Breast, or fore part of the chest, signifies that cavity of the trunk which is composed of many bones, namely, the sternum or breast-bone in front, twelve ribs on each side, twelve vertebra, or turning joints of the spine, as the body is turned upon them, and two shoulder blades. The tliorox, or chest, extends from the lower part of the neck to the midriff, and contains the organs most essential to life, such as the heart, the lungs, and likewise the wind-pipe and the gullet. With respect to the diseases of the breast, we refer to the articles Cough and Inflammation.

Breasts, or mamma, in females, are two glandular, protuberant bodies on the sides of the chest, in the most proper situation for giving food to the infant. In some instances there have been found three, and even four breasts in one person, all yielding milk alike. They are very sensible to the touch, and ought therefore to be carefully guarded against external injury; as a very slight bruise or blow may be attended with fatal consequences. No part of the human body is so easily affected by cold, and so liable to cancerous complaints, as that of the female breast. - See Cancer.

There prevails a custom of drawing the breastsi after delivery, when the secretion of milk is so grea that from an incapacity of the child to empty, or relieve, them by early sucking, the vessels are considerably distended, and the breasts so completely filled as to occasion much pain to the mother. This practice is severely censured by the Rev. C. Crutwell, in his " Advice to Lying-in Women, "published in 1779: and he is of opinion that the attempt is unnatural, as applying a different agent from that designed by Nature ; and indelicate, because a disease of a malignant tendency may thus be easily communicated ; while it is painful and dangerous to the patient. According to his experience, the neglect of drawing the breasts has ne-ver been prejudicial. If, says he, they were not touched during this state of fulness, hardness, or inflamma-tion, but the whole suffered to subside, which would happen in a few hours, the child might then be safely put to the breast. It is the application of too great force in drawing them, or placing the child to suck at an improper time, and not the delay, which causes the mischief. If the infant cannot be suckled the first day, or before the hardness appears, it should be deferred till the breast becomes soft. This callosity is chiefly produced by some external injury, such as drawing the breasts, heated rooms, hot and stimulating liquors, medicines, etc. all of which contribute to excite inflammation, or increase a slight degree of irritation, so as to occasion a milk-fever, abscesses, or both. - See Nipples and SUCK-LING.