Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1921-10-14

home, now that Maude is married. I !
often wish I would get Florence and
Ida to take milk and eggs better
They're both thin and nervous and
seem to get tired out so easily. But
even Billy wants his coffee for break
fast and tea for dinner"
You don't mean to say you give
four-year-old Billy tea and coffee?
An illumination of many points
about her neighbours family came
suddenly to Mrs Newsom. She had
always supposed the Olds children
We're delicate and obviously under
nourished. because there We're so many
Of them to bring up on small salary.
Apparently however, there had been
a very grave blunder in the diet of
the whole family. one which could
have been avoided even with their
limited income, because milk is one of
the cheapest sources of QOurishment
obtainable.
Il wish you might have been with
NE yesterday" remarked Mrs. New
som. II heard a talk about an exhibit
prepared by some milk specialists in
the dairy division of the United States
Department of Agriculture. In fact,
I brought home picture which illus
trated the lecture. I think it would
Interest YOU" She stepped inside the
house for a moment, and then invited
her neighbor to sit down while she
explained.
The exhibit was of some white rats,
and showed the practical results of re-
search work done by nutrition scien-
lists. The lecturer explained that the
condition Of the rats illustrated the
good effect of adding milk to an in
adequate diet. The rats having milk,
you see, grew large and muscular, with
strong bones, bright eyes and glossy
hair. Those that did not have milk
addvd to their diet had weak bones,
because they lacked minerals, espe-
claIly lime, which is so abundant in
milk, and also milk proteins, which
are uneXcelled for making firm, strong
muscles. They also lacked vitamines.
Sential to growth and health. Poor
little things, they did not gain, but ac-
tually lost, While their comrades in the
next cage thrived, and in six weeks
mad more than doubled their weight
at the beginning of the demonstration.
The lecturer explained that the ex-
hlblt was not an experiment, because
the facts had already been proved by
experimental evidence. 1t was merely
practical illustration.
"Of course" went on Mrs. Newsom,
we know perfectly we'll that baby
will double its weight in six months
on milk alone and really we should
not be SURPRISED that these half-grown
rats would have done the same when
they had all the milk they wished.
The lecturer showed us the stuffed
pelts, which were absolutely lifelike,
and the mounted skeletons. The milk
fed rats had firm, well-formed bones.
because they got plenty of lime where
as the poor little undernourished ones
mad such frail skeletons that some of
them had to be exhibited in bottles In
stead of being mounted"
Causes of Weak Bones.
Mrs. Olds looked very thoughtful, 81
wonder" she said finally, whether the
small amount of milk the children have
had would partly account for the
easily broken bones in our family?
Three of the children have had frac-
tured arms or legs-and Ida's back |
seems SO weak"
1T seems probable, though, one can't |
say positively, of course, Mrs. Odds.
The lecturer yesterday confirmed nv
belief that milk is better for the
child's nervous system than tea and
coffee, which, as you know, are not
foods at all, and which contain ele-
ments that affect the nerves. It's
problem to break food habit after
child once forms it, 1 know; that
Is why I have always avoided start
Ing the tea and coffee habit"
Il believe" said Mrs. Olds, that
The two youngest children might listen
to me if could tell them the story of
he rats-and perhaps show them the
picture" "
'I'll be so glad to lend it to YOU"
smiled Mrs! Newsom.