erations that this feature need not be
considered here. The diet under the circumstances is essentially the
same as that given during acute attacks of nephritis.

SUMMARY

~Factors Affecting Diet~ before and after operations must be
considered under two heads, namely, the character of the disease for
which the operation is considered necessary and the general physical
condition of the patient at the time.

~Emaciation and Anemia~ are often encountered in patients having
certain gastro-intestinal disturbances for which surgical intervention
was found to be necessary. At times a preliminary up-building
treatment is required before it is considered wise to submit the
patient to the shock of so serious an operation.

~Adjusting the Diet~ according to the character of the disease for
which the operation is to be performed is most important. It is not
always possible to build up the body beforehand, but in many cases it
is necessary to make the effort. At times the reenforcing of the diet
and a certain amount of gentle massage will enable the patient to pass
through the trying ordeal more comfortably than would otherwise be
possible.

~Selecting the Diet~ to conform to the character of the disease is as
important a factor in the recovery of the patient as food itself. This
selection is left largely to the nurse, consequently it is necessary
that she should understand just which foods are indicated or
contraindicated under the circumstances, and adjust the diet after the
abstinence period accordingly. For example, the diet fulfilling all
the needs of a patient who has just undergone an operation for a
broken leg might be highly injurious for a patient just operated upon
for some disturbance of the liver or kidneys. The diet given after
must be essentially like that given just before the operation, in
order that the affected organ may have an opportunity to heal and
return to its normal functioning power.

~Gastro-intestinal Disturbances~ must be avoided, both before and
after the operation. In the preliminary treatment, when every effort
is being made to increase the strength and endurance of the patient,
such disturbances do away with any gain brought about by judicious
dieting. After the operation, attacks of indigestion not only cause
pain and discomfort as a result of the gas formation, but may cause
symptoms far-reaching and even dangerous in their effects. The diet,
then, must be composed of the simplest food a