It should not be mixed with the water or sugar
until wanted, and not more made than will be taken by the child at the
time, for it must be prepared fresh at every meal. It is best not to
heat the milk over the fire, but let the water be in a boiling state
when mixed with it, and thus given to the infant tepid or lukewarm.
As the infant advances in age, the proportion of milk may be gradually
increased; this is necessary after the second month, when three parts
of milk to one of water may be allowed. But there must be no change in
the kind of diet if the health of the child is good, and its appearance
perceptibly improving. Nothing is more absurd than the notion, that in
early life children require a variety of food; only one kind of food is
prepared by nature, and it is impossible to transgress this law without
marked injury.
If cow's milk disagree with an infant--and this is sometimes
unfortunately the case, even from its birth ass's milk,--diluted with
one third its quantity of water, may be given as a substitute. I am now
attending a lady in her fourth confinement, who is unable, from defect
in her nipples, to suckle her children. The first child had a healthy
wet-nurse, and has grown a fine healthy lad. The second, a girl, was
unfortunate in her nurse, she being of a strumous and unhealthy
constitution, although to a casual observer bearing the appearance of
health.
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