or laxative mineral water
of any kind.

Then support the breasts by passing a broad band beneath them, and
carrying it over the shoulders, compressing the breasts slightly, but
not too greatly.

The breast-pump should be used as soon as any distention becomes
painful, and the breasts should be diligently rubbed with warm
sweet-oil. =If you do not understand your ailments write to Mrs. Pinkham,
Lynn, Mass. Her advice is free and always helpful. Such letters are
strictly confidential and answered with the help of women only.=

CHAPTER XII.

TO PREVENT CONVULSIONS AT CHILDBIRTH.

=Work of the Kidneys Most Important.=--The kidneys are constantly engaged
in removing from the body certain poisonous substances which