_Vomiting_ is an important phenomenon. It may be due to overfeeding, to excess of sugar or fat in the food, or to pyloric stenosis. Excess of fat is shown by vomiting and regurgitation of small quantities of food one or two hours after feeding. It may be associated with constipation. If vomiting occurs immediately after feeding, it is probably due to the taking of an excessive amount, or to the too rapid ingestion of the regular bottle. If the vomiting takes place later than twenty minutes after feeding, it is probably pathological. It may be the result of indigestion, meningitis, or of pyloric stenosis (q. v.). For the first weeks of life, mother’s milk should be obtained at all hazards, if possible, but if this is not to be had, the artificial feedings may be started. A desirable milk modification for the first weeks of life should begin with a low food value. For example, a child one week old weighing seven pounds, should start on a formula like this: Whole milk 7 oz. Water 7 oz. Cane sugar ½ oz. Boil two minutes. This will make seven feedings of 2 oz. each, and one is given every three hours with one feeding omitted at night. Cane sugar is _less_ liable to produce colic than sugar of milk. Lime water, or sodium citrate may be added, if the child vomits, or if other indications arise. Both are alkalies. The strength of the mixture, as well as the quantity, must be increased as the child gets older and it is seen that the formula will agree. The percentage of protein is kept down by dilution, with plain or cereal water, while fats (as cream) and sugars are added to make up the strength lost by the dilution. CHAPTER XXIII CLEANLINESS AND STERILIZATION