266 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



As the varying conditions of life bring change in thought 

 regarding woman's sphere of usefuhiess so of necessity must 

 they efifect a change in the ways of hving. This is the reason 

 why I have taken for my subject this evening " Why Present 

 Conditions Necessitate a Knowledge of the Dietetic Value of 

 Foods." 



Tliere are many important reasons why a knowledge of 

 food's dietetic value is necessary, but the two preeminent rea- 

 sons consist in the fact, first, that large amounts of adulterated 

 and preserved foods are placed on the market utterly unfit for 

 human consumption, and secondly, that one's diet cannot be of 

 a nature conducive to health without a knowledge of food's 

 chemical composition and use in the body. 



But not only is it necessary to have a knowledge of food 

 values in the selection of foods but this knowledge of food 

 values must extend to their preparation. The best and purest of 

 foods, prepared in an indififerent way with little or no thought 

 regarding their digestibility, naturally will not yield their full 

 nutritive value. Neither is this condition possible where food 

 is imperfectly masticated. We go through life so carelessly 

 indififerent, making use of all things supplied us by the hand 

 of bounteous nature in such a matter-of-fact way, that we do 

 not pause to consider the origin or source of such, but take it 

 for granted that if we eat when hungry human nature will care 

 for itself. This would, no doubt, be the case if not constantly 

 sinned against beyond the point of endurance. 



The attitude usually assumed in the selection, preparation, 

 and consumption of food is one of indiliference except, perhaps, 

 as it may appeal to the eye or palate. Mind governs man in 

 thought on other subjects, why should it not govern him in the 

 selection of his food? This question, so full of vital im- 

 portance, I leave with you to consider. 



Hurry, worry, and bustling activity characterize the life 

 of most Americans. There seems to be no time for the ob- 

 servance of those things governing health, and it is only when 

 man is brought to an abrupt standstill by illness of some kind 

 that the question in all its phases is considered. 



One of the worst habits that the American people have con- 

 tracted is that of bolting their food instead of eating it in a ra- 

 tional manner with due regard for its mastication. Three 



