Page:Willich, A. F. M. - The Domestic Encyclopædia (Vol. 1, 1802).djvu/367

BRE from an incapacity of the child to empty, or relieve, them by i sucking, the vessels are consider- ably distended, and the breasts so completely filled as to occasion much pain to the mother. This practice is severely censured by the Rev. C. Crutwell, in his " Ad- vice to Lying-in Women," publish- ed in 1/79 : an d he is of opinion that the attempt is unnatural, as applying a different agent from that designed by Nature ; and in- delicate, because a disease of a ma- lignant tendency may thus be easi- ly communicated ; while it is pain- ful and dangerous to the patient. According to his experience, the ne- glect of drawing the breasts has ne- ver been prejudicial. IF, says he, they were not touched during this state of fulness, hardness, or inflamma- tion, but the whole suffered to subside, which would happen in a few hours, the child might then be safely put to the breast. It is the application of too great force in drawing them, or placing the child to suck at an improper time, and not the delay, wh-ch causes the mischief. If the infant cannot be suckled the first day, or befor hardness appears, it should b ferred till the breast becomes soft. This callosity is chiefly procV by some external injury, Mich as drawing the breasts, heated rooms, hot and stimulating liquors, n cines, &c. all of which contril to excite inflammation, c a slight degree of irrita ' to occasion a milk -fever, absce- or both. — See Njtplss and Suck- ling. BREATH, fetid, a misfortune to which many persons are though they appear to be in per- fect health. It may arise from va- rious causes, the principal of which S R E [335 are, carious teeth, putrid gums, ul- r some pe- culiarity in the constitution of the individual. It it originate from hollow teeth, care should be taken that no fi mehts of provisions, and espo cheese, remain in them, after 1 it- ing : hence the mouth ought to be washed or properly rinsed after every meal with tepid water, or lukewarm chamomile tea. A simi- lar precaution is nece»sarv, whea the teeth are carious, or the gums in a flaccid and spongy state : but if the lungs or other organs of re- spiration be diseased, due re ought to be paid to the primary af- fection, of which we. shall treat under the head of Pulmokakt Consumptiow. In tliis case, as well as in some peculiar habits, where the real cause of fetid gums cannot be easily ascertained, the skill of the practitioner is frequently baffi. we shall veritur 1 suggest a remedy which has, in a great variety of instances, been at- tended with the desired effect. Many persons afflicted with that reeable complaint are, also, subject to habitual costiveness, which cannot, in general, be re- d without administering lax- atives : the-e, by relaxing the bowels, ultimately tend to in- On the other hai 1, w< have observed from e, that fi- i'-red chart and kept fa : a remarkable , with- out ; • : de- •. specially if it be mi of yellow r this purpose, a table- i with a e taken two or according to