Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Beestings

BEESTINGS, or Breastings, in domestic economy, a term used for the first milk drawn from a cow after calving.

This liquor is of a thick consistence, and yellowish colour; whence some persons have imagined, that it is impregnated with sulphur. As Nature has peculiarly designed the beestings for the purpose of cleansing the young animal from those viscid impurities which, in the human subject, are denominated the meconium; it appears rational, that the calf should partake of this benefit. Nor is this strong and viscid liquor calculated to afford a wholesome food; though farmers, in general, give it to the indigent cottager. And, as it is frequently eaten by children, who are scarcely able to digest it, we are of opinion, that it might be better employed in feeding young calves, or by converting it into cheese.