St. Tammany farmer., 1905-09-23

b DAVID q. REEDER. p. D. ND az
La Porte. Ind.
FOOD FOR LITTLE ONES.
Taking it for granted that those who
have read my previous lecture upon
infant feeding will follow the directions
therein given, the young child should
now be healthy ard robust; he should
at least be of the average size and
health, or perhaps little above it.
Even after weaving, the milk or
fluid food is used until at least the
end Of the second, or, II continued
as the principal article Of diet. until
about the third year; all the better.
As the end of the second year draws
near. however, the observing mother
notes that all of the milk teeth have
been cut, and the digestive organs are
much stronger. Active measurements
show that the size and shape of the di-
gestive apparatus has been greatly
changed; the walls Of the stomach
have grown thicker and the intestinal
canal larger and has greater capacity.
The lower maxillary has increased in
strength, and the muscles Of mastica-
ton have all become flrmer and more
powerful. The cavity Of the mouth
has also become larger, the esophagus
wider, the lips more fleshy, and the
saliyary glands SO well developed that
their secretions are much greater. In
fact, all of the digestive organs are
responding to the demand of nature for
foods that will not only supply the
child with strength for its daily exer-
tions, but for an additional quantity
sufficient to cary on the process Of
growth and development.
These signs all point to the fact that
additional food must soon be sup
piled. It therefore becomes necessary
for those in charge to ascertain the
form of food best adapted to the pres
ent needs.
It is true that some will laugh at the
idea of selecting special diet for the
children, and will say, with scorn: Il
have allowed my children to eat what
tho rest did, and I guess l don't pay
any more doctor bills than the most of
people, That may be true enough, but
in years to come your descendants will
suffer because of your neglect and lack
of judgment. Moreover, there is no
necessity for paying any doctor bills
il the little ones are properly cared
for, and taught to eat proper food at
proper times, and in the correct man
ner. Besides, these lectures are not
written for the benefit of those who
know it all and are satisfied to do as
their ancestors did, no matter what the
consequences may be; but they are
written for those who wish to learn
better way; for those who have the
future welfare of their children 50
much at heart that they are willing to
make every effort to secure the best
possible Instructions as to their men,
tai, moral and physical development.
It is certainly a bad state OF affairs
when parent is found who reads
yes, studies-with great interest every
thing pertaining to the physical deyel-
opment and most advantageous sur.
and foodstuffs for pigs,
chickens, calves and colts, but pays no
attention to instructions as to the best
methods Of advancing the interests OF
his own offspring! 1t is hoped, how
ever, that this department will con.
tinue to arouse the enthusiasm not
only Of the mothers and fathers, but
of all right-minded people, and that
the important question of diet, hy-
giene and physical as we'll as mental
development of the coming generation
may be intelligently and commonly
discussed in every home.
But to return to our baby, who is,
no doubt, hungry by this time, as he
has been left SO long with all of his
teeth ready for work, and nothing but
milk to chew on.
AS a rule, children are fond of all
kinds of fruits, and most vegetables.
The vegetable acids are usually craved,
and are not only wholesome and
healthful, but are highly beneficial as
laxatives. The acids are at their best
in the ripe, juicy fruits, and, if given
to the child at the proper time, are not
at all likely to be in the least injurious.
rhe skin of fruits, potatoes, or of
sausages, should always be carefully
as they are likely to cause
acute gastritis, which might result
fatally in a short time. Canned corn
should be placed among the prohibited
articles until the habit of thoroughly
is well established.
To some persons it may appear un-
necessary to name many of the pro-
scribed articles Of food; but the ex-
oerience OF all physicians goes to prove
he necessity for explicit directions.
For instance, a woman of foreign birth
was told to give her baby a bath as
soon as she got home from the doctors
,ffice. She asked for further informa-
ion, and was told to use at least a
gallon of water. She appeared to un-
lerstand, and prepared to return home,
out turning back, she asked If she
should put sugar in it, saying that her
,aby did not like to take anything un-
ess it was sweetened. Close question
ng satisfied the astonished doctor that
he woman would literally have
given" the bath instead of bathing the
.hild's body.
When common sense is lacking, or
litter ignorance prevails, then it be-
comes necessary to be very specific,
md those who seek to aid the Home
Health club in spreading knowledge
Lmong such classes will often find their |
,atience very sorely tried.
When some Of the good mothers
,ome to read over the list of foods that |
re forbidden to Young children f1au