FoodNetArchive

The standard book of recipes and housewife's guide, comprising as complete cook book

1901

Page 256

Presented as published in 1901. Historical recipes may not meet modern food-safety standards. Cook from the modern interpretation, not the original instructions.
tion, and makes the body hot ; but for young children; old people, rheumatic sub- jects, or in very cold climates, a woolen night-dress is necessary. How to Live Long. As a brief summary statement of the most essential conditions of h.ealth and longevity, we may conclude our study of H3'giene w^ith the following precepts : 1 . Never breathe three breaths of foul air when you can get out from it into that which is fresh, or can get fresh air into the place where you are. 2. Eat when you are hungry, and only wholesome food. Eat slowly, and stop as soon as hunger is satisfied. 3. Drink pure water when you are thirst}^ ; take milk as part of your daily food ; a cup of tea, not too strong, if you like it, or cocoa; but coff"ee only when you are ver}^ tired ; and alcoholic beverages, while in good health and strength, never. Also, make no use of tobacco. 4. Dress alwaj^s with a view to comfort and convenience ; not compressmg the chest, nor impeding the movement of any of the limbs. 5 . Be careful to maintain a regular habit of daily movement of the bowels. 6. Rest, if you can, when tired, and sleep when sleepy. Take eight hours of sleep every night ; more, if you feel the need of it, and can get it. 7. Work regular!}" at something every da}^ and do the best you can throughout ; but avoid over-work. The sign of it is, that you wake up tired, not refreshed, in the morning. 8. Never do any regular week-day labor (simple unavoidable small chores excepted) on the first day of the week. Make it a day of repose and renovation for mind and body. 9. However rich you may be, do not make pleasure the aim and object of life ; it will wear you out faster than work, or even worry. Lastly, let every day be cheered In- sun- shine from above, and brightened by the hope of a better life to come. 571 loS VALUE OF VEGETABLE AND ANIMAL FOOD No subject is of more vital importance to the care of health than that of food. Hence a knowledge of the value of various food products is indispensable to housekeep- ers and to those who value their own health. Are vegetarians right, who insist that w^e should eat no meat at all ? Their argu- ment is, that vegetables contain all the ele- ments required for our nourishment, made up into organic stuff, ready to be digested and built up into our tissues and used as fuel. Hence, they say, it is useless, cruel, and expensive to slay our subject animals to gratify our carnivorous taste. True, plants, roots, seeds, and fruits do contain everything absolutely necessary for food. Men often live for years, many per- haps (after infancy) for lifetimes, without animal food. But that is not the whole question. Is a solely vegetable diet the best for health with all people f On this we must inquire further ; are the elements in exactly the same state of combi- nation in vegetables as in meat ? Our answer is, no. They are more eoficentrated in animal flesh, are worked up already into animal substances, and therefore are more readily assimilated than vegetable food.