Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-01-11
The Inv.lid,s Diet.

There are comparatively few diseases
i in which diet does not play quite as I'M
portant part in the sick room regime
"a the medicines; 1t must not only be
modified according to the needs OF the
invalid, but 1t must be nutritious, whole
some, daintily cooked, and attractiveiy
served.
In nearly all acute diseases where
fever is present the system suffers from
an inability to digest and absorb solid
foods well, and in order to replace this
loss. sufslcient nourishment must be given
in fluid or semi-huid form, that the al
ready enfeebled digestive apparatus may
not be overtaxed. While this Is usually
prescribed by the invalid's physician, as
we'll az the amount of food, and the
intervals at which it Is given, 1t Ia ofteu
confusing to recognize just what nuios
are classed as beverages and wh'cn aS
foods.
The iuyalid's diet Is divided into three
kinds: fluid, semi-fluid, and GONZALES
cence. Fluid diet consisting OF liquids,
of which milk is the most valuable, meat
broths, beef juice, oyster and clam
broth, and raw eggs in various forms.
As the invalid shows symptoms OF re-
coyery a semi. fluid diet is given; this
includes those things classed as liquid
foods. with the addition of gruels, broths
with cereals cooked in them, cocoa,
slightly cooked eggs, soft toast, geiat'ne
ielIies. iunket, and soft custards, while
the convalescence diet consists OF both
fluid and semi fluid, including all nutri-
Beverages are almost as necessary 10
febrile diseases to insure the Invalid
recovery as liquid foods, not only to re.
lieye thirst, but to assist the organs OF
elimination in carrying off the poisons
that accumulate in the system. In
these cases pure cold water is usually
the most acceptable, barley water, rice
water, or the old-fashioned toast water,
and beverages made from fruits, as
lemonade, orangeade, ETC., are useful
alternates, which can be slipped freely
in the intervals between the supplies OF
food. When a large amount of nutri-
ment is required, these beverages are
sometimes combined with the raw white
of egg.
Milk also has the advantage of supply
ing water to the system, and at the same
time is very nutritious, as it contains
many of the elements necessary to sus-
tain life during long period of illness,
and is, when perfectly clean and pure,
an ideal diet in fevers--that is, II the in
valid is fond of it-and it can be readily
digested; but, unfortunately, there are
some persons who are unable to digest
milk we'll; in most cases, however, this
difficulty may be overcome by diluting 1t
with lime water, soda or seltzer water,
in the proportion of one part to two
parts milk. When the taste of milk is
objected to, or if the invalid tires of it,
the addition of a little strong coffee or
cocoa will improve it; If stimulants are
allowed, it may be given in the form OF
punches, etc. Milk should be taken
very slowly, in small quantities, and
we'll mixed with the saliva of the mouth
before it is swallowed; If the invalid can
be impressed with the idea that milk Is
food, not beverage, more care will be
taken in swallowing it.
During the period of convalescence
the regulation of the diet Is still i'm
portant, especially if the invalid is re-
covering from serious attack of ty-
phoid fever, as the condition of the
bowels often demands the greatest care,
that the freshly healed surfaces be not
injured by any hard, indigestible food,
for serious results are likely to follow
the slightest negligence in this respect.
The first meats taken should be raw, or
quite rare, beef or mutton, finely minced
or scraped; this may be made very pala-
table when seasoned and spread between
thin slices of whole wheat bread, or 1t
may be moulded into tiny cakes and
broiled slightly over clear fire.
1t is always important to have all food
served to the invalid as tempting as
possible; the linen, glass, and china
should be the incest and prettiest in the
house. A few green leaves or a single
blossom placed beside the plate, the hot
things hot, and the cold things cold, are
details not to be overlooked, 'hough the
meal may only consist Of pot of crust
coffee and bowl of cruel.
For convenience, the following prepa.
rations have been arranged in individual
amounts.
LEMONADE.
Wash and wine one large lemon; cut