OCR Text |
Show Food for the Sick. Thero Is no branch of tho culinary art which requires moro skill than thnt of preparing food for tho sick nnd feeble. Tho purposo of food at all times Is to supply material for repairing re-pairing tho wasto which is constantly constant-ly going on In tho vital economy; and henco It ought always to bo ch03.cn with refcronco to Its nutritlvo value. Hut during Illness nnd convalescence, whon tho waste Is often much greater great-er and tho vital powers less actlvo, It Is of tho utmost Importance that tho food should bo of such character as will supply tho proper nutrition. Nor Is this all; an artlclo of food may contain nil tho elements of nutrition In such proportions ns to render It a wholesomo food for thoso In health, nnd not bo n proper food for tho sick, for tho renson that Its conversion Into blood nnd tlssuo lays too great n tax upon tho dlgcstlvo organs. Food for tho sick should bo palatablo, nutritious nutri-tious and easily assimilated. To discriminate dis-criminate as to what food will supply these requisites, ono must possess somo knowledge of dietetics and physiology, phys-iology, as woll as of tho naturo of thV1 Illness with which the pntlcnt Is suffering; suf-fering; and such a knowledgo ought to bo part of tho education of every woman, no matter to what class of so- rlntv slifi beloncs. Hot buttorcd toast, ten, rich Jollies and other dainties so commonly served to tho Blck, nro usually tho very worst nrtlcles of diet which they could partako. As a rule, elaborato dishes aro not suitable. Scrupulous neatness and caro in all tho mlnuto particulars of tho cooking and serving of food for invalids will add much to Its palatablencss. The clean napkin on tho tray, tho bright silver and dainty china plate, with perhaps a sprig of leaves and flow ers beside It, thinly sliced bread, toast or crackers und tho light cup partly filled with hot gruel, nro far moro appetizing ap-petizing to tho Invalid thnn coarse ware, thickly cut bread and au overflowing over-flowing cup of gruel, though tho cooking cook-ing may bo Just ns perfect. So far as practicable, tho wants of the patient should bo anticipated, and tho meal served, a surprise. |