It may happen as the infant grows older that the flow of milk will diminish; then the breast feedings will of necessity be more frequently replaced by the bottle, and the question of weaning will settle itself. But if the time of weaning is a matter of choice, it should be approximately coincident with certain notable developments in the infant's digestive functions, which occur toward the end of the first year. The fact that the infant is prepared to take other food is outwardly shown by the appearance of teeth, of which there are usually six or eight at the end of the year. If the suggestion regarding the daily substitution of one bottle for the mother's milk has been adopted, there will be no difficulty in discontinuing breast-feeding whenever it is desirable; otherwise an infant may raise strong objection to the change. The mother, on the other hand, will not be seriously inconvenienced by the weaning, provided she leaves her breasts alone. Until recently mothers were advised to employ a very elaborate treatment for drying up the breasts. The diet was restricted, and as far as possible liquids of every kind were forbidden; strong purgatives were administered daily; and, in addition, the breasts were covered with some ointment, swathed in cotton, and tightly compressed with a bandage. Fortunately, we now realize that none of these measures are required. When nursing is discontinued the breasts are apt to become distended and uncomfortable. They require support while the distention lasts, which is never very long, and if they become painful, medicine may be employed to give relief. But other measures, some of which occasionally do harm, are absolutely unnecessary, for, at whatever period of lactation the breasts cease to be used, they dry up spontaneously. GLOSSARY [Footnote: The Century Dictionary has been freely used for these definitions.] ABNORMAL.--Irregular; deviating from the natural or standard type. ABORTIFACIENT.--Whatever is used to produce an abortion. ABORTION.--The expulsion of the embryo during the first four months of pregnancy. AFTER-BIRTH.--The mass of tissue expelled from the uterus at the end of labor. It includes the placenta, the umbilical cord, and the membranes of the ovum. ALIMENTARY CANAL.--The digestive tract. It begins with the mouth, includes the stomach and the intestines, and ends with the rectum. AMNIOTIC FLUID.--The liquid inclosed within the amniotic membrane. AMNIOTIC MEMBRANE.--The innermost of the two membranes which envelop the embryo; the lining membrane of the closed sac familiarly called "the bag of waters." ANEMIA.--A deficiency of some of the constituents of the blood. ANATOMY.--The science which deals with the structure of the body. ANTISEPTIC.--Anything which destroys bacteria. AREOLA.--The colored, circular area about the nipple. ARTERY.--A vessel through which the blood flows away from the heart. ASEPSIS.--The exclusion of disease-producing bacteria.