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16
It is common in hand-fed babies; particularly in babies
fed on patent foods or condensed milk, instead of on new milk.
The fault in the diet which chiefly casues it is too little
fat in the food. There is not enough fat to nourish the baby
either in sweetened condensed milk or in patent babies' foods.
Fresh cow's milk is better than either of these, but must
be suitably diluted.
Even fresh cow's milk usually needs a little cream to be
added to be added to each bottle. Half to one teaspoonful of
cod liver oil twice a day is an excellent means of preventing
rickets.
FOR CHILDREN OVER ONE YEAR OF AGE.
Fat is still an important means of preventing rickets.
Butter, or if this cannot be afforded, margarine or dripping
with bread, is a better food than bread and jam.
Nothing can satisfactorily take the place of milk in
children's food. Milk and bread with butter or dripping or
margarine is a complete dietary for children, especially if
porridge is also given each day; and with such food, meat,
which is more expensive, need not be given.
H. BEALE COLLINS,
Public Health Department, Medical Officer of Health.
Kingston-upon-Thames, April, 1908.