CORN-FLOUR AND INFANT LIFE

Abstract

In the course of an inquest recently held at Plumstead on the body of a child aged four months, it transpired that the deceased, who had been put out to nurse, had been mainly fed on corn-flour and water. On such a diet any infant would sooner or later perish. Corn-flour contains little else than the granules of starch, and, although possessing a certain amount of heat-producing force, is in no sense a flesh-former. When employed, it should always be given with milk, as mixed with water only it is useless. When an infant is deprived of its natural supply of milk, its food should be assimulated as much as possible to that provided by the mother. Hence, on the excellent substitute found in cow's milk (always diluted with water, be it understood), the most delicate offspring can be successfully reared. Generally speaking, the diet should be exclusively a milk one until the age of one year is reached, and for some time after that broth or beef-tea should be very sparingly given. Meat and potatoes should be carefully eschewed, and we are convinced that the reckless use of these is responsible for many of the formidable evils which beset childhood.