The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-05-22
90
OuSef1Old . .
>A0 C1o0 90

While most people differ as to the food
most suitable for children, there is one
point upon which all agree, and that is
that overlooking is most dangerous.
Children should be taught to regulate
their appetite as well as to behave properly
at table. Their little stomachs are often
overloaded, their sleep is broken and the
little gourmand is cross, fretful and fever
ish. Do not blame the child for this state
OF affairs, but blame yourself.
Teach your child to moderate his desire
to ''stuff'' himself and see that he is pro-
vided with wholesome, honest food that
will noursh all parts of his body.
From the time children have teeth they
should use them. If nature did not demand
them, and milk, other liquid foods, and
soft, pulpy nourishment was all the young
system needed to flourish upon, there
would be no teeth provided. But the need
of teeth is settled by the fact that the
teeth are there.
Did it ever strike any of you that
possibly one cause of the rapid decay of
teeth among children in these days is due
to the care with which we keep them from
using the teeth-excepton, candies.
While the bones are strengthening, the
teeth forming and hardening, the brain
learning to work, the whole little body
| striving to perfect itself, see to it that all
the requirements as to food are properly
| provided. Vary the diet as much as pos
sible. Do not confne it to oatmeal and
breadstutrs, or entirely to meat or vege-
tables.
A iudicious mother will give her child
diet in which all these essentials have
place, and will not neglect to allow as
much fruit As can be afforded Fish is
excellent for children. The phosphates
contained in it are just what the little
brain needs, and it is a non-excitant for
the blood. On no account permit pork to
be eaten. 1t is hardly proper food for a
grown person, in the depths of winter, and
consequently for child's delicate stomach
| it is rank position. Pimples and sores of
all kinds are the direct results of IN excess
sive use OF pork.
Poultry is rather indgestihle, and lamb
mutton or beef is the best for every dav
eating. Vary the serving of meats and do
not have them all hroths and soups. or ali
steaks and rOasts.
Never allow a child tea or coffee, nor vet
chocolate. Warm milk and water is not
harmful, and is better for the stomach than
very cold water. Never permit child to
begin a meal by drinking a quantity of
water. If you stop one moment to think
of the natural consequence of this, you will
see the Importance OF never allowing a
child to form this habit. This quantity of
cold water goes into the warm stomach and
chills the latter, so that for time all action
is suspended. Before it all gets properly
to working again, a mass of food is sent
down to float about in the cold liquid
Nine chances out of ten some portion of the
food forms a gas that disarranges the whole
working of the stomach Too much liquid
OF any sort is injurious, as the food will
digest better in more solid form.
A certain amount OF acid food should be
given children as the system requires it.
When your child Graves pickles, be sure he
needs them, or something acid to take
their place, and see that he has them. Do
not be afraid of moderate allowance
of good pastry or cake.
Good old-fashioned molasses gingerbread
is excellent to take the place of cake. To
sum it all up, treat your childs stomach as
something for which you have a vast SYM
pathy and do not load it beyond its capac
ity to stagger under, or starye it SO that its
muscles become useless for lack Of work.
Bring your good common sense to bear
upon the subject of the food for your
children.-Good housekeeping.