Nothing more strongly illustrates the effect of habit than the universal fondness for foods "like mother used to make." This is one of the strongest traits in human character and emphasizes the extraordinary importance of proper home training. The habits of early life seem to be interwoven with every fiber of our existence, and while there is no one in this world so revered as she who gave us birth; no name so dear as that of mother; yet it is distressing to realize that disease and death-producing habits are not less destructive because made familiar to us by her hands. When mothers realize their obligations to their children, they will not cultivate appetites and tastes for foods that are in effect the same as murder. Most idiosyncrasies of habit are due to ignorance about foods. Could anything better illustrate this than some of the ridiculous notions people have about what they eat? Let us consider a few of them:

Oatmeal

Some people say that oatmeal sticks to the stomach; others, that it is too heavy and unfit for food in hot weather; while still others declare that long cooking makes it "slimy" and not fit to eat.

Bread

Most Americans think that no bread is fit to eat, except fresh, doughy bread, loaf or biscuit.

Tea And Coffee

That only excessive whisky drinkers are inebriates, and that tea and coffee are good nerve tonics and strengthen the system.

Celery

That it is a brain and nerve food.

Soup

That it is particularly wholesome and nourishing.

Pickles

That they are eaten by people when in love and are good for young girls and "old girls."

Prunes

That they are very laxative or cause diarrhoea.

Tomatoes

That they cause cancer and are good food for children.

Popcorn

That it is wholesome as ordinarily eaten.

Fried Meats

That they are fit to eat.

Radishes

That they aid digestion and act on the liver. Ice Drinks at Meals.

That they cool the system and aid digestion.

Condiments

That they are beneficial.

Green Corn

That it is healthful for human beings and bad for swine. Alcohol and Beer.

That it increases strength and adds to the general well-being of the imbiber.

What Can Be Expected Of People Who Are Governed By Such Expansive Ignorance?

By way of parenthesis and confidential advice to dyspeptics, we might add, that if their attacks do not come often enough they should eat lobster salad, ice cream and rich cake between 10 p. m. and 1 a. m. If you expect the arrival of your family physician, a good meal of cucumbers, vinegar, milk and ice water, will very likely make you glad to see him. If habits were not so pernicious and far-reaching in their effects, idiosyncrasies would not be worth considering; but as many people's lives are spent running from or running after their idiosyncrasies, it is time that attention should be given to the causes which wreck so many lives. Parents should first purge themselves of their suicidal habits and then start their children right. A generation or two ago, when disease-breeding luxuries were not so easily obtained, children were reared with a view of becoming strong, able-bodied men and women, who could assist in building homes; now, children to a great extent command the obedience of their parents in all their whims and follies. Parents are the guardians of posterity, and no language is strong enough to portray the misery which results from improper feeding.

A diet mainly composed of sweet-meats and highly-spiced foods so perverts the nerves of taste, that plain, wholesome food is too tasteless or disagreeable. The result is that sooner or later the effects of such habits bring disease, and then they bewail their misfortune as a curse from God or Satan, whereas, it is the curse of personal and parental folly. The first step towards reform is sensible cooking; and then parents must see that their children eat a suitable variety of foods. We have often seen children make a meal on canned tomatoes, also on fried eggs and fried meat, corned beef, bananas, green corn, raspberries, pickles and cake. Children are often allowed to pepper their food until black and then cover with strong mustard. The effects of allowing children to have what they wished, as mentioned, varied from "unwell' to death. The greatest obstacles to health is pampered appetites. People will not eat what they do not like, no matter what the consequences. Some people urge this as an objection to the study of foods; but it really only emphasizes its importance. When will people like what will keep them healthy and strong? The answer is simple: It will be when they are taught to eat wholesome foods in their childhood.

Here is the strong point we make: People cannot form correct habits as to what and how to eat until they know the properties of foods and how to prepare them. Disease and death have been accepted as the inevitable, with barely a thought about individual responsibility. Children are sent to school that they may be trained for the duties of life, but the most important thing is neglected, or taught in a way to be of very little practical benefit. What is the use to train the mind while the body is being killed? The proper use of food must in time hold the highest place in education, both in the home and at school. The value of moral and religious training is partly realized, but the religious world is in almost total darkness about the relation between the physical and the moral life. Morality cannot be high when the tone of the body is low. Immorality is largely due to physical or nervous propensities that are either inherited or due to the violation of Nature's laws.

If reformers will give two-thirds of their labor to teaching people the way to a perfect physical life, the other third will have ten times the results towards the moral and spiritual regeneration of the race.