Practical observations on the diet of infancy and childhood / by Thomas Herbert Barker.

  • Barker, T. Herbert (Thomas Herbert), 1814-1865.
Date:
1850
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Practical observations on the diet of infancy and childhood / by Thomas Herbert Barker. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

    25/56 (page 23)
    a regular, plain and wholesome diet, let rich pastry- be kept strictly under lock and key. It will be far more harmless in the cupboard than in the juvenile stomach. Let it be noticed, as a general rule, that it is not the quantity of food which is eaten, but that quantity which is well-digested, that nourisbes the system. Salt and sugar are the only proper condiments to be allowed in tbe food of cbildren. Tbough we have strong objections to the use of sweetmeats, we would not deny the use of sugar, which is a luxury that may be safely enjoyed in moderation. A due proportion of salt should always accompany a vege- table diet. BEVERAGE OF CHILDHOOD. INJURIOUS EFFECTS OF STIMULANTS. When we turn to consider the proper beverage of childhood, we meet an abuse which calls for the severest reprehension. One might imagine that all persons endowed with common-sense would under- stand that pure water, with or without a proportion of milk, or well-made toast and water, must be the proper drink during the excitable period of child- hood ; but unhappily we are compelled to advert to the fact, that some parents and nurses—not know- ing the nature of what they do—^have the pernicious habit of administering to children, not only tea and coffee, but wine, malt liquors, or even—generally as a cure for some slight complaint, ardent spirits !