Sarah Tyson Rorer: first American dietitian?
Weigley, E.S.; Rorer, S.T.
Journal of the American Dietetic Association 77(1): 11-15
1980
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-8223 PMID: 6993537 Document Number: 158950
An early proponent of "good muscular exercise, proper food, and fresh air" was a young matron of Philadelphia who embarked on a career of cooking, dietetics, teaching, and therapeutics in 1880 as a result of a cooking class. Sallie Rorer was the star pupil at the New Century Club and shortly after completing the course, was asked to take over the school as well as give lectures to students at Women's Medical College and nurses at Women's Hospital. The reading she did to prepare for her lectures led to the formulation of ideas about using special diets for sick people tailored to the nature of the illness. She was so successful, she began teaching physicians about "Dietetics for the Sick." This led to a request that she set up a kitchen to prepare the special diets needed in the hospital and provide counsel for patients, both of which she did. Her other accomplishments included publication of a cook book and journal articles, and continued appearances as a demonstrator and lecturer, which she apparently did with great flair and skill.