a strip of muslin sufficiently wide to extend from above to well below the breasts.  If they are heavy and sagging place a layer of cotton at the outer border of each breast and they should be raised toward the middle line, the binder being pinned only tight enough to hold without pressing upon them.  The breasts should not be pressed upon by anything.  Shoulder straps can be pinned or sewed on the binder if it has a tendency to slip down.  Should the breasts be much swollen relief can be obtained by massage with warm olive oil and by the use of a breast pump.  The tips of the fingers only should be used in giving massage and the stroke should be light, from the circumference to the center.  Roughness and pressure must be avoided.

Inflammation of the breast, Abscess; Broken Breast.—­This usually results from germs.  The breast inflames, the milk tubes are choked and distended, there may be fever.  There is sometimes severe local pain, hard swelling and an abscess forms and if this breaks it is called broken breast.

[Obstetrics or midwifery 539]

Treatment, Preventive.—­Support breast with a binder.  The milk should not be allowed to accumulate and cake.  The breasts and nipples should be kept clean and dry.  Breast pump should be used if necessary to get out the surplus milk.  If the lumps continue and are painful, put cold applications to the breast.  Have child nurse at the other breast.  If it continues and will suppurate, apply moist heat, such as fomentations or poultices, and then open thoroughly.  Poke root makes a splendid poultice for caked breasts.  I have great faith in it.  At the same time I give of the tincture one drop doses every hour.  It is a splendid remedy and the poultice and remedy frequently stop the trouble.  Inflammation of the breasts sometimes occurs in babies, generally in the first weeks.  The swelling can be reduced by mild rubbing with warm carbolized oil used every day.  Do not rub hard enough to hurt the baby.  After the rubbing, absorbent cotton with carbolized oil should be applied and cover all with a thick layer of cotton held on with adhesives.  If the breasts form pus they must be opened.

Mothers’ remedies. 1.  Sore Breasts, a Never-Failing Remedy for.—­“Take a pint of raw linseed oil and four ounces tincture of camphor, mix and apply a cloth saturated in the liniment to the affected parts, taking care that the whole surface of the inflamed parts is covered with the liniment.  When the breasts become swollen or painfully inflamed, apply the liniment often to prevent gathering.”  Even if they have gathered it is an excellent outward application.  It allays pain, is extremely soothing and seldom fails to effect a cure.

2.  Swollen Breasts, an Herb Treatment for.—­“Chamomile flowers one ounce, marshmallow roots one ounce, bruise and boil in one quart of water down to a pint.  Foment the breast with this liquor as hot as can be borne; and then place the flowers and roots in a cloth and apply as a poultice.”