hapter describing the
functions of the carbohydrates in the human body it was demonstrated
that their energy-producing properties did not cover the extent of
their usefulness. It has been proved that this food constituent
normally acts as neutralizing agent for the toxic acids produced
within the organism as a result of the breaking down of the _fats_.
Hence, when this function of the carbohydrates becomes impaired, these
acids, Oxybutyric acid, Diacetic acid and Acetone, fail to be
neutralized and are consequently absorbed into the blood stream,
giving rise to a form of intoxication known as acidosis. When acidosis
becomes extreme, the diabetic patient is apt at any time to succumb to
the dreaded diabetic coma.

~Keeping Urine Sugar Free.~--Thus it is seen that the treatment of
diabetes mellitus consists not alone of freeing the urine from sugar
and keeping it free, but of controlling the acidosis which may at any
time develop.

~Diabetic Cures.~--Numberless so-called diabetic cures have been
brought forward and more or less tested for years, but whether they
have really accomplished cures has not been satisfactorily proved. Not
until Dr. Allen instituted what is known as the Allen's Starvation
Treatment has the disease been so universally treated, at least by one
method or modification of one method. Dr. Joslin, who has used this
treatment most successfully, does not claim to have accomplished a
cure, but states that he is watching the results of the treatment in
his patients with interest.

~Starvation Treatment.~--The Allen Starvation Treatment consists of
first a period of about forty-eight hours in which the patient is
given an ordinary diet, during which time the daily weight is taken
and the urine examined and recorded.

~Acidosis.~--It has been found in some cases, such as with elderly
patients or those in whom there is an evident acidosis, advisable to
precede the period of starvation by a preliminary treatment.

~Method of Treatment.~--Joslin[138] suggests the following method of
procedure:

"Without otherwise changing the diet omit fat. After two days, omit
protein, then halve the carbohydrates daily until the patient is
taking only ten grams, then fast."

In the Michael Reese Hospital, the following series of test diets are
given to determine the severity of the diabetes:

DIABETIC TEST DIETS[139]

BREAKFAST

Grapefruit 1/2
Eggs 2
Bacon 20 g