ADVANTAGES OF PUTTING BABY TO THE BREAST EARLY AFTER BIRTH.--The patient can now take, and will likely be ready for, an hour's nap. After the rest it is desirable to put the baby to the nipple, first carefully cleaning the nipple with a soft piece of sterile gauze dipped in a saturated solution of boracic acid. The reasons for this are as follows: 1st. There is in the breasts of every woman after confinement a secretion known as "colostrum" which has the property of acting as a laxative to the child, in addition to being a food. 2nd. It is advisable that the child's bowels should move during the first twenty-four hours and the colostrum was put there partly for that purpose. 3rd. The act of suckling has a well-known influence on the womb, in [109] that it distinctly aids in contracting it, and thereby expelling blood-clots and small shreds of the after-birth which might cause trouble if left in. 4th. By nursing the colostrum out of the breasts, it will favor and hasten the secretion of milk. 5th. It is frequently easier for the baby to get the nipple before the breast is full of milk, and having once had the nipple it will be easier to induce him to take it again when it is more difficult to get. THE FIRST LUNCH AFTER LABOR.--Lunch will be next in order, and that should consist of a clear soup,--chicken broth, mutton broth, beef broth with a few Graham wafers or biscuits, and a cup of custard or rice pudding. This will be the lunch for the two following days also. The same precautions are to be observed in giving this as were observed with breakfast and as will be observed with all other meals as clearly stated before, and repeated again, so that no mistake may be made. In the middle of the afternoon the patient can take a cup of beef tea or a cup of warm milk. THE FIRST DINNER AFTER LABOR.--Dinner will consist of more broth, or a plate of clear consomme with a dropped egg, or a cereal, a little boiled rice with milk, and stewed prunes, or a baked apple. After the bowels have moved, on the third day, and provided the temperature and pulse have been normal since the confinement, the patient can be put on an ordinary mixed diet, particulars regarding which are given on page 121 under the heading "Diet for the nursing mother." * * * * * [111] CHAPTER IX CONFINEMENT INCIDENTS REGARDING THE DREAD AND FEAR OF CHILDBIRTH--THE WOMAN WHO DREADS CHILDBIRTH--REGARDING THE USE OF ANESTHETICS IN CONFINEMENTS--THE PRESENCE OF FRIENDS AND RELATIVES IN THE CONFINEMENT CHAMBER--HOW LONG SHOULD A WOMAN STAY IN BED AFTER A CONFINEMENT?--WHY DO PHYSICIANS PERMIT WOMEN TO GET OUT OF BED BEFORE THE WOMB IS BACK IN ITS PROPER PLACE?--LACERATIONS, THEIR MEANING AND THEIR SIGNIFICANCE--THE ADVANTAGE OF AN EXAMINATION SIX WEEKS AFTER THE CONFINEMENT--THE PHYSICIAN WHO DOES NOT TELL ALL OF THE TRUTH