The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-18
Health and Comfort for Girls.
Juliet Corson. in Harper's Bazaar.


The enjoyment OF physical comIortl is such
matter of course with the ma jority of
American women in easy circumstances
that they seldom think how far it may
eventually be effected by their daily habits.
The idea of following any definite system of
living for the purpose OF insuring sound
health is most novel one to most of our
young girls; in fact some actual annoyance
of illness is frequently the first call their at
tention has in this direction. Bat sertain
notifications OK careless habits of diet, exer-
else and dress, easily made, result naturally
in the substitution of an absolutely sanitary
existence for one weighted down with an
healthiul conditions. Without seeking to
curtail youth of its ioyousness, let Us see
how far, under the conditions which prevail
in the lives of many OF our girls, ii can be
passed as the natural prelude to vigorous
and happy maturity.
First, in regard to diet, while those who
gre in society are becoming wise In regard
to certain plats. probably under the guidance
of some amused geurmand, or having caught
some point of training from their athletic
degree of indifference TO food and
drink never found among men OF
their own age and class; they lit
orally take no heed OF what they shall est
and drink If they have any preference, 1t
lies usually in the way Of sweets, CONNECTION
cry, cake. and pastry, and, tor substantial
fare, bread and butter and tea frequently
make up the delicate limit. They may not
thrive upon such food, even although all the
chances Of youth are in their favor, es-
pecially if they are engaged in hard study;
but they do not realize the fact, and wef1l
physical future is theirs unless some care
taker is by to remind them that the powers
OF body and mind flourish simultaneously,
and that physical recuperation must go on
Wi "a m n
ergy. Women. at any period of life while
they need liberal diet, do not require the
same kind OF food as men; a vigorous man,
engaged in any pursuit which insures him
plenty of out. door exercise, can digest and
assimilate almost every known aliment;
but, like men who lead sedentary lives,
women require food which is both nutri-
tious and digestible. For instance, mutton,
poultry, and game are preferable to beef,
veal, and fresh pork salads and succuIent
vegetables, such as lettuce, celery, asparagus,
spinach, aud tomatoes, are more suitable
than the edible roots and legurninous varie-
ties; red.blooded fish, such IS trout, salmon,
and sturgeon, may with advantage occasion
ally replace meat; and plain puddings, made
with milk and suet, are more wholesome
desserts than rich cakes and pastry; good
milk, pure water, and light wines are bet
ter beverages for women than strong tea aud
coffee. At breakfast tea should not be taken,
because 1t retards assimilation OF nutriment
at the time when the system is in most need
OF immediate refreshment. Warm tea and
coffee are popular breakfast drinks because
they impart sense of comfort directly they
are taken, on account of their slim ulstin 6
properties; OF the two, coffee is the least OBJ
jectionable especially if it 10 made with
much milk, in the French way; but cocoa,
chocolate, and warm milk are far morewhole-
some, because they combine nourishment
with warmth and agreeable flavor
Ifthere is any lack of appetite, q cup oil
hot milk or chocolate should be taken i'm
mediately upon rising; short exercise in the
open air, il the weather is fae, or a light
eymnastic exercise for about five minutes
should follow. This course will usually give
rise to natural desire for food, unless there
is some illness pending, in which case 9
physicians care Is needed. The breakfast
should consist of milk cocoa, or chocolate 8:
drink, and some light dish Of eggs, fish, Oh
meat together with bread meat or toast and
fruit. When this indisposition 10 breakfast
exists the food taken in the evening should
be very digestible and not excessive, and the
sleeping apartment should be thoroughly
ventilated.
The arrangement of the sleeping room hs:
much TO do with the health of the occupant
IL IS is generally the case at boarding schools
the room is occupied more or less during the
day, il should be thoroughly aired before
bedtime, and the windows left open far
enough to insure supply of fresh air dur
ing the night; even in winter the rule should
be followed, and plenty of blankets used tC
keep the sleeper comfortably warm Both
appetite and complexion largely depend up