than the deadly monotony of their diet, which produces an overmastering craving 

 for some change of flavour and some stimulus to their unexercised sense of taste. 



A wholesome variety in food is only one factor in temperance, but it is a very 

 important one, therefore it has been dealt with at some length. 



Before proceeding to a consideration of the connection between an individual 

 and the food which suits him, it will be helpful to pass in review some 



GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS WHICH AFFECT OUR DIET. 



The fact that no specimen diet can be rigidly adhered to in any particular 

 family will become clear after a study of this section. Not that the publication 

 or perusal of such dietary tables is therefore to be condemned or despised as 

 waste of time; they are useful to the housewife in several connections, as well as 

 to the scientist. If the constituents and amount of the usual food of a large range 

 of individuals be compared, individuals living in different countries and under 

 different conditions, it will be observed that, on the whole, the results conform 

 quite closely to the ideal standard which has been laid down as to the character, 

 cost, and quantity of food to be eaten. Of course, 



AMONG THE VERY POOR 



the daily meals would be insufficient in quantity to maintain health, while among 

 the well-to-do the diet would err on the side of excess ; but, as a ^vhole, healthy 

 people select their food with considerable intelligence; that is to say, if they yet 

 the chance and if they have been wisely trained in childhood. Both the chance 

 and the training depend upon our house-mothers. 



The use of printed diet tables becomes apparent if a member of the family 

 flag, lose appetite, or develop an abnormal capacity for food. It is very helpful 

 to turn to some guide as to just about what amount and kind of food is natural 

 at that age and under those conditions of life; so that, unknown to the individual. 

 means to correct these abnormalities may be found. Girls about fifteen, for 

 instance, often take up quaint and unwholesome food fads w r hich cannot be 

 sanctioned; as, for example, when they desire to sustain life upon a diet of 

 cucumber and tea ! 



Anaemia is a far too common complaint in early life. If a case occur in the 

 house, how useful is the knowledge that eggs are a particularly valuable food 

 for auseniic people, especially when combined w r ith spinach, because in both cases 

 iron is present in a very assimilable form. 



MANY CHILDREN, IN THESE DAYS, OFTEN TAKE A DISLIKE TO MILK; 



but, if the housekeeper is aware that until thirteen or fourteen years of age a 

 quart of in ilk a day should enter into the diet and is alive to this necessity, 

 ingenuity will be exercised in the concoction of dishes which contain the requisite 

 amount of milk unknown to the consumer. Junket, for instance, or milk-soups, 

 plain custards, cornstarch or rice and other moulds, variously flavoured simple 

 white sauces to eat with vegetables, or bread-sauce with meat, poultry, game, or 

 fish. The great value of skim-milk as a body-building food is not half appreciated ; 

 it is cheap, excellent, and nutritious. Finally, these diet tables are invaluable 



WHEN RESPONSIBILITY IS ASSUMED FOR THE CARE 



of institutions and their inmates. They guide the judgment as to the probable 

 sufficiency of the food supplied to those who have no control in the matter of 

 their own diet. 



Assistance will also be derived from a study of the diagrams with which this 

 bulletin is illustrated, where the proportions of nutrients present have been 

 purposely associated with familiar forms of food, so that each time these are in 

 use they will serve to remind the cook of their relative nutritive value. 



