The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1895-06-14


Acute pneumonia. Fifteen to eighteen
eggs a day for several days.-Recov-
cry.
Miss B.-Severe case of typhoid fe-
yer. pulse 1870, temperature 104 de-
grees for several days. Beginning
with eggs and milk, the amounts of
each were gradually increased until
thirty-six eggs and five quarts of milk
were taken in twenty-four hours, and
this amount of food was taken daily
for one week. then gradually reduced
as fever ubsided.-Recovery
Many cases similar to above might
be given. but those cited will furnish
an idea of the varied disorders in
which eggs are tolerated.
1t is to be understood that in every
instance they have been used for their
supporting and restorative influence.
In proportion as they have been well
borne, stimuants have been found un-
necessary. Milk, chocolate and broth,
and such medication as was indicat-
ed. have been prescribed in connection
with eggs. Although some patients
have died while taking eggs, l can
think Of no case in which death was
due to their liberal use. 1t is certain
that numerous patients have recovered
from serious and alarming Illness, or
their lives have been definitely pro-
longed by taking eggs. The best test
of their nutritive value is not their
chemical analysis in the laboratory,
but their vital chemistry shown in
their tissue building capacity, for out
of them are rapidly constructed the
cartilage muscle nervous and vascular
systems, and all of the varied struc-
lures which enter into the composition
of a large class of feathered verte-
brates, ranking in nature next TO the
mammala.
If you give eggs to your patients, do
not be chicken-hearted in their en-
ployment DO not fear the production
of albuminuria from the ingestion of
a large amount Of egg albumen. In
the case of typhoid fever referred to,
acute nephrits coexisted and the al
bumen and casts disappeared from the
tne urine while thirty-six eggs day
were being taken.
In many other cases, tests of urine
showed no albuminuria with the egg
an hour" practice. 1t will generally
be found impossible TO give eggs free
ly without the aid of a trained nurse.
So far as results are concerned, l
would rather deal with poor stom
ach managed by good nurse, than
with a good stomach under the direc-
ton of a weak unmethodical nurse,
who could not give a moral propulsion
to her food and medicine. Often the
treatment must be pursued with the
regularity of timetable by night as
well as by day.
Notwithstanding all possible efforts,
nausea and vomiting and diarrhoea
may often be produced, and the physi-
clan may be thwarted in his object.
He will then try the white of eggs
alone, variously combined, or will sus-
pend them altogether. l have given
the whites Of forty-eight eggs daily
for many days to patient in the criti-
cal stages of Typhoid fever.
Please remember that | am not ad-
vocating a fad, specific. or cure ALL"
nor suggesting any original or untried
method, nor urging the indiscrimin-
ate administration of an article of
diet to your patients. They may be
cnly a small number of physicians
present who have not appreciated the
nutritive value of the egg literally
administered. | am addressing them.
and l would urge that in some of their
chronic cases of exhausted nerve CEN
tres, and in those acute critical cases
which from time to time come under
their care, and tax their resources for
maintaining life until diseased pro-
cesses can eXpend themselves they
should throw away their tonics, and
possibly stimulants, and should grad
ually lead the stomachs of their pa
tients up 10 the egg an hour practice.
Gentlemen, the early Christians saw
in the egg, the symbol of the Resur-
rection, and this symbol may be con-
verted into veritable Easter for some
of your patients, by what at first
thought some may deem the fabulous
Resurrection power of the egg.