The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1899-01-17

No IS. Office OF Experiment stations
entitled Dietary Studies In Chicago IN
Isq5 and 1896" These studies were con-
Quoted with the cooperation Of Miss
Jane Adams and Miss Caroline j.. Hunt.
OF the Hull House. and are reported by
Professor W. .. Atwater, special agent
in charge Of nutrition investigations,
and A. r. Bryant.
The bulletin cmb0dies the results Of
dietary studies among families of lta-
llans. French Canadians. Russian Jews,
both orthodox and unorthodox or liberal,
and B0hemlans, and also the results OK
dietary studies of three American FAINT
lies made Tor comparison These latter
families were Ia comfortable Circum-
stances, but endeavOred 90 economics
In their food consumption I'm order 20 in-
crease their expenditures I'm other dircc-
tons
The purpose OF these studies was 10
obtain information regarding Che condi-
lions OF living and the pecuniary economy
OF the food of the poor of the different
nationaliues residing I'm the worst con-
gested districts OF Chicago. The plan
involved the selection OF groups OF fami-
lies, each group representing a nation
allty, and each family being more or
less typical OF The people Of that nation
ality in ono Of the most densely p0pu-
lated districts OF the "West Side The
data sought Included the character.
amount and cost Of the food consumed
during a given length Of Time the age,
sex and occupation Of the different men,
ters OF the family; the number OF meals
taken by each person; and, as iar as
possible. the financial and hygienic con-
dtlons OF the family at the time OF tho
study. From the above and ihe data Tor
the amounts Of food materials, and from
the composition as found by analysis or
assumed from tables OF average COM
Dosiaon Of similar materials. the toial
amount OF protein. fats and carDohy-
drates consumed and the amounts per
man per day were computed.
While the results obtained are not suf-
Acient to warrant sweeping conclusions,
they are. however. sufficient 70 mdica'e
tho existing dietary conditions among
the foreign population residing IN me
"West Side" OF Chicago.
Tho report shows that the Italians IN
Chicago and Italy consumed about the
same amounts of protein ana carOohy-
drates but the former consumed more
tat than the latter. Tho French Cana
dians consumed about the same amounts
of protein and other nutrients as similar
families In Massachusetts and Gambia
In every case the fuel value was quito
high. Little difference IS observed IN the
amount and kind OF nutrients consumed
bv the orthodox and unorthodoN RUS
siam Jews i'm Chicago. Although mo
orthodox russian Jews ate no pork tho
total fat obtained was practically the
same as I'm the case of the unorthodoN
Russian Jews and was considerably
larger than the amount consumed by
Puseian labOrers near Moscow.
The families in the congested regions
NJ chicago did not differ greatly tn the
amount and kind Of nutrients consumed
from families in similar districts OF
New York
A comparison with the dietary studies
~ mechanics families made in different
regions OF the United states shows that
the amount 81 protein consumed hy ;h3
foreign families in Chicago was as large,
and the fuel value nearly as large. as
was found IN the diet Of comfortably
nourished men doing moderate muscular
work In many Instances. even among
families Of more comfortable circurn-
stances. the houses were untidy and tho
food did not appear appetizing. The
need or training I'm housekeeping and
cooking was very apparent
The cost II a diet may be lessened BY
consuming less fruit, cheaper cuts OF
meats ana fewer kinds of vegetables.
FRUITS 1Nl fVMfAiAAlNHtf nav W NA'
food value OF a Diet and the cheaper
cuts OF meat are as nutritious az tho
more expensive cuts. While vegetable
foods are apparently essential 70 we'll
regulated diet. no marked advantage i5
due to great variety or vegetables.
Wheat -four IN tho form OF bread, etc,
is one OF the most nutritious and cheap
est foods.
The conditions OF the families IN the
congested districts IN an cities can IN
doubtedly be improved by education. Tho
housekeeper should be laugh how 10
prepare and serve food so as 10 make II
more attractive and wholesome.
Tho bulletin contains numerous tables
showing the cost and composition OF the
food used In the studies. the number OF
meals taken. etc.
Tho bulletin is not for miscellaneous
distribution A limited number or copies
Will be turned over TO the Sueprinten-
dent OF Documents. Union Building.
Washington. d. c.. who viii holc them
for sale accord!ng TO law az cents Pc