The Young Mother: Management of Children in Regard to Health

by William A. Alcott

This is a pre-1923 historical reproduction that was curated for quality. Quality assurance was conducted on each of these books in an attempt to remove books with imperfections introduced by the digitization process. Though we have made best efforts - the books may have occasional errors that do not impede the reading experience. We believe this work is culturally important and have elected to bring the book back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. This text refers to the Bibliobazaar edition.

202 pages, Paperback

First published June 1, 2004

About the author

William Andrus Alcott (also known as: William Alexander Alcott), 1798-1859, was one of the most prolific authors in early American history. He wrote frequently on the topics of education and health. In 1836 he wrote a letter to the editor of the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal titled 'The Graham System' and signed it 'M.D.'

The cause of greatest interest in Alcott throughout his life was vegetarianism. In 1850 he wrote three long letters on vegetarianism to the editor of the New York Tribune - at the request of the editor.

Alcott wrote The Physiology of Marriage in 1856. He deplored free courtship manners. He specifically deplored 'conversation which is too excitable', 'presence of exciting books', 'unnecessary heat', and many other courtship practices prevalent in 18th century America but steadily going out of fashion by 1856. He warned young people of the dangers of courtship. He is criticized by modern day feminists for his 'rigidity'.

Alcott was a founding member (in 1850) and the first president of the American Vegetarian Society. He was also the author of 'The Vegetable Diet As Sanctioned by Medical Men and By Experience in All Ages'. He also founded The American Physiological Society in 1837, the world's first physiological society.

He died of a lung infection and is buried in Newton Cemetary. He worked until the day before he died.

Reviews

[Alxandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is a product of its time published in 1836. It provides detailed advice on the raising of children. Of course, much of it has been proven scientifically to be false and has changed over time. But, I was amazed to find that, on whole, much of its advice holds true to this day.

I enjoyed the book thoroughly. I seem to enjoy William Alcott's writing style, and I also enjoy perusing bits of yesteryear.

I particularly enjoyed the diet discussion. He recommended a plain, simple diet including fruits and vegetables and lots of bread because bread is so very nutritious. I'm not sure what's so nutritious about bread other than it's cheap and wheat is easily and safely stored, but it did give me insight into the typical diet of modern man. It also reminded me that fruits and vegetables were risky, dangerous foods that were difficult to get to market fresh and healthy. And, they were easily contaminated with bacteria. Food borne disease is not just a problem of our modern times. Maybe, the seemingly increase in salmonella borne disease of our modern time is more a product of our increase desire to eat fruits and vegetable rather than a decline in the FDA's practices.