entirely possible so to prepare
the nipple for this exposure, during the last months of pregnancy,
that all this discomfort and pain may be entirely avoided (See
chapter, "The Hygiene of Pregnancy").

Before the mother is put to rest after the birth of the baby the
breasts are prepared as follows: A thorough cleansing with soap and
water is followed by a careful disinfection with alcohol which leaves
the nipple perfectly dry. A soft sterile pad is then applied and held
in place by a breast binder. Before and after each nursing the nipple
and surrounding area is swabbed with boracic acid (saturated solution)
and carefully dried by applying a clean, dry, sterile pad.

Painful cracks and fissures are nearly always due to lack of the care
described above, and are almost wholly preventable. When the first
crack appears and nursing becomes painful, the baby's mouth should not
touch the nipple again until healing has taken place. A thorough
cleansing with boiled water should be made and then the sterile nipple
shield should be applied through which baby will get abundant
satisfaction, while the mother is spared the pain, and the nipple has
an opportunity to get well.

In the case of sore and cracked nipples, thorough cleansing with
boiled water and boracic acid solution follows each nursing seance;
and, after careful drying, balsam peru--equal parts with
glycerine--may be applied with a tiny piece of sterile gauze or
cotton; a sterile cotton pad is then applied to each breast which is
held in place by a breast binder.

The nipple shield, when employed, is boiled after each nursing and
washed in boracic acid solution just before each nursing. The
strictest cleanliness must be observed, and then we hope to bring
relief and comfort to the mother, and effect the saving of nature's
best food for the baby.

CONSTITUENTS OF MOTHER'S MILK

Mother's milk--that wonderfully adaptable, ever-changing food, so
accurately and scientifically suited to the hourly and daily needs of
the growing child--is composed of five different parts, totally unlike
in every particular, and each part exactly suited to the needs which
it supplies. The cream of the milk, as well as the lactose or sugar,
builds up the fatty tissues of the body as well as helps provide the
energy for crying, nursing, kicking, etc. The proteins (the curd of
the milk) are exceedingly important; they are especially devoted to
building up the cells and tissues of the body