Arizona weekly enterprise., 1888-09-29
FOOD FOR INFANTS
Physician Gives Some Good Advice lo
 Anxious DIothers-Health Hints.

AuAAOuS
 As to the kind of food best suited to young children, it may be accepted as an axiom that unless the mothers milk pos itively disagrees with her babe, it is bet ter than any artificial preparation. The rule is that the child will thrive best and have the best chance of life which is nourished at it's mothers breast. Even if the milk at first seems to disagree with the child, it will usually be found that this is due to removable causes. By at- tention to or disregard of hygienic rules the milk may be made healthfnl or inju- rious. The mother with an infant at breast should always remember that fact, and regulate her diet accordingly She should avoid sour foods and drinks and alcoholic stimulants, for these have a direct effect upon her milk Highly seasoned foods should not be eaten. Pep per has a tendency to dry up the milk supply. A little ripe, but not overripe, fruit will do no harm, but care must be taken that it is not green or decomposed. The objects to be obtained from the mothers feeding are to build up her own strength and to produce a plentiful SUD- ply of wholesome milk for the child. Eggs are usually excellent Milk is good and so is cocoa and broma. Tender neat if in a perfect state and well cooked makes excellent food, but it should be taken with other foods indicated above, so as not to put too much work upon the digestive organs. It may be remem- bered that preferences in food must al ways be consulted, for the appearance, odor and taste of food is of nutritive value. The mother should avoid, so far as possible worry and excitement, and it is highly important that she does not subject herself to overheating. All these things directly affect the quantity and quality of the milk supply.
 When on account of the quality or in sufficient quantity of the mothers milk some other food must be provided for the child it is very important that no mistake be made in selecting the substitute. | Goats milk comes nearest to the infant i food of nature, but to many people that 1 Is ont of the question. Besides, even if i obtainable, it is sometimes difficult to get children to drink it on account of its strong odor. After this comes cows { milk This is difficult to obtain in the city in a pure state, and the quality, of course. is not uniform. To people living in the city, and especially people in hum ble circumstances, it is not easy to get one cows milk It is therefore custom ary with physicians to recommend con- 1 densed milk, because it is more uniform, less liable to decomposition and purer. When cows milk is used it should be freshly boiled every time the bottle is filed. The boiling destroys any disease germs lurking in the fluid and renders it less liable to irritate the delicate stomach of the babe. Weaken it with water and add little lime water. This aids digestion and prevents the acid stomach to which young children are so liable. Many arti fcial foods for infants are advertised now. adays, but probably none of them are equal to milk properly prepared.
 Avoid nursing bottles with long rubber tubes. Milk will collect in them and turr sour in spite of the utmost efforts al cleanliness. They cannot be thoroughly cleaned. Such bottles have produced many cases of intestinal derangement The simpler the bottle the better A plai1 bottle with a rubber nipple is all that is necessary. Have two bottles and while one is in use keep the other ;l stronl solution of bicarbonate of soda after il has been thoroughly secured out. Do not use a nipple too long It soon become. saturated with the milk and should b, thrown away. These precautions should not be disregarded. Disease germs ar, facts, and uncleanliness aids their rapiC development. Care in these matters malle' the difference between a healthy and sickly child.-W. 4. Graham, M. D., ii New York World.