Not only let there be a change of meat, but let there be a change in the manner of cooking it; let the meat sometimes be roasted; let it at other times be boiled. I have known a mother who has prided herself as being experienced in these matters, feed her child, day after day, on mutton chops! Such a proceeding is most injurious to him, as after a while his unfortunate stomach will digest nothing but mutton chops, and, in time, not even those! With regard to vegetables, potatoes--_mashed_ potatoes--ought to be his staple vegetable; but, every now and then, cauliflower, asparagus, turnips, and French beans, should be given. With respect to puddings, vary them; rice, one day; suet, another; batter, a third; tapioca, a fourth; or, even occasionally, he might have either apple or gooseberry or rhubarb pudding--provided the pastry be plain and light. It is an excellent plan, as I have before remarked, to let her child eat jam--such as strawberry, raspberry, or gooseberry--and that without stint, either with rice or with batter puddings. _Variety of diet_, then, is _good for a child:_ it will give him muscle, bone, and sinew; and, what is very important, it will tend to regulate his bowels, and it will thus prevent the necessity of giving him aperients. But do not stuff a child--do not press him, as is the wont of some mothers, to eat more than he feels inclined. On the contrary, if you think that he is eating too much--that he is overloading his stomach--and if he should ask for more, then, instead of giving him either more meat or more pudding, give him a piece of dry bread. By doing so, you may rest assured that he will not eat more than is absolutely good for him. 157. _If a child be delicate, is there any objection to a little wine, such as cowslip or tent, to strengthen him_? Wine ought not to be given to a child unless it be ordered by a medical man; it is even more injurious than beer. Wine, beer, and spirits, principally owe their strength to the alcohol they contain; indeed, nearly _all_ wines are _fortified_ (as it is called) with brandy. Brandy contains a large quantity of alcohol, more than any other liquor, namely 55.3 per cent. If, therefore, you give wine, it is, in point of fact, giving diluted brandy--diluted alcohol; and alcohol acts, unless it be used as a medicine, and under skilful medical advice, as a poison to a child. 158. _Suppose a child suddenly to lose his appetite? is any notice to be taken of it_?