It has also been asserted that to put a
child to the breast during the early months of pregnancy causes so great a
degree of uterine contraction that abortion may result.
Freund found in Germany that stimulation of the nipples by an
electrical cupping apparatus brought about contraction of the
pregnant uterus. At an earlier period it was recommended to
irritate the nipple in order to excite the uterus to parturient
action. Simpson, while pointing out that this was scarcely
adequate to produce the effect desired, thought that placing a
child to the breast after labor had begun might increase uterine
action. (J.Y. Simpson, _Obstetric Memoirs_, vol. i, p. 836; also
Fere, _L'Instinct Sexuel_, second edition, p. 132).
The influence of lactation over the womb in preventing the return
of menstruation during its continuance is well known. According
to Remfry's investigation of 900 cases in England, in 57 per
cent. of cases there is no menstruation during lactation. (L.
Remfry, in paper read before Obstetrical Society of London,
summarized in the _British Medical Journal_, January 11, 1896, p.
86). Bendix, in Germany, found among 140 cases that in about 40
per cent.
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