Dear Pamela and friends of the ether,
In a message dated 15/01/98 23:57:24 GMT, Pamela wrote:

<< - DRAIN those breasts as much as possible (baby, manual
 expression, pump).  (3) at the first hint of engorgement/pain that will not
 resolve with massage and drainage seek medical advice about need for
 antibiotic to treat mastitis (I realize this may be controversial!) - if
 there are areas of the breast that do not drain because of severed ducts
 there will be pain/lumpy areas and potential mastitis lasting several days.
 >>
Have you thought about not using antibiotics and have the mother take NSAID
Ibuprofen instead, given that there is Infectious mastitis and Non-infectious
mastitis and that at least 50% of lactating women with mastitis do not have an
infectious condition?  

We forget that antibiotics have another very important role and that is they
are very effective anti-inflammatories.  We can easily jump to the conclusion
that there was an infection present because the antibiotic cleared up the
symptoms quickly, when in reality, no such thing was there,  just unrelieved
distension where the milk is forced back through the cell walls and out into
the tissue/capilliaries and our immune system kicks in, making a fuss about
the milk swimming about where it shouldn't be.    A non steroidal anti-
inflammatory such as Ibuprofen has a more than excellent chance of doing the
trick along with adequate milking/draining of the breast.  

I was so pleased to see that you did not use ....THAT word......*Empty*!
BRAVO.  It never ceases to amaze me when I hear the most eminent of experts
(who I admire and will travel a long way to hear) that lecture in UK and
abroad use this sloppy word, I have to confess that I can seldom keep my mouth
zipped and have to have a pop at them! 
Would you lactnetters like a resumé of speakers and topics from Lectures/Study
Days that I attend?  Just as I am beginning to recognise names that crop up
more than once of people that you admire, I thought that you too may get to
see names of those who are in demand over here in UK if I drop a line about
them every so often. 
My kindest regards to all of you, Helen M. Woodman, National Childbirth Trust
Breastfeeding Counsellor, UK