The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1905-06-24
Home Health
Club
by DAVID n. REEDER. Ph. D., n. D.
La Porte Ind.


For a long time have had letters
trom every part of the world asking me
to give lecture to mothers. | have
SO many things in connection with such
subject which we have been taught are
100 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
HE worth striving for is to be of service
TO Others" I will let you be the judge
as to whether or not have lived up to
my ideal. l have always considered
motherhood next to Godhood, the most
sacred thing which human being may
consider, and hope that may yet find
Inc tine and opportunity to give all of
those who have become so dear to me
through the Home Health club work
complete book upon motherhood and
babies. / know that parturition can, in
nearly Ill 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 think
] shall venture TO make few sugges-
tons.
In the drst 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 ale 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
crous 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 bone-forming foods. Tea,
coffee, rich greasy foods and spices must
be absolutely avoided at this time If
strong, healthy, happy baby is desired;
while many oppose the use of meats, this
opposition is not justified by expert
once, 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-
,nent to either the mother or babe
There has recently been published a
very pretentious set of instructions for
expectant mothers. They must have
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
foods" Now, common sense ought to
tell anyone that fully rs per cent. of the
mothers of the world, yes. 80 per cent. of
them, not only cook their own food, but
all of the food for the entire family, so
what II the sense of writing such silly
instructions when it is known that they
cannot be carried out? Again, this book
says: TO fight an excessive appetite is
the hardest battle of a pregnant wom-
an" but such fight. as well as seeking
to avoid the odor of food, is absolutely
unnecessary. Make the condition nat
ural, realize its wonder, it's mystery, its
power, its 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 ia told in its life. II
she fully realizes the fact that the foods
Of which she partakes are not only for
the purpose of satisfying her own appe-
tite and supplying her bodily needs, but
also is supplying through her life blood
the necessary elements for the creation
OF another being it will be her delight to
partake 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
aad consisting largely of vegetables and
fruits. will go far toward making preg-
nancy q perfectly natural thing. II at
any time there is an unnatural craving
for food a cup of very hot sweet milk
slipped slowly with teaspoon will usu-
ally not only satisfy the craving, but
soothe and strengthen the mother.
Sometimes eating fruit or drinking a
cup of water, either hot or cold, win an
swer the purpose.
Plenty of outdoor exercise and an
abundance of fresh air In the sleeping
room must be secured, but common
sense must be used in connection with
the exercise. 1t would be suicidal for
some women to take vigorous exercise
during the latter months of pregnancy.
The mother would be broken down and
the child would be all bone and muscle,
with but little brain.
After the fifth month has passed the
bone and muscle forming food need not
be used so freely. but more of the fruits
and vegetables. Cut down on the meats,
cheese, 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.
II an easy birth is desired. All of these
things that are necessary have been sup
piled during the first months, II 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
child are formed. During this period of
four months the mother may do more for