Not at all; although it does that, its real use is to furnish one of
the essential elements needed for the growth of the body, and the one
that is required by young infants in the largest quantity.

_How do we know that this is so?_

By the fact that in good breast milk the amount of sugar is greater
than that of the fat, proteids, and salts combined.

_We have seen that cow's milk has nearly three times as much proteids
(curd) and salts as mother's milk. How are these to be diminished?_

By diluting the milk.

_Will it be sufficient to dilute the milk twice (i.e., add two parts
of water to one part of milk)?_

Not for a very young infant. Although this will give about the
quantity of proteids present in mother's milk, the proteids of cow's
milk are so much more difficult for the infant to digest, that in the
beginning it should be diluted five or six times for most infants.

_If cow's milk is properly diluted and lime-water and sugar added does
it then resemble mother's milk?_

No; the mixture contains too little fat.

_What is the easiest way of overcoming this?_

By increasing the fat in the milk before dilution. It may be done by