LII. Excessive Supply of Flow of Milk
TREATMENT. Bryonia. Secretion of milk so considerable as to distend the breasts and produced pain and oppression.
Calcarea. Profuse and continued flow of thin milk.
Cimicifuga. Depression of spirits, accompanying the excessive flow.
China. Debility, consequent on the profuseness.
ACCESSORY MEANS. Warm fomentations applied so as to maintain an equal temperature around the distended breasts are often very soothing to the patient. Gentle fractions with warm oil over the surface are useful in promoting absorption. As long as the involuntary discharge continues nipple-glasses for receiving the milk may be worn; but it is better to dispense with them, as they occasionally sustain the secretion.
LIII. Over-nursing.
The mother may suffer from the consequences of suckling, though not extended beyond the usual term, if her constitution is too feeble to sustain the drain even for a short time.
SYMPTOMS. A dragging sensation in the back when in the act of nursing the child, and a exhausted feeling of sinking and emptiness afterwards; general weariness and fatigue; unrefreshing sleep; dimness of vision; loss of appetite; dyspnoea and palpitation after exertion or ascending stairs. IF the nursing is continued, the patient become pale, thin, and weak; the night-sweats, swelling of the ankles, and nervousness follow..
CAUSES. The symptoms of prolonged nursing may occur, as before intimated, from inherent delicacy of constitution; from bearing children in to rapid succession; from imperfect nutrition; haemorrhage, abortion, Leucorrhoea, or nay other accidental cause of debility. Injurious consequences may result in the case of some women from nursing their children twelve, fourteen, or even eighteen months, under the erroneous impression that they will thus prevent pregnancy.
TREATMENT. China. Great weakness, noises in the ears, palpitation, swelling of the legs, etc., especially if the patient has been subject to night-sweats, excessive menstruation. Haemorrhages, or Leucorrhoea.
China is prime remedy in this condition.
Ferrum may follow, or be alternated with China.
Causticum. A sense of emptiness soon after satisfying a good appetite; irritable, easily vexed, or vehement nd resolute disposition; impaired memory, nervousness, and despondency; throbbing headache and noise in the ears; threatened Amaurosis; twitchings of the muscles; profuse Leucorrhoea.
Calcarea. Scrofulous or chlorotic symptoms, with loss of appetite, emaciation, and tendency to Consumption.
Lycopodium, Pulsatilla, Rhus., Bryonia, Phosphorus, or Cimic., may also be required.
ACCESSORY MEANS. Weaning should be commenced at once, as nothing short of this will in general avail; the attempt to force the supply of milk by large and frequent quantities of beer, wine, or spirits, will only tend to the more perfect exhaustion of the mother. In slighter cases, and when the infant is but a few months old, a good supply of plain, nourishing food will be productive of the happiest results in augmenting the secretion of milk. But unless the patient be strong, no attempt should be made to encourage the further flow of milk. The child should be fed in part with Sugar-of-Milk, which is the best substitute for breast milk. This article has now been extensively used; and in all cases in which infants are wholly or party deprived of the natural supply of milk, they should be fed with it, since it answers every purpose. It is readily and economically prepared, entirely supersedes the necessity for a wet nurse, and divests hand-feeding of danger. 1. Sugar-of-Milk, suitable for the above purpose, may be procured at any Homoeopathic Pharmacy.
LIV. Weaning.
The ordinary period for weaning is about the ninth month; and the time that the child is in good health, and free from the irritation of teething, should be chosen as the most appropriate. When weaning is decided upon, if the infant is strong, and especially if it has been accustomed to little varieties of food, it should take place at once. The mother may take the child as usual, and diminishing the supply from the breast, take care to satisfy its cravings with suitable food. As soon as the weaning is commenced, the mother should remain perfectly quite for a few days, in order that the swollen breasts may may not suffer form the motion of the arms or the pressure of the stays, and that the system may be free from excitement. She should take very light nourishment; refrain from food likely to induce thirst; take as little fluids as possible; and keep the breasts covered with some light, warm material.
TREATMENT. Bryonia Excessive quantity of milk, and painful distention of the breasts.
Belladonna. Redness of the breasts, and congested headache.
Calcarea, Pulsatilla, and Rhus., are sometimes required.
ACCESSORY MEANS. In addition to the suggestions offered above, if the flow of milk continue too abundant during the first few days of weaning, nipple-glasses may be used; but the breasts must not on any account be drawn. The skin may be softened by gentle frictions with the hands, lubricated with olive oil; and a bandage employed if necessary.
LICENTIATE OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF PHYSICIANS; MEMBER OF THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS; LICENTIATE IN MIDWIFERY, LONDON AND EDINBURGH, ETC. PHYSICIAN TO THE READING AND BERKSHIRE HOMOEOPATHIC DISPENSARY.
Author of "The Stepping Stone to Homeopathy and Health,"
"Manual of Homoeopathic Treatment". Editor of "The Homoeopathic World."