, 1882-06-02
Maternity

For lack OF knowledge not only a.
people die, but a vast amount ~ an
necessary suffering l. endured ana
especially by the mothers of thr hn
man race. have long wished to Do
something toward the prevention a
suffering, by telling other women q
part of that which / know ur.un this
subject. 1t falls to my lot 10 give
private advice to young wife Sho
suffered so severely at her first cHIs
rience as mother that she looked
forward with dread TO its repetition
l think she need feel no physical
dread whatever, if she is 30 situated
as to carry out the latest approved
methods.
l confess that felt some prejudice
against the new rules. fearing that
what would contribute to the moth
er's ease and comfort might prove
detrimental to her child. but experi-
ence and observation have removed
prejudices. The experience was only
partial, and was gained by following
no rules but natural instinct. The
very common desire for a change of
diet especially for acid fruits, is Ma
lures own voice, and should be
obeyed. Apples were scarce and dear
four years ago last spring, and was
ashamed to tell how many / some
times ate at meal from five to ten
small ones), but no other food was so
delicious, and no meal gave me sub
sequent comfort without at least a
single raw apple. A few months pre-
vious l could hardly eat raw apples
at all. Then grapes seemed the only
food the stomach craved and accepted
without nausea.
AS soon as the great event was
over, and little stranger looked to
me for nourishment, the wish for fruit
disappeared, and my oatmeal and gra-
ham Cruel, seasoned with cream, be-
came for while the greatest of deli
cacies. This experience was, for it's
ease and safety, a marvel to myself
and to all who knew of it, and we
were soon convinced that fruit dict
and outdoor exercises had caused the
wonder. Since then we have heard
of, and personally known, much more
remarkable cases, equally beneficial
to mother and child A diet wholly
of fruit is not recommended, but
fruit should be very literally used,
and such food as contains much min
eral matter, and tends to solidify the
bones, should be avoided. The un-
seen growth goes on all the same, ex-
cept that the bones remain in the
cartilaginous state.
1t is easy to understand that this
condition of the offspring saves the
mother much pain, and change to
the ordinary diet Immediately after
promotes the child's full and healthy
development. The graham and oat-
meal, so useful to growing children,
especially because they build up the
bones, should be very sparingly used
previous to confinement and cream
should be preferred to milk. The
fruit diet has a tendency to keep the
whole system in excellent condition
Vegetables are better than grain food
at this time, beans being most objec-
tionable, and peas and potatoes next
Rice, sago and tapioca are recon-
mended, and, when meats are used,
the flesh of young animals is pre-
ferred. Stimulants and spices should
not be used.
A good deal Of gentle exercise is
advisable, but severe labor and IA
tigue should be avoided. Household
exercise, when not very confning,hs
excellent, but all the pure out door
air it is possible to get should be
taken, day and night Walking ~
decidedly useful, and no false mod
esty should prevent woman from
going out freely for the exercise she
so much needs. If she respects her
self she will have the respect OF all
decent people but enlightened peo-
pie will only pity her ignorance, OF
Stiffness, if she shuts herself indoors
for fear of observation OF course. q
modest woman will not needlessly
publish her sacred secret The gen
eral rules of health, cleanliness, com
Portable clothing plenty Of sleep
freedom from fatigue and excitement
regular meals, and none late IN the
afternoon, are especially apphcabls
at this time.-COr American AgrscHI
turist.
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