The Grenada sentinel. [volume] (Grenada, Miss.) 1868-1955, 1905-05-27

Home Health
Club
By DAVID n. REEDER, Phi. D.. NJ. D.
La Porte, Ind.

a oIOJNAk bAN wv
too sacred for public discussion. | have
answered many thousands of inquiries
by private letters, and this am always
glad to do. Many years ago | took for
my motto this: The only ambition in
life worth striving for is to be of service
to Others l will let you be the judge
as to whether or not l have lived up to
my ideal. l have always considered
motherhood next to GodhOOd, the, most
sacred thing which a human being may
consider, and l hope that l may yet find
the time and opportunity TO give all OF
those who have become so dear to me
through the Home Health club work a
complete book upon motherhood and
babies. l know hat parturition can, in
nearly all cases, be rendered safe and al
most painless.
There are some things of vital impor-
lance which the young expectant mother
ought to know, and they are of such a
simple and practical nature that l think
l shall venture to make a few suggeS-
tons.
In the first place, we all know that the
physical body and brain substance is
builded and maintained from the food
eaten. So that not only the child itself,
but the mother, must have the foods
which are intended by nature to supply
the elements necessary for the health of
both.
During the first five months Of preg-
nancy the foundation is laid for the ply
steal body of the child, and during that
time the mother should indulge in Wig
orous exercise and physical culture for
developing especially those portions of
the body which are weak in herself or
husband, and she should partake Of
muscle and b~One-forming foods. Tea,
coffee, rich, greasy foods and spices must
be absolutely avoided at this time if a
strong, healthy, happy baby is desired;
while many oppose the use of meats, this
opposition is not justified by expert
ence, and if pork and veal are strictly
avoided, nearly all other kinds Of meats
and fish, eggs, etc. etc, may be used in
moderation. if desired, without detri-
ment 10 either the mother or babe.
There has recently been published a
very ~pretentious set of instructions for
been written by some one with but little
knowledge of how humanity really ex-
lists. One of the important directions
says Keep away from the odor of
Now. common sense ought TO
tell anyone that fully IS per cent. of the
mothers OF the world, yes, 80 per cent. of
them, not only cook their OWL food, but
all Of the food for the entire family. so
what is the sense of writing such silly
when it is known that they
be carried out? Again, this book
says: To fight an excessive appetite is
the hardest battle of a pregnant wom-
an" but such a fight, as we'll as seeking
to avoid the odor of food, is absolutely
unnecessary. Make the condition nat
lral. realize its wonder. its mystery, its
power, it's grandeur. The eXpectant
mother is working Jointly with the
Great, the Divine. Greater Of the uni
verse, and her mental attitude toward
the unborn child is told in its life. If
she fully realizes the fact that the foods
of which she partakes are not only for
he purpose Of satisfying her W appe-
lite and supplying her bodily needs, but
also is supplying through her life blood
he necessary elements for the creation
Of another being. it will be her delight to
Dartake of the foods which experience
has shown to be the best for that pur-
pose. A judiciOus use of good, whole
some food, thoroughly well masticated
and consisting largely of vegetables and
will go far toward making preg-
nancy a perfectly natural thing. If at
time there is an unnatural craving
or food a cup of very hot sweet milk
slipped slowly with a teaspoon will usu-
ally not only satisfy the craving, but
;oothe and strengthen the mother.
eating fruit or drinking a
of water, either hot or cold, will an
the purpose.
Plenty of outdoor exercise and an
abundance of fresh air in the sleeping
com must be secured, but common
sense must be used in connection with
he exercise. 1t would be suicidal for
.ome women to take vigorous exercise
Turing the latter months of pregnancy.
The mother would be broken down and
he child would be all bone and muscle,
With but little brain.
After the fifth month has passed the
zone and muscle forming food need not
used SO freely, but more Of the fruits
md vegetables. Cut down on the meats,
beans, barley, butter, milk, etc.,
although they should not be eliminated
altogether until the last two or three
weeks, after which nothing but fruit,
vegetables and liquids should be eaten,
f IN easy birth is desired. All of these
Kings that are necessary have been sup
1lied during the first months, if the diet
has been properly directed.
During the last four months of preg-
nancy the brain and mental capacity,
Inclination tastes and ambition of the