IN THOSE FAR-OFF DAYS, 



when the offices of priest, physician, and lawgiver were closely linked (often, indeed, 

 united in one ruau), strict regulations, associated with religious observances and 

 characterized by direct hygienic intention, were commonly made on the subject of 

 food and diet: witness the strict tenets of the Mosaic laws and corresponding 

 precepts laid down on the subject by Buddha and Zoroaster. 



WOMEN OF ALL RANKS, 



but more especially those at the head of large establishments, gave much time 

 to acquiring a knowledge of all the processes then in use for the preparation of 

 food until late in the medireval period; and combined therewith a study of the 

 utilization of herbs and simples for the preservation of health and the healing of 

 disease or wounds. A gradual growth of contempt for 



THIS KNOWLEDGE AND THE ART OF ITS APPLICATION 



seems to have gone hand-in-hand with the Puritan reaction from the self-indulgent 

 excesses of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries, when any pleasing of the 

 palate or consideration of personal likes or dislikes were distrusted as a temptation 

 from the Evil One; so that the preparation of the family food was by degrees 

 handed over to the untrained helper or the hired girl. Poor human nature has 



PAID ALMOST AS HEAVY PENALTIES 



for the effects of this exaggerated disdain of its physical requirements as it has 

 done for the intemperance and debauches of other generations. It devolves uiKm 

 us to see to it that this twentieth century should be distinguished by a happy 

 mean in its methods, which under wise and skilful direction should be free alike 

 from undue luxury or from injudicious asceticism. 



THE MODERN HOUSEWIFE 



has abundant opportunities, by means of the press, useful publications, women's 

 institutes and congresses, to sharpen her wits upon the whetstone of sound theory; 

 while as a result of social progress, in the form of ever-increasing, highly organized 

 and cheaper means of rapid communication with other countries, the resources 

 of practically the whole world are at her disposal for the furnishing of her table. 



THE TOOLS OF THE MODERN HOUSE-MOTHER 



are interest and observation, right knowledge and its constant application. By 

 taking advantage of every opportunity to utilize and improve these tools, she 

 can make good, in a large measure, her deficiency of definite training ; which, mean- 

 while, she will take care her daughters shall enjoy. In the first place, she must 

 bear in mind that 



(1.) THE FUNCTIONS OF FOOD AND DRINK 



are to build and repair the body, to supply it with heat and energy and generally 

 to maintain it at a high pitch of efficiency. In order to ensure that these functions 

 of food are fulfilled, she must remember, in the second place, that 



(2.) ALL FOOD MATERIALS 



are composed of one or more nutrient substances, known as protein, fats, carbo- 

 hydrates, mineral salts, and water. But as 



(3.) NO ONE FOOD MATERIAL 



contains these nutrients in exactly the proportions required by the body, she must, 

 in the third place, remind herself that a mixed diet has been proved by experience 

 to be necessary to health. Consequently, if she be a careful and observant house- 

 keeper, she will use her wits so 



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