Human Milk Quote by Jung Chang
““The Manchus drank tea with a lot of milk. In her case, the milk came from the breasts of a nurse. Cixi had been taking human milk since her prolonged illness in the early 1880s, on the recommendation of a renowned doctor. Several wet nurses were employed, and took turns to squeeze milk into a bowl for her. The nurses brought their sucking babies with them, and the woman who served her the longest stayed on in the palace, her son being given education and an office job.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Empress Dowager Cixi: The Concubine Who Launched Modern China by Jung Chang, 2013
The passage describes Cixi’s reliance on human breast milk, supplied by wet nurses, highlighting her health practices and the social dynamics of palace service.
In simple terms: Cixi drank human milk from her nurses, affecting court life.
Key Takeaway
Consider how personal health choices shape power structures.
Themes
health
court life
gender
power dynamics
nutrition
Mood
intrigued
reflective
Type
historical
analytical
When to use this quote
- historical biography
- medical history
- family dynamics
Key Concepts
human milk
wet nursing
royal court
social hierarchy
Questions to Reflect On
- How did Cixi’s health regimen influence her political authority?
- What does this reveal about gender and power in late Qing China?
A Different Perspective
Cultural norms limited acceptance of wet nursing; modern perspectives may view this practice differently.
![“Even if [the DHA/ARA blend] has no benefit, we think it would be widely incorporated into formulas, as a marketing tool and to allow companies to promote their formula as ‘closest to human milk.’”73” quote by Gabrielle Palmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/0ad/gabrielle-palmer-891_quote_even-if-the-dha-ara-blend-has-no-benefit_2794667.jpg)