Where the nipple is sore, it will either be from superficial ulcers, or cracks in the skin, either of which gives excessive pain and distress; and it often happens that after all manner of things have been ineffectually applied, the nipple will heal of itself. Wine, alum solution, and all si milar applications, give very great pain, though they seem to be the most benefi cial remedies of any that are in use. In deed it is extremely difficult to know what will answer best; if emollients be applied, less pain will be the immediate effect ; but they make the parts more tender, which, when the child sucks, will frequently bleed ; and this is unpleasant for several reasons. The child probably swallows the blood, and perhaps, on be ing sick, vomits it up again, to the great terror of the nurse, the mother, and all around them. If the sore be superficial, it will be much aggravated by sticking to the woman's clothes : in this case, a little cup made of wax is a good protection. The limpet shell will answer the same purpose, the edge being covered with sealing wax; or a walnut shell may do equally well. A fresh ivy leaf laid on af ter every suckling is very useful, the fine glaze will prevent it sticking, and as it preserves the parts from the clothes it is very pleasant. A careless woman, who does not attend to these apparent trifles, will frequently have the newly formed skin torn off from her nipple, by its fas tening to the covering of the breast. No plan however answers so well in all sore breasts as the false teat, as an application will then heal the nipple, or as it will heal without any.
Swelled Lego of Women. This is the last disease we shall notice. It ne ver arises before the third day, and rarely after three weeks from delivery. This disease occurs in women that have had hard labours, or easy labours; in strong constitutions, and in weak constitutions ; where there is milk in abundance, and where there is none at all ; whether the lochial discharge be great or little ; and whether the patient be fed high or fed low. So that there seems to be nothing either in the nature or constitution of the woman, which either causes or prevents it ; neither would it appear to be affected by the labour, as it seems to rise alike under all circumstances. It is said to de pend upon a translation of the lochial dis charge, but this is very absurd.
It commonly begins with shivering, the swelling being perceived either general or partial in the leg ; sometimes arising over the whole limb at once, and some times beginning in the ham. It seems to have some connexion with the absorbent glands, as it frequently commences in the groin, from which part the swelling will continue to extend, till the whole leg and thigh are as large as the body : in this way the leg will be distended to the greatest possible degree, without any redness tat inflammation ; but it will not bear movine : if the oatient be desired to move the limb, it gives her great pain.
Swellings in general will pit, but this does not; and it usually occupies one side on. ly ; this is observed by Dr. White, who states that even the labium of one side shall be tumid, while the other is quite unaffected.
The swelling too is of a peculiar cha racter ; if the band be drawn across the limb, it does not give the uniform sensa tion which is commonly felt in swellings, but resealles an infinite number of irre gularities, difficult to be described. The best idea that can be given of it is to sup pose a block, in shape resembling a leg, covered with brass nails of various sizes, and these covered• with skin stretched over it. The disease is acute, and the symptnms of fever will sometimes be con siderable, and then it is by no means sur prising that the secretion of milk is les sened, or the lochial discharge diminish ed, for the reason that the circulation is determined to other parts. In ten or twelve days the hardness of the swelling ceases, and the state of the disease is changed to a true oedema, and the limb remains weak for several months. Such a limb will always be more affected by cold than the other ; after any exercise, as dancing, it will be more stiff and weak the next morning than the other. This disease sometimes attacks both sides in succession ; it never occasions suppura tion. Dr. White indeed mentions one in. stance of this effect; but it is doubtful, from his description, whether it was this sort of swelling, for adema sometimes re sembles it very closely It is difficult to determine the cause of this alteration of parts, or change of or ganization. Dr. White attempted to ex plain it, by supposing that an absorbent vessel gives way at its entrance into the gland, and that the lymph, still passing upwards, overflows, and enters into the cavities of the cellular membrane, and there coagulating, gives the unequal feel observed. This, however, is by no means a satisfactory explanation of the nature of the disease. It is difficult to know how we are to proceed in the cure of a disease with which we are so little acquainted. It is certainly useful to keep the bowels open, and to promote a gentle but conti nued perspiration. For this purpose an. timonials and the saline draught will be efficacious; and when the pain is exces sive. opium should be given : if the fever be considerable, abstinence from animal food will be necessary. As to the limb it self. nothing gives more ease than laving it in a soft poultice, which will also have the good effect of up a gentle perspiration ; it forms the softest pillow that can be imagined, and never fails to bring relief.
Treatment of Infante. It is usual in tracts upon midwifery to enter upon this sub ject in detail ; but having already en larged upon it under the article INFANCY, we refer our reader to what we have there advanced, which we trust will be per fectly satisfactory.