Are fruits an important or essential part of children's diet? Very
important, and they should be begun young. They have a splendid effect
upon the bowels. They should be carefully selected, especially in large
cities. A greater latitude can be all owed in the country where fruit is
fresh.
What fruit can I safely give to children up to five years? Generally only
cooked fruits and fresh fruit juices.
What kind of fruit juices can I use? That from fresh, sweet oranges is
best. The fresh juice of grape fruit, peaches, strawberries, and
raspberries may also be used.
What stewed fruits may I use? Stewed and baked apples, prunes, pears,
peaches and apricots.
What raw fruits should be avoided? The pulp of oranges or grape fruit,
also cherries, berries, bananas and pineapple.
What care should be exercised in regard to the use of fruits? In hot
weather they should be used with greater care, and in children who are
easily attacked with intestinal indigestion.
What symptoms suggest that I should avoid fruits? Looseness of the bowels
or a tendency thereto, with discharge of mucus, or frequent attacks of
colic (abdominal pain) or stomach-ache.
At what meals should fruits be used? If the fruit juice is given upon an
empty stomach early in the morning, it works more actively upon the
bowels, than when given later.
[602 MOTHERS' REMEDIES]
Is it wise to give cream or milk with sour fruits? No, it is not wise, it
is best to give it at midday when no milk is taken as a dessert. The
quantity should always be moderate.
Can I give anything besides water and milk to drink? Cocoa, if made very
weak, almost all milk is often useful as a hot drink. Tea, coffee, wine,
beer and cider are all prohibited under puberty. Lemonade and soda water
should not be given until the tenth year at least.