children mainly
from the milk of cows affected with this disease. Cows are exceedingly
liable to tuberculous disease of the udder. It is therefore very
difficult to get milk guaranteed free from the tubercle bacillus, and
recent examinations of that coming into Manchester and Liverpool showed
that from 18 to 29 per cent. contained this deadly germ. (Strange to
say, tubercular disease of the mother's breast is practically unknown,
and children never derive the disease from their mother's milk.) It is
therefore of the greatest importance that only the milk of cows proved
free from this disease should be used. The disease is easily detected,
and if a demand were created for milk guaranteed free from the germs,
dairymen would soon supply it.

Unless it is _absolutely certain_ the cows supplying the milk are free
from disease, the milk should be sterilised by heating to near boiling
point, and then cooling _rapidly_. If kept twelve hours, the boiled
taste goes off it, and children soon get to like it. Though sterilised
milk will keep for some time without getting sour, it should be
sterilised each day, specially if for infant use.

This treatment makes the milk keep without the use of preservatives,
such as boric acid. We regret to say the use of these is not illegal,
and they are largely used in preserving milk, butter, hams, etc. We
have seen very serious illnesses produced in children (and adults too)
by the heavy doses they have got when both the farmer and milk vendor
have added these preservatives. This they often do at the season when
the milk easily turns sour. Every care should therefore be taken to get
milk guaranteed free from these noxious drugs; and if this is
impossible, condensed milk should be used instead. As there is a great
variety of brands of condensed milk in the market, always choose one
which guarantees that the milk taken has been whole milk, and also
unsweetened.

Infants' Sleep.--_See_ Children's Sleep.

Infection.--Few things have so great and distressing effect as the fear
of infection in disease. As a rule this fear is not justified by the
facts, where ordinary precautions are taken. These precautions, too,
need not be costly, and involve in many cases little more than some
careful work. Where scarlet fever has shown itself in any household,
the very first thing is to see to the continuous freshening of the air
in the sick-room and in all the house. Ventilation is, indeed, the
first and