Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-07-07
Food and Drink for Children.
American Register.


Dinner for children should always
be early, and about this let me re>
mark that if beef or mutton be given,
both of which, whether boiled or
roasted, are highly nutritious, it
should be cut up very finely or even
minced, and the child should be
taught to eat very slowly and to mas
ticate the food we'll. Children's food,
like that of grown up people, ought
to be varied; change is always agree
able, and conducive to good digestion
1 like to see children sit down to a
good dinner, and | delight to see
them enjoy it, but hurrying over
neals-and they are generally prone
to this-should always be discouraged,
while on the other hand, nothing indi
gestibleIshOuld be placed before them.
Game of various kinds, as we'll
as fowl, pigeon and rabbit, make
very fine change, and so does white
fish, with the exception of herring or
mackerel, or any other strong tasted
or oily fish. Although a little salt
should be sprinkled over a child's
food, he should not be permitted to
eat sailed provisions Of any kind, nor
any indigestible food as pork, goose,
or even duck, and turkey should be
given but sparingly, The stufiing gen.
orally used with the latter is very
likely to produce fit of indigestion if
given to child. There are vegetables
that child may eat, and Others that
he ought not to partake Of; potatoes,
for example, turnips and roots gener-
ally, are very wholesome, but cabbage
and greens are provocative of internal
disturbance. Even potatoes, turnips,
and parsnips, however, should be
mashed. And here let me give q
word OF warning; they ought not to be
mashed on the plate with the back Of a
fork, they will be lumpy if they are.
The maJhing ought to be complete
and thorough. PuddingS Of sage, rice
or semolina, or even corn -four should
always form a part of the childs din.
ner, and suet dumpling, if eaten with
syrup, makes very nice change.
What should a child drink Milk
or water with meals, or a little tea or
coffee well DILUTED with milk. Cocoa
is most nonrishing; | cannot, indeed,
speak too highly in its praise AS to
beer or wines | should say never under
any circumstances alloy q CHILD to
partake of them, except under the
order or sanction OF medical man.
The supper should be. early,
say six O'Clock, and may be light pud-
ding Of any kind, ppEFiagS o. Milk, OF
bread and butter with milk diluted
tea. Children live fast, apd be it re.
membered that they require more
food in comparison to their size than
grown-up people do, for they have not
only to repair the waste OF tissue, but
to build and feed bone and nerve
ana Apscle. Even between meals,
threfore,, if occasion demands it, do
Rot deny theInca crust Of bread.
There is little need Of pbysiO where
children are well cared for, we'll
clothed and we'll fed. If laxative
be needed, either a teaspoonful of
Msgnesia may be mixed in the pap, or
Eitds Ruid msgaesia administered, but
remember that magnesioa too Otter
given is apt to form concretions of a
dangerous character. Castor oil
warmed, so as to make it run easy, is
sometimes good, the only objection to
its administrator bsiag thst fGrCe is
required, and ! know by Experience
inst a child win struggle SO against
swallowing medicine as to cause it, It
mischief Syrup of Fhnbarb is suotb T
! harmless speFient, and eRs which VIII
not weaSS:.n the child but after all,
the less medicine you give ~. ne n ne.,o.,
unless the child be actually fevered,
aud then It 10 time to send for the
doctor,