Every nursing mother should have one daily movement of the bowels; she should get three or four hours' exercise in the open air every day; and she should nurse her child regularly. The diet of the nursing mother during the period immediately after confinement is given elsewhere. Alcohol, of all kinds, should be absolutely avoided during the entire period of nursing. Drugs of every variety, or for any purpose, should never be taken unless by special permission of her physician. CARE OF THE NIPPLES.--As soon as the mother has had a good sleep after the confinement the nipples should be washed with a saturated solution of [122] boracic acid, and the child allowed to nurse. The milk does not come into the breast for two or three days, but the child should nurse every four hours during that time. There is secreted at this time a substance called colostrum. This is a laxative agent which nature intends the child should have as it tends to move the bowels and at the same time it appeases the hunger of the infant. It also accustoms the child to nursing and gradually prepares the nipples for the work ahead of them. After each nursing the nipples should be carefully washed with the same solution and thoroughly dried. CRACKED NIPPLES.--Cracked nipples often result from lack of care and cleanliness. If they are not cared for as described above they are very apt during the first few days to crack. They should never be left moist. They should be washed and dried after every feeding. If the breasts are full enough to leak they should be covered with a pad of sterile absorbent gauze. Nursing mothers should guard against cracked nipples, as they are exceedingly painful; frequently necessitating a discontinuance of nursing; and may produce abscess of the breast. TREATMENT OF CRACKED NIPPLES.--In addition to washing the nipples, drying them thoroughly, and placing a pad of dry gauze over them after each feeding, they should be painted with an 8 per cent. solution of nitrate of silver twice daily. Before the next feeding, after the silver has been used, they should be washed with cooled boiled water. If the cracks are very bad it may be necessary to use a nipple-shield over them while nursing for a few days. TENDER NIPPLES.--Many women complain of the pain caused by the baby when it is first put to the breast. These nipples are not cracked, they are simple hypersensitive. They should be thoroughly cleansed and dried as above and painted with the compound tincture of benzoin. They should be washed off with the boracic acid solution before each feeding. After a few days under this treatment the tenderness will leave them.