Morning journal and courier., 1886-04-13
FOOD FOR THE SICK-RooM.
By J. Varnum Mott, M. D.. Boston,
 Mass.


 From the Microcosm, N Y, February, 1ss6l We are called on from the very hour Of birth to furnish appropriate food for nour- ishment, and when sickness occurs the two- fold importance of this task is justly appre- cated. Whilst, as a rule, each disease re- quires special diet, dependent on several physiological indications, it will not be pos sible for us to consider more than very gene rally this subject. Milk ranks among the first articles ever known for sustaining life and is generally literally supplied by the natural laws; and when woman fails to be able to supply her offspring with this essen tial commodity there is something radically wrong. The beasts of the fields are thus en- abled to nurture their young and the first instinct developed IS to seek that nourish- ment at the maternal fount. Hence milk is known to possess very valuable properties, and yet milk diet is not to be directed for an adult without very careful consideration. and it's use must be very strongly indicated. Many unable to properly digest milk un- less diluted with lime water, and hence it is, although we recognize it as being very valu- able, still it is capable of giving rise to cer- tain functional disturbances which it is our duty medical men to guard against. Beef tea will always very justly have its advo- cates, and for adults it is to be preferred to
 
 favored by the profession and used as ex- perience dictates. The very best preparation that I have extensively used Is known as s'Valentine's Meat Juice" It possesses the great advantage of always being ready for use; it serves best when taken cold, and I have yet ee meet case where the stomach will refuse to retain it, providing it be ad- ministered diluted Gone teaspoonfu to a wine-glass of cold water), and fed to the pa tient by teaspoonful at intervals of every two or three minutes until the above quanti- ty is given, when a small piece of ice may be allowed. There numerous medicinal foods that much vaunted and all have their adherents. The 'EImperial Granum" in my hands has seemed to meet with all that is claimed for it, and experience has brought me to rely on it's use where it's special prop critics are indicated. In infantile diseases it has proved very eficacious and I always di- rect its use when a child is being weaned Koumyss has within the past few years been added to our list and in some cases of gastric disturbances it has proved very valuable. Cocoa has been largely prescribed during the past few months, and whilst it undou btedly is 8 valuable tonic, still it should not be ex- pected to take the place of food. Alcohol and varlous drugs are capable of exerting a stimulating effect, but should be used with great care, for there many who to-day are addicted to it's abuse who first indulged at the order of their physician. So in deal ing with alcohol and opium there is a moral aspect that should enter into the considera- ton, and if possible consider it much bet ter policy to disguise its character when obliged by certain symptoms to employ it. Water is not very generally considered as food, but it certainly is under certain cir cumstances, and often can be retained when meat and everything else is rejected, and it serves the purpose of temporarily quenehing the thirst in case of fever. Eggs raw or .1s IL I,,0,1 r,n1r, lola als 14r arc very largely employed throughout the land combined with milk. This is very sus- taining and highly nutritious, and in most cases should be taken without any alcoholic addition. It is the duty of the nurse, as we have already observed, to attend the wants of the patient, but nourishment comes di- rectly under the directions of the physician, and the nurse is looked to for their being properly carried out We must never per init patient to take a large quantity of food at any one time, but on the contrary he should be encouraged to rely on a small amount often repeated. Care should be taken that it be prepared in a manner calcu- lated to tempt the appetite. Coaxing should of course be indulged in when necessary. The approximate amount of food and the time administered should be carefully tabu- lated. Absolute cleanliness should be ob- served in each detail and each article should be prepared with great care, ever having it In Vl6w that lG IS TOT the paIleuU Fru1C IS indispensable to the sick-room, and many there are who would thrive in every way on what might be termed a fruit diet. There are very few conditions that would of neces- sity prohibit the use of at least some kind of fruit, and generally this will preve more grateful and acceptable than anything else. In the present century we are enabled, at no very great expense, to avail ourselves of inn ported fruits during our winter months, so a very decided advantage is thus held over our ancestors, who, per force of circumstances, were unable to obtain any save native fruits. When broths are to be given let them be sufficiently hot, although not absolutely boiling, and have them carefully seasoned. When, on the contrary, cold drinks are or dered, care should be taken to insure their being reasonably cold. Nothing is so apt to discourage nervous patient as bringing to his attention unpalatable food or drink; and in this we cannot exercise too much care, for we must remember the patient is fully sup ported in his objections and contempt at such edibles by the instruction given in Rev citations iii, 16: Because thou art luke warm, and neither hot nor cold, will spew fboa of 1ov month ID