is far, very far superior to any invented by art. Never bring up a
baby, then, if you can possibly avoid it, on _artificial_
food. Remember, as I proved in a former Conversation, there is in
early infancy no _real_ substitute for either a mother's or a
wet-nurse's milk. It is impossible to imitate the admirable and subtle
chemistry of nature. The law of nature is, that a baby, for the first
few months of his existence, shall be brought up by the breast, and
nature's law cannot be broken with impunity. [Footnote: For further
reasons why artificial food is not desirable, at an early period of
infancy, see answer to 35th question, page 26.] It will be
imperatively necessary then--

"To give to nature what is nature's due."

Again, in case of a severe illness occurring during the first nine
months of a child's life, what a comfort either the mother's or the
wet-nurse's milk is to him! It often determines whether he shall live
or die. But if a wet-nurse cannot fill the place of a mother, then
asses' milk will be found the best substitute, as it approaches
nearer, in composition, than any other animal's, to human milk; but it
is both difficult and expensive to obtain. The next best substitute is
goats' milk. Either the one or the other ought to be milked fresh and
fresh, when wanted, and should be given by means of a feeding-bottle.
Asses' milk is more suitable for a _delicate_ infant, and goats' milk
for a _strong_ one.

If neither asses' milk nor goats' milk can be procured, then the
following _Milk-water-salt-and-sugar Food_, from the very
commencement, should be given; and as I was the author of the formula,
[Footnote: It first appeared in print in the 4th edition of _Advice to