Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-08-26
AUTO-INTOXICATION
Bv H. Addington Bruce

VX7HAT by many people will be regarded
| wv as one of its most interesting sections
is the discussion of auto-intoxications
| in Dorothy E. Lanes recently published book,
Nutrition and Specific Therapy" 1t is a prac-
teal as we'll as interesting discussion, in that
various measures are recommended which have
been found helpful in preventing or curing
auto-intoxcation.
In especial with regard to the common type
of auto-intoxication caused by protein putrefac-
ton in the intestinal tract, emphasis is placed
on the importance not only of excluding meats
from the diet but of so changing the diet in
general as to reform the intestinal flora. Spe-
officially 1t Is advised:
Obtain the necessary protein intake from I'M
| refined cereals, legumeS, nuts, and eggs Do
not eat the nuts as side dish at the end of
the meal, but as the principal protein food.
| Combine these four protein foods with a
| generous supply of roots and tubers, fresh
| vegetables, and fruits. Among fruits prunes,
figs dates, and rasins are particularly desirable,
| if they can be purchased in a sanitary cond-
| ton.
| If possible the roots and tubers should be
eaten with the skins, because of their protein,
mineral, vtamin, and cellulose content. With
all fresh fruits and vegetables very thoroughly
before using them raw.
| Drink several pintS of water daily. Avoid
| iced drinks and very hot drinks Use tea and
coffee occasionally rather than habitually.
| Eat no fresh breads or pastries. Because of
the likelihood of indigestion following the eat
ing of too great variety of foods at any meal,
avoid all complicated menus. And be careful
| neither to overeat nor to undereat.
! At the beginning of the curative dietary treat
ment, however, short period of fasting and
Semi-faSting will be found most salutary Ac-
cording to Mrs. Lane:
"The most efficient procedure for completely
reforming the intestinal flora would be to
withhold all food for twenty-four hours, giving
nothing but water and possibly cathartic of
Pluto water.
"At the end of this period give only fresh
fruit juices for twenty-four hours. Then grad
ually increase the diet according to the rules
enumerated"
In the dietary prescription, 1t will be noted,
nothing IS said about the use of milk. Some
authorities advise milk as substitute for
meats in fighting auto-intoxication. But, says
Mrs. Lane:
| "The replacing of meat with milk does not
| prevent putrefaction, but only reduces it,
| Besides reforming the intestinal flora, the
dietary changes recommended aid in overcom-
| ing constipation, itself source of auto-intox-
ication AS further aid to the same end Mrs
Lane advises the drinking of pint of water at
night and the use of some sterilzed bran each
morning. Cathartics are not to be used except
! when absolutely needed. For:
! "They do not decrease the intestinal putre-
faction when habtually used, except as they
stimulate peristalss and force mechanical
voidng of the anaerobeS. The reduction in
these bacteria is merely transient, and is fol-
lowed by the usual putrefactive development y
| Much also is said in this latest contribution
to the literature of dietetics as concerns the
place of exercise, cooking of food, etc.. in the
conflict with auto-intoxcation. These are them
selves auxiliary weapons of real value, and all
numbered among auto-intoxication's victims
will do well to ponder Mrs. Lanes suggestions
regarding their use.
Copyright 1927