ery_ person may safely advise relative to food, or that the
appetite of the convalescing person is a competent guide, is
dangerous; and cannot be too much censured.

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Give an illustration. 992. What suggestion relative to food in the
first stages of disease? How can the thirst be allayed? 993. When the
patient is convalescent, how should the food be given? What is said of
the practice of eating "little and often"? 994. Who should have the
special management of food when medicine is withdrawn? What idea
prevails in the community?

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_Illustration._ In 1832, I attended a Miss M., sick of fever. After an
illness of a few days, the fever abated, and I directed a simple,
unstimulating diet. Business called me from the town two days. During
my absence, a sympathizing, officious matron called; found her weak,
but improving; and told her she needed food to strengthen her; and
that "it would now do her good." Accordingly, eggs and a piece of
beefsteak were prepared, and given to the convalescent girl. She ate
heartily, and the result was a relapse into a fever more violent than
the first attack.

995. It is very important in disease that _the skin be kept clean_. A
free action of the vessels of this part of the body exerts a great
influence in removing disease from the internal organs, as well as
keeping them in health. If the twenty or thirty ounces of waste,
hurtful matter, that passes through the "pores" of the skin in
twenty-four hours, are not removed by frequent bathing and dry
rubbing, it deranges the action of the vessels that separate this
waste matter from the blood, and thus increases the disease of the
internal organs.

_Illustration._ Mrs. M. R., of N., Mass., was afflicted with disease
of the lungs and cough. This was accompanied with a dry, inactive
condition of the skin. As medicine had no salutary effect in relieving
her cough, she was induced by the advice of the clergyman of the
parish to enter upon a systematic course of bathing twice every day.
Soon the skin became soft, its proper functions were restored, the
disease of the lungs yielded, and the cough disappeared.

996. Every sick person should breathe _pure air_. The purer the blood
that courses through the body, the greater the energy of the system
to remove disease. The confined vitiated air of the sick-chamber, not
unfrequently prolongs disease; and in many instances, the affection is
not o