Not only must the mother supply the calcium or lime salts and phosphates, so essential to the development of the teeth and bones of the child, both before birth and during the nursing period, but she must supply every other element the child requires. She must supply the vitamins. She must supply the child with sunshine. And where she fails to secure these for herself, the child will also be deprived of them.

If the mother's diet does not contain sufficient iron, the fetus will draw upon her blood and tissues for its supply. Many anaemic women improve during pregnancy, but if the mother's diet is lacking in iron there is a tendency to anaemia during the latter months of pregnancy.

Sources Of Iron

Milk is low in iron. To feed milk for calcium does not supply the needed iron. It will be best to secure calcium and iron from the same sources--this is to say, from fruits, nuts and vegetables. Taking iron tablets is of no avail. Sorrel, lettuce, black salsify and spinach are the richest sources of iron, but all green vegetables are well supplied with this element. Fruits and nuts are lower in iron than vegetables, but contain sufficient amounts to meet the needs of the mother and baby. Asparagus, artichokes and kale are high in iron content. Raisins, despite the advertising slogan, "have you had your iron today," are not rich in iron.