The Care and Feeding of Children - A Catechism for the Use of Mothers and Children's Nurses by L. Emmett Holt
page 45 of 158 (28%)
page 45 of 158 (28%)
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much more difficult of digestion; its reaction is decidedly acid, that
of mother's milk is faintly acid or neutral. _Are there any other important things to be considered?_ Yes; mother's milk is always fed fresh and is practically sterile. Cow's milk is generally kept twenty-four hours and sometimes much longer. It is always to a greater or less degree contaminated by dirt and germs, the number of which increases rapidly (1) with the age of the milk; (2) in proportion to amount of the dust or dirt which enters it; (3) with any increase in the temperature at which the milk is kept. It is just as important for success in infant feeding that these conditions receive attention as that the proportions of the different elements of the milk are right. _How is the acidity of cow's milk overcome?_ By the addition of lime-water or bicarbonate of soda. If lime-water is used, one ounce to twenty ounces of food is generally required; if soda is used, twenty grains to twenty ounces of food. If there is a tendency to constipation the milk of magnesia (Phillips's) may be used; from one half to one teaspoonful being added to each twenty ounces of food. _How is the sugar best increased?_ By adding milk sugar to the food; one ounce to each twenty ounces of |
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