Maintaining Health (Formerly Health and Efficiency)Alsaker, Rasmus Larssen
Science
Maintaining Health (Formerly Health and Efficiency)
Alsaker, Rasmus Larssen
Diet; Hygiene
In other cases too much of the work of excretion is thrown upon the
skin. The same thing happens to this structure as happens to the mucous
membrane. It is made for a limited amount of excretion and when more
foreign matter, much of it of a very irritating nature, is deposited for
elimination through the skin, it becomes inflamed. It itches. In a
little while there is an attack of eczema. The baby scratches, digging
its little nails in with a will. The infant soon has its face covered
with sores and the scalp is scaly. The proper thing to do is to reduce
the feeding greatly. Then the acid-producing fermentation in stomach and
bowels will cease, but enough food to nourish the body will be absorbed,
the skin will have but its normal work to perform, the cause of the
irritation is gone and the effects will disappear in a short time. Two
weeks are often sufficient to bring back the smooth, soft skin that
every baby should have. The sufferers from these troubles are almost
invariably overweight, and the parents wonder why their babies, who are
so healthy, should be troubled thus!
Mothers owe it to their nursing babies to lead wholesome, simple lives.
It is not always possible to live ideally, but every mother can eat
simply and control her temper. Wholesome food and equanimity will go far
toward producing healthful nourishment for the child. Stimulants and
narcotics should be avoided. Meat should not be eaten more than once a
day, and it would be better to use less meat and more eggs or nuts.
Fresh fruits and vegetables should be partaken of daily. They are the
rejuvenators and purifiers. The cereal foods should be as near natural
as possible. The bread should be made of whole wheat flour mostly. If
rice is eaten it should be unpolished. Refined sugar should be taken in
moderation, if at all. The potatoes are best baked. Pure milk is as good
for the mother as it is for the child. Highly seasoned foods or rich
made dishes should be avoided. In short, the mother should live as near
naturally as possible.
The importance of cheerfulness can hardly be overestimated. A nervous
mother who frets or worries, or becomes mastered by any of the negative,
depressing passions, poisons her babe a little with each drop of milk
the child takes.
Some mothers are unable to nurse their babies. This is so because of
lack of knowledge principally, for women who give themselves proper care
are nearly always able to furnish nourishment for their infants. It may
be that this function will be largely lost if the present preponderance
of artificial feeding continues, and if various inoculations are not
stopped. Some mothers find it a great pleasure to nurse their babies.
Others refuse to do so for fear of ruining their figures.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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