3.  Sore Breasts, a Hot Poultice for.—­“Apply hot pancakes made of sour milk, saleratus and wheat flour, large enough to cover affected parts.  Keep them changed often enough, so they will not be cold.  This is an excellent remedy to steam out the inflammation.”  This is an old tried remedy and one to be relied upon.  The steaming relieves the swelling and inflammation and gives relief quickly.

4.  Caked Breasts, Fresh Hops for.—­“Fry one pint of fresh hops in a half cup of lard until the lard is a rich brown, then strain, set away to cool and use as a salve.”

5.  Sore Breasts, a Poultice of Peach Leaves for.—­“Take enough peach tree leaves to mix well with meal and water to the consistency of a poultice.”  This poultice should be applied hot, but should only be used in cases where the breast has matter or pus in it.

Mothers’ remedies.—­l.  Sore Nipples, a Good Wash for.—­“Brandy and water mixed together and put on the nipples will harden them but should be washed off before the child nurses.  If they are cracked, apply glycerin with starch, or arnica ointment.”

2.  Sore Nipples, Good Family Ointment for.—­“Four ounces of white wax, one ounce bayberry wax, three ounces of spermaceti, one pint olive oil.  Mix briskly over a slow fire, taking care to stir it briskly until cool.”  This is an excellent ointment for mothers when troubled with sore nipples; it moistens the skin and forms a coating.  It is good for dry, scurvy, chapped hands, blotches on the face and all sores which require a mild ointment, but should be assisted with internal remedies when the case requires it.

[540 Mothers’ remedies]

The Lochia.—­By this term is meant the discharges from the womb and soft parts after labor.  They are mixed with blood at first and contain dark clots, mucus, shreds of the after-birth and pieces of the membrane.  They become paler in color from the end of the third to the sixth day.  After this the color is yellow, greenish and contains pus and fatty cells, with a little blood.  This discharge varies in different women.  In those who menstruate freely and do not nurse they are usually copious; when decomposed, they smell badly and the odor is penetrating.  The flow may cease entirely between the second and sixth week.  It is increased by exertions at about the time the patient begins to move about.

Diet.—­This should consist at first of liquid, unstimulating food, given in small quantities and frequently.  If the baby does not nurse, the liquids should be restricted.  Some women on the first day can take milk, milk toast, or if desired, dry or buttered toast with coffee, tea, weak cocoa, according to the patient’s taste.  Water may be given if desired.  On the second and third days, simple soups or any of the following may be added to the dietary:  Meat broths, beef tea, soft boiled or poached eggs, raw or stewed oysters (no vinegar or spices) and some simple dessert, such as boiled custard