Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-02-19
HYGIENE.
Correct Regimen of Patients
Indfspensiblc.

Correct Regimen of Patients
Indfspcnsiblc.
EDITORS HERALD-Life is largely a
mechanical problem, and must be
treated as such. So many are coming
to us to prolong their life that a few
hints to this class is in order. Every
one supposes that they know about
as we'll as any one how to regulate
their own diet and regimen. 1t is a
notorious fact that the contrary is the
truth. In any diseased condition
there is corresponding brain lobe
that acts for the organ affected. This
is the reason why intelligent physic-
ians never prescribe for them
selves. In diseases of the lungs,
liver, spleen and kidneys there is not
one person in a thousand that is
willing or has the moral power to dis
card the articles of diet that must be,
in order to get well. The man,
woman or child that has to be repaired
should put their machine in the
hands of the person who is to attend
to the matter, the same as we put our
watch in the care of the matchmaker.
If the invalid does not do this, unre-
servedly, there is little chance Of re-
covery. The intelligent physician
looks at his patient exactly as a me-
chanic looks at the machine to be re-
paired. The operator sees the OBJ
struction or defect, and goes to work
to assist nature in the process Of repa-
ration.
Very often the trouble arises from
some abnormal habit or improper
food or drink, and more particularly
of seasoning. Nine-tenths of the
chronic diseases are brought on by
this means. Salt, pepper, mustard,
sugar, vinegar and the thousand and
one devices of the cook to tempt
people to eat when all that is required
is rest for the poor over-taxed diges-
tive organs, are among the condi-
ments that must be discarded in case
of disease. The patient has to begin
at the bottom, as child, and build
up. Then there is tea, coffee, tobacco
and beer, or wine and spirits, that
are to be avoided generally.
1t makes no difference what q
we'll person uses, apparently, at
times; but with the invalid, the case
is different. The strength has been
squandered by some means, and the
only way to recovery is through a
careful husbandry Of the remaining
vital force until nature has chance
to heal. Physicians know this and
it is for this reason that they prefer to
have a bad case in the hospital, or
where there is no chance for inter-
ested or sympathetic friends to tam
per with the diet or regime. They
know that the patient must be kept
from the use OF objectional things,
or die.
Patients or their friends, say or
think many times, that they are sub
jected to necessary restrictions. That
is really not the tendency. The incli-
nation is to indulge the poor wreck, so
they may end useless existence. 1t
is we'll to state facts in case OF this
kind. They may be unpleasant, but
they are necessary to recover. The
plaipest food with no animal fat, and
very little are the conditions required
in many cases. and these require
ments are absolute! Fruit, nuts and
vegetables are natures remedies.
This, with the proper use
of the bath and electricity will
do all that can be done for the patient
usually. There is too much tendency
to suggest remedies that are worse
than useless. Many times the patient
dies from these gratuitous suggestions
We all can understand how anxious
friends and relatives are; but this
very anxiety is a dangerous elemen
to deal with, if any hope is to be had
FREDERICK M. SHAW,
| laurel Canon.