are of the Breasts.--Careful attention should be given them from the
first. The nipples should be bathed after labor, with an antiseptic lotion
(bichloride, 1-2000), dried and then covered with castor oil, a small
square of clean sterile gauze being laid over each to protect the
clothing. Bathe the nipples before and after each nursing with a warm
saturated solution of boric acid and dry them carefully. The breasts may
be supported by a binder, made of a strip of muslin sufficiently wide to
extend from above to well below the breasts. If they are heavy and sagging
place a layer of cotton at the outer border of each breast and they should
be raised toward the middle line, the binder being pinned only tight
enough to hold without pressing upon them. The breasts should not be
pressed upon by anything. Shoulder straps can be pinned or sewed on the
binder if it has a tendency to slip down. Should the breasts be much
swollen relief can be obtained by massage with warm olive oil and by the
use of a breast pump. The tips of the fingers only should be used in
giving massage and the stroke should be light, from the circumference to
the center. Roughness and pressure must be avoided.

INFLAMMATION OF THE BREAST, Abscess; Broken Breast.--This usually results
from germs. The breast inflames, the milk tubes are choked and distended,
there may be fever. There is sometimes severe local pain, hard swelling
and an abscess forms and if this breaks it is called broken breast.

[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
ca