It is a very serious matter for the swelling to _indurate_ or harden, as it sometimes will, without either scattering or dispersing, as it is then constantly liable to become worse again, besides destroying the structure of the gland. Every means should therefore be used to prevent this, by promoting its dispersion or discharge, in the way already pointed out. It is also very good in these cases to bathe frequently with alum water, or decoction of white oak bark, or even to rub on some of the _Ointment of Hydriodate of Potassa_, diluted with an equal weight of fresh lard. A piece as large as a hickory nut may be well rubbed on twice a day, for three or four days, but it should be stopped immediately the swelling begins to subside, and not used again unless it still remains or again increases. In many cases pretty frequent friction, with the hand anointed with a little oil, will be all sufficient, especially if a hot fomentation be used afterwards. _Excoriations, or Cracks in the Breasts._--The annoyance from this cause is sometimes very great, the pain which is experienced when the child begins to nurse being so acute that it is impossible for the mother to allow it to remain. Frequently I have known it compel weaning much earlier than was desirable, and sometimes it has even been so bad, that the dress could scarcely be borne against the breasts. The precise cause of this liability to crack is not known, nor do we know of any certain means to prevent it. In many cases however I have known it prevented, to a great extent, by having the nipple gently sucked, very frequently, for six weeks or two months before childbirth. This hardens it, and if a wash of borax water be also used, after each time, it will be gradually prepared for its proper use. Our means of curing this troublesome affection are very limited, and frequently everything fails that is tried. The mucilage of Quince seed, prepared by bruising and boiling them in a small quantity of water, rubbed over the sores with a soft feather, immediately after nursing, often does much good. The mucilage from the tender tops of young sassafras sometimes succeeds better than that from the Quince, and a bruised leaf from the large _horse-shoe Geranium_, laid on like a poultice, is sometimes better than either. A good lotion may also be made with a quarter of an ounce of borax, and a tea-spoonful of laudanum, to half a pint of warm water, to be used frequently during the day. Some females use a wash made of saleratus, with considerable benefit, and others find relief from one made of nut galls, or white oak bark. Most of these means however are well known, and many others also, which, like them, sometimes succeed and often fail. The artificial nipple, or _shield_, should be tried if none of these means succeed, and frequently it will enable the mother to allow the child to nurse, though it may not altogether prevent the pain.