Remarks on the Subject of Lactation | Page 7

for
Meningitis,--suckled thirteen months.
CASE IX.
David Hepburn, aged two years six months, admitted for
Meningitis,--suckled two years four months.
CASE X.
Samuel Hanks, aged one year nine months, admitted for
Meningitis,--suckled one year eight months.
CASE XI.
Amelia Hill, aged two years six months, admitted for
Meningitis,--suckled one year nine months.
CASE XII.
---- Hughes, died of 'Water in the head,'--suckled fourteen months.
CASE XIII.
---- Ferreira, aged seventeen months, died of 'Water in the
head,'--suckled until its death.
For the five following cases I am indebted to the kindness of Mr.
William Griffith, an intelligent surgeon of Eaton-street, who, having
some time ago been apprised of my peculiar views, has since directed
his attention particularly to the subject. They completely confirm my
opinions, and will have more weight with the public than any additional

evidence I could adduce from my own practice.
In the letter inclosing these cases, Mr. Griffith writes thus--'from the
observations I have been enabled to make, I am led to believe that
disease almost invariably follows protracted suckling. I may add in
conclusion, that I perfectly concur with the views which you entertain
on the subject.'
CASES XIV. XV.
'---- Jackson, residing at ----, aged two years six months, who had been
kept at the breast twenty-two months, was in a dying state when I was
requested to see her. The pulse was preternaturally slow--great
stupor--dilatation of the pupils, and diastasis of the bones of the head.
In six hours from the time I first saw her she died, and the mother was
desirous that the head should be examined, having lost a child
previously, in what she considered a similar manner. On removing the
scalp I found the cranium very much enlarged and altered in shape.
Between the tunica arachnoides and pia mater, there was a quantity of
water effused;--the sides and upper surface of the brain were
exceedingly soft. In the lateral ventricles there were from six to eight
ounces of water. In answer to a few questions I asked the mother, she
stated that her former child was, during the first ten months of its life, a
plump, healthy infant,--after that period he altered,--the stomach,
bowels, and head became affected, and, in the course of a few months,
he manifested similar symptoms to those which proved fatal in the case
of his sister. He was suckled for twenty-one months, and died at the age
of twenty-seven months. The mother of these children has one other
child alive, and at my urgent request it was weaned at nine months,--it
is now seventeen months old, and in excellent health.'
CASE XVI.
'Mrs. A----, of ----, had a little boy who at ten months old had nine teeth,
which were cut with little or no difficulty:--at this time he was in good
health,--he was allowed the breast until nineteen months, and at the
expiration of three months more, died of Hydrocephalus.'

CASE XVII.
'Mrs. T---- lost a child of Hydrocephalus, and has an infant now at the
breast seventeen months old;--the little patient is frequently suffering
from cerebral disturbance. I have repeatedly advised the mother to
wean it--she objects, and gives the usual reason for allowing it to
remain at the breast--viz., that she does it to prevent becoming again
enceinte.'
CASE XVIII.
'This day, (August 13, 1831,) a little child labouring under cerebral
disease was brought to me for advice, and he appeared certainly in a
most pitiable state; he is two years four months old and is now at the
breast,--I do not think it possible for him to survive many days.'
II.
Cases of Meningitis, arising at an after period, in consequence of
protracted suckling.
CASE XIX.
Francis Page, aged six years, admitted for Meningitis,--suckled one
year.
CASE XX.
Henry Taylor, aged six years, admitted for Meningitis,--suckled
fourteen months.
CASE XXI.
Julia Brown, aged three years, admitted for Meningitis,--suckled
thirteen months.
CASE XXII.
James Neil, aged seven years six months, admitted for

Meningitis,--suckled fourteen months.
CASE XXIII.
Eliza Park, aged six years, laboured under Meningitis,--suckled
fourteen months.
CASE XXIV.
Charles Dale, aged five years; admitted for Meningitis--suckled thirteen
months.
CASE XXV.
Sarah Strickling, aged four years; admitted for Meningitis--suckled one
year and six months.
CASES XXVI. XXVII. XXVIII.
The mother of the last mentioned child lost three previously, with
'water in the head:'--all these were suckled more than eighteen months.
CASE XXIX.
George Speering, aged four years; admitted for Meningitis--suckled one
year and six months.
CASE XXX.
Ann Archer, aged seven years; admitted for
Hydrocephalus--died--suckled three years.
CASE XXXI.
Cornelius Leary, aged six years; admitted for Meningitis--died--suckled
eighteen months.
CASE XXXII.

Sophia Peverel, aged three years; admitted for Meningitis--suckled two
years.
CASE XXXIII.
Maria Turley, aged four years; admitted for Meningitis--died--suckled
one year three months. This child had laboured under a previous attack,
from which