FoodNet

The complete Indian housekeeper & cook

1898

Page 105

Presented as published in 1898. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
In regard to the time of marching, people with children often find it more convenient to march in the afternoon, and in some ways it is easier for the servants. When, however, the breadwinner has outdoor work, as, for instance, in the case of a revenue or canal officer— in fact, of all officers in civil employ— the morning is the best time ; for much of his work is sure to lie en route, and would necessitate his starting almost in the heat of the day if it is to be done in the aftei^ noon. The great charm of camp, too, the early morning ride, is lost; but in this matter personal convenience has to be con- sulted. Phe only difficulty of marching in the morning, viz., the servants’ broken rest, is easily reduced to a minimum. One man in turn goes on ahead with one set of kujawars, leaving two men behind to pack up the dinner things an<l start at daybreak. Or all the equipage can start in charge of one table-servant over night, and the others rise early and overtake them. But with either camels or carts the native manages to sleep eu route comfortably enough, especially if he is off’ duty, and this can easily be managed by jnitting the servants in charge by turns. If marching in the morning is the rule, it is an art to leave nothing out except the clothes you are to put on, the bedding, and, in the cook-room, the materials for early morning tea. With children, however, a large kettle and a medicine chest should remain behind. In regard to stores, it is well to take as few as possible, especially tinned provisions, but do not make yourself uncom- fortable for want of things to which you are accustomed. 'I'hat is the great secret of camp life. CHAPTER XIII HINTS TO MISSIONARIES AND OTHERS LIVING IN CAMP AND JUNGLES Among missionaries, the itinerating mission and the village mission are now much more resorted to than formerly ; while Government is making railways and canals in many directions through sandy wastes and sj)arsely populated tracts. Thus, in many cases, small parties of our countrymen (and often the solitary bachelor) have to live as best they can at a distance from any station. It is for the benefit of such that this chapter has been written by one of the authors, as a suijplement to that on Camp Life. It is proposed to take account first of the food and drink that is necessary to the proper sustenance of the body, then of lodging as regards living in tents or houses, and lastly, of clothing and bedding, merely as they affect the welfare of the body, and protect it from malaria. Food is placed first, because jiractical, experimental know- ledge of missionaries leads to a belief that missionaries, as a rule, think it of no consequence — if not worldly or derogatory to their spiritual calling — to give a thought to anything so commonplace. But a regular supj)ly of good and nourishing- food is absolutely necessary to repair the wear and tear of tissues involved in their work, and besides acts as a pure prophylactic against malaria and fever. Yet often men and women engaged in severe work, rising early and taking rest late, truly eat the bread of sorrows in the form of greasy, unpalatable, badly-cooked food, and then are grievously dis- aj)pointed at being ordered home at once by some doctor Avho has not the patience to point out that the real root of the disease lay, not in the climate, nor in their work, but in the neglect of the