The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1898-02-15
YooD HABITS
or the tam,li,. IN tbs cense,tea, pl.trlei.

or the Families In the ConIe,teI, Distrleia
or New York city.
WASHINGTON. D. c.. Feb. 1S,-The
result OF Investigations into the food
habits OF a number OF families In the
congested districts OF New York City in
1895 and 1896 have been made public By
che agricultural department in a re-
port entitled, Dietary studies in New
York City"
The report was prepared by Profess
o.s w..o. Atwater and G. D. Woods.
under whose Immediate direction the
Investigations were conducted with the
cooperation of the New York associa-
ton for the improvement of the condl.
tIon OF the poor. The general plan of
the inquiry consisted in visiting a num-
Der Of typical families In the worst con-
gested PORTIONS Of the city, observing
the kinds and amounts OF food which
they bought and prices which they
paid, noting whether they obtained
good weight and measure and subject
ing specimens OF the food materials to
analysis for the purpose OF learning
their nutritive value.
The work in New York was done
mostly by DR.. Isabelle Delauy. The
investigation consisted mainly OF the
studies OF d~ietaries OF families OF the
poorer classes, the majority Of whom
were on the East Side near the junction
OF Cherry and Catherine streets. The
people in whose families the studies
were made represented a large number
OF occupants. In some instances they
were sloyenly and shiftless and took
little Interest in the appearance of their
homes and tables. Other families,
though ignorant. were willing and an
xious to learn how they might improve
taeir habits OF living. The main re-
suits OF each study ore given with u
brief discussion OF the chief features.
Following this are some valuable sus-
gestloas regarding the improvement OF
the food habits OF city poor. Itsis I'M
possible. the report says, to lay down
any hard and fast rules which will gov.
ern the purchase OF food by q family as
these must to a very great extent be de-
termincd by the different local condi-.
tons.
In many OF the families there was no
attempt made to spread an attractive
table. One Of the most common obse--
vatlons among those who are familiar
with the habits OF the poorer classes cs
wage workers the report continues, is 10
the effect that q not !nconsiacrable
amount Of the prevalence OF intemper-
ance can be traced TO poor food and
u~nattractive homo tables. Throughout
all these: dletaries there was shown
very little comprehension of the actual
nutritire value OF the food purchased,
the selection apparently being made ac-
cording to ONE whim or taste. the
presence OF certain food materials in
the market or because the house-keer-
er had become accustomed TO purchas-
ing certain kinds OF food. The larger
number OF families spent more than
they really could afford for food and
yet frequently received insufficient
nourishment. The question how these
people could have. obtained more nutri-
ment for the money expenditure Is an
swered only In the most general terms.
It Is suggested that one OF the best
and surest ways to improve the cond!-
ton OF the DOR is to give them prac-
tical instructions and object lessons In
the preparation OF attractive vet sim
pie and cheap foods. The subjects upon
which the women should be Instructed
include lessons upon the best and most
nutritious food materials and those
best adapted in point OF cost and ease
Of preparation to the needs and cir
cumstanccs OF the family. and instruc-
ton such rs shall enable the house.
keeper to prepare simple, wholesome
and palatable dishes from such food,