In conclusion, it is a duty to take some real recreation,
and to unstring our bow daily. Of an evening, for instance,
all talk of work should be avoided and a real rest taken — not
a mere change of leg like the cabman’s horse. If several
persons are in camp together, a compendium box of games
will afford amusement evening after evening ; while even a
solitary traveller can enjoy variety in healthful reading, a
musical instrument, or letter-writing. The annual vacation to
the hills should also be regularly taken ; not because we are
ill, but to keep ourselv^es well ; for though this change may
serve to keep off disease, it rarely cures it, and then the only
alternative is to give up work and go to England. If the
advice given above is followed, life may be spent usefully and
happily in this country for many years.’
CHAPTER XIV
HINTS ON MANAGEMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN
One of the authors, having had much experience in the
bringing up of a large family in India, thinks that this book
would be incomplete without a few hints on the management
of children during infancy and teething.
One great point to be insisted on is, that all mothers
should persevere in nursing their children. Monthly nurses,
to save themselves a little trouble, persuade the young mother
that she has not sufficient nourishment and cannot nurse ; the
doctor tells her that if she has to supplement with a bottle,
she had better not nurse at all ; gay friends urge that she
will be tied down and spoil her figure ; and so, distracted
amongst them all, she yields the point. As a rule, in the
case of every healthy woman. Nature can supply the demand,
and the nursing mother retain her usual occupations and
amusements in moderation, and enjoy cheerful society and
ordinary wholesome food, though stimulants had best be
given up. She must not let herself be worried nor imposed
upon by the ayah, who, whenever she wants to run and have
a smoke, will tell her that the child is hungry. The child
should be kept to fixed times ; tw'o hours at first, gradually
increasing to three or four hours, during which the mother
can fulfil her outdoor social engagements, and longer than
which no woman who loved her home, husband, and child
wmuld care to be aw'ay. During nursing, should the mother
experience a sense of thirst, or what in feminine language is
called “ sinking,” there is nothing better than a cup of cocoa
or barley-water, cooled with new milk, or in hot weather,
milk and soda-water taken when she is in the act of nursing
her child ; the same to be taken, as she prefers, once or twice
during the night if necessary. Another important point
is keeping the infant with the mother at night. All doctors
i6o
The Indian Housekeeper and Cook i6i
Page 110
Presented as published in 1898. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
AI-modernized reading of the original text
In conclusion, it is a duty to take some real recreation, and to unstring our bow daily. Of an evening, for instance, all talk of work should be avoided and a real rest taken — not a mere change of leg like the cabman's horse. If several persons are in camp together, a compendium box of games will afford amusement evening after evening ; while even a solitary traveller can enjoy variety in healthful reading, a musical instrument, or letter-writing. The annual vacation to the hills should also be regularly taken ; not because we are ill, but to keep ourselves well ; for though this change may serve to keep off disease, it rarely cures it, and then the only alternative is to give up work and go to England. If the advice given above is followed, life may be spent usefully and happily in this country for many years.’
CHAPTER XIV
HINTS ON MANAGEMENT OF YOUNG CHILDREN
One of the authors, having had much experience in the bringing up of a large family in India, thinks that this book would be incomplete without a few hints on the management of children during infancy and teething.
One great point to be insisted on is, that all mothers should persevere in nursing their children. Monthly nurses, to save themselves a little trouble, persuade the young mother that she has not sufficient nourishment and cannot nurse ; the doctor tells her that if she has to supplement with a bottle, she had better not nurse at all ; gay friends urge that she will be tied down and spoil her figure ; and so, distracted amongst them all, she yields the point. As a rule, in the case of every healthy woman. Nature can supply the demand, and the nursing mother retain her usual occupations and amusements in moderation, and enjoy cheerful society and ordinary wholesome food, though stimulants had best be given up. She must not let herself be worried nor imposed upon by the ayah, who, whenever she wants to run and have a smoke, will tell her that the child is hungry. The child should be kept to fixed times ; two hours at first, gradually increasing to three or four hours, during which the mother can fulfil her outdoor social engagements, and longer than which no woman who loved her home, husband, and child would care to be away. During nursing, should the mother experience a sense of thirst, or what in feminine language is called “ sinking,” there is nothing better than a cup of cocoa or barley-water, cooled with new milk, or in hot weather, milk and soda-water taken when she is in the act of nursing her child ; the same to be taken, as she prefers, once or twice during the night if necessary. Another important point is keeping the infant with the mother at night. All doctors
i6o
The Indian Housekeeper and Cook i6i