hese conditions make it necessary to increase the diet carefully but
soon to offset as far as possible the devastating effects of the
disease.

APPENDICITIS

~Treatment.~--Confinement to bed is absolutely necessary while acute
symptoms prevail. The life of the patient may depend upon the care
with which this "quiet" period is carried out. No food should be given
for twelve or more hours to enable the physician to make a proper
diagnosis and to allow the intestinal tract and appendix complete rest
from the irritating effects of food passing down the canal.

~Dietetic Treatment.~--~Acute Stage:~ Total abstinence for a period,
after which fluids as given in other acute intestinal disorders. No
solid food until acute symptoms have subsided; then a gradual return
to normal.

~Convalescence.~--When tenderness in right side has disappeared, the
return to a normal diet is made gradually. Gelatin, soft eggs, soft
toast, fine cereal gruels, well-cooked rice, well-baked white
potatoes, tender rare beefsteak or lamb chops, the breast of chicken,
sweetbreads, and brains are recommended.

~Relapse or Recurring Appendicitis.~--The patient must be warned
against eating indigestible foods or any kind of foods liable to cause
constipation; also against overeating or eating when over-heated or
over-tired. One attack predisposes to another, hence the above
precautions are necessary to prevent the condition from becoming
chronic.

CHRONIC CONSTIPATION

~Causes.~--Improper foods, indoor occupations leading to a lack of
fresh air and exercise, bad hygiene, certain drugs, such as cough
sirups, etc., containing opium in some form, constant use of
cathartics and enemas to move the bowels, heredity.

~Dietetic Treatment: Foods to Be Avoided.~--Highly spiced foods must
be avoided on account of their astringent qualities, too concentrated
foods because they fail to furnish the necessary bulk without which
the waste matter cannot pass out of the body at a sufficient rate of
speed to prevent putrefaction taking place in the intestinal tract.

~Foods Stimulating Peristalsis~ on account of their bulk: Bulky foods,
such as vegetables, cabbage, turnips, cucumbers, spinach, beans,
celery, lettuce, etc.; cereal foods containing a high percentage of
bran, bran bread and cookies, fruits such as raisins, prunes, figs.

~Foods Acting as Stimuli to Intestinal Movements~ on account of their
acid content: Limes, oranges, apples, prunes, figs, rai