The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-03-28
Appetite and the Sick.

That We may fairly discuss the matter
of food for the sick, it is well to under
stand that a normal appetite accurately
represents the true wants of the system,
want based on the amount of waste,
produced by exercise, both physical and
mental This demand is for the repairs
of that part of the body actually de-
strsyed, which, TO avoid an utter vast
ing away of the whole body, must be
replaced by the appropriation of the
constituents of the blood, the essence
of the food taken. If this demand is
Increased by unusual exercise, simply
because the tissues of the body are cor
respondingly wasted, worn out, de-
stroyed. it is reasonable to infer that
diminished exercise, as in sickness, will
produce corresponding diminution of
this appetite. II true, also, that the
heat of the summer similarly reduces
the appetite, large per cent. of our
food is for the production of the heat of
the body, it is as reasonable 10 suppose
that the heat, attending acute forms of
disease, will to the same extent reduce
the appetite. In accordance with these
principles, the appetite is entirely want
ing IN these acute forms, rs in fevers of
the sick, thirst for water being insti-
tuted. Many of this ciSss absolutely
need no fcod. are better to fast for a
week or more, if flcshy at the time OF
The attack, as demonstrated by the alb
seuce of q desire for food.
1t Is well here to remark that the APP
petite is far more rellsble i'm sickness
than in health, merjiful arrangement
indeed, that all of the powers may
unite in the great work of renovatirg
the body. This Is proved by the
fact that all habits IKE the use of to-
baccS, whisky and spium, disappear in
critical cases of disease, when every
possible effort is In demand for the
restoration of health. Again, in such
sickness, the digestive powers arc as
much debiiitated Us any of the body.
are just as incapable of doing their
usual work as the'body, as while, is,
frSm which fact We may see tkaG rest
for the uhoLe body is demanded. If
there is rest, therefore, it is plain that
there will be but little waste, but little
wearing out of fhe tissues. but little oc-
casion for repairS, but little need for an
Hencs, this is indeed q mer-
ciful arrangement. But. there is a
thirst substituted, one not easily con-
trolled. This isE.lso a merciful grange
ment. The water, the drink IL special
demand, tends to cool, reducing the
symptoms, thus promoting comfort
But best of ali, while the disease is
oftener than otherwise produced by an
undue retention of the waste snd worn
out particles OF this ever-decaying body,
this water SO reduces this 3utrescent
mass of accumulated corruption, in con-
sequence of Che closing of the pores Ga
colH that the, system is rapidly puri-
fed, by various eycretive me- hods. As
soon. therefore, as food is needed, or
dinarily, the appetite will Indicate that
need.
The first fooS to be given,-as the ap-
petite returns. should be of Ihe simplest
character. AS the digestive.powers are
very weak. the food must be very easy
of digestion, roT it will prove 4 curse
Only liquids should be given at first,
such extracts as the Juices of fruit,
bread, tea-tho absolutely eSear juices
of food, that aro digestion need be re-
quired. no fabr OF the stomach, more
than in the absorption of water. which,
previously, in The acute stage, has done
SO much good. After few DAYS. the
very simplestform of food e, single ar
ticle at once, should b. given, as fruits,
rice, baked potato, stale Iresd and the
Ike Colder, .FpuIo