The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-04-08

absorb favors, should be used. as they
are apt to impart these in manner
very disagreeable to the preternaturally
acute senses of the invalid
GENERAL RULES FOR FEEDING
THE SICK.
For general rules for guidance in
feeding the sick we copy the following
from high authority:
In acute disease it is well to recon-
mend q special plan of diet; in chronic
cases it is often more convenient simply
to forbid those articles which are likely
to prove harmful
Before recommending any article it is
well to ascertain whether the patient
likes i and how it agrees with him.
No article of food should be forbidden
unless one has good reason for do
ing so.
Unless there is some strong contra
indication, attention should always be
paid to the wishes and taste of the pa
tient. This rule was first formulated
by Hipp0crates in the aphC~ism, SUCH
food as is most grateful, though not so
wholesome is to be preferred to that
which is better but distastefuI"; ana
Sydenham recognized its value when he
wrote: Mere Importance is to be at
tached to the desires and feelings of the
patient provided they are not excessive
or dangerous, than to doubtful and fall
lacious rules Of medical art
If any article of food disagrees it is
better to reduce the quantity of it taken
gether.
Changes in diet should, if possible. be
made gradually. One should never pre-
scribe diet for patient without hav-
ing first ascertained what his habits are
as regards work and exercise.
FLUID DIET.
This is the first diet in fever 1t has
the advantage of supplying water to the
tissues, of which they stand in special
need in fever; they crafty thirst and
do not necessitate chewing. which taxes
the patient. owing tosthe diminution of
the saliyary secretionS.
Milk is the simplest and most avail
able of nutritious liquid foods. It should
form the basis of the diet If it does
not seem to agree with the patient give
it in small proportions and taken very
slowly and frequently. or modify it by
adding water, or some alkaline, or eff
fervescing water, or lime water. 1t may
be the fat in the milk causes the trouble.
In this case it should be skinned. If
the patient tires of it change the flavor
"a little cold coffee. caramel or malt
extract viii often be agreeable.
The milk may be fortified by addition
of cream, if easily borne, or by one of
the carbon drateS. such as milk sugar
or a pure gelatine in small quantity, or
the white of egg, or several other food
articles we'll known to the physician.
Sometimes milk will produce vomiting
and diarrhOea. which makes it neces-
sary TO peptonize the milk or give
koumiss instead
However, restrict the feeding to the
plain (and if necessary diluted) milk
diet TO the patient in bed with fevers
of short duration until you find that in
sufficient to repair nutrition. Two
quarts a day will meet the demands and
sometimes even a little less in cases
where the body can afford to certain
extent to draw upon its own resources,
and sometimes this must be allowed
when the stomach is very weak and
easily overtaxed
Soups, beef tea and broths belong to
fluid diet. but are not. strictly spea king,
foods. They are Slightly stimulants and
used chiefly to excite the appetite and
are grateful to the thirst OF the patient.
These may be given in the proportion to
pint day When diarrhoea IS pres