ALL which, notwithstanding, there is sometimes a Necessity (on account of sundry Reasons) to provide another NURSE for the CHILD; wherefore I come now briefly to describe the most proper Person for this TRUST, and to set forth the Qualities of the most convenient MILK, for the wholesome Nourishment of the Infant.
FIRST then, the NURSE ought to be a Woman between the 20th and 35th Year of her Age, perfectly graced with the Blessings and Ornaments of Nature; and a Person of Probity and Reputation in her Rank, endued with Love, Pity, and Tender-heartedness: As she also ought to be sound and healthy, of a good Habit and Disposition of Body and Mind, of a sanguine Complexion, and rosy Colour; of a middle Stature, having black or brown Hair, a lively Eye, sweet Breath, sound and white Teeth, with an agreeable chearful Countenance. In short, she ought also to be a well-mannered, modest, and sober Person, having middle-sized, well shaped, not flabby nor hanging down, but solid fleshy Breasts, with elegant, firm, and well perforated Nipples.
SECONDLY, As to her MILK, it ought neither to be too new, nor too old; but at any time from the Puerperial Flux, until the 6th or 8th Month thereafter, it is not to be rejected; especially if it be of a good Consistence, neither too thick nor too thin, of a pure white Colour, an agreeable pleasant Smell, and a perfect sweet Taste.
BUT it sometimes however happens, that the Milk of a NURSE, otherways a very proper Person, degenerates from some of the abovesaid Qualities: In which Case it is no ways convenient to change the NURSE, especially if it so happen to the Mother; only the MILK is to be corrected according to Art, which may be easily performed by proper Medicinal Means, and that as well with respect to its Quality as Quantity: However, as this Case belongs to the SYMPTOMS of the Breasts, which I have already declined speaking to, as in the foregoing Chapter, so I shall no ways enter upon it in this Place. But again——
THIRDLY as to her Regimen, such a Nurse is to make use of, and enjoy a good and convenient Diet; abstaining carefully from all salt and sharp Victuals, as well as from high-spiced Meats, and strong or spirituous Liquors. In short, as she ought to avoid all Sorts of intemperate Air, and keep herself clean both in Person and Cloaths; so she ought always to exercise herself by some light Labour, and keep herself in a moderate active Motion; prudently suppressing, at all Times and upon all Occasions, the various Passions of the Mind: By which means, any Woman as above described, may make a very good NURSE, and that even without abstaining altogether either from the moderate Use of Wine, or of Conjugal Conversation; notwithstanding the contrary Opinion of most Authors, provided only that she does not give the CHILD suck for an Hour or two after Copulation.
CHAP. IX.
Of the Diet and Ablactation, together with the farther Regimen of the CHILD.
BESIDES the external and internal Excrements mention’d in the foregoing Chapter, the Infant in a few days after BIRTH, pukes up a certain Sort of viscid Phlegm; for which Reason it ought to have no SUCK until this Humour be evacuated, lest the Milk incorporating with that Matter, both should corrupt: To prevent which Inconveniency, some order a little Oil of sweet Almonds by Expression, and a small Quantity of Sugar-Candy, or a little fresh Butter and Honey mixed.
INSTEAD of which, however, I have seen some Jewish Matrons give also the new-born Child for the first Thing, a little Salt dissolv’d and mix’d in a Spoonful of Hysop, or Saxifrage-Water; which (tho’ no improper Prescription in itself) yet I conceive their chief Reason for it to proceed from Ezek. 16. 4. where the Lord summing up the Duty of the MIDWIFE, says, Thou wast not salted at all, &c. Again farther——
THE Learned Arnoldus de Villa Nova, advises us to give the CHILD, for the first Thing, half a Scruple of fine pulverized Coral in a little of the Woman’s MILK; and that (says he) to prevent FITS, to which new-born Children are very subject.