Dear Lactnetters,

     The story about the boat people and the incident with the cobra
reminded me of a story from when I was in grade school or junior high. We
were watching the "Jack Parr" show.  His guest was a WWII pilot recounting
his experiences when he was shot down behind enemy lines.  Although he did
not sustain any great injuries, he developed dysentary, and was dying. A
native woman saved his life with her breast milk (I do not know how it was
given to him-directly or by cup-I doubt I would have understood in either
case).  I remember Jack Parr acting rather giggly about the whole thing, but
the pilot remained dignified and truly grateful to the woman who had very
selflessly saved his life.  It impressed me a lot.  Does anyone else
remember seeing this episode?
     So when I read the Grapes of Wrath as a teenager I wasn't terribly
shocked at the end, though I am sure I would have liked it much better if
the man in need of Rose of Sharon's milk had been devastatingly handsome, or
at least a little cute.  I think I was, however, getting it established in
my brain that breastmilk can be the "water of life".
     I also remember Gabrielle Palmer talking about an elderly gentleman-an
industrial magnate of the late 19th century-perhaps a Rockafeller-I don't
remember-who hired wet nurses to feed him as he could not tolerate any
foods.
     I am curious about whether this  medicinal use of breastmilk is a
practice among other cultures that we are just not generally aware of- any
comments from Kathy Dettwyler?
Diana
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