[OBSTETRICS OR MIDWIFERY 539]
Treatment, Preventive.—Support breast with a binder. The milk should not be allowed to accumulate and cake. The breasts and nipples should be kept clean and dry. Breast pump should be used if necessary to get out the surplus milk. If the lumps continue and are painful, put cold applications to the breast. Have child nurse at the other breast. If it continues and will suppurate, apply moist heat, such as fomentations or poultices, and then open thoroughly. Poke root makes a splendid poultice for caked breasts. I have great faith in it. At the same time I give of the tincture one drop doses every hour. It is a splendid remedy and the poultice and remedy frequently stop the trouble. Inflammation of the breasts sometimes occurs in babies, generally in the first weeks. The swelling can be reduced by mild rubbing with warm carbolized oil used every day. Do not rub hard enough to hurt the baby. After the rubbing, absorbent cotton with carbolized oil should be applied and cover all with a thick layer of cotton held on with adhesives. If the breasts form pus they must be opened.
MOTHERS' REMEDIES. 1. Sore Breasts, a Never-Failing Remedy for.—"Take a pint of raw linseed oil and four ounces tincture of camphor, mix and apply a cloth saturated in the liniment to the affected parts, taking care that the whole surface of the inflamed parts is covered with the liniment. When the breasts become swollen or painfully inflamed, apply the liniment often to prevent gathering." Even if they have gathered it is an excellent outward application. It allays pain, is extremely soothing and seldom fails to effect a cure.
2. Swollen Breasts, an Herb Treatment for.—"Chamomile flowers one ounce, marshmallow roots one ounce, bruise and boil in one quart of water down to a pint. Foment the breast with this liquor as hot as can be borne; and then place the flowers and roots in a cloth and apply as a poultice."
3. Sore Breasts, a Hot Poultice for.—"Apply hot pancakes made of sour milk, saleratus and wheat flour, large enough to cover affected parts. Keep them changed often enough, so they will not be cold. This is an excellent remedy to steam out the inflammation." This is an old tried remedy and one to be relied upon. The steaming relieves the swelling and inflammation and gives relief quickly.
4. Caked Breasts, Fresh Hops for.—"Fry one pint of fresh hops in a half cup of lard until the lard is a rich brown, then strain, set away to cool and use as a salve."
5. Sore Breasts, a Poultice of Peach Leaves for.—"Take enough peach tree leaves to mix well with meal and water to the consistency of a poultice." This poultice should be applied hot, but should only be used in cases where the breast has matter or pus in it.
MOTHERS' REMEDIES.—l. Sore Nipples, a Good Wash for.—"Brandy and water mixed together and put on the nipples will harden them but should be washed off before the child nurses. If they are cracked, apply glycerin with starch, or arnica ointment."
2. Sore Nipples, Good Family Ointment for.—"Four ounces of white wax, one ounce bayberry wax, three ounces of spermaceti, one pint olive oil. Mix briskly over a slow fire, taking care to stir it briskly until cool." This is an excellent ointment for mothers when troubled with sore nipples; it moistens the skin and forms a coating. It is good for dry, scurvy, chapped hands, blotches on the face and all sores which require a mild ointment, but should be assisted with internal remedies when the case requires it.