PEDIATRICS Vol. 42 No. 2 August 1968, pp. 249
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DOCTOR HUGH SMITH URGES MOTHERS TO NURSE THEIR INFANTS

T. E. C. Jr. M.D.

Probably no physician ever urged mothers to nurse their infants with more florid words than Dr. Hugh Smith. This quotation from Letters to Married Women on Nursing and the Management of Children,1 first published in 1772, is an excellent example of the ornate and overly romantic literary taste of that period:

Oh! that I could prevail upon my fair country-women to become still more lovely in the sight of men! Believe it not, when it is insinuated that your bosoms are less charming, for having a dear little cherub at your breast. I speak from the feelings of a man, and of one too who has an universal and generous love for the virtuous part of your sex. Trust me, there is no husband could withstand the fond solicitations of an endearing wife, would she be earnest in her desire of bringing up her own children. Rest assured, when he beholds the object of his soul cherishing and supporting in her arms the propitious reward of wedlock, and fondly traces his own lineaments in the darling boy, it recalls a thousand delicate sensations to a generous mind: perhaps he drops a sympathetic tear in recollecting the painful throes of the mother, which she cheerfully bore, to make him such an inestimable present. His love, tenderness, and gratitude, being thus engaged–with what raptures must he behold her, still carefully intent upon the preservation of his own image!

How ardent forever such as one's affections might be before matrimnony, a scene like this will more firmly rivet the pleasing fetters of love:–for, though a beautiful virgin must ever kindle emotions in a man of sensibility, a chaste and tender wife, with a little one at her breast, is certainly, to her husband, the most exquisitely enchanting object upon earth:–and surely, ladies, had fashion but established this laudable custom amongst you, it would prove so truly amiable, as not only to excite the emulation of your maiden friends to worthy conquests, but also raise their ambition to shine in characters thus dignified.