In response to questions on botulism, I would like to suggest that those interested read the letter to the editor by John Middaugh (Botulism and Breast Milk, New England J. Medicine vol 298, p 343, 1978.) In this case, a woman in Alaska was hospitalized for severe botulism poisoning. While still very ill, her breast milk was analyzed for C. Botulinum and the botulism toxin. In this case, none was found in her milk even though she was still clinically very ill. The infant continued to breastfeed throughout this illness and did not shown any signs or symptoms of botulism poisoning. In botulism, it is the neurotoxin that is fatal, not the bacteria. C. Botulinum is recovered in less than 60% of the cases, so it may not be present is many cases. Because the toxin is a large peptide(MW=70,000), it is not likely it will penetrate into milk very efficiently, which is supported by the above case. However, because the toxin is exceedingly potent, I do not think it advisable that an infant should breastfeed while the mother is ill with botulism poisoning. Lets wait a day or two. Tom Hal.e Texas Tech University School of Medicine