DIARRHEA
Character.—Acute or chronic, accompanying many pathological conditions, especially in children in whom diarrhea in any form must be given immediate attention.
Causes.—Errors in diet, polluted water or milk, ptomaines, bad hygiene, and certain drugs.
Bowels.—The stools vary in number from three to twelve a day. They may be greenish yellow in color, containing mucus and particles of undigested food and, in prolonged cases, blood.
Treatment.—Rest in bed and total abstinence from food for from twenty-four to forty-eight hours. Salines are usually given by mouth or by rectum, but this is left to the discretion of the physician. Very little water is given by mouth during the period of total abstinence. Thirst is relieved by bits of ice, and enemas are given if necessary.
Administration of Diet.—When acute symptoms have disappeared and the stools are becoming more normal in character and number, a fluid diet of from four to six ounces is administered every three or four hours or oftener if patient is very weak. Brandy may likewise be given in cases in which exhaustion is marked.
Dietetic Treatment.—Concentrated foods of the simplest character and only those known to agree. Proprietary infant or invalid foods, except malted foods, which exert a laxative effect; among those found to be good may be mentioned Mellin’s Food, Imperial Granum, and Racahout.
Foods to Be Avoided.—Fatty foods; pork, veal, and shellfish; all foods that are subject to fermentation in the stomach or intestinal tract (sugar).
Foods to Be Limited.—Fluids, soup, beverages, etc., because they impose more work on the intestines.