The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1909-03-25
THE MOTHERS MEETING.

The following is in part the adj
dress delivered by DR.. A. w. Bak-
er, at the Mothers Meeting in the
High School last Thursday.
The subject was Hygiene as it
relates to the Public School Pu-
pills.. After some preliminary re-
marks, DR.. Baker said:
Dief-The child's food should be
plain and varied; not too much
meat and rich pastry, bur more veg
etables, frnit, nuts, and olive oil;
milk rather than tea and coffee.
Meals should be regular. and a
child should have plenty of time to
eat. If you keep horse l know
you are particular to feed it regu-
larly. 1t is even more important
that your child should have the
same consideration. You have
been told that you should eat slow
ly and thoroughly chew the food.
Whyl Because man does not rum
mate, as does the OK, the deer, and
some other animals, but our food
should be finely ground before
swallowing, and thoroughly mixed
with the saliva, which starts the
process of digestion. To enable
children to thoroughly masticate
their food, give them plenty of time
to eat and do not allow them to
drink while eating; but water may
be taken before and after eating.
I think man is the only animal that
washes his food down with liquids.
Children should not be allowed
to eat too often between the regu-
lar meals, as that keeps the stom-
ach at work all the time. The
stomach needs rest just as much as
the body does. Cheerfulness at the
table is great aid to digestion.
Let the children laugh and talk at
their meals join them in agreeable
conversation. A disorderec diges-
tion makes a cross and disagreeable
child; and perfect digestion produc-
es happy disposition.
Pure water should be the princi-
pal drink. Tea and coffee are more
or less harmful to growing children,
as they contain alkaloids which af-
feet the nervous system and irritate
the kidneys.
Shmulants. Alcoholic liquors
should not be given children.
They contain no nourishment which
cannot be supplied by harmless
foods. They are positively HARM
full to young growing children. Be-
sides, many man or woman can
trace his or her downfall to the in
diligence of thoughtless parents.
Sunshine is one of our best disin-
fectants. Many people keep their
houses shut up tight, particularly
the "spare room" or the "parlor"
for fear the sunlight will fade car
pets or furniture. Better have fad
ed carpets than faded children.
Let the sunshine in, even though
it keeps the doctor out.
CLEANLINESS. 1t has been truly
said that cleanliness is next to
Godliness". Cleanliness is condu-
Give to health; uncleanness invites
disease. Teach children to use the
toothbrush after meals, and always
to start to school with clean
hands and faces. No doubt you
teachers have some pupils who
come to school with "high- water
mark" upon their wrists and necks.
BakAing.-Where possible child
should have warm bath at bed
time and cool sponge-bath on a
rising in the morning. This keeps
the skin in clean, healthy, active
condition, helps the circulation of
the blood, induces sleep, aids diges-
ton, growth and development.
We breathe more or less through
the skin, hence the Importance of
keeping the pores open, by frequent
bathing. Don't be afraid to wash
the hair; it will do no harm; un-
less frequently washed, the hair be-
comes too oily. Discourage the
habit among children of putting