Some mothers, however anxiously they may wish to do so, cannot nurse their children. They are shut out from this charming and tender experience in the life of a woman. The milk that comes is not sufficient, and quickly disappears. Because of the influence of the mind of the mother over the child at her breast, to which we have before called attention, women who are very hysterical and nervous, subject to violent perturbations of the mind, should not, particularly if there be any family tendency to insanity, expose the child to the mischievous effects latent in their milk. So, also, the presence of certain diseases forbids wet-nursing. Thus it is ordinarily prohibited by consumption, scrofula, skin affections of long standing, and cancer. In consumption, all efforts to suckle are frequently equally fatal to the mother and child. Even a strong hereditary predisposition to this disease may render it advisable, in the opinion of the family physician,--who should always be consulted in such a case,--to counteract the family taint by giving the milk of the healthiest nurse that can be procured. The condition of the nipples and of the breast may not permit of nursing. We have pointed out how best to guard against such an occurrence, in treating of the care of the nipples during pregnancy. She who is to be debarred from nursing her own child should take care that it is not allowed to approach her breasts, as sometimes the mental and physical excitement caused by such an approach is of an injurious and lasting character. Ordinarily, if this direction be followed out, the mother will have little trouble in regard to herself. Under such circumstances, the chief danger is to the child. Hence the importance of knowing HOW TO SELECT A WET-NURSE. The choosing of a wet-nurse is a matter of great moment and responsibility. She should not be over thirty years of age, and should, if possible, be one who has previously suckled and had charge of children. Her own infant should be under the age of six months, for when above that age the milk sometimes disagrees with her new-born charge. One who has had several children should be preferred, because her milk is richer than after the first confinement.