Diet in Childhood
185
abused stomach will not perform the work given it, unless urged to it
by the most stimulating substances. If these children had been trained
from their infancy to take only healthful food, prepared in the most
simple manner, preserving its natural properties as much as possible,
and avoiding flesh meats, grease, and all spices, the taste and appetite
would be unimpaired. In its natural state, it might indicate, in a great
degree, the food best adapted to the wants of the system.
While parents and children were eating of their dainties, my hus-
band and myself partook of our simple repast, at our usual hour, at
[240]
1 P. M., of graham bread without butter, and a generous supply of
fruit. We ate our meal with a keen relish, and with thankful hearts
that we were not obliged to carry a popular grocery with us to provide
for a capricious appetite. We ate heartily, and felt no sense of hunger
until the next morning. The boy with his oranges, nuts, popcorn, and
candies, found us poor customers.
The quality of food eaten by parents and children could not be
converted into good blood or sweet tempers. The children were pale.
Some had disgusting sores upon their faces and hands. Others were
nearly blind with sore eyes, which greatly marred the beauty of the
countenance. And still others showed no eruption upon the skin, but
were afflicted with cough, catarrh, or difficulty of throat and lungs.
I noticed a boy of three years, who was suffering with diarrhea. He
had quite a fever, but seemed to think all he needed was food. He was
calling, every few minutes, for cake, chicken, pickles. The mother
answered his every call like an obedient slave; and when the food
called for did not come as soon as was desired, as the cries and calls
become unpleasantly urgent, the mother answered, “Yes, yes, darling,
you shall have it.” After the food was placed in his hand, it was thrown
passionately upon the car floor, because it did not come soon enough.
One little girl was partaking of her boiled ham, and spiced pickles,
and bread and butter, when she espied a plate I was eating from. Here
was something she did not have, and she refused to eat. The girl of six
years said she would have a plate. I thought it was the nice red apple I
was eating she desired; and although we had a limited amount, I felt
such pity for the parents, that I gave her a fine apple. She snatched
it from my hand, and disdainfully threw it quickly to the car floor. I
thought, This child, if permitted to thus have her own way, will indeed
bring her mother to shame.