FoodNet

A practical cook and text book for general use

1896

Page 79

Presented as published in 1896. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
Along the pathway of life are numerous pitfalls, and the :appetite created in the nursery may be, if continued, the feeder which leads to intemperance and crime. An artifi- cial appetite created, fed and encouraged by the hand of ignorance, misled by affection, which denies the child nothing, is the essence of selfishness and criminality. It inot only sacrifices myriads of infant lives upon the altar of appetite, but it wrecks and ruins millions who survive the feasting and drinking. The child matures* ignorant of the natural taste of healthful food, and the depraved palate craves stimulants in food and drink. Home cook- ery failing to meet this demand, upon the street at every \turn are public pitfalls that engulf their victims, and in vour cities night and day the doors are open. Displays of body and soul destroying viands, enticing with their dainty trimmings, their delicious odors and **melt in the mouth" qualities, prove very tempting to an already vitiated appe- .tite, and away go the dimes andquarters in exchange for edibles often consumed at the counter. Out again upon the street with feverish thirst aroused, fountains of soda and mineral waters, hygienic (?) beers and other ques- tionable drinks greet the eye and extract the pennies with candies and chewing-gum doubtless among the gustatory outfit ; and if these will not suffice, peanuts and fruit complete the menu. Take observations any summer day and witness the throng of growing youths, to say nothing of the adult population who indulge in these things at irregular hours. A little farther on the way, and our young men lose their hard ^earned dollars to supply their FEEDING INFANTS. 199 girl friends with sweets, morning, noon or night, while they regale themselves on cigars and beer. Indeed, the gustatory habits of children and youth almost exceed belief. Is it any wonder our teeth, hair, eyes, ears and faces are put in the hands of physical renovators and artists for repair and decorations in early or middle life ? Is it any wonder that doctors' signs accumulate like leaves in the forest, and that many of them are amassing wealth from the infirmities of the race? They would be very unwise to mention such a fact as having **Made It All IN Doctor's Fees." Sir Andrew Clark, the great English physician, died recently leaving kn estate of over $i,ooo,- 000, and it is a matter of great pride with his relatives and friends that he made every dollar of it in his profes- sion. Another case is that of Sir William Gull, who is said to have started without a penny and to have amassed a million and a half by his profession. A daily paper com- menting on the above said, " It is cheering to note that it is possible for a man to earn a million by honest work solely in his profession." But is it a ^' cheering ^^ thought that there is an army of people in the world requiring^ even in the United States more than one hundred thousand doctors to keep them in passible condition. If any one has any doubts on this subject they have only to read the stories furnished by the press, thus heralded to the world at an enormous price, — and the invalid public pay the bills I Very few enjoy paying a doctor's fee, because it seems so unnecessary and exorbitant, and nothing so hampers and discourages a poor man as to be constantly paying doctor's and druggist's bills. It is time to consider this question and close the 200 THE FAT OF THE LAND.