hus adding fluidity to the blood stream, which in turn
flushes the kidneys, ridding them of the poisons which interfere with
their normal functioning.

~Adjusting the Diet.~--The uremia and edema must be relieved. Since it
is an undisputed fact, in the majority of cases, that good results
from the regulating of the diet so as to minimize as far as possible
the work of the kidneys, the various diet cures will be included here.

~Milk Cure.~--Milk, as a rule, forms a basis of most of the nephritic
diets chiefly because of its low salt and protein content and on
account of its non-toxic end-products.

The percentage of water in milk is likewise known and for this reason
the fluid content of a milk diet can be easily calculated. However, it
is also true that the greatest drawback to a diet consisting solely of
milk is the large amount of water therein compared with its nutrient
value.

~Resting the Kidneys.~--During the acute stage of nephritis the
kidneys are given as much rest as possible by eliminating all food and
restricting the amount of water entering the body. The thirst is
relieved by small sips of plain or carbonated water or by ice pellets
held in the mouth, or, as is sometimes necessary, by injections of
water into the rectum.

~Adjusting the Fluids.~--The amount of fluid, however, must be
adjusted to meet the condition of the patient, taking into
consideration the amount of urine voided and the uremic symptoms
manifested. If the urine is not suppressed the amount of water taken
may be slightly in excess of the urine voided, thus promoting
diuresis. In many cases an excellent diuretic drink consisting of one
pint of water and one teaspoonful of cream of tartar with a half a
lemon and perhaps a little sugar, serves the purpose of relieving the
thirst, which is at times acute during this period.

The extent of the starvation treatment must depend upon the patient
himself. As a rule, however, it is not carried out longer than two
days, after which milk may be substituted, allowing from twenty to
thirty ounces per day, which is as much fluid as an ordinary nephritic
patient can handle.

The regulation nephritic diet, which is bland in character, contains
nothing that will tend to increase the irritation and inflammation of
the kidneys, and furnishes a certain amount of nourishment when the
symptoms of the disease warrant the giving of any food other than
milk.

The following diets used in cases of high ur