The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1878-08-01
Maternity Allevieted.

LILY
For lack of knowledge not only
do people die. but a very unnecessary
amount of suffering l. ana
especially by the mothers OF the hu-
man race. | have long wished 10 do
something toward the prevention OF
This suffering. by telling other women
a part Of that which know upon this
subject. 1t falls 10 my LOT 10 give prl-
waite advice TO a young wife, who SUI
fered So severely at hor first eNperl-
ence as a mother, that she looks for
ward with dread to its repetition. |
think she need feel no physical dread
whatever, if she Is so situated as TO
carry out the latest approved
| confess | felt some prejudice against
the new rules. fearing that what
might contribute to the mother 5 case
and comfort. would prove detrimental
TO her child: but experience and Oh
servation have removed these pre-
iudices The experience was only
partial. and Was gained by following
10 rules but ma ura instinct. lht
very common desire Tor a clan-e OF
diet. especially for acid frul.s. Is
Natures own voice. and ohouid be
obeycd. Apples We're scarce and dear
four wears ago last spring, II L was
ashamed to tell how many l some
times ate at a meal (from five to ten
small ones), but no other food was 30
delicious, and no meal gave me suDoe-
quent comfort without at least a SIN
gle raw apple. \ few pre-
vious. | could hardly eat raw apples
at all. Then grapes seeIned the only
food the stomach craVed II accepted
without nausea. As soon as the great
,xA,,t x-n A,-lt niJ ~ IIftIn II ia Onr
looked to me for nourishment, the
wish for fruit disappeared, and my
oatmeal and graham Cruel, seasoned
with cream. became for q While the
sweetest of delicacies. This eNprrl-
nee Was. for its ease and safety, a
marvel to myself and to all who knew
OF it. and we were soon convinced
that fruit dlet ana lido exercise
had caused the Wonder. Since then
we have heard OF, and personally
known, much more remarkable cases
-cquaily beneficial To mother and
child A diet wholly OF fruit is not
recommended. but fruit should be
very literally used, acd such food as
contains much mineral matter, II
teidS TO solidify the bones, should be
avoided. The unseen growth goes Oh
all the same, except that the II re-
main i'll the c~urtilaginous state. 1t is
easy to understand that this condition
of the offspring saves the mother
much pain, and Il change to the ordl-
nary diets Immediately after pro-
notes the cilild'S full and healthy
development The graham and oat-
meal. 50 useful to growing children,
especially because they build up the
bones, should be Very sparingly used
previous to confinement, anu cream
should be preferred to milk. The
fruit diet has a tendency 10 keep the
whole system in excellent condition.
Vegetables are better than grain food
at this time, beans being most objec-
tionable, and peas aud potatoes. next
Rice, sage, taploca are recommended,
and when meats are used, the flesh of
young animals is preferred. Stimu-
lants and spices should not be used.
A good deal of gentle exercise is adj
visable, but severe labor and fatigue
should be avoided. Household eXer-
else, when not very combining, is ex-
c~ellent, but all the pure outdoor air it
possible to get, should be taken day
and night. Walking is decidedly use
full, and no false mOIesty should pre-
II a woman from going out freely
for the exercise she SO much needs.
If she respects herself, she will have
the respect Of all decent people; but
enlightened persons will only pity her
ignorance, or illness, if she shuts
herself indoors for tear of observation.
OF course, 4 modest wOman does not
needlessly publish her sacred secret.
Ihc general rules of health. cleanli-
ness, comfortable clothing, plenty Of
sleep, freedom from fatigue and eX-
element, regular meals, and none late
in the afternoon, are all especially ap-
plicable at this time.
High Art and WOman'S Dress