In the preceding chapter so much attention has been devoted to the subject of the artificial feeding of infants, and so many formulas have been given for the modification of cows' milk as a substitute for the natural food, or human milk, that I shall only refer here to a few milk mixtures, some of which have been recommended by other writers. After describing these, certain methods of peptonization and the mode of preparing a number of dishes adapted to the nursery, whether occupied by well or ill children, will be discussed. In regard to the latter, however, the dishes that ordinarily come upon the table will not be referred to, as any good cook ought to know how to make them. Finally, a series of diets for special diseases of childhood will be detailed.

Milk And Oatmeal

Bethlehem oatmeal (fine powder)..............

Water..................

Milk...................

Gravity cream (16%).....

Sugar of milk............

1 teaspoonful.

2 tablespoonfuls (fld. oz. 1 ). 5 tablespoonfuls (fld. oz. 2 1/2). 1 tablespoonful (fld. oz. 1/2). 1 teaspoonful.

Heat the water just short of boiling; stir in the oatmeal slowly until a smooth white mixture is obtained and boil, in a double boiler for twenty minutes; then add the other ingredients. For an infant of three months; useful in constipation.

Meigs' Food

Milk...................

Cream..................

Lime-water.............

Milk-sugar solution......

1 tablespoonful (fld. oz. 1/2).

2 tablespoonfuls (fld. oz. 1 ).

2 tablespoonfuls (fld. oz. 1 ).

3 tablespoonfuls (fld. oz. 1 1/2).

For a child under one month; quantity to be increased as age advances, but no change to be made in quality until after the eighth or ninth month.

The milk sugar solution consists of 17 3/4 drachms - a little over 17 teaspoonfuls of milk sugar - to a pint of pure water. This is the food recommended by the late Dr. A. V. Meigs.