The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-10-22
A TALK With MOTHERS.
The Widespread Need Of Instruc-
ton That Is in All Re-
speets Practical.
A Mistaken idea of the Mission
Of the Woman of To-
day.
A Specimen of tho Really Unedu catcd =
Type said to BE Common Among
Mothers.

No work can possibly be of more impnr-
tance than that of intelligently caring for
the health n welfare of a family. 1t
sometimes seems incredible that women
can be as ignorant upon the subject of home
sanitation, hygiene and physiology as the
miserable looking specimens Of humanity
that one meets everywhere would argue.
Few people are willing to admit that the
average mother would neglect any precau-
ton necessary to the health and we'll being
of either husband or children did she know
the law. But often she does not, and some
times, / fear, it is her w fault that she
will not.
Ignorance Of what to do to correct I'M
fortunate conditions can often be urged in
%extenuation of i'll health and deplorable
habits of disposition. temper and life that
confront the student of social science when
he begins to look into cause and effect in
social conditions.
A widespread need was constantly forced
upon my attention during my summer
~holiday-that of simple, practical ~instruc-
ton to mothers upon everyday correct and
healthful living. 1t seemed to me as if ma
ture had decrecd that l should concern N.Y.
self with these conditions in particular by
thrusting every conceivable manner of mis-
management and inconsistency concerning
h rearing of children especially within
my observation.
1t began when I took my first meal at a
railroad restaurant. At the same table
was a young mother, well dresscd-better
dressed, in fact, than she should nave been
for dusty summer travel-wearing the in
evitable diamond solitaire ring that marks
the first step upward in the scale of human
rynGna rIfU in 1 IiS pnI1Jtru =, , lt-I ,In..
at her side sat an II months old babe. His
weak, puny little lordship, of the blue
white complexion, sickly smile, thin hair
and watery eyes, was being fed from q cup
with a spoon upon-what, think your Tea!
My soul rebelled. / looked at the mother,
then at the babe, and the logic of the situa-
ton was written on every lineament and
gesture of the mother. AS if by magic the
limitations and interests of such Il life
passed in review before me, for she was,
alas! OF Il type too common among us.
A woman of narrow education and read
Ing, SO anxious to be true to ''woman's
sphere that the routine of domestic duties,
performed with the greatest amount of
friction and the least possible knowledge
of scientific and sanitary improvements,
marked to her undisciplined mind the true
feminine incompetence most to be desired
as distinguishing her from a man, she was
net interested in anything except what the
force of circumstances thrust upon her.
To exist, bear children-no matter what
kind-and herself break down under the
pains and burdens of maternity was to her
mind fulfilling woman's mission. .Physi-
ology, hygiene, scientific procreation, moth
er's duties to offspring unborn and rational
care of children in order to correct inner
lied evil tendencies once they were in the
world, were as unintelligible subjects to her
asGreek to the bod carrier. She was not only
2 nonsnlty intellectually, but she was !.