Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-01-11
NURSERY COOKERY.
a'HE SMALL cHILD's DIET.
BY Christine Terhune Herriels.
lConiinund from last wrnn

NSoHAlueu from last week.
Few women start out on their mater-
nal career with enough training prin-
ciples to last through an indefinite Sc
ries of babies. They exercise unlimited
theories upon the nrst child. If he SUR
wives. their experiments, they may still.
have sufficient energy TO continue their
pet systems with a second and perhaps
even with a third child. If others
follow. the mothers are more
than likely to let their theo-
ries, like their piano playing and
their familiarity with foreign languages.
fall into innoouous desuetude, AS one
over-taxed matron said of her eighth
and youngest child, Il brought up the
others, let Octavia come up!"
The mother has had unusual persist
encs who has drought up an even
smaller number. Mothers clubs and
meetings do much to stimulate her fail
ing energies, even when the children fol-
low each other into the world close upon
one another's helpless heels. The books
ana magazines written and edited ex-
pressly for mothers are of incalculable
help. In spite of them all she probably
keeps but small share of the fancies
with which she set out on her course as
a matron. And in many instances the
babies are none the worse for 1t,
it is pity, however, when the mother
reaches the point where she ceases to be-
stow close attention upon the nature and
preparation of the childrcn'S food. Heed
less habitS careless speech and even
lack of courage may possibly be COR
reeted in life, but it is another thing to
attempt, in mature years, to pull out the
faulty foundations of the digestion and
to raise substantial superstructure
when there is practically no base. The
man who has been badly fed in infancy
must go softly ali his days, so iar as his
digestion Is concerned, and in many
cases can only avoid dyspepsia by judi
cious abstinence and by constant care
in the choice of his food.
If a mother would only grasp the fact
that because thing does not. in the ex-
treme sense of the word, disagree with
a child at the time he eats it, it is no
sign that it has not harmed him! Pa
rents who seem to believe that the d.
gestive powers OF their children rival
those Of ostriches will calmly allow their
four or five year olds to eat unlimited
sausage and buckwheat cakes at break
fast, part0ke OF fried foods and salads
at luncheon, and wind UP the day with
roast duck. pickles and pie at late
dinner. Then because the victims sur
vive the experience the deluded parents
will triumphantly assert that the fare
has done the youngsters no harm. The
fact is ignored that the child who inn
poses the task of digesting such meal
upon his tender gastric organs is draw
Ing upon his reserve forces to meet the
demand, and as consequence will en-
counter such calls later in life with de-
pleted powers. tV
Remembering all this, the mother
should not weary in well doing and re-
lax her efforts in her child's behalf by
the time he reaches his fifth or sixth
year. His dietary should still receive
her close and careful attention, and be-
cause it is mere extensive now than
when he was younger it should be none
the less thoughtfully guarded,
The cereal should still begin the break
fast. Oatmeal, cornmeal mush. hominy,
wheaton g.its, or sopething of the sort,
makes Il better beginning for the first
meal of the dsy than fruit, This has a
tendency to take the first edge from a
ohilds appetite, and to disincline him
for the solid food that is to follow. AS
u rule. he is better off with no sugar ON
his porridge, or, as in some families l
know, the sugar may be reserved for o
Sunday morning treat. Even then IL
should he put on with discretion. With
the porridge cream should be given, IL
possible, or at least, plenty of milk
Milk may also be served as beverage,
either pure. or mixed with hot water into
"cambric tea" or made into cocoa or
weak chocolate. Apropos of these latter,
it may be said that they should never
be made in the careless fashion that
simply stirs the prepared cocoa-powder
into the boiling water Of milk and then
serves it at once. The compound should
always boil for from three to five min
utes after the powder is added.
(To be continued next weekly