Some physicians also, to their discredit, are not slow in permitting an unjust opinion of a colleague to be spread around, by preserving a silence, when an explanation would result in an entirely different opinion by the patient. They permit it to be inferred that the physician was responsible for the tear, when such is not the case. No physician on earth can prevent a tear of the mouth of the womb and this should be explained to the patient. Where the physician is at fault is in the failure to examine his patients when it is possible to tell that a tear of any consequence exists. If such an examination is made, he is in a position to state that a tear exists of sufficient extent to justify careful attention. Immediate operation is seldom necessary, and if the patient is comparatively young, it may not be wise to operate, because if pregnancy takes place within a reasonable time the womb will again tear. She should be told, however, that should she not become pregnant during the next three years she should be examined from time to time, and if the condition of her womb, or her health suggest it, she should have the tear attended to. If after this explanation she neglects herself she must blame herself, she will at least have no[119] cause to harbor any resentment against her physician who has done all any physician is called upon to do under the circumstances. Another important reason for finding out the character of the laceration is because these lacerations of the mouth of the womb frequently cause sterility. * * * * * [121] CHAPTER X NURSING MOTHERS THE DIET OF NURSING MOTHERS--CARE OF THE NIPPLES--CRACKED NIPPLES--TENDER NIPPLES--MASTITIS IN NURSING MOTHERS--INFLAMMATION OF THE BREASTS--WHEN SHOULD A CHILD BE WEANED?--METHOD OF WEANING--NURSING WHILE MENSTRUATING--CARE OF BREASTS WHILE WEANING CHILD--NERVOUS NURSING MOTHERS--BIRTH MARKS--QUALIFICATIONS OF A NURSERY MAID. THE DIET OF NURSING MOTHERS.--A nursing mother should eat exactly the same diet as she has always been accustomed to before she became pregnant. If any article of diet disagrees with her she should give up that particular article. She should not experiment; simply adhere to what she knows agreed with her in the past. More, rather than less, should be taken, especially more liquids as they favor milk-making. It is sometimes advisable to drink an extra glass of milk in the mid-afternoon and before retiring. If milk disagrees, or is not liked, she may take clear soup or beef tea in place of it. In a general way milk in quantities not over one quart daily, eggs, meat, fish, poultry, cereals, green vegetables, and stewed fruit constitute a varied and ample dietary to select from.