Remarks on the Subject of Lactation | Page 6

about a month, under suitable treatment, completely got rid of all her former complaints: the child also immediately began to improve.
The present case clearly proves that the process of lactation will not invariably prevent the occurrence of pregnancy, since Mrs. A---- became in this state, notwithstanding she continued to suckle her child: and I think few will be so hardy as to doubt that it was the cause of her miscarrying: more particularly when I mention that, at a future period, the same lady, during my absence abroad, being once more persuaded to try whether she could not avoid becoming pregnant (which was very much to be desired, on account of her delicate state of health) by continuing to perform the duties of a nurse, again suffered all the distressing symptoms before described, and again miscarried.
This case, finally, affords evidence of the evil consequences often produced in children by impoverished and unhealthy milk; and of their speedy disappearance when the exciting cause--namely, deteriorated milk--is no longer afforded.
CHAPTER III.
On the various Diseases which frequently arise in Children from Lactation, especially when protracted.
Having thus briefly considered some of the disorders to which women are subjected by performing the first duty imposed upon them as mothers, I shall next advert to those which are very frequently observed in their children from being suckled during too long a period; or in consequence of the nurse's milk becoming either simply impoverished, or of a positively injurious quality.
These diseases are numerous, and some of them serious, among which may be enumerated the following; namely, vomiting, diarrh[oe]a, general debility, scrofula, tabes mesenterica,--rickets, convulsions, epilepsy,--and lastly meningitis, or that peculiar inflammation of the investing membranes of the brain which gives rise to the effusion of serum, constituting the well known and very fatal disease termed by medical practitioners Hydrocephalus, or Hydrencephalus, and popularly Water on the Brain.
The disease last mentioned being by far the most important, and that chiefly referred to in the following observations, I shall commence with a brief statement of the conclusions which my experience has led me to form respecting it; they are the same I made public four years ago[E], having since that time seen no reason to make any alteration in them. I believe,
1st,--That if children be suckled for an undue length of time[F], they will be liable in consequence to be affected with meningitis[G], or inflammation of the investing membranes of the brain.
2dly,--That should they not become affected with the disorder in question during or soon after the time they are thus improperly suckled, they will nevertheless acquire therefrom a predisposition to cephalic disease at some future period of their lives.
3dly,--That children who are suckled for an undue length of time, when labouring under other diseases, will be much more liable to have the head secondarily affected, than children brought up in a different manner.
4thly,--And lastly, that the same effects will take place in infants if suckled by women who have been delivered an undue[H] length of time; although the infants themselves may not have been at the breast for too long a period.
* * * * *
CASES IN ILLUSTRATION OF THE FOREGOING VIEWS.
I.
Cases of Meningitis[I] supervening upon protracted suckling.
CASE I.
---- Wilshire, aged two years seven months, died of 'Water on the brain,'--suckled twelve months.
CASE II.
---- Park, aged one year ten months, died of 'Water in the head,'--suckled fourteen months.
CASE III.
Prince V----, aged two years and a few months, died of Hydrencephalus,--suckled until his death. In this case I was consulted a short time previously, and recommended the breast-milk to be withheld--my advice was not followed.
CASE IV.
Emma Lane, aged two years, admitted at the Infirmary for Children for Meningitis,--suckled one year and eleven months.
CASE V.
The mother of the preceding suckled another child 'a very long period,' and it died of 'Water on the Brain.'
CASE VI.
Edmund Power, aged two years, still at the breast, admitted for Chronic Hydrocephalus: the head is of great magnitude; fontanelles open: superficial veins large and prominent.
CASE VII.
Sophia Hamley, aged one year two months, still at the breast, admitted for Meningitis.
CASE VIII.
William How, aged one year six months, admitted 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