During this stage of life the rapid growth and incessant activity still continue, and to this is now added the brain-work. It thus follows that growing boys and girls require a large amount of nourishing food.

If a child has been wisely brought up and has a duly proportioned amount of work and play and sleep, his appetite is the best guide to the amount of food required. The appetite of a child that has been pampered, and has not been brought up on plain, wholesome food is not a reliable guide to the amount of food required.

A very important point in the diet of young subjects is that of not starving the growing child in any one foodstuff. A requisite amount of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates is essential. To stint is very often to starve, therefore in arranging the diet the meals should be at regular intervals, three good meals being given daily. A due amount of consideration must be given to the whole diet. Abundance of milk, a fair supply of fresh meat, and a liberal amount of vegetables and fruits, are the essentials in the dietary of this period. The question of hours is important. Breakfast should be punctual, to allow the child to have time to eat a good hearty meal, and have time before starting for school to get the bowels attended to. Day scholars are often much upset through neglect of this wholesome rule. The meals should not be bolted, ample time being taken to effect proper mastication of the food The following dietary may be recommended: -

The breakfast should be the heartiest meal of the day. Begin with a small plate of porridge and glass of milk; this followed by an egg or fish, bread and butter, or toast and butter, and tea or coffee largely made with hot milk; jam or marmalade and oatcake.

11.30 A.M. - A dry biscuit and a drink of milk (not hot scones, buns, or pastry); a little fresh fruit, eg., apple, orange, or banana.

Dinner, in the middle of the day, should consist of soup, meat, vegetables, and pudding. The soup does not require to be made of rich meat stock - lentil, pea, broth, or rice soup are all excellent, giving a good foundation for the meat course.

Meat

Roast, boiled meat, and stews are the best, served always with potatoes and a vegetable.

Pudding should be varied: suet puddings with fruit or jam, milk puddings, or stewed fruit. A glass of milk may be given with this meal, and as much bread as the child wishes to take.

Tea should not be later than 5.30 p.m. - to consist of:

Beverage, milk or cocoa (not tea as a rule); as much plain bread and toast as the child can eat; plain cake, sometimes an egg, or fish, or potted meat, marmalade, jam, or honey.

Supper. A drink of milk and a biscuit is all that is necessary. A large supper is not advisable. It is better for all children to go to bed with the stomach comparatively empty.

In growing boys and girls with a tuberculous tendency, special care is necessary in regard to their feeding. A practical difficulty sometimes encountered is fastidiousness of appetite or want of appetite. The particular point to be attended to here is the administration of ample proteins in the form of milk, eggs, and meat. These cases demand ample fresh air, little mental work, and appetising foods (see also p. 421).

With regard to alcohol, it cannot be too strongly emphasised that alcohol in every form should be avoided by the growing boy. The habit of allowing schoolboys beer regularly or occasionally is a very pernicious one.