At least half the mothers of young children labor under the impression that they know all there is to be learned about children's diet. Many have a lofty contempt for the "fussiness," as they term it, that leads sundry young matrons to study the comparative nutritive qualities of different kinds of food and to exclude from the baby's bill-of-fare all but the simplest articles.

"I let my baby come to the table and eat with us," said the mother of a year-old girl not long ago. "She's real fond of potatoes and green corn, and of sweet things; but" - with a sigh - "doctor, he says they ain't good for her while I'm nursin' her."

The mother of another baby of about the same age was terribly alarmed by a severe attack of cholera morbus that followed the infant's supper of boiled ham and cabbage.

"It couldn't be anything he e't," she said, decidedly, "be-cause the four other children have always been fed just like him, and they're all right."

True, these instances are selected from an unlearned class, but the same ignorance or carelessness may be found in a much higher walk of life. The study of an appropriate diet for children will not seem unworthy of trained mental powers when one reflects upon the evil consequences that neglect may entail upon the body, and, through that, upon the mind of the growing child.

For a little baby there can be, of course, almost no variety. Milk, sterilized or peptonized, or one of the prepared foods endorsed by physicians, is all that can be offered for many months. But as the child grows older and acquires his full set of milk-teeth, a change is not only agreeable to him, but almost essential to his health. His appetite will be stimulated by variety, and if his food is properly prepared, it may be toothsome as well as nourishing. Prominent in his menu are cereals and vegetables which should serve as the pieces de resistance of the nursery-table. 33