The Care and Feeding of Children 985 



outside interference; where it can be kept constantly and unchangingly 

 warm; where its food can be supplied regularly and unfailingly from the 

 blood of the mother;and where, from day today, it shall be as free as pos- 

 sible from change or disturbance. During the whole prenatal or " bef ore- 

 birth " period of its existence, the mother supplies both food and environ- 

 ment for the growing organism. It is only through the mother that the 

 child can be reached, that its nutrition and general welfare can be con- 

 trolled. It is therefore the mother with whom we are primarily 

 concerned. 



Exercise of the right kind is as necessary now as at any time. A false 

 pride should never stand in the way of outdoor exercise. Exercise out 

 of doors with a free untroubled mind keeps both body and brain in better 

 condition, keeps the muscles plastic and strengthens them for the trial 

 which has to be endured. If only more thought were given to this one 

 question of muscular development in women the danger and sufferings of 

 childbirth would be very greatly reduced. Severe, overtaxing exercise or 

 very hard work should be avoided. The ordinary housework instead of 

 being harmful is generally distinctly beneficial. Running a heavy wash- 

 ing machine, working long hours at a sewing machine, bending for hours 

 over fine sewing, fancy work or embroidery, riding horseback, in fact, any 

 long-continued or straining effort should not be attempted by the average 

 woman. In various States the constant hard work with long hours in 

 factories is now regarded as sufficiently detrimental to women during this 

 period to require legislation to prevent it. It should receive equal atten- 

 tion in the home. Overworked, worn-out mothers tend to produce weak, 

 sickly children — and sickly children are not an asset to family or 

 community. 



The clothing should be light, loose and warm. The wearing of clothing 

 which constricts waist or abdomen is not only unwise but dangerous both 

 to the health of the mother and to the life of the child. Corsets should 

 be discarded. This is not a time for false pride. 



Fresh air is very important, for the body needs now as never before to 

 rid itself as quickly as possible of all poisonous wastes. Well- ventilated 

 sleeping and living rooms, plenty of sunshine and fresh air, outdoor exer- 

 cise whenever possible, should be the rule. Growth and development are 

 stimulated by sunshine and fresh air, food is more readily digested and 

 assimilated, and the whole organism is in better tone. A tendency to 

 anaemia may often be corrected by a regimen of right food, fresh air, and 

 light outdoor exercise. 



The diet should be carefully regulated. Food is needed as usual to 

 supply all the needs of the mother for energy, repair and building of tissue, 

 and elimination of waste products. Besides this, provision must be made 



