THE INSUFFICIENT USE OF MILK. 493 



is insufficient digestive agency to dispose of it. And, the better the 

 quality of the milk, the more severe the discomfort will be under 

 these conditions,* 



Milk is insufficiently used in making simple puddings of such farina- 

 ceous foods as rice, tapioca, and sago. Distaste for these is engendered 

 very often, I believe, because the milk is stinted in making them, or poor, 

 skimmed milk is used. Abundance of new milk should be employed, 

 and more milk, or cream, should be added when they are taken. In 

 Scottish households this matter is well understood, and a distinct 

 pudding-plate, like a small soup-plate, is used for this course. The 

 dry messes commonly served as milky puddings in England are ex- 

 actly fitted to create disgust for what should be a most excellent and 

 delicious part of a wholesome dinner for both children and adults. 



I am of opinion that much mischief results from the use of con- 

 densed milk, called Swiss milk, for children. I think it has a poor 

 nutritive value compared with fresh good milk, and it is simply foolish 

 for people to employ it when they can procure the real article. At 

 sea, or when such milk as can be had is of doubtful quality, there may 

 be just cause for resorting to it, but it is as unwise to employ it when 

 fresh milk is procurable as it is to use extract of beef when freshly- 

 made beef -tea can be had. I am aware that some infants will only 

 take condensed milk, and appear to thrive upon it, but I think it is not 

 to be trusted to for the highest nutritional purposes, and it should be 

 discarded as soon as possible. The value of milk for the aged is not 

 appreciated as it should be. If old age is a second childhood, the food 

 for such persons should be that adapted to feeble digestive powers and 

 the edentulous condition. 



Many invalids and feeble persons can be induced to take milk with 

 rum in it. This is at times a valuable prescription, but I find that 

 people resort to it without medical advice, and some make it practi- 

 cally a mere excuse for a pernicious form of dram-drinking. 



Milk and eggs in the form of custard is of high value. Some in- 

 valids, it should be known, can take custard-pudding cold when they 

 can not take it hot, and with salt in it instead of sugar. 



To illustrate what should be considered a proper milk-supply for a 

 family and household consisting of ten persons, adults and children, I 

 may state that five quarts per diem is the least quantity that should 

 be consumed for all purposes. Childi*en of any age may very well 

 take a quart a day. If this, or anything approaching this, were the 

 rule, instead of the exception, rickets, in its manifold phases, would be 

 completely banished from this country, and a much higher standard of 

 health and robustness would unquestionably prevail. 



* The addition of a little carbonate of soda or of lime-water will often enable milk to 

 be better digested. It is sometimes well to eat a dry biscuit and sip the milk between 

 the mouthfuls. For weakly children with whom milk disagrees, good cream, diluted with 

 two or three parts of water, may be often substituted with advantage. 



