THO’ the BABE may be brought up by the Hand only, without Suckling, as many Instances of very thriving Children testify; yet because the most natural, common, and commendable way is to suckle it, I come now to touch upon the proper NURSE, her Milk, and Diet. Upon which I first observe, that the prime and chief Quality of a good NURSE is, that she be the Mother of the Fosterling INFANT herself; and that because her MILK, being generated of the same Blood, of which the CHILD is formed, and has hitherto been nourished, is of a nearer Affinity with the Nature of her BABE, than the MILK of any other strange Woman whatsoever; which can differ no less from the Maternal Milk, than the own Mother, and the other differ in Constitution and Temperament of Body, Regimen, and Method of Living, &c. All which affect the INFANT in no small Degree; for as the Blood is generated of the Chyle, and the Spirits of the Blood, so the CHILD imbibes the very Manners and Disposition, as well as the gross Humours and Qualities of the NURSE with her Milk.
AS a Lamb sucking a Goat, changes not only its Nature, but even its Skin and Wool into the Goat-Kind; so it is also among the rational Creatures: From hence we have justly the old Proverb, touching an ill-natured Person, that some Brute or other has been his NURSE. And hence it is that Romulus and Remus, the Sons of Mars (without any Reality) are said to have been nursed by a Wolf[182]; Pelias, the Son of Neptune, by a Mare; Telephus, the Son of Hercules, by a Hind, &c. Not that they ever actually sucked such Creatures, only their NURSES were of such Tempers and Natures, which they were thus supposed to have by the Breast infused into them.
AND, in short, daily Experience, as well as many Learned Authorities, may sufficiently convince us, that Children really suck in the several vitious Inclinations and depraved Passions of their NURSES; such as Anger, Malice, Fear, Melancholy, &c. Agreeable to which Opinion, Diodorus says[183], that Nero the Emperor’s NURSE was very much addicted to Drinking; which Habit Nero imbibed from her, to such a Degree, that the People took notice of it, and from thence instead of Claudius Tiberius Nero, call’d him Caldius Biberius Mero. The same Author relates of Caligula, that his NURSE used frequently to moisten her Nipples with Blood, that he might take the better hold of them; which (says the same Diodorus) was the Cause of his being so cruel and Blood-thirsty all the Days of his Life; that he not only committed frequent Murders by his own Hand, but even wished that all humane Race was but one Neck, that he might have the pleasure to cut it off.
IN short, honest Parents perceiving their Children to incline variously, one to Thieving, another to Drinking; one to Stupidity, another to Barbarity; are amazed at such Degeneracies of Mankind, not knowing after whom the Child can take those Propensions. But abstracting from this, how many fine Children do we daily see thrown into Fits, Rickets, Consumptions, &c. merely by sucking their imprudent NURSES, when enraged, or otherways in a Passion? If then the Case stands thus, that every Disorder of the NURSE is a real Detriment to the INFANT, surely, upon this Account, all Parents ought to know Her well, to whom they entrust these Dear Pledges of their sacred and natural Desires.
MOREOVER yet, besides all these Things, the tender Care, as well as the Love and Affection of the Mother to her own Child, by far surpasses that of any mercenary NURSE whatsoever. Wherefore the Mother, tho’ perhaps not the best NURSE in other respects, is always preferable to a STRANGER: Which if People of Probity and Honour would more observe, I sincerely believe that there would not be so many graceless, disobedient, and undutiful CHILDREN of our Age. I do not think what I have read of Scipio Africanus to be any singular Instance; namely, that He esteemed Her more for his Mother, who nursed him two Years after his Birth, than Her who brought him forth, and then forsook him in the World. Agreeable to which, and most à propos, was the Answer of the Philosopher, Favorinus[184], to the Mother of a certain Noble-woman in CHILD-BED, who was dissuading her Daughter to nurse the CHILD she had born; viz. I entreat thee Woman (says he) suffer her to be the whole and entire Mother of her own Son. And verily, She only can be properly so called, who carefully nurses as well as brings forth her own CHILDREN. Hence it is that the Earth is called the Mother of all Things, not so much because she produces all Things, as because she maintains and nurses what she produces.
ALL which, notwithstanding, there is sometimes a Necessity (on account of sundry Reasons) to provide another NURSE for the CHILD; wherefore I come now briefly to describe the most proper Person for this TRUST, and to set forth the Qualities of the most convenient MILK, for the wholesome Nourishment of the Infant.
FIRST then, the NURSE ought to be a Woman between the 20th and 35th Year of her Age, perfectly graced with the Blessings and Ornaments of Nature; and a Person of Probity and Reputation in her Rank, endued with Love, Pity, and Tender-heartedness: As she also ought to be sound and healthy, of a good Habit and Disposition of Body and Mind, of a sanguine Complexion, and rosy Colour; of a middle Stature, having black or brown Hair, a lively Eye, sweet Breath, sound and white Teeth, with an agreeable chearful Countenance. In short, she ought also to be a well-mannered, modest, and sober Person, having middle-sized, well shaped, not flabby nor hanging down, but solid fleshy Breasts, with elegant, firm, and well perforated Nipples.
SECONDLY, As to her MILK, it ought neither to be too new, nor too old; but at any time from the Puerperial Flux, until the 6th or 8th Month thereafter, it is not to be rejected; especially if it be of a good Consistence, neither too thick nor too thin, of a pure white Colour, an agreeable pleasant Smell, and a perfect sweet Taste.
BUT it sometimes however happens, that the Milk of a NURSE, otherways a very proper Person, degenerates from some of the abovesaid Qualities: In which Case it is no ways convenient to change the NURSE, especially if it so happen to the Mother; only the MILK is to be corrected according to Art, which may be easily performed by proper Medicinal Means, and that as well with respect to its Quality as Quantity: However, as this Case belongs to the SYMPTOMS of the Breasts, which I have already declined speaking to, as in the foregoing Chapter, so I shall no ways enter upon it in this Place. But again——
THIRDLY as to her Regimen, such a Nurse is to make use of, and enjoy a good and convenient Diet; abstaining carefully from all salt and sharp Victuals, as well as from high-spiced Meats, and strong or spirituous Liquors. In short, as she ought to avoid all Sorts of intemperate Air, and keep herself clean both in Person and Cloaths; so she ought always to exercise herself by some light Labour, and keep herself in a moderate active Motion; prudently suppressing, at all Times and upon all Occasions, the various Passions of the Mind: By which means, any Woman as above described, may make a very good NURSE, and that even without abstaining altogether either from the moderate Use of Wine, or of Conjugal Conversation; notwithstanding the contrary Opinion of most Authors, provided only that she does not give the CHILD suck for an Hour or two after Copulation.