As a rule, those of largest experience find they get the best results from rather low-percentage mixtures. D. J. Evans (Montreal Med. Jour., Oct., '97).
Five deaths among forty-two children suckled on the various samples of milk submitted to analysis. In each of the fatal cases, with one exception, the per centage of proteids was high, ranging from 2.05 to 4.02. In every case but three of the whole number in which the proteids exceeded 2.5 per cent. the milk disagreed. Variations in the percentage of the other ingredients seem to be much more readily borne. The composition of milk which agrees with the infants is as follows:— Sheridan Delepine (Brit. Med. Jour., Jan. 22, '93).
The percentages recommended by Rotch in the case of children premature at the twenty-eighth week are as fol low:— Proteid, 0.5 per cent.; fat, 1.0 per cent.; sugar, 3.0 per cent.; 24 meals each of 1 drachm; heat to 167° F. and make slightly alkaline.
These amounts can be gradually in creased until at the thirty-sixth week the child will be taking such a mixture as this: proteid, 1.0 per cent.; fat, 2.0
per cent.; sugar, 5.5 per cent.; and, if it thrives, further additions can be made until the composition resembles that of good human milk.
If modified milk be not obtainable, the child must be fed upon humanized milk, if necessary diluted, or condensed milk sufficiently diluted, or a, mixture of boiled cows' milk, water, and cream, in the proportion of about 1 part of milk to 4 of water, with V2 teaspoonful of 4— cream to the ounce, if it can be obtained fresh and good.
Very premature children must at first be fed every hour, and not more than 1 to 2 drachms must be given at a, time. The amount of food given and the in tervals between the meals must be very gradually and carefully increased. If the child he very feeble, brandy may be given, about 5 drops every two hours, repeated as often as may be necessary, and if it at any time become markedly cyanotic, oxygen gas should be adminis tered. It may be given from five to ten minutes two or three or more times a day. G. F. Blacker (Practitioner, July, '98).