This is one of the most common and troublesome difficulties connected with the breasts, after child-birth. It is very frequently caused by want of cleanliness on the part of the mother or child.

TREATMENT. -- Wash with castile soap and warm water after each nursing of the child, and then sprinkle the nipple with very fine powdered hemlock bark. Or make and use the following ointment: -- Take balsam of fir, 3j.; white wax, 3ij; melt together, then add ten grains each of tannin and powdered bayberry. Apply this as often as necessary, previously washing the breasts. Cover the nipple with folds of linen during the intervals of nursing. My Herbal Ointment (page 469), is a speedy cure for this painful affection.