The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-10-12
OF INTEREST TO WOMEN
NEW WORK AS DIET EXPERTS AND
DIRECTORS IN INSTITUTIONS.
Assertion that the Modern Woman Is
Too Serious-Latest Dinner Fush-
fOns-Odds and Ends.

A new and congenial occupation in life
has opened up for women which will be
suitable to their domestic tastes well as
fairly remunerative, says the Chicago
Chronicle. The project is to learn the bust
ness of diet control and secure employment
as experts in that line at colleges, large
boarding schools and institutions of vari-
Gus kinds, such as hospitals and asylums.
Here, according to the opinion of Prof. w
o. Atwater, of Wesleyan University. is
profession especially adapted to women,
and in which many clever persons of that
sex are destined to find employment with
in the next few years. Household econom-
les is a study that naturally attracts wom-
en-. and they are much better fitted than
men to manage the business of feeding
large numbers of people. Schools for the
study of such matters are already open to
both sexes, and women have evinced
marked inclination to acquire knowledge
of this kind.
It will be the duty of the woman who
governs the diet of a large institution to
suggest ways In which the food may be
improved and the cost of 1T lessened. Not
only will she arrange the bill of fare so
that there shall be the proper proportion
of fuel food (such as bread and potatoes)
and discriminating foods (such as meat and
beans). but she will know how to furnish
attractive combinations, an appetizing diet
being not necessarily an expensive diet
Incidentally, she will watch the waste in
the kitchen and on the table and will see
that II does not become excessive.
The Importance of such functionary In
hospital or orphan asylum, and the con-
troll she would exercise, influencing the
ONypl Ort ~ oil fhA Inv tee &c fHnfn on L
obvious, while at a great boarding school,
or In charge of the commons" at college,
she would exert a most important function
But 1T ought to be realized that scientific
diet control does not imply the weighing
out of protein and carbohydrates" in
castiron quantities, to tne discomfort of
those whose only desire is to satisfy
healthy appetites. 1t Is simply method of
supplying the best and most appetizing
things to eat at least cost. with due regard
to the health of the consumers.
The woman dietary expert will see that
the food Is first rate in point of quality and
freshness, that il is properly cooked, and
that 1t Is appetizingly served She will make
a special study of the food market in order
to get the best things at the least prices in
different seasons. She will Introduce va
riety into the diet in such a way as to
make 1t more attractive than what would
be furnished by one of less skill from much
more costly material In short. she will be
thoroughly scientific. and, therefore, alb
solutely capable housewife.
MOSt housewives nave IDEAS OH SUCH SuD-
jects which are more or less elementary;
the woman who makes such work her
business will have positive and exact
knowledge instead of going by guesswork.
In the kitchen she will bring into play i'm
proved machinery; for Improvements in
culinary apparatus are quite well worth
employing as improved machinery in the
factory. They save In the cost of prepare
ton, which means a saving in the cost of
the food. She will have made a study of
washing machines and of ranges, and the
miliar to her. For different foods are best
when cooked at different temperatures, and
| a knowledge of this branch of the subject
not only makes the dishes served more APP
petizing, but saves fuel
l There is about to be established in Wash
| ington diet kitchen" under the direction
| of a young woman. It's patrons will be
| largely physicians, who Will send in their
| prescriptions for meals to be supplied, just
/ as they furnish prescriptions for medicines
| to be filed by the apothecary. Doctors
| portant for sick people as suitable medi-
| cines, but 1t is difficult for them to control
the former satisfactorily, inasmuch the
| ordinary cook is not intelligent enough tC
| prepare Ii exactly as il is wanted. The diet
| kitchen, however, will furnish meals pre-
cisely according to prescription, preparing
them in a scientific manner, adjusting with
| accuracy the proportions of protein AND
! carbohydrates" and delivering the fooC
| three or more times day at the residence
| of the patient incidentally, of course, al
| dishes used will be thoroughly sterilized
being carried back in the wagon to the
| culinary establishment for a bath of live
| steam, to supplement the ordinary process
of washing.