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Show WHAT to EAT and WHY C. Houston Goudiss Offers Timely Advice on Keeping Children Well in Winter; Warns of Several Dangers By C. HOUSTON GOUDISS ONE of the ways by which her community judges a woman's success as a mother is by the health and well-being well-being of her children. If they are energetic, rosy-cheeked normal boys and girls who have a high resistance to infections, infec-tions, such as the common cold, and if they display the good dispositions that we usually associate with buoyant health, then the verdict of friends and neighbors is usually that of a job well done. To help her children maintain main-tain top health and vitality, a mother must constantly be alert to the various factors that help produce this ideal estate. And at the same time, she must likewise be on guard against the common conditions condi-tions that may contribute to lowered resistance, especially fatigue and improper diet. Winter Hazards It has been said that in winter the body is on trial and this is ft imm " ' I f X.' as true or children as of adults. Extremes Ex-tremes of temperature tempera-ture require adjustments ad-justments on the part of the body, and in most parts of the country, children are called upon constantly to switch their environment envi-ronment from a boose which is all too frequently overheated over-heated to an outdoor temperature that may be below freezing. While cool, outdoor air is stimulating stim-ulating to children in normal health, some children withstand it much less successfully. This is particularly true of those who are improperly nourished; who are over-fatigued or suffer from poor circulation. When it is very cold outdoors, it is wise to have children come in from their play periodically to warm up. And if a child appears to suffer from the cold unduly, it i3 wise to have a physician check up on his health. Guard Against Frostbite Over-exposure must be avoided, particularly in cold, damp weather. weath-er. For under these conditions, doctors warn, there is always a danger of frostbite. They say that whenever the temperature falls ' below 8 degrees Fahrenheit, children chil-dren should not be permitted to play outdoors. If they do, the cold may act upon the tissues so that part of the body is deprived of its blood supply. This is most likely to occur in the fingers, toes, nose or ears which thereupon become frozen. The combination of wind and low temperature is especially dangerous and frostbite frequently occurs at temperatures up to 14 degrees Fahrenheit when there is a strong wind. Mothers should be on guard against frostbite when the temperature tem-perature is below 24 degrees Fahrenheit, Fahr-enheit, however, and at all times during the winter, see that children chil-dren are warmly clad. This need not mean that they are so bundled up as to preclude the possibility of active play. Suitable clothing consists of garments which provide pro-vide warmth and protection against dampness, without constriction con-striction at any point. Two layers of wool, such as that provided by a woolen sweater sweat-er and playsuit are considered preferable to one too-bulky garment gar-ment Feet and hands should, of course, be well protected. Don't Overheat the House Only a little less serious are the consequences of dry, overheated over-heated indoor air. It is unfortunate unfortu-nate that so many people keep their rooms entirely too warm in winter. This not only widens the gap between indoor and outdoor temperatures, but may be extremely ex-tremely irritating to the delicate membranes of the nose and throat. Most authorities consider an indoor temperature of about 68 degrees Fahrenheit satisfactory. Is Your Child Lazy? We often hear mothers complain that their children are lazy in cold weather . . . and they seem to have less pep and energy than in other seasons. If by that they mean that their children are less active, it may be that this can be attributed in part to the bleak, shorter days that do not always al-ways invite outdoor play. But sometimes a child displays such a reduction in his activities as to appear indolent. Then the mother moth-er most seek the physical or emotional emo-tional factors that may be responsible. re-sponsible. For true laziness suggests sug-gests a body that is not functioning function-ing normally. Quite possibly the child's diet is not meeting his bodily require- ments. An undernourished child usually tires easily and i3 disinclined dis-inclined to exert himself. The food may be adequate as to quantity, quan-tity, but not as to quality. For example, a diet that is too highly concentrated, contains too little bulk or cellulose, may cause a tendency to faulty elimination. This, in turn, is frequently responsible re-sponsible for lassitude. The remedy rem-edy is often a simple dietary change the addition of a salad to the daily diet; or possibly the use of stewed dried fruits in addition addi-tion to a fresh fruit or fruit juice daily. Of course, the child should also have tvo servings of vegetables vegeta-bles besides potatoes, one of which should be of the green leafy variety. Also a quart of milk daily; breads and cereals, at least half of which may preferably be the whole grain variety; an egg daily or at least three or four, weekly; one serving of meat, fish or chicken, and another serving of a protein food, such as cheese. Some form of vitamin D should be included in the diet of young children, especially during the winter months. It is also most important that children follow a daily routine that includes plenty of time for sleep. And for younger children a daytime day-time nap is usually advised. ' Children Need Healthy Mothers Mothers must give attention to the children's health. But let them give some consideration to their own. The tired, nervous mother is very apt to transfer some of her own fatigue and nervousness to her child. So in arranging your child's rest periods and diet, in looking after proper habits of elimination, make sure that Mother, Moth-er, too . . . and better still every member of the family . . . follows fol-lows this same sound health program. |