~Massage~ is advised. The kneading and gentle manipulation of the
muscles stimulates them to utilize more food material, besides
enabling the patient to eat more by reason of an increased appetite.

~The Milk Cure~ has been used extensively in overcoming extreme
emaciation. It consists in the taking of large quantities, ranging
from one to two gallons per day. It is given every hour or oftener for
a period of one month to six weeks.

~Reenforcing the Diet~ with eggs and lactose is often found of great
value in increasing the weight quickly, as is the giving of one-third
of a glass of cream and two-thirds of a glass of milk after each meal
and at bedtime. The whole scheme of putting on pounds resolves itself
into the giving of proper food in larger quantities than are
ordinarily given, but dividing it up into frequent meals in order not
to upset the digestion and do away with the good already accomplished.

PROBLEMS

(a) Formulate a diet order for a patient with gout in which the purin
foods are eliminated.

(b) Formulate a diet order for an obese patient whose heart is more or
less affected.

(c) List the foods of special value in the diet for emaciation. Write
a diet order for day suitable for a patient (woman) weighing 110
pounds, whose normal weight is 135 pounds.

FOOTNOTES:

[156] "Food for the Sick," p. 97, by Strouse and Perry.

[157] The amount of food must be limited, since overeating will
precipitate an acute attack. It is best to limit the amount to about a
maintenance allowance or a little more, temporarily.

[158] "Diet in Health and Disease," by Freidenwald and Ruhraeh.

[159] _Ibid._, p. 544.

[160] Boiled vegetable dinners must be prepared without fat meat and
potatoes.

[161] Scientific investigation has proved that both carbohydrates and
fats may be formed in the body from protein. Hence any excess above
that required to keep the body in nitrogen equilibrium is utilized by
the organism for fuel or stored as fat.

[162] "Feeding the Family," p. 84, by Mary Swartz Rose.

[163] Saccharin may be used to sweeten.

CHAPTER XXIII

OTHER CONDITIONS MORE OR LESS AFFECTED BY DIET

PTOMAINE POISONING, ACIDOSIS AND PELLAGRA

PTOMAINE POISONING

The poisoning due to ptomaine is very similar to that brought about by
overeating and other dietetic errors. However, it is not so easy to
avoid being poisoned by ptomaines as it is to observe moderation in
the quantity of food eaten.